Rosenthal’s Latest: Kemp, Bradley, Fuentes, Street
New Rosenthal. Seems like he just put a column out a few days ago.
- Rosenthal believes the Dodgers would consider trading a young player (especially Matt Kemp) for a slugger. He discusses what it would take to get Jason Bay, Magglio Ordonez, Adam Dunn, or Matt Holliday. This all seems like a bad idea for the Dodgers.
- There are certainly arguments for the Rangers to keep or even extend Milton Bradley. But Rosenthal thinks he could net "multiple high-end prospects" if Jon Daniels goes the trade route. He says the Rangers could shop some of their veterans while also trying to acquire a controllable reliever.
- Rosenthal’s best guess is that the Pirates will trade Xavier Nady or Jason Bay but not both. He says Neal Huntington is not under pressure to clear salary.
- The Cubs are interested in Brian Fuentes, which is a new one. Rosenthal adds that Jim Hendry plans to pursue the best available starter.
- The Brewers have many quality minor league trade chips, and they may be looking for a starter.
- Minimal trade interest in Huston Street, and the A’s have backed off the extension idea.
- The Yankees are "aggressively" trying to move LaTroy Hawkins.
- The Dodgers wanted to do an Esteban Loaiza–Juan Uribe swap, but the Sox just waited them out and signed Loaiza.
- Rosenthal says the Phillies "lack the prospect inventory" to get an impact starting pitcher, which I don’t agree with. He says they may look for another lefty reliever or bench bat.
Odds and Ends: Alvarez, Zimmerman, Vizcaino, Hawkins
Some random musings around the league:
- As MLBTR noted before, Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette also believes the Pirates will take Pedro Alvarez if the Rays pass on him.
- Ryan Zimmerman may be looking for David Wright money (six years, $55MM), but the Nationals may be willing to pay him Ian Kinsler money (5 years, $22MM), according to Dave Sheinin of the Washington Post.
- In this piece by Tony Jackson on the LA Daily News, 39 year-old Jose Vizcaino may try to make a comeback in 2009. He’s currently a special assistant with the Dodgers.
- Troy Renck suggests the Rockies could be interested in LaTroy Hawkins if he continues to struggle for the Yankees.
By Nat Boyle
Odds and Ends: Bruce, Ensberg, Boone, Weaver
Plenty of links for today.
- Indians top prospect Adam Miller is pretty much done for the season.
- ’09 free agent shortstop Orlando Cabrera and manager Ozzie Guillen are not getting along.
- Peter Bendix explains the savings the Reds get by waiting to promote Jay Bruce.
- Morgan Ensberg is a DFA candidate, while LaTroy Hawkins may be getting there.
- Bret Boone‘s comeback attempt has ended.
- Jeff Weaver (6.69 ERA in Triple A) can ask for his release if not called up by June 15th.
- Hank Blalock may not be in the Rangers’ long-term plans.
- The Indians designated Jorge Julio for assignment.
Yankees Sign LaTroy Hawkins
UPDATE, 12-10-07 at 8:41am: It’s a done deal, pending a physical. Having watched LaTroy implode firsthand as the Cubs’ closer, I’m skeptical as to whether he can succeed in New York. But the risk is low.
FROM 12-9-07 at 3:27pm:
Ken Rosenthal reports that the Yankees are close with LaTroy Hawkins on a one-year deal worth $3.75 million. If this proves true, the Yankees will have beat out the Rockies and Rangers for Hawkins. The signing comes as rather strange, being a one-year deal for a soon-to-be 35-year-old.
After a couple of stellar years with the Twins and the Cubs, Hawkins has been average in terms of ERA. He had a decent season last year, posting a 3.42 ERA in 55.1 innings, though he struck out only a batter every other inning, give or take. He did keep his walks low.
Apparently, the Yankees liked the idea of Hawkins on a one-year deal, rather than Luis Vizcaino for three or four. Vizcaino had a solid three months for the Yankees in 2007, but also had three months where he got beat around pretty bad.
After missing out on Hawkins, the Rockies are reportedly looking at Vizcaino.
–Joe
Rockies Bump Up Hawkins Offer
Some hot news tonight…OK, not really. The Rockies improved their offer to LaTroy Hawkins tonight, proposing a slight raise.
Hawkins made $3.25MM in 2007, and the Rockies declined a $3.75MM option on him for 2008. Sounds like they’ll have to come in around the option price to keep him. Even worse, they already paid him a $250K buyout. So it was an effective $3.5MM that they passed on. That’s right around the amount the Yankees reportedly offered.
