Pie-Greene Rumor Denied
MAY 7th: Bruce Miles of the Daily Herald discussed the Pie-Greene rumor with Cubs officials, and it was "emphatically shot down."
APRIL 30th: Yesterday Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union-Tribune wrote of Kevin Towers’ pursuit of a long-term center field option. Jim Edmonds remains a question mark, and his contract is up after ’08 anyway.
Krasovic says the Cubs "have kept tabs" on shortstop Khalil Greene, while the Padres are still eyeing Felix Pie. The Cubs’ win-now approach could lead to that move, as Reed Johnson is doing fine in center field so far. Greene is signed through the ’09 season. Trading Greene would leave a gaping hole at the position for the Padres though. Another point is that the Cubs have gotten fine production at shortstop so far this year.
Krasovic notes past center field considerations for the Padres such as Jeremy Reed and Tony Gwynn Jr. Reed doesn’t seem to have a future in Seattle. As for Coco Crisp, Towers balked at Theo Epstein’s asking price of Chase Headley.
Greene Could Stay In San Diego
Shortstop Khalil Greene recently signed for two years and $11MM, a deal that bought out his arbitration years. Padres GM Kevin Towers said in January that Greene might prefer to play near his family on the East Coast.
However, MLB.com’s Corey Brock quotes Greene as saying today, "There’s nowhere else where I would want to play than San Diego." So maybe Greene will re-sign following the ’09 season, after all. Brock has more quotes from Greene on the Padres’ main site. He’d like to finish his career in San Diego.
Greene Could Stay In San Diego
Shortstop Khalil Greene recently signed for two years and $11MM, a deal that bought out his arbitration years. Padres GM Kevin Towers said in January that Greene might prefer to play near his family on the East Coast.
However, MLB.com’s Corey Brock quotes Greene as saying today, "There’s nowhere else where I would want to play than San Diego." So maybe Greene will re-sign following the ’09 season, after all.
Khalil Greene’s Future
Padres beat writer Corey Brock sums up the Khalil Greene situation on his blog. Greene is due for free agency after the 2009 season, and it does not look like he wants to stay in San Diego longer than that. Despite his Spicoli-like appearance he might prefer to play on the East Coast and/or in a more hitter friendly park. He’s 28, plays strong defense, and has a lot of power. He has been a bit OBP-challenged, whether due to low batting averages, lack of walks, or both. He’s set to earn $4-5MM in ’08.
Plenty of teams could use a shortstop like Greene: the Orioles, Royals, Angels, Nationals, Cubs, and Cardinals come to mind. However the Padres have no replacement for him. Erick Aybar, Felipe Lopez, and Ronny Cedeno are three possibilities where Towers could get a young shortstop in return (Lopez, less so). Are any of those three a sufficient bounty for two years of Greene? Pitching might have to be added to make it viable for San Diego. Towers will be a lot less limited if he can acquire a good young shortstop in a separate deal.
Odds and Ends: Hinske, Doumit, Colon, Greene
It’s up to an impressive 5.7 degrees where I am, but I still don’t think I’ll be going outside much today. Hence, some odds and ends.
- Rob Bradford of the Boston Herald believes Eric Hinske might sign with the Diamondbacks this week. The 30 year-old former ROY has a career line of .255/.336/.434, with much better work against righties.
- John Perrotto of Baseball Prospectus says the Red Sox are interested in the Pirates’ Ryan Doumit. However Perrotto says the Bucs are reluctant to trade the versatile Doumit, who turns 27 in April. Only past Doumit rumor I can find was from Will Carroll in May of ’06, saying he and Oliver Perez were being dangled to the Phillies.
- Perrotto believes the Royals could sign Bartolo Colon if he’ll take a one-year deal; that may be true for several clubs. Paul Hoynes reports that the Indians watched Colon pitch, but weren’t impressed with his sub-90 velocity. Hoynes says Kris Benson will have another throwing session and the Tribe will be in attendance.
- According to Marc Topkin, the Rays are talking with lefty reliever Trever Miller. The two sides haven’t agreed on the term yet.
- Padres GM Kevin Towers commented about the team’s rejected long-term overtures toward shortstop Khalil Greene. Towers brought a three or four year proposal to Greene but does not expect anything to get done. He stated Greene’s possible desire to be on the East Coast as a factor.
- Vince Gennaro does an economic analysis of the Johan Santana rumors, indicating that the acquisition makes the most sense for the Mets.
Odds and Ends: Inge, Greene, Pavano
A few tidbits this morning as we wait to hear more on Fukudome…
- The Tigers and Pirates have had talks about Brandon Inge. Not sure how he fits in with that club, but OK.
- Yesterday Barry Svrluga wrote of a failed Padres-Nats trade worth noting. The Nats would’ve sent Jon Rauch or Chad Cordero plus Felipe Lopez to the Padres for Khalil Greene. The talks fizzled; it never sounded like something the Padres would be interested in. They usually grow their own relievers. Tom Krasovic over at the San Diego Union-Tribune elaborates a little more on Jim Bowden’s love for Greene.
- Carl Pavano, the American Idle, is deciding whether to take a minor league contract with the Yanks. Peter Abraham says the Yankees are offering this to make sure they can collect on insurance.
- Xavier Nady will be tendered a contract, officially putting the rumors to rest.
- The Brewers inked Eric Munson to be their possible backup catcher.
Odds and Ends: Garcia, Greene, DeJesus
With so many rumors, there’s a need for a daily Odds and Ends post to catch ’em all.
