Odds & Ends: Escobar, Peavy, Mets, Cardinals
A gaggle of links for your Thursday evening reading pleasure…
- In response to someone mentioning the Yunel Escobar–Matt Holliday rumors, MLB.com's Mark Bowman says "There is zero truth to those Escobar rumors. The Braves have NO and I repeat no intention to move him. Believe me, if they move him, it will simply be a deal that they simply can't refuse and that wouldn't include anything involving Holliday."
- Tom Krasovic notes that Jake Peavy is out of his walking boot, and is ready to begin "ramping it up."
- David Lennon of Newsday says that earlier today Mets GM Omar Minaya twice mentioned "that he talked with five or six teams today."
- Joe Strauss of The St. Louis Post-Dispatch says that the Cardinals may search for starting pitching if Todd Wellemeyer doesn't show more consistency over his next 2-3 starts.
- Scott Lauber of The News Journal notes that the Phillies promoted one of their best prospects, outfielder Michael Taylor, to Triple-A. He speculates that Taylor may best serve the club as trade bait, considering all three of their regular outfielders were All Stars.
- When asked who the best prospect was if matched up head to head, Baseball America's Jim Callis said he'd go with Bryce Harper over Justin Upton, citing Harper's advantage in power.
- MLB.com's Mark Sheldon reports that the Reds gave Venezuelan shortstop Humberto Valor a $690k bonus. Valor signed with Cincinnati earlier this month.
- David Villavicencio of MLB.com mentions that the Marlins have signed eight of their first ten draft picks. First rounder Chad James remains unsigned, however.
Braves Rumors: Escobar, Soriano, Payroll
David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution has the latest on the Braves. Here are the details:
- They're taking calls from teams interested in Yunel Escobar.
- There's nothing to the suggestion that the Braves could send Escobar and prospects to Oakland for Matt Holliday and Orlando Cabrera, especially since Escobar's much cheaper than Holliday and hitting about as well.
- The Cardinals are interested in Escobar, but they wouldn't trade Ryan Ludwick.
- O'Brien hears that the Braves offered Rafael Soriano to the Cards for Joe Mather last winter but the Cards wouldn't make the move.
- Braves GM Frank Wren repeated that he doesn't want to move prospects and can't afford to add much payroll.
Odds And Ends: Holliday, Yabu, Bay, Latos
Some links to look through on the morning of the Midsummer Classic…
- This week's chat will take place today at 2pm CST.
- MLB.com's Mychael Urban keeps hearing about a possible deal that would send Matt Holliday, Orlando Cabrera and salary relief to the Braves for Yunel Escobar and prospects.
- The Giants released Keiichi Yabu yesterday, according to the Kyodo News. He had been pitching in Triple A.
- Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post says Albert Pujols belongs with the elite players in baseball history.
- John Tomase of the Boston Herald says the Red Sox still aren't talking with Jason Bay about an extension, but there are indications they may revisit his contract before the end of the season.
- It looks like the Padres will promote their top pitching prospect, Mat Latos, according to MLB.com's Corey Brock.
- In the second part of my Q&A with NESN.com, I discuss Pedro Martinez, Clay Buchholz and the Mets.
Braves Not Likely To Move Escobar
We've picked up on a few rumblings recently concerning the Braves' Yunel Escobar. From the Red Sox having interest to the Royals "coveting" the shortstop, the rumors have been flying. Well, MLB.com's Mark Bowman would like to set the record straight:
"Look I understand the entertainment value of the rumor market that will swirl over the next few weeks leading up to the trade deadline," Bowman wrote Monday evening. "But at the same time, I think it's time to take Yunel Escobar's name out of the mix.
Teams have certainly called to express interest in Escobar and with his stubborn personality the talented shortstop has given the Braves at least reason to ponder the possibility of moving him.
But from what I've gathered, the Braves have zero desire to move Escobar."
The 26-year-old shortstop is batting .405 with runners in scoring position this season and leads the Braves with 42 RBI. Oh, and he's costing the club just $425K this year.
Odds And Ends: Rays, Hairston, Escobar
Even more links for your Monday afternoon…
- Jon Heyman of SI.com hears that the Rays signed Venezuelan third baseman Cesar Perez for $1MM. The "kid can play," according to Heyman.
- Ben Badler of Baseball America reports that the Indians agreed to terms with two players: a shortstop and Angel Berroa's cousin, who's a pitcher.
- ESPN.com's Rob Neyer doesn't see Scott Hairston in the lineup of the next A's playoff team.
- MLB.com's Mark Bowman says he doesn't get the sense the Braves have any desire to deal Yunel Escobar.
Odds And Ends: Escobar, Sanchez, Beimel
Some odds and ends to start the week off…
- Carroll Rogers of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution hears the Royals "covet" Yunel Escobar. As O'Brien says, Mark Teahen alone would not likely be enough to acquire the Braves' shortstop.
- Kiley McDaniel of Baseball Prospectus reports that the Tigers signed a pair of shortstops from Panama.
- Almost 70% of Cleveland Plain Dealer readers don't think Eric Wedge should be around for the rest of the year.
- Scott Ostler of the San Francisco Chronicle tells us how some well-placed calls by Ryan Sadowski's mother helped the Giants starter make the big leagues.
- Remember that Freddy Sanchez's All-Star Game berth means he only needs 600 plate appearances for his $8MM option to vest in 2010. He needs just 271 more.
- As Ben Bolch of the LA Times reports, Joe Beimel would return to the Dodgers if he could.
