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Ken Griffey Jr.

Healey’s Latest: Wilkerson, Marte

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Gotham Baseball’s Mark Healey has a new post up with some good trade rumors:

  • The Mets are talking to the Rangers about Brad Wilkerson, not Eric Gagne.  This makes sense, as Wilkerson has hit lefties well this year and can play right field.
  • The Mets are also talking to the Reds; could’ve been about Ken Griffey Jr. or David Weathers.  From what we’ve heard, though, Weathers is not available.  And would Junior approve a trade to the Mets?  He vetoed a trade there once before.
  • The Pirates want Alan Horne from the Yankees for Damaso Marte.  Given that Brian Cashman didn’t seem to want to give him up for Gagne, I don’t see this happening.
  • The Orioles are shopping Chad Bradford, but the Yankees aren’t allowed in the store.

Unconfirmed Rumor: Cubs Looking At Griffey, Dunn

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UPDATE: Will Carroll chimed in on the idea of Dunn to the Cubs in a recent update.  He cited the intra-division and salary factors as reasons it won’t happen.

Didn’t hear the report myself, but a loyal reader dropped me an email.

Apparently a recent Bruce Levine report for ESPN Radio 1000 had some interesting Cubs rumors.  Levine says the Cubs might try to trade for Adam Dunn or Ken Griffey Jr.  Any deal would likely include Sean Gallagher, and the Cubs called up Matt Murton today to showcase him.

This rumor leaves more questions than answers:

  • Would the Cubs again move their superstar signing Alfonso Soriano to center or right field to create a spot for Dunn?
  • If not, how ugly would Dunn be in right field at Wrigley?  He hasn’t played the position regularly since 2001.
  • With the management situation in flux, could the Cubs really take on Griffey’s contract, which runs through 2008?  Or even the $3.8MM still owed to Dunn this year?
  • Are Arby’s new popcorn chicken shakers as tasty as they look on TV?
  • Would Gallagher and Murton be enough for either of those players?

Will Griffey Be Dealt?

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To hear Reds GM Wayne Krivsky tell it, "There’s a lot of misinformation out there."  We’ll try not to contribute to that.  But here’s the latest on Ken Griffey Jr.

Hal McCoy of the Dayton Daily News believes Junior will only go to Chicago or Atlanta; apparently the Mariners aren’t interested right now.  Griffey would have to be interested too, given his trade veto power.  When McCoy says Chicago, I assume he means the Cubs.  The White Sox seem unlikely, but you never know.

The chatter was reignited on Tuesday, when Peter Gammons quoted Griffey talking about how it made sense for the Reds to trade him now.  Griffey’s agent, Brian Goldberg, seemed to indicate that the quote from Griffey may have been taken slightly out of context.

Goldberg also mentions in that article that the Reds called Griffey to shoot down a rumor that had him going to the Brewers.  That one was new to me, but it sounds like there’s nothing to it.

Griffey would certainly be a helpful addition in right field at Wrigley.  However, as Greg Couch writes, the team’s direction with player acquisitions and contracts is an open question right now.  Ken Rosenthal, back on June 24th, said the Cubs were not involved in a trade for Griffey.  Jayson Stark debunked the Atlanta rumor a few days before that. 

Another major wrinkle for any Griffey trade is that he’s knocking on the door of 600 home runs and could pass Sammy Sosa this year for fifth all-time.  The Reds would hate to miss out on that good publicity.

Rosenthal’s Latest: Willis, Dunn, Griffey

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Ken Rosenthal has a new column up today.  Not too much brand new material but worth discussing nonetheless.

  • Rosenthal opines that Dontrelle Willis is currently at his peak value.  Mark Buehrle is off the market.  Dontrelle is seemingly healthy and under control through 2009.  There was a scare, though, when Willis had a sore forearm in June.  Rosenthal points out that despite mediocre stats the past couple of seasons, Willis still has an ace aura about him.  That’s probably because of his near-Cy Young in ’05 and the way he took the league by storm in ’03.  The Mets, Mariners, Dodgers, Red Sox, Rockies, and Diamondbacks could all be interested in the Marlins start shopping Willis.  Larry Beinfest seems to be leaning against it though.
  • The Padres may still consider trading for Adam Dunn, but will see how Milton Bradley plays over the next few weeks first.  The Reds and Padres aren’t a great match, as the Padres don’t have many big-name prospects.  Maybe something like Clay Hensley plus Chase Headley (those names are oddly similar), if the Reds are sour on Edwin Encarnacion?
  • Many members of the Mariners’ front office would like to bring Ken Griffey Jr. back, but CEO Howard Lincoln "harbors resentment over Griffey’s departure in 2000."  That makes it sound like Griffey left via free agency, but of course he was actually traded to the Reds.  I did a little digging on that situation, and found that the Mariners offered Griffey an eight-year, $140MM contract in September of 1999.  Junior turned that down and requested a trade in November, citing a desire to play closer to his Orlando home.  Death threats also turned him off from Seattle.  At that time he named the Reds, Braves, Astros, Indians, and Mets as teams he’d like to play for.  By December Griffey decided he’d only accept a trade to Cincinnati – he even vetoed a trade to the Mets.
  • If healthy, David Wells plans to pitch again in ’08.  The Padres probably wouldn’t mind having him back.

