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.
Odds and Ends: Resop, Myers, Gallardo, Fuentes
Today’s link collection:
- Joel Sherman says the Mets would be willing to eat some money on a contract to reduce the prospect price for a corner outfielder. He suggests names like Xavier Nady, Raul Ibanez, Randy Winn, and Adam Dunn. The salary-eating strategy would probably only help with Winn.
- The Hanshin Tigers purchased reliever Chris Resop‘s contract from the Braves.
- Ricky Bottalico says Brett Myers wants to be traded, but Myers and the Phillies denied it.
- It would be cool to see Yovani Gallardo return this year, if only to see him line up with CC Sabathia and Ben Sheets for a brief period of time. That’s three aces.
- The Yankees are still interested in Rockies closer Brian Fuentes; the Rox might be interested in Mark Melancon.
- More rumblings that the Dodger front office is confusing other teams.
- SI.com’s Jon Heyman ranks the most impactful potentially available players, raising the question of whether impactful is a word. Heyman also includes odds of each player being dealt.
Braves Stuck In The Middle
MLB.com’s Mark Bowman writes about the Braves’ trade deadline situation at the Trade Talk blog. The Braves are in that gray area between sellers and buyers at six games out.
Bowman says Braves GM Frank Wren isn’t finding a reasonable deal for a power-hitting outfielder, but he’s also disappointed by the Mark Teixeira market. Bowman believes the picture will be clearer and the offers better a few weeks from now. He adds that the Braves would seek a first baseman in a Teixeira trade. Perhaps James Loney, Casey Kotchman, or Kevin Youkilis would work.
If the Braves buy, Xavier Nady is one possibility. Bowman wonders if the Bucs could look to reacquire Brent Lillibridge.
Dodgers Looking For Shortstop Help
TUESDAY, 3:49pm: MLB.com’s Jim Molony chimes in on the Dodgers’ hunt for a shortstop. He says they’ll give Nomar Garciaparra a chance, but they are also considering Toronto’s David Eckstein. Back on July 3rd, the Baltimore Sun suggested the Orioles were looking at Eckstein.
TUESDAY, 8:53am: Dejan Kovacevic puts the brakes on the Jack Wilson-to-L.A. rumor. He says that while Wilson is not untouchable, the Pirates are not likely to trade him. They consider him affordable and do not have a capable replacement.
Kovacevic says talks with the Dodgers "seem dormant," and the Dodgers never offered a player from their Major League roster. Additional unknown teams have also called about Wilson.
MONDAY: John Perrotto of the Beaver County Times wrote an article Sunday concerning the Dodgers’ pursuit of Pirates shortstop Jack Wilson. Wilson, 30, is hitting .306/.348/.361 in 160 plate appearances this year. He’s under contract next year for $7.25MM with an $8.4MM club option for ’10. Wilson can block trades to six teams.
Perrotto wrote that Wilson is the Dodgers’ primary trade target. He says "a Dodgers source indicated that Los Angeles might be willing to deal center fielder Matt Kemp." A Kemp acquisition would create a logjam until the Pirates are able to move Jason Bay or Xavier Nady. Failing that, Perrotto’s sources indicate the Bucs have interest in pitcher James McDonald and shortstop Chin-lung Hu.
Ken Rosenthal wrote this morning that the Dodgers’ bid for Wilson is on hold as they restructure their offer. If the Dodgers get him, that should eliminate any chance of re-signing Rafael Furcal.
Pirates Rumors: Bay, Wilson, Nady, Marte
Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette sums up the Pirates’ trade deadline strategy in today’s article.
- Jason Bay and Jack Wilson are not being shopped. The Bucs like having both under contract beyond this year. It sounds like Neal Huntington would have to be bowled over to move either guy.
- Xavier Nady and Damaso Marte are the players most likely to go. Nady is under team control for next year, while Marte’s $6MM option will be declined. The Pirates are thinking they can decline Marte’s option, offer him arbitration, and let him decline to accept. Then they might be able to net two respectable draft picks for ’09, assuming he’s a Type A. So Nady is a more likely trade candidate than Marte.
Stark’s Latest: Harang, Bedard, Hardy, Weeks, McLouth
Brand new column from ESPN’s Jayson Stark.
- Stark explains why he feels the trade deadline is overrated. I guess it all depends on what you expect from it.
- You may recall Walt Jocketty’s Reds untouchables list from a few weeks ago. It did not include Aaron Harang. While the Reds might listen on Harang, there wouldn’t be any kind of discount.
- The Mariners have pushed Erik Bedard to the backburner, focusing on shopping other veterans. They’re also not dying to move Raul Ibanez at the moment.
- The Brewers might be willing to include J.J. Hardy or Rickie Weeks in a trade. In our chat today, a commenter wondered whether some kind of Hardy-A.J. Burnett swap could work.
- The Tigers are looking ahead, inquiring about various shortstops they might be able to use in ’09 and beyond. Perhaps if they find one they’ll decline Edgar Renteria‘s option.
- Add the Marlins to the list of Brian Fuentes suitors. One source from another team said the cost for Fuentes is "one good piece."
