Padres Rumors

Padres Reliever Rumors: Thursday

By Tim Dierkes | July 29, 2011 at 12:06am CDT

The pace quickened in the Padres' trade talks involving relievers Heath Bell and Mike Adams yesterday, tweeted ESPN's Buster Olney. The Rangers and Cardinals are in the mix for Bell, at the least. The latest:

The Cardinals are in the mix for Bell and the Rangers remain the favorite to acquire him