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Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Harper, A-Rod, Dice-K, A’s

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On this date 45 years ago, in the final year before Major League Baseball instituted the amateur draft, Rick Reichardt was signed by the Los Angeles Angels for $200K. At the time, it was the largest signing bonus ever given to an amateur baseball player. Reichardt would only play 57 minor league games before making his big league debut later that year. He would go on to play 11 seasons with four franchises. With this year's draft class starting to sign their first contracts, let's take a look at what is being written in the Blogosphere…

  • Jorge Says No! says MLB should consider moving the trade deadline since the introduction of the wild card leaves more teams in contention in July.
  • Sully Baseball says it is hypocritical to criticize Bryce Harper for wanting to turn pro at age 16.
  • River Ave. Blues suggests that if the Yankees could have one contract absorbed by MLB it would be Alex Rodriguez's.
  • Around the Majors takes a look at Scott Boras' upcoming free agent class, which includes Eric Gagne, who has been converted back to a starter.
  • MLB Notebook wonders who the A's can trade outside of Matt Holliday.
  • Fire Brand of the American League looks at whether Daisuke Matsuzaka has been worth the contract he signed.

Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex.com. If you have a suggestion for this feature, Cork can be reached here, and followed on Twitter here.

Matt Holliday Update

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Scouts tell Joe Stiglich of the San Jose Mercury News that teams' unwillingness to part with prospects and inability to take on salary could make it hard for the A's to deal Matt Holliday. That's fine with GM Billy Beane, who says he doesn't feel pressure to deal his star outfielder this July. After all, if Holliday departs as a free agent after the year, the A's will receive compensation picks in next year's draft (assuming they offer him arbitration).

One scout says the economy has limited the number of suitors for Holliday, who makes $13.5MM this year. Another said teams are becoming more and more attached to the young players the A's would surely want in a trade. 

There's one more reason Holliday may be tough to deal. He's only hitting .197 in his last 17 games, with an OPS under .600. Nearly everyone goes through slumps, but this is Holliday's second big one of the season.

Rosenthal On Lee, Holliday

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Ol' reliable Ken Rosenthal has a new column up. Let's scope out the highlights:

  • The Dodgers have had discussions about Cliff Lee, but the price might be too steep for them to acquire him before the deadline. The Indians are said to want top-shelf talent along the lines of Tommy Hanson or Clay Buchholz.
  • The Dodgers have talent like that in Clayton Kershaw and Chad Billingsley, but obviously they're not going anywhere. A package around James McDonald and Blake DeWitt wouldn't suffice.
  • The Phillies have also inquired on Lee, but "have balked at the price."
  • Reports that the A's would accept less for Matt Holliday because they'd prefer to skip out on the arbitration process this offseason are probably untrue, as a source said the potential high cost for the slugger is a "nonissue."

Sabean Wants Bats, Won’t Deal Yet

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According to Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News Giants GM Brian Sabean knows what he wants to trade for, he just doesn't expect to acquire anybody until the days leading up to the July 31st trade deadline. Few teams are completely out of the race, so Sabean said he expects a late-developing market.

"You can't definitely know [which players are] available. And those who are have so many suitors," he said. "Whoever makes a trade early is going to really have to pay the price."

Sabean has created a "narrow list" of players he'd like to acquire, but said he doesn't plan on giving up top young talent for a two or three month rental. The Giants can take on salary, so Baggarly asked if Matt Holliday, who makes $13.5MM this year, is a target. Sabean didn't comment on the A's left fielder, but said his list "is more right-handed than left-handed."

Holliday, Angels A Good Fit?

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Bill Shaikin of the LA Times wonders if Matt Holliday could wind up with the Halos, whether this season or next. Last offseason, Holliday rented a home in Laguna Beach and, says Shaikin,

"Loved it. So did his wife. So maybe, just maybe, the Hollidays could move to Orange County for good next year. If Jason Bay stays with the Boston Red Sox, Holliday would be the best outfielder available in free agency, the one acquisition that would allow the Angels to bid farewell to Vladimir Guerrero without too much of a fuss."

He notes that Scott Boras' negotiation style "clashes with the quick-strike style of Angels owner Arte Moreno."

