Red Sox Not Pursuing Anyone Aggressively Right Now
The Red Sox are "not pursuing anyone aggressively right now," a source familiar with the team's thinking told WEEI's Alex Speier. Instead, the team is currently trying to determine which internal solutions will work. We've heard the Red Sox named as one of the most aggressive suitors for Carlos Beltran, but that may not be the case.
The Sox are still taking their normal approach of "inquiring about anyone who may make an appreciable difference to the team," in the words of the Boston Globe's Nick Cafardo. Cafardo says the Red Sox have inquired on Beltran, Ubaldo Jimenez, Felix Hernandez, Jose Reyes, Jeff Francoeur, Jeff Baker, Michael Cuddyer, Ty Wigginton, Hiroki Kuroda, Ted Lilly, Jeremy Guthrie, Ryan Ludwick, Josh Willingham, Conor Jackson, Ryan Spilborghs, Mike Adams, and others. The team needs include starting pitching, a reliever, an outfielder, and a shortstop, but the Red Sox may prefer internal options in many cases.
AL Central Notes: Indians, Francis, Chen, Buehrle
Jeff Keppinger was traded today as well as five years ago today. That's when the Royals acquired him from the Mets for Ruben Gotay. Here's the latest from the AL Central…
- Grady Sizemore was placed on the disabled list with a knee issue, and SI.com's Jon Heyman says (on Twitter) the Indians have their eyes on Ryan Ludwick and Josh Willingham. They also called about Carlos Beltran, but his no-trade clause may be an obstacle.
- Meanwhile, MLB.com's Jordan Bastian notes (on Twitter) that while the Indians prefer a right-handed bat, they haven't ruled out lefties with Sizemore and Shin-Soo Choo out.
- Royals GM Dayton Moore told MLB Network Radio's Jim Bowden that it's possible they'll move lefty starters Jeff Francis and Bruce Chen before the deadline (Twitter link).
- South Side Sox notes that it's much quieter this year than the last time White Sox ace Mark Buehrle was scheduled to become a free agent.
Pirates Notes: Trades, Huntington, Grilli
The Pirates are in first place, but manager Clint Hurdle realizes his team hasn't won anything of substance yet. "They don’t break a trophy in half and give it to you on July 19," he told MLB.com's Jenifer Langosch (Twitter link). Here's the latest from Pittsburgh:
- ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick explains how the Pirates ascended to the top of the NL Central and repeats that the Pirates have checked out Hunter Pence, Ryan Ludwick, Josh Willingham, Conor Jackson and other available bats in their search for offensive help.
- Pirates GM Neal Huntington told Jim Bowden of MLB Network Radio that he's looking to add a position player, a starting pitcher or a reliever (Twitter link). The Pirates have interest in Koji Uehara and others. For a look at what other teams are seeking, click here.
- Jason Grilli, who is pitching for Philadelphia's Triple-A team, will be in the big leagues within a few days, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. The 34-year-old has received at least one Major League offer, which means the Phillies have to promote him or let him leave as a free agent. Grilli has drawn interest from Pittsburgh now that he appears to have recovered from the right knee operation that sidelined him in 2010.
Padres Notes: Bell, Adams, Ludwick
The Padres have been prominent in trade rumors all month, and a couple tidbits of note pertaining to San Diego's sought-after commodities came in this afternoon and evening, courtesy of Buster Olney of ESPN.com.
- The Friars have exchanged names with a couple teams on relievers Heath Bell and Mike Adams, among others, though they "haven't been inspired yet." The Rangers and Phillies are involved, according to Olney (via Twitter). The trade market is relatively flush with useful relievers, so it will be interesting to see how high a return the Padres can land for these righties, if they do in fact trade one or both. For the fantasy ramifications of relievers on the move this month, check out CloserNews.
- San Diego may hold onto Bell unless it can recoup what it considers to be a little more value than two drafts picks, which would be the compensation if Bell, a likely type A free agent, were to sign with another team this offseason. This is not a good year to be selling relievers, as it's a buyer's market (Twitter links).
