Astros Acquire Randy Wolf
TUESDAY: The Astros acquired Wolf for minor league pitcher Chad Reineke, according to Tom Krasovic. Baseball America wondered if Reineke could eventually become another Chad Qualls, a guy who blossoms with a move to the bullpen.
What are the Astros thinking here? This team is still playing to win, even with their backs against the wall. Perhaps they hope to convince Wolf to stick around in ’09. Might be hard though – he just bought Slash’s house in L.A.
MONDAY: According to ESPN’s Buster Olney, the Astros are "engaged in serious discussions to acquire veteran left-hander Randy Wolf of the San Diego Padres." Olney notes that the Astros are not included in Wolf’s no-trade clause.
It seems that Ed Wade’s Astros are playing for 2008, even at ten games out of the wild card. Wolf will be a free agent after the season. He has a 4.74 ERA in 21 starts this year, with a healthy 7.9 K/9. The 31 year-old southpaw has struggled away from PETCO.
Quiet On The Maddux/Wolf Front
MLB.com’s Corey Brock has an update on the non-rumors surrounding Padres pitchers Greg Maddux and Randy Wolf.
Though many of the pitchers ranked ahead of Wolf have found new homes recently, trade talks are moving slowly. Wolf has a healthy 101 strikeouts this year, but he’s been inconsistent in general and lousy away from PETCO. Previous suitors like the Cubs, Brewers, and Phillies are all probably out.
Maddux has been informed of his suitors, since he has a full no-trade clause. But Brock’s source says Maddux may choose to play out the string in San Diego.
Padres Rumors: Maddux, Wolf, Clark
Padres beat writer Corey Brock has the latest on the team’s trade candidates.
- GM Kevin Towers recently told Greg Maddux which teams have expressed interest in him. The Professor will ponder his options over the break, since he controls his fate with a full no-trade clause. Possible suitors like the Cubs and Brewers may have backed off, I imagine.
- As expected, Randy Wolf is drawing interest.
- Tony Clark could be moved within a few days, with Arizona the rumored suitor.
- The Padres are only looking to move veterans, and want prospects in return.
Stark’s Latest: Burnett, Nady, Greinke, Burrell
FRIDAY: We have an update to Stark’s column – he is now saying that Burnett does have veto power over 15 teams.
THURSDAY: Let’s take a look at Jayson Stark’s latest over at ESPN.com.
- The Phillies and Yankees both made failed runs at CC Sabathia. The Phils wouldn’t include Carlos Carrasco or Lou Marson, while the Yanks insisted on a negotiating window. The Phils are looking at Erik Bedard and A.J. Burnett by default, while neither of those pitchers makes sense for the Yankees. The Yanks checked in on Aaron Harang, but that’s a moot point since he’s ailing.
- Despite the Dodgers’ run at Sabathia, they’re apparently not looking at other starters.
- Ken Rosenthal recently wrote that Burnett had veto power over 15 teams, but Stark’s source says it’s just a handful of teams. It’ll be tough to convince Burnett not to opt out of his contract after the season, unless he’s hurt.
- The Braves still haven’t made the buy/sell decision. If they buy, Xavier Nady is the top target. If they sell, Mark Teixeira is the best chip. Apparently Scott Boras is talking about $23MM per year for Tex this winter.
- The Giants are pretty clearly not trading Matt Cain.
- The Orioles, making a run at .500, don’t seem motivated to move George Sherrill or othe top veterans.
- The Brewers’ Plan B beyond Sabathia was Zack Greinke, rather than Rich Harden. Ken Rosenthal recently said the Royals were "decidedly uninterested in moving Greinke," however.
- Stark says it "wouldn’t be out of the question" for the Cubs to pursue a lefthanded starter like Randy Wolf, despite the Harden acquisition.
- Extension with the Phillies for Pat Burrell did not get very far.
Quiet Deadline For Tigers?
Jon Paul Morosi of the Detroit Free Press believes the Tigers might be quiet in the trade market this month. However, the team could use starting pitching and relief help.
Morosi notes that the Tigers have not inquired on Randy Wolf or Greg Maddux. What’s more, Wolf has the Tigers on his no-trade list. One starter known to be on Detroit’s radar: Freddy Garcia.
Morosi adds that the Tigers had discussions for John Grabow and Damaso Marte earlier this year. And keep in mind that Barry Svrluga said back in April that the Tigers "will watch Jon Rauch very closely."