- Scott Hairston had a tough departure from his Padres teammates last night, according to MLB.com's Corey Brock.
- The D'Backs are making progress with first round pick Bobby Borchering and hope to sign him this month, according to Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic.
Olney’s Latest: Atlanta’s Potential Trade Partners
ESPN.com's Buster Olney chimes in with some players and teams that could matchup in a trade with the Braves, who could dangle Javier Vazquez and/or Yunel Escobar as bait. Most of the rumors are just Olney's own speculation, but let's round 'em up anyway.
- The Red Sox have liked Escobar for a while, but don't match up very well for a trade.
- Olney mentions that Jacoby Ellsbury might be the only fit since JD Drew is owed a ton of money and Jason Bay will be a free agent after the year, but that wouldn't work for Boston since they would then need to find another centerfielder.
- Olney speculates that the Red Sox could use their young pitching to engage a third team in a trade, mentioning that Matt LaPorta, Shin-Soo Choo and Corey Hart could be a good fit.
- Boston could eat some of the money left on Julio Lugo's deal to give Atlanta a stop-gap shortstop should they deal Escobar.
- The Red Sox are not interested in Jeff Francoeur.
- If Milwaukee and Atlanta discussed a Vazquez-Hart swap, the Brewers would likely have to kick in another piece.
- The Twins could offer one of their many outfielders in exchange for Escobar. Delmon Young might not be enough to entice the Braves, but Michael Cuddyer or Denard Span could be.
- The Dodgers would love to add Vazquez to their rotation, but Juan Pierre probably wouldn't be enough given his lack of power.
- The A's could package Matt Holliday and Orlando Cabrera, both free agents after the season, for Escobar, who would step in as Oakland's shortstop of the future.
Edes’ Latest: Giants, Teahen, Relievers
Currently standing atop the National League wildcard standings, the Giants are looking for a lefthanded bat to add to their lineup according to Gordon Edes of Yahoo Sports. He cites a major league executive who says that San Francisco has focused their efforts on three first baseman: Nick Johnson, Aubrey Huff and Adam LaRoche. Edes also says that the Giants have spoken to the Padres about a potential Jonathan Sanchez–Scott Hairston swap.
Let's round up the rest of Edes' rumors…
- Royals GM Dayton Moore has heard from multiple teams about Mark Teahen, including the Red Sox, Cubs, Angels and Giants.
- The Braves "might be inclined to take a look at" Jose Guillen. The Royals would love to discuss Yunel Escobar.
- We've heard this before, but if Boston moves a reliever, it will most likely be Takashi Saito.
- Padres' closer Heath Bell may command the most attention amongst relievers.
- The Astros are likely to hold on to LaTroy Hawkins and Jose Valverde, barring a collapse before the trade deadline.
- The Blue Jays would love to move BJ Ryan, but are more likely to see interest in Jason Frasor and Scott Downs.
- Bronson Arroyo is back on the trade block.
Braves Rumors: Vazquez, Escobar
Dave O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution says the Braves could deal Javier Vazquez or Yunel Escobar this month. Here are the details:
- Bobby Cox and Frank Wren were deep in discussion for over an hour yesterday, so O'Brien has no doubt "they're seriously trying to make a move." Yesterday, O'Brien reported that the Braves planned to wait before making any deals.
- The Braves don't want to trade Javier Vazquez, but realize he could help them acquire an impact player, presumably a bat.
- Despite his affordable contract, Yunel Escobar is a "legit possibility to be moved," from what O'Brien hears.
Stark On Royals, Phillies, Holliday
ESPN.com's Jayson Stark asks some thoughtful baseball people why we're not greeting Manny Ramirez like the "team-wrecking, alibi-distorting, female-fertility-drug-popping scoundrel he is." And, of course, Stark has piles of rumors. Here they are:
- The Mets were never willing to move Bobby Parnell or other top young arms for Mark DeRosa, so they weren't as close to acquiring him as the Reds and Cubs were. The Phillies, Marlins and Giants were also in the mix.
- The Indians are more interested in dealing Rafael Bentancourt than Kerry Wood, whose contract ($15MM remaining) would be hard to move.
- The Royals will listen on anyone but Zack Greinke, but that doesn't mean they're looking to deal starters. They're "reluctant" to deal Brian Bannister, Kyle Davies or Gil Meche, who has a no-trade clause.
- The Phillies were looking at Juan Cruz, who the Royals say they'd only deal for an upper-tier prospect ready to make a big-league impact.
- The Reds will wait it out and ramp up their pursuit of a bat if they're in the race later in the month.
- One executive says Pedro Martinez didn't look bad in last month's workout; Pedro's just demanding too much money.
- The Phillies haven't given up on pursuing Cliff Lee, Erik Bedard or Roy Oswalt.
- The Braves are trying to deal Jeff Francoeur everywhere, but no one's interested. One front-office guy says his team would be interested if Francoeur's non-tendered.
- Officials are divided on whether Yunel Escobar could be dealt, but a trade is unlikely at best.
- Rangers GM Jon Daniels says he is now looking to bolster his rotation.
- As expected, Daniels confirmed that the Rangers will have "limited" ability to take on salary at the deadline.
- The A's will want "two prospects with tremendous upside" for Matt Holliday if they deal him. It's unclear how much of the $6.75MM remaining on his contract the A's would pick up.
- Could Josh Willingham be the next-best bat on the market? One exec says he might be if Russell Branyan and Miguel Tejada don't become available.
- Another official says Willingham's unappealing because of his back issues.