Odds & Ends: Pedro, Ordonez, Holliday

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On this day in MLBTR history: Last year, the Blue Jays fired manager John Gibbons and Matt Holliday talks were still swirling. In '07, we actually cared who was on Eric Gagne's team veto list and saw Michael Barrett get traded to the Padres.

Olney On Pedro, Mets, Holliday, DeRosa

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ESPN.com's Buster Olney has the latest on some of baseball's biggest names:

  • Pedro Martinez's stuff hasn't been good enough to tempt GMs to meet his salary demands, especially since few teams can spend. However, Olney says Pedro could attract more serious interest if he lowered his price.
  • The Mets have $5MM or so in payroll flexibility.  
  • The A's may have to contribute towards Matt Holliday's salary if he's dealt.
  • Some executives believe the Indians are about to begin marketing Mark DeRosa more seriously.  
  • He could fit on the Cubs, Cardinals and Mets. Olney guesses DeRosa ends up in St. Louis. 

Stark On Deadline Deals

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ESPN.com's Jayson Stark reports that, with only five teams more than six games under .500, it's a tough time to be a buyer. Here are the details from his latest Rumblings and Grumblings:

  • There are many trade candidates in Washingon, but free agent-to-be Nick Johnson is the likeliest to move of them all.
  • Adam Dunn's price would be "astronomical" according to one executive.
  • One of Danys Baez and George Sherrill will likely be dealt, and it seems more likely that Baez will move. As one official says, "he's throwing great, but he's still Danys Baez."
  • The D'Backs would prefer to move prospective free agents, like Doug Davis and Chad Tracy. Stark writes that Davis could fit on the Mets.
  • One executive believes Brian Giles "should get released."
  • Cla Meredith could bring a decent return for the Padres, who could also move Chris Young and Kevin Kouzmanoff.
  • The Royals could move reliever Ron Mahay.
  • At this point the Astros still aren't likely to sell. No one expects them to move Roy Oswalt, but Ivan Rodriguez, LaTroy Hawkins and Jose Valverde could be dealt if the Astros decide to sell.
  • One official says the Pirates would "love to move Jack Wilson."
  • Victor Martinez and Cliff Lee aren't going anywhere, but Mark DeRosa is becoming "more marketable by the minute."
  • Matt Holliday will hit the market if the A's don't play very well for the next few weeks. The A's will want the equivalent of a first rounder and a sandwich pick and, because few elite bats are available, at least one exec thinks they'll get a good return.
  • The A's are worried he'll accept arbitration if they offer it, but Stark hears that Scott Boras would likely direct Holliday towards a better hitter's park, even if it was for less money.
  • The Red Sox aren't in a hurry to deal Brad Penny. If they go for a shortstop, they'd want a short-term fix only.
  • The Rockies- definitely not sellers right now- could eventually look to add a setup man.
  • Delmon Young is "exceptionally available."
  • The Brewers won't discuss dealing Mat Gamel or Alcides Escobar.
  • The Rays would like to add a reliever, but they're one of many teams that can't add much payroll.

Olney On Mets, Holliday, Snell

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ESPN.com's Buster Olney says the Mets have begun discussing which hitters they want to target. Here's what Olney has heard about the Mets, along with the rest of his rumors:

  • It's fair to assume the Mets would like to acquire a "big-time bat."
  • Omar Minaya could pursue Nick Johnson. He already traded for him once as the GM of the Expos.
  • Other players that could play first and hit: Aubrey Huff, Jorge Cantu, Mark DeRosa and Dan Uggla.
  • Uggla's an outside-the-box solution, but the Mets could use his power.  
  • Don't assume the A's will be able to collect compensation picks for offering arbitration to Matt Holliday if they don't trade him at the deadline. Holliday's numbers have fallen off, making him more likely to accept arbitration if the A's offer it. He could make upwards of $16MM, meaning the surest way for the A's to get something back would be to deal him now.
  • Olney says the Rockies don't have interest in Ian Snell. Yesterday John Perrotto suggested they could trade for him.
  • Colorado will likely wait another month before deciding whether to deal Huston Street.  
  • The Mariners don't have to rush their deal-making either, especially since their division looks winnable.  

Odds And Ends: Indians, Ryan, Red Sox

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