- Stark agrees with recent indications that the Royals aren’t dying to move Ron Mahay. Nonetheless, the Yankees, Marlins, Phillies, and Tigers are named as interested parties.
- Pirate outfield chatter: some teams are calling on Nate McLouth, though the Bucs prefer to move Jason Bay or Xavier Nady. Despite earlier reports, Stark says the Bucs could consider trading both. The Rays are "especially interested" in Bay.
- Stark talked to one club official who hasn’t heard any indications that the Phillies are willing to trade Shane Victorino. Also possibly off-limits: Double A catcher Lou Marson.
- To acquire Rich Harden, a package "would have to at least approach last year’s Dan Haren extravaganza." So, look for him to stay put. Harden’s velocity was down yesterday, by the way.
- Brett Myers‘ future with the Phillies could hinge on whether they re-sign closer Brad Lidge.
- Still no buzz around Adam Dunn.
- C.C. chatter: don’t write off the Indians’ attempt to sign him to an extension. "One friend" sees Sabathia as more likely to land on the West Coast than the east if he doesn’t re-sign.
Gammons’ Latest: Murton, Nady, Wilder
Rumory goodness from Peter Gammons’ latest blog post, aside from the Sabathia and Cubs stuff.
- The Rays are focused on a right-handed hitter. Matt Murton and Xavier Nady are on the radar.
- As you know, the White Sox fired scouting director Dave Wilder and two scouts for violations of the team’s scouting and signing procedures in Latin America. At the time, the Chicago Tribune said the investigation involved skimming and was limited to the Sox. However, Gammons says Wilder is telling investigators about other teams.
- Gammons agrees with Scott Merkin of MLB.com – the White Sox will not be active in the trade market.
Stark’s Latest: K-Rod, Burnett, Oliver Perez, Bedard
It’s Thursday, and that means it’s time to dig in and feast on Jayson Stark’s latest rumor-packed column.
- The Braves have shifted their focus from starting pitching to an impact bat in left field. Stark suggests Raul Ibanez, Jason Bay, and Xavier Nady would make sense. Matt Holliday would be too costly; Adam Dunn is not mentioned.
- We have seen the surprising rumor that the Angels could pursue C.C. Sabathia. However, Stark’s sources are in agreement with Bill Plunkett – the Angels are likely to stand pat.
- Francisco Rodriguez wants four years and more than $60MM, a dangerous record-breaking commitment. The Halos aren’t even sure if they’d do three years and a vesting option.
- There have been no recent extension talks between the Angels and Vladimir Guerrero, but his $15MM option for ’09 is an easy call.
- As we’ve written before, A.J. Burnett is like a rental, but worse. He either pitches well and opts out or pitches poorly and you’re stuck with him. Stark adds that despite Burnett’s willingness to pitch for the Cubs, he’s not on their list. The Cubs are still planning a run at Sabathia. The Brewers are also serious about the Cleveland ace.
- The Mets might shop Oliver Perez, but I’d be surprised if he draws much interest.
- The Blue Jays were already one of Adam Dunn‘s ten no-trade teams. His no-trade rights switched from full to ten teams on June 15th.
- Bill Bavasi talked to the Reds about bringing Ken Griffey Jr. back to Seattle, but Lee Pelekoudas isn’t interested.
- Interesting Indians players who might be available: Rafael Betancourt, Rafael Perez, and Franklin Gutierrez.
- The Yankees aren’t interested in Erik Bedard, but the Phillies are. The teams have differing opinions on whether Bedard’s surly demeanor would present a problem.
Odds And Ends: Lo Duca, Cabrera, Nady, Bay
A few more minor notes from the MLBiverse…
- Jay Gibbons joins the Long Island Ducks.
- The Giants may have to trade for a long-reliever. Bruce Bochy admits that his team is without a long-reliever and will work to find extra innings from his middle relievers.
- With Paul Lo Duca coming off the DL, the Nationals will now have three catchers. Chico Harlan feels the Nats will hope that Lo Duca plays well in his return to increase his trade value.
- Nick Cafardo believes that the White Sox will let Orlando Cabrera walk at the end of the season as a free agent, feeling that their double-play combination of the future is in the system and not far away.
- Bob Smizik doesn’t see the Pirates landing any top prospects for Xavier Nady or Jason Bay, should they be dealt.
Pirates To Keep Bay?
Jayson Stark wrote on Thursday that the Pirates could keep their veterans in the name of a run at .500. Dejan Kovacevic doesn’t mention that, but rattles off six other reasons the Bucs may choose not to trade Jason Bay this summer.
Kovacevic hints that the Pirates could afford to sign Bay to an extension after the ’09 season, since outfielders Nate McLouth and Andrew McCutchen would still be quite affordable.
Xavier Nady is more likely to go. The Boras client is not expected to re-sign with the Pirates when he reaches free agency after the 2009 season. Trading the him now makes sense – he’s hitting well (at least prior to June) and he’s more than a rental. Nady will have to prove he’s healthy, though, after bruising his shoulder Saturday night.