Rosenthal On The Angels

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Ken Rosenthal weighs in on the Angels’ offense today, speculating about a Ken Griffey Jr. acquisition.  Other ideas for that "big bat": Miguel Cabrera, Morgan Ensberg, Garrett Atkins, Troy Glaus, Adam Dunn, Pat Burrell, or Mark Teahen.  None seem likely and many seem foolish.  Can you really see Stoneman making a major acquisition?  I feel a GM Trade Profile coming on, once I finish Omar’s.

The Halos are fifth in the AL in OBP and eighth in slugging; it’s not like they’re the Twins.  Still, as Rosenthal says, one more slugger could make them World Series favorites.  You can think of a million reasons why a Barry Bonds trade would never happen, but he would boost the offense immensely.  Other ideas: Carlos Pena or Dmitri Young.

Griffey Hopes To Retire A Mariner

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Ken Griffey Jr. finished his return to Seattle with a flourish, smacking a pair of home runs off Miguel Batista in the final game of the Mariners-Reds series.  The performance moved him past Mark McGwire to seventh on the all-time list.  Here’s how it looks now:

1.  Aaron – 755
2.  Bonds – 749
3.  Ruth – 714
4.  Mays – 660
5. Sosa – 601
6.  Robinson – 586
7.  Griffey – 584

Junior should move into sixth very soon.  Griffey has more staying power than Sammy Sosa, and should pass him in due time.  I can see Griffey retiring fourth on the all-time list, passing Mays as well.  He is the man America wishes was chasing Aaron right now. 

Let’s be realistic about Sosa, by the way.  He has a .305 OBP.  He’s having a terrible year, well below average for his position.  Sosa is about the 200th best hitter in baseball right now, based on VORP.  His performance has been roughly on par with that of Alex Cora.  He has been out-hit by many pitchers.  He is a sideshow and should not be starting for any team.   

Anyway, back to Griffey.  He recently created a stir in Seattle, saying he’d like to retire as a Mariner.  However, it was unclear whether he wanted to play another season or two in Seattle or if he just wanted a one-day contract on his last day.

U.S.S. Mariner likes the idea, but hopes it happens in 2009 instead of anytime soon.  Adam Jones and Wladimir Balentien comprise two-thirds of the Tacoma Ranier outfield right now, and the tandem will remain together in Seattle for many years.  There are better ways for the Mariners to spend money and talent right now than bringing Griffey back, even as a DH.

Rosenthal’s Latest – Buehrle To Brewers?

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Ken Rosenthal has a new article, and as usual he’s broken several brand new trade rumors.  A brief summary:

  • Here’s a good one: the Brewers have "kicked the tires" on Mark Buehrle.  You can never have too much pitching, I guess.  It’s a long shot that Doug Melvin could pull it off without involving Yovani Gallardo or Ryan Braun, and he won’t trade those two.  Without either player, the Brewers would pretty much be offering quantity over quality in terms of prospects. My own speculation: Corey Hart might intrigue Kenny Williams, but he’d be hard to part with.
  • Rosenthal estimates ten teams are looking at Buehrle.  He names the Mets, Braves, Mariners, and Cardinals.  Add the Brewers and we’re still five short.  The five Rosenthal doesn’t mention could include the Red Sox, Yankees, Marlins, Rockies, Dodgers, and Phillies.  Just guessing on the last five.
  • The Blue Jays have changed their tune on Troy Glaus – they’ll now listen to offers for him.  It is believed Glaus might waive his no-trade clause to play close to home for the Padres, Angels, or Dodgers.  Glaus is owed about $5.9MM more this year and $12.75MM in 2008.  He also negotiated an $11.25MM player option for ’09 when he was traded to Toronto.  Perhaps to agree to a trade he’d want his deal extended through ’09 for $13MM or so.  Rosenthal says the package for Glaus would likely involve a young third baseman, like Chase Headley, Brandon Wood, or Andy LaRoche.  Such a deal would be hard to ignore for J.P. Ricciardi.  Of the three teams mentioned, Ricciardi has only previously dealt with Bill Stoneman (on the Brad Fullmer trade).
  • Rosenthal says the Cubs are not involved in a trade for Ken Griffey Jr.  The ownership change will prohibit them from taking on his contract.  Rosenthal also mentions that the Cubs are having difficulties finding a taker for Jacque Jones.
  • The Angels still like Adam Dunn, though I still don’t see how he fits into their roster.
  • The prospect going to the Tigers for Mike Maroth won’t be anything special; the point was to unload his $3MM salary. 

