Gammons’ Latest: Red Sox, Washburn, DeRosa
In his latest blog post at ESPN.com, Peter Gammons writes that "unless someone comes up with a Justin Smoak, Matt LaPorta or Brett Wallace," the Red Sox will hold on to Brad Penny and enjoy the depth. He says no one will offer up a prospect like that for a few months of Penny.
Here's the rest of Gammons' rumors:
- Takashi Saito is the pitcher on Boston's staff most likely to be traded.
- Jake Peavy and Erik Bedard "probably won't be tradeable before Aug. 1" because of their injuries.
- Jarrod Washburn could be had.
- The Red Sox have talked to the Angels about infielder Maicer Izturis, but the talks haven't gone anywhere
- Mark Mulder "made considerable progress refinding his delivery after one session with pitching coach Rick Peterson."
- The Mets are looking for an outfield bat. They made a run at Mark DeRosa, but wouldn't discuss Bobby Parnell.
- The Cardinals wouldn't discuss Jason Motte or Chris Perez in exchange for DeRosa.
- The uncertain situation surrounding the Cubs' ownership will likely prohibit any major additions.
Jays Not Looking To Add Arms Or Deal Overbay
Jeff Blair of the Globe and Mail reported yesterday that the Blue Jays are not looking outside the organization for pitching help or trying to deal Lyle Overbay. The Jays are hanging on to first place in the AL East by a half game after losing four straight. Here are the details from Blair's blog entry:
- The Jays plan to rely on pitchers within the organization such as Casey Janssen and Ricky Romero (both returning to the team).
- The Jays aren't even scouting Mark Mulder.
- The Jays would listen to offers for Lyle Overbay, who has an OPS of .867 and as many walks as strikeouts (17). However, they don't have the depth to deal Overbay because, as Blair points out, Kevin Millar "is not an option" as an everyday player.
- Overbay makes $7MM this year and the same amount in 2010, but he plays good defense. Last year he was the seventh-best defensive first baseman in the majors according to the plus/minus system.
- Jays GM J.P. Ricciardi says he hasn't been proactive on the trade front.
- He says he's under no pressure to lower payroll.
Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Mulder, Pedro, Cabrera, Holliday
On this date 32 years ago, Carlos Beltran was born. Beltran is still one of only 19 players to ever sign a contract for at least $100MM (four currently play for the Yankees). With three years left on Beltran's seven-year, $119MM deal signed in 2005, let's take a look a what is being written in the Blogosphere…
- Feeling Dodger Blue wonders if Mark Mulder is the Dodgers' best option.
- Never Forget '69 wonders if the Mets should explore adding Pedro Martinez.
- The Detroit Tigers Weblog addresses the recent rumors that the Tigers will look to trade Miguel Cabrera.
- The Baseball Opinion takes a closer look at the Nationals' attempt to remake their roster.
- River Ave. Blues says the Yankees' series against the A's was an audition for Matt Holliday.
Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex.com. If you have a suggestion for this feature, Cork can be reached here, and followed on Twitter here.
Dodgers Interested In Mark Mulder
Bill Shaikin of the L.A. Times has more information on free agent starter Mark Mulder, after talking to his agent Gregg Clifton:
Mulder is working out and, according to Clifton, could sign in one week and throw 100 pitches in a major league game in another two weeks. The Dodgers, with one starter on the disabled list, are among the "six to eight" teams interested, Clifton said. And how much contact has Clifton had with the Angels about Mulder? "Literally none," Clifton said.
Classic agent-speak – he is somehow not sure whether six, seven, or eight teams are interested in his client. But so much for the report yesterday that Angels GM Tony Reagins contacted Clifton regarding Mulder. Shaikin says Reagins is doing fact-finding on free agent pitchers, with the search even extending to the independent leagues.
Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe wrote Sunday that in addition to the Dodgers, the A's and Nationals are extremely interested in Mulder.
Angels Contact Pedro, Byrd, Mulder
According to Mike DiGiovanna of the L.A. Times, the Angels are now looking outside the organization for pitching help. GM Tony Reagins acknowledged contacting the agents for Pedro Martinez, Paul Byrd, and Mark Mulder. DiGiovanna says nothing is imminent. Reagins may also be considering trades.
Each of the three free agent pitchers has an issue - with Pedro it's price, Byrd it's desire, and Mulder it's health. Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe wrote Sunday that Mulder believes he can be ready two weeks after signing, with the Nationals, A's, and Dodgers extremely interested.