- Buster Olney talked to Freddy Garcia‘s agent. He’s looking at a June return from shoulder surgery.
- Indians GM Mark Shapiro made an offer on Brad Lidge. The Astros didn’t even reply. They did hear back from the Marlins on their Miguel Cabrera inquiry. The price is seemingly too high for talks to continue. Peter Gammons says that before the Astros got Michael Bourn, the White Sox pushed for a Chad Qualls for Ryan Sweeney swap.
- Evan Grant notes that the Rangers have discussed trading shortstop Joaquin Arias to the Royals for Joey Gathright. They’ve also talked to the Brewers about Tony Gwynn Jr. GM Jon Daniels needs to have options if he can’t afford Torii Hunter or the other free agents. Grant adds that the Rangers have already been in touch with Kerry Wood.
- Jose Guillen declined his $5MM option with the Mariners – that’s no surprise. So far the Royals have expressed interest.
- Khalil Greene is under the Padres’ control through 2009, but his salary is going to jump significantly in arbitration for the ’08 and ’09 seasons. The Padres want to sign him to a multiyear deal, perhaps buying out one year of free agency. GM Kevin Towers is also posturing that he might use Scott Hairston as the regular center fielder next year, which seems a stretch. Also, Geoff Jenkins is on Towers’ radar.
- Ed Wade and the Astros have asked the Marlins about Dontrelle Willis. However the ‘Stros probably do not have the goods.’
- One way or another, the Marlins will ditch Miguel Olivo. They hope to bring Yorvit Torrealba aboard, which would take an offer better than two years, $6MM. The Mets, Brewers, and Blue Jays also like Torrealba. The Marlins are serious about upgrading behind the plate and will spend some money to do so.
- Jorge Posada seems set on testing the market, which never bodes well for the incumbent team.
- David DeJesus is a hot commodity as an affordable center fielder, but Dayton Moore expects to hang onto him. Maybe he’ll change his mind once some big names are off the board.
Padres Rumors: Crisp, Pie, Andruw, Eckstein
Tom Krasovic continues to set the standard for Padres inside information. Today’s column is especially delicious for rumor junkies, with tons of new material to chew on.
- Kevin Towers expects to fill his center field vacancy via trade. He may first want to wait to see if Mike Cameron accepts the team’s upcoming offer of arbitration. Cameron is a Type B free agent. Remember that he will be limited to 137 games in ’07.
- As for trade candidates, Coco Crisp is on the radar but the Padres smartly won’t part with Chase Headley.
- Krasovic notes that Bud Black’s connection with Angels manager Mike Scioscia could play a role now that Trader Bill Stoneman isn’t the GM. Reggie Willits or Nathan Haynes might be in play for the Padres.
- The Padres really seem to like Felix Pie, and could re-open talks that would include Khalil Greene. They’ve asked about Tony Gwynn Jr. of the Brewers in the past. And it does sound like the Royals are willing to talk about David DeJesus.
- Sounds like the Padres will offer Andruw Jones $14-16MM on a one-year contract. Scott Boras hasn’t seemed open to this with Jones, but time will tell.
- The Tigers will have competition from the Padres for Geoff Jenkins. Krasovic envisions a Jenkins/Scott Hairston platoon in left and expects the Friars to make an offer.
- Two starters will be acquired even after Greg Maddux is retained. Rehabbing former Mark Prior and Matt Clement would both like to play in San Diego. There has to be some sort of cosmic rule about having three ex-Cubs in the rotation. That is not recommended. Plus the Padres were on Curt Schilling‘s list. And don’t forget the team’s previous trade interest in Josh Towers, who seems likely to be non-tendered and could be solid in PETCO.
- The Padres could pursue David Eckstein as a second baseman and leadoff man. But that would seemingly block Matt Antonelli for longer than necessary. Plus such a switch wouldn’t be in Eckstein’s best interests financially.
- Towers likes Jason Kendall, perhaps as a backup, but faces opposition in the organization.
- In another article, Towers lends credence to the theory that the Marlins could sign Alex Rodriguez.
A Possible 2008 White Sox Roster
Nathaniel Whalen of the Daily Southtown speculates on a possible 2008 White Sox roster. His scenario sends Jon Garland and Brian Anderson to San Diego for Khalil Greene, Heath Bell, and a pitching prospect. Not sure who the Padres would use at shortstop, then.
Whalen’s scenario also has the White Sox signing Aaron Rowand. Most folks around Chicago expect Kenny Williams to make a run at him, especially if it’s for Eric Byrnes bucks. But that leaves Ryan Sweeney and Jerry Owens as the corner outfielders. Neither fits the profile of a corner outfielder, and I’m not sure the Sox can sacrifice the offense as Thome, Konerko, and Pierzynski all get a year older. Whalen’s picture also includes Darin Erstad on the roster, which could quickly lead to Erstad as a regular again. Yikes.
Baseball Prospectus’s Nate Silver also came up with a plan for the ’08 Sox back on June 14th. His lineup involves free agent signings of Luis Castillo and Kosuke Fukudome, with Ryan Sweeney handling center and Josh Fields in left. He proposed the Sox swap Mark Buehrle for shorstop Brent Lillibridge of the Braves, but that was prior to Buehrle’s extension. He also thought Kenny Williams could swap Jermaine Dye for someone as useful as Chad Billingsley, which was wishful thinking even in June.
What do you think? Williams could go in many different directions, but one way or another he needs to come up with a shortstop and at least one decent veteran outfielder.