Stark’s Latest

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ESPN’s Jayson Stark has his latest Rumblings and Grumblings column up, and it’s chock full o’ rumors.

  • Stark speaks to one NL exec who thinks any Barry Bonds trade rumor is hogwash.  That source believes that there would be no market for him.  Personally, I don’t buy it.  There would only be $8MM or so left on the deal, and as a two-month DH Bonds could make a huge impact on a contender.  And he did indicate he’d waive his no-trade clause.
  • Word is that the Mets wouldn’t trade Lastings Milledge for an impending free agent – Mark Buehrle included.  Milledge could go in a Dontrelle Willis deal though.
  • The Braves are seen as a more likely suitor for Buehrle, once he’s truly made available in a week or two.  Atlanta won’t settle for a Mike Maroth type.  What would the Braves give up for Buehrle?  Kenny Williams should pry away Jarrod Saltalamacchia if he can.  Otherwise a package involving Brent Lillibridge or Brandon Jones would make sense.
  • Meanwhile, the market on Jermaine Dye seems tepid.  It would help if he was healthy and hitting.  Ah, alliteration.
  • Stark debunks the popular Ken Griffey Jr. to Atlanta rumor.  He says the Braves aren’t looking for big contract commitments and are more focused on pitching than offense.  Rightfully so.
  • The Yankees have added Scott Hatteberg to their list of first base targets.  As if they needed more OBP. 

Rangers Interested In Jacque Jones

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This is unexpected.  Apparently the Texas Rangers have discussed a for right fielder Jacque Jones with the Cubs.

Jones makes $4MM this year and $5MM in ’08, so at first glance it’s perplexing that a team like Texas would want him.  There are two scenarios I can see.  Maybe the Rangers are working on a larger deal and Jones helps fill some other club’s need.  Or, maybe the Rangers like Jones at $5MM for 2008 and think he could be a useful part of next year’s club.  Regardless, I don’t expect Jim Hendry to get much in return for Jones.  Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times mentions that the Cubs are in talks with several other teams about Jones as well.

Wittenmyer also mentions that the Cubs would like to acquire a middle-of-the-order left-handed hitter.  He specifically names Ken Griffey Jr., who surfaced in a rumor a few days ago.  Wittenmyer mentions that Griffey is owed $6.5MM in 2007 and 2008 with a team option for 2009.  That’s not exactly true, as Griffey actually makes $12.5MM but with a lot deferred.  According to Cot’s Baseball Contracts, that makes the present day value of the contract something like $9-10MM.  And don’t forget the $4MM buyout for ’09 and possible compensation for waiving the no-trade clause.  According to Wittenmeyer, Griffey has told friends he’d welcome a move to Chicago. 

On my first draft of this post, I had a hard time identifying other lefty sluggers the Cubs could acquire.  Somehow I missed the obvious one, which is Adam Dunn.  Such an acquisition would require creativity, such as moving Alfonso Soriano to right field.  But Dunn is definitely someone the Cubs should consider if in need of a lefty slugger.

Cubs-Reds Griffey Rumor

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There’s a Cubs-Reds rumor making the rounds, reportedly one that originated on The Score here in Chicago.  Obviously I can’t catch all the radio rumors myself, so I rely on listeners to pass these along.  Since these rumors often spread like a game of telephone, consider this one dubious until confirmed.

The rumor hitting my inbox repeatedly: the Cubs could send Sean Marshall and Jacque Jones to the Reds for Ken Griffey Jr.  Keep in mind, this one isn’t even confirmed as a legitimate rumor.

Whether or not this rumor has any legitimacy, let’s discuss.  In Marshall I see a strong left-handed starter under the team’s control through 2011.  He’s improved his repertoire and should be a cog in the Cubs’ rotation for years.  In other words, very valuable.

Griffey is in the midst of another resurgence, but is at significant risk of injury at any given moment.  There’s a chance playing right field reduces that, but I wouldn’t bank on it.  Griffey makes $12.5MM annually through 2008, plus he’ll be owed a $4MM buyout for 2009.  When I began writing this I thought Junior’s contract was a lot worse.  It’s really not terrible and would be somewhat offset by Jacque Jones.  I can see Griffey approving a trade to Chicago, though he could ask for his contract to be guaranteed through ’09.

I can see how one could consider this trade fair.  I wouldn’t trade Marshall for the risk of Griffey, but it doesn’t sound absurd.  I still don’t see it happening – why would the Cubs take a hit in the rotation to add more offense?  The Cubs have a strong rotation and will need Marshall over the next several seasons.  It seems more logical for the Cubs to add a reliever.

Meanwhile, CubDumb reports that the Cubs are actively shopping Michael Barrett right now.  While this might aid the pitching staff, it would likely weaken the offense.

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