The best reinforcements figure to come internally – DiGiovanna says John Lackey and Ervin Santana may begin minor league rehab assignments this week.
Cafardo’s Latest: Peavy, Mulder
Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe has a couple notes in his Sunday column:
- Should he be dealt this season, the Red Sox appeal to Jake Peavy, who hit it off with Kevin Youkilis and Dustin Pedroia in the World Baseball Classic. Padres GM Kevin Towers is hopeful his clubs success will continue and trading Peavy won't have to come up. Only twelve games into the season and the Pads are tied with the Dodgers at 9-3.
- The Nationals, A's, and Dodgers are all interested in Mark Mulder who believes he "could be ready two weeks after signing."
The Remaining Free Agents: Who’s Left?
With little more than a week remaining before the regular season begins let's check the list of unsigned free agents..
- Pedro Martinez is the biggest name out there. The Dodgers don't like his asking price of $5MM and Omar Minaya says Pedro's not coming back to the Mets.
- Orlando Hernandez, Mark Mulder and Will Ohman are still on the market.
- And don't forget about Paul Byrd and Ben Sheets, who could return midseason.
- Richie Sexson, Mark Grudzielanek and Ray Durham are some of the more interesting free agent infielders
- Dave Roberts and Jim Edmonds could offer outfield depth, but haven't attracted a lot of reported interest.
- Luis Gonzalez is on the market too. Could he return to the Marlins? He could return to the D'Backs if he retires as a player.
Rosenthal’s Latest: Rangers, Rays, Mulder
Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports has a new column up with plenty of rumors:
- The Rangers think they can trade Frank Catalanotto if they pick up a considerable portion of the $6MM he's owed or if they accept a similar sized contract in return. They just aren't sure it's worth making room for Andruw Jones, who's making progress with his swing.
- Ian Stewart's emergence means Jeff Baker's become expendable for the Rockies.
- Rosenthal doesn't expect the A's to sign a free agent starter even though Justin Duchscherer needs surgery and will likely miss six weeks. Instead Rosenthal suggests the A's could trade for Jason Hammel or Jeff Niemann, both of whom are out of options.
- The A's can't afford Mark Mulder.
- Kris Benson could claim a spot in the Texas rotation and Rosenthal wouldn't be surprised to see Neftali Feliz or Derek Holland there before the All-Star break.
- They signed Cesar Izturis for now, but the Orioles hope to find a long-term solution at short.
A’s Not In On Mark Mulder
Tyler Bleszinski of Athletics Nation talked to A's GM Billy Beane on March 10th, and asked if the A's were tempted to sign someone like Mark Mulder or Pedro Martinez. An excerpt of Beane's response:
On Mark, my understanding is that he isn't ready to go out. That's sort of moot. But we've stayed away from signing the veteran starters because we have young guys that we want to be here at some point and I've never thought in our marketplace that that was an efficient use of your money. Short answer is no. It isn't really even something we pursued during the winter. We've got great young pitchers here and we want to give them a chance to get up here.
It's been quiet on the Mulder front lately. He was supposed to audition in mid-March. He told Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle in February he wanted to be 100% before holding an open bullpen session.
Odds & Ends: Manny, Papelbon, Pudge, Peavy
Links for Thursday…
- The Nationals remain interested in Duaner Sanchez, says Barry Svrluga of the Washington Post.
- Yahoo’s Jeff Passan talked to Mark Prior.
- Joel Sherman of the New York Post heard Manny Ramirez and Scott Boras consider the contract with the Dodgers a one-year deal with a safety net. Sherman wonders if the Yankees and/or Mets could get involved depending on how Manny’s 2009 season plays out.
- Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon commented about Manny to Chris Jones in the April issue of Esquire. It’s a good article and there’s a lot more to it than the Manny comments.
- Free agent catcher Ivan Rodriguez is working out at first base, according to Will Gonzalez of MLB.com.
- The Padres have the third pick in the June draft. Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union-Tribune asks whether they’ll finally take a player with big upside.
- Jake Peavy‘s agent Barry Axelrod seems to be writing off the Padres, in comments to Fred Mitchell of the Chicago Tribune: "It’s tough with the Padres’ situation. They are not very good and it looks like it is going to be another long year for them."
- Marlins shortstop Robert Andino is out of options, so Mike Phillips of the Miami Herald says this is his audition.
- ESPN’s Buster Olney says Mark Mulder‘s audition is drawing closer and he’s throwing well. Olney also says Luis Gonzalez is waiting by the phone. For a look at the other remaining free agents, click here.