Randy Wolf Likes San Diego
31 year-old southpaw Randy Wolf bounced back in his start last night, pitching seven fine innings against the Marlins. Didn’t hurt that the Marlins have been lousy against lefties all year.
MLB.com’s Corey Brock spoke to Wolf, who said he’d consider re-signing with the Padres for the ’09 season. Wolf noted that he is comfortable in San Diego and likes working with Padres pitching coach Darren Balsley. He’s a West Coast guy and he left money on the table to sign with the Padres (and the Dodgers the year before). Interesting note – Wolf followed a rigorous offseason training program and says he’s throwing harder than ever (he touched 95mph this year).
Wolf has a 14-team no-trade clause that includes many Midwest clubs, which could pose a problem for the Cardinals. A return to the Phillies still might make sense. The Yankees could also consider him. Wolf could always accept a trade but still re-sign with San Diego after the season.
Cubs Pursuing Harden In Wake Of Sabathia Deal
How will the Cubs counter the Brewers’ C.C. Sabathia acquisition? They simply can’t match it, but the next best thing might be Rich Harden. Harden is also a frontline starter, but he lacks Sabathia’s durability.
According to Chris De Luca of the Chicago Sun-Times, "the Cubs have spent a lot of time on the phone recently with Oakland Athletics GM Billy Beane trying to pry away Harden." De Luca says they’ve been discussed a deal for at least a month. Plan C is apparently Randy Wolf. Will Carroll says the Cubs "think they match up well for A.J. Burnett."
Jayson Stark commented on the Harden situation on Thursday:
The A’s will consider any offers that allow them to add and subtract at the same time. But any Harden deal would have to at least approach last winter’s Dan Haren extravaganza.
A reminder: Baseball America ranked Carlos Gonzalez as the game’s #22 prospect, and Brett Anderson was #36. The Cubs don’t have two players like that. Then add Greg Smith and Dana Eveland, who have combined for a 3.52 ERA in 207 innings this year. Oh, and toss in Chris Carter and Aaron Cunningham for good measure. That was a haul, even for an ace like Haren.
Rosenthal’s Latest: Teixeira, Yankees, Padres, Fish
- If the Braves decide to shop Mark Teixeira, they may have a tough time getting as much as they’d like. The Red Sox, Angels, and Diamondbacks – among other contenders – are set at 1B/DH with David Ortiz, Casey Kotchman, and Conor Jackson respectively. Rosenthal notes Boston will only pursue Teixeira if Ortiz’s wrist fails to heal.
- Brian Cashman isn’t sure whether the Yankees are buyers or sellers. Most of their high paid players have no-trade clauses. Should they want to buy, Rosenthal suggests A.J. Burnett is a guy they could make a play for: an underperformer with a contract the Blue Jays would be happy to pass off.
- The Padres are planning to hold onto Brian Giles with the anticipation that a better replacement will not be available this winter. They continue to shop Randy Wolf, who can veto up to 14 clubs, and Greg Maddux to the Cubs continues to be bandied about.
- The Marlins need help in the bullpen, at catcher, and particularly centerfield. They could pursue Willy Taveras, Scott Podsednik, or potentially free agent Kenny Lofton, 41, who has generated interest but not signed anywhere.
Cubs Eyeing Harden, Wolf?
So many diehard Cubs fans hitting up this site…they need their own thread to talk trades. As you know, the Cubs hope to add a starter this month.
Chris De Luca of the Chicago Sun-Times echoes the common sentiment that the Cubs probably don’t have the young players needed to acquire C.C. Sabathia. I mentioned in today’s chat that I thought the only way the Cubs could be seriously considered would be to include Sean Gallagher. You can debate the merits of that.
Beyond Sabathia, De Luca says Rich Harden and Randy Wolf "sit atop their wish list." Jayson Stark noted today that Harden would require quite a bounty. Wolf’s price might be reasonable, but is he enough of an upgrade?
Wolf’s Audition Goes Poorly
According to MLB.com’s Corey Brock, it’s likely that scouts were on hand for Randy Wolf‘s start last night against the Rockies. Granted it was Coors Field, but seven earned runs in four innings did not help his stock. His previous start against the Mariners was also lousy. Wolf has pitched 102 innings over 18 starts. Last year, he was finished at the exact same point.
The Phillies and Cubs still might pursue Wolf, perhaps as a fallback. Steven Goldman recently made a good point in the New York Sun – Wolf and Greg Maddux have drastic home-road splits, and would probably only serve as back-end rotation upgrades for most contenders.