I might be missing something, but it seems like the Rockies didn’t handle this as well as they could have.
Yankees Bullpen Situation
It’s well-known the Yankees want to improve their bullpen. There’s been talk of converting young minor league starters into relief for 2008. Otherwise, who’s on the radar?
- A reliever could be acquired for Hideki Matsui – Tyler Kepner suggests Jonathan Sanchez or Kevin Correia. Brad Hennessey is another possibility.
- Kepner says the Yanks checked in on LaTroy Hawkins, Ron Mahay, and Trever Miller but haven’t made offers. However, Mark Feinsand says the Yanks are talking to Hawkins about a one-year deal worth between $3.25-3.5MM.
- Luis Vizcaino is probably out of the picture. George King adds Jeremy Affeldt to the list of free agents the Yanks are checking out.
- Peter Abraham says the Yanks are competing with the Royals for Mahay and that it might take three years, $9MM. Pete Caldera recently said Mahay wants three years and $12MM though. Bob Dutton notes that it’s Mahay’s agents pushing the Royals; they have little interest.
- Rob Biertempfel says the Yankees and Astros have interest in acquiring Damaso Marte from the Bucs. George King says John Grabow interests the Yanks as well.
Rockies Rumors: Iguchi, Cook, Kip, Holliday
UPDATE, 12-6-07 at 12:57pm: According to Thomas Harding of MLB.com, David Eckstein is now a Rockies’ target for second base. They talked to Mark Loretta today, also. Harding adds that the holdup on the Cook deal is the amount of a fourth-year option.
FROM 12-6-07 at 12:21pm:
The Denver Post’s Troy E. Renck has a lunchtime Rockies update.
- Renck doesn’t see Tadahito Iguchi getting Kaz Matsui money, noting that only the Rockies are pursuing Iguchi at his preferred position of second base. That could change if the Orioles trade Brian Roberts.
- Though Aaron Cook‘s 3/30 extension isn’t final, GM Dan O’Dowd believes it will get done.
- Free agents on the radar: LaTroy Hawkins, Shawn Chacon, Octavio Dotel, Victor Zambrano, and Kip Wells. There was recent chatter about Wells trying to become a setup man.
- According to Scott Boras, he’s never received a contract offer from the Rox for Matt Holliday. The original rumor was that the Rockies were planning to offer a four-year, $60MM extension.
Rangers Rumors: Lamb, Gagne, Prior
As usual, Evan Grant has the latest Rangers hot stove buzz.
- New acquisition Chris Shelton may see some time at first base for the Rangers. As far as left-handed hitters, the Rangers’ options are Mike Lamb, Sean Casey, and in-house choice Frank Catalanotto.
- Free agents Eric Gagne, LaTroy Hawkins, Corey Patterson, and Milton Bradley are still on the radar.
- Contrary to previous reports, the Rangers aren’t interested in Mark Prior.
- The Rangers don’t want to move Vicente Padilla or Kevin Millwood as straight-up salary dumps.
Rockies Still Offering One Year For Hawkins
Troy Renck wrote last night that the Rockies were starting to consider the idea of signing LaTroy Hawkins to a two-year deal. However, Dan O’Dowd said today that he’s still thinking one year. Hawkins is open to it, but not at a pay cut. A fair request from LaTroy. It sounds like the man actually desires to pitch in Colorado.
Odds and Ends: Gregg, Hawkins, Tavarez
UPDATE, 12-5-07 at 1:12pm: Per Troy Renck, the Rockies denied interest in Tavarez.
UPDATE, 12-5-07 at 9:22am: The Rockies are one NL team confirmed to have an interest in Tavarez. He pitched for the Rox in 2000, making 12 starts.
FROM 12-5-07 at 12:31am:
Early Wednesday collection of randomness…
- The Marlins’ highest paid player is Kevin Gregg at $2.5MM. Trade that man, post-haste!
- The Rockies are starting to warm to the idea of giving LaTroy Hawkins two guaranteed years. Could’ve had him for one but they declined his option.
- Julian Tavarez would like to be traded to the NL and get a chance to start. The Red Sox hope for a bench player in return. Yesterday, Todd Zolecki named the Phillies as a possible suitor for Tavarez.
- Peter Gammons learned that Darin Erstad could retire to coach University of Nebraska football if he doesn’t find MLB interest suitable.