- The Red Sox are among the teams that have checked in with the Padres about right-handed-hitting outfielder Ryan Ludwick, reports Olney (via Twitter). Boston has lacked a useful righty stick in the outfield most of the season, as Mike Cameron was ineffective in that role before being designated for assignment and then acquired by the Marlins. The Phillies have also been rumored to be interested in Ludwick, who is a free agent at season's end.
Quick Hits: Wigginton, Reyes, Phillies, Lowe
Some assorted links for your Sunday reading:
- Ty Wigginton's name has come up in talks between the Yankees and Rockies, tweets SI.com's Jon Heyman. As Heyman points out, Wigginton could fill in for Alex Rodriguez as he recovers from surgery.
- The Boston Globe's Nick Cafardo feels that the Red Sox should go all-in and acquire Jose Reyes to put the team over the top.
- Bob Brookover of the Philadelphia Inquirer spoke to a scout from each league and got their takes on several Phillies' trade targets, including: Josh Willingham, Ryan Ludwick, Heath Bell, Mike Adams, Hunter Pence, and Carlos Beltran.
- Derek Lowe isn't concerning himself with trade rumors and is even making light of the Tigers' interest in him, writes Carroll Rogers of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Rogers speculates that the Braves could move Lowe to clear salary for a big-name hitter.
- The Tigers are looking at improving their rotation and possibly third base, writes Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. With Carlos Guillen coming back and Phil Coke being placed back in the bullpen, GM Dave Dombrowski doesn't feel second base and relief help are big areas of need.
Padres Notes: Bell, Ludwick, Stauffer
The 37-45 Padres have won seven of their last eight games and are now 9.5 games behind the Giants for the division lead. If their hot streak continues they could surprise some people, but it seems more likely that they'll be sellers at this year's trade deadline. Here's the latest on the Padres' summer plans…
- Heath Bell, who has been the subject of trade rumors for years, tells Scott Miller of CBS Sports that he’s anticipating a deal. "In all honesty, I know it's probably going to happen," Bell said.
- Padres GM Jed Hoyer told Tim Sullivan of the San Diego Union-Tribune that he wants to be a buyer this summer, so he's hoping his club's hot streak continues. But Hoyer realizes he will have to field offers for Ryan Ludwick if the team doesn't keep winning. “IF we are out of the race, we have to consider trading him," Hoyer said. "If we continue to play well, we will certainly hold on to him." Ludwick hits free agency after the season.
- Tim Stauffer and Cory Luebke tell Bill Center of the Union-Tribune that their time in San Diego's bullpen taught them lessons they're now applying as members of the rotation.
Davidoff On Padres, Bell, Yankees, Reyes
In his Baseball Insider piece this week, Newsday's Ken Davidoff points out that the July 31st trade deadline often seems to "run through" a particular team that has the most pieces to sell. It seemed as if the Mets could be that team this year, but they may hang on to Carlos Beltran and Jose Reyes if they have even a slim chance of making the playoffs. Instead, San Diego may be this year's biggest seller, with Heath Bell, Ryan Ludwick, Chad Qualls, and Aaron Harang among its potentially available players. Here are Davidoff's other notes:
- The Yankees have called the Padres about Bell, but haven't been as aggressive as other clubs who would use Bell to close games.
- The Yanks are more inclined to wait on the trade market anyway. By July 31st, the team will have a better idea of what injured players like Bartolo Colon, Phil Hughes, and Rafael Soriano will contribute in the second half.
- According to Reyes' agent, Peter Greenberg, the shortstop seriously considered listening to the Mets' contract offer before deciding not to negotiate during the season.
Phillies, Mariners, Reds Inquired On Ludwick
The Phillies, Mariners, and Reds are among the teams that have inquired on the availability of Padres right fielder Ryan Ludwick, according to Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. The Padres appear willing to move the 32-year-old, who is eligible for free agency after the season.
Ludwick is hitting .255/.322/.393 with nine home runs in 299 plate appearances this year, with most of his production coming in May. He's been a little better away from PETCO Park, slugging .419 on the road. Ludwick earns $6.775MM this year, with potentially around $2.2MM remaining on July 31st. Inquiries from the Phillies and Reds may be a sign that those two clubs can squeeze in a salary of that size. Ludwick profiled as a Type B free agent the last time we checked, so that will be a factor.
Morosi adds that the Phillies and Cardinals are among the teams that have checked in with Padres GM Jed Hoyer on relievers Heath Bell and Chad Qualls, who will also be free agents after the season (Qualls has a $6MM club option with a $1.05MM buyout). Morosi expects Mike Adams to be popular as well, but as we've heard before the Padres are inclined to keep him since he's under team control for 2012.
Trade Candidate: Ryan Ludwick
While the Padres' bullpen is well-stocked and will likely draw the interest of trade suitors, left fielder Ryan Ludwick is emerging as an intriguing trade candidate. In last month's piece If The Padres Become Sellers, Tim Dierkes noted that if Ludwick, a free agent at season's end, were to continue his then modest hot streak, he would be one of the better bats available and might yield a decent prospect in a swap.
In fact, Ludwick has pieced together decent offensive numbers (.259/.327/.406) in left field, which has been a weak offensive position in 2011, while batting in a bad lineup and residing in pitcher-friendly PETCO Park. Since April 20, Ludwick has posted a line of .287/.340/.456, which is closer to his career line of .266/.336/.469. He'd be a nice, if unspectacular, addition to a number of different lineups.
Here's a look at some teams that could use Ludwick:
- Braves: Martin Prado is on the DL with a staph infection, which is a serious ailment and renders his return no sure thing. In the meanwhile, Atlanta is working with Eric Hinske, Jordan Schafer and the recently reactivated Nate McLouth in left and center, with Jason Heyward obviously manning right.
- Reds: This was rumored earlier this season, though both Cincinnati and San Diego shot down the whispers. Still, the Reds have not been able to tab a starter between Chris Heisey, Jonny Gomes and Fred Lewis. As well, Reds GM Walt Jocketty is familiar with Ludwick from their time together in St. Louis.
- Mariners: Safeco Field is known to kill right-handed power, but Carlos Peguero is struggling and Greg Halman is unproven.
- Tigers: Brennan Boesch has played left and right, with Andy Dirks seeing playing time while Magglio Ordonez was on the DL. Ordonez is back but is well into a decline. Detroit could acquire Ludwick and transition Maggs into a reserve role.
- Indians: Grady Sizemore is an injury risk, and fourth outfielder Austin Kearns has struggled in limited action. The Tribe could find the at-bats for Ludwick by DH'ing him occasionally and spelling any of Sizemore, Michael Brantley and Shin-Soo Choo, all of whom are left-handed hitters.
NL West Notes: Giants, Ludwick, Burroughs
No team in baseball has scored fewer runs than the Giants, who have the best record in the National League West. They aren't the only team in the division that's having trouble scoring. The Padres are 29th in MLB in runs and the Dodgers are 25th. Here's the latest from the low-scoring NL West…
- The Giants promoted 21-year-old catching prospect Hector Sanchez from Class A to Triple-A, according to Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle. Giants GM Brian Sabean has expressed confidence in Eli Whiteside, but the club is eyeing other catchers.
- Padres GM Jed Hoyer and Reds GM Walt Jocketty shot down a rumor about a possible Ryan Ludwick–Chris Heisey swap, according to Bill Center of the San Diego Union-Tribune and Tom Groeschen of the Cincinnati Enquirer, respectively.
- D'Backs third baseman Sean Burroughs is back in the Major Leagues after five years of late nights and parties, writes MLB.com's Jenifer Langosch. "I always say I went out to Vegas to become a rock star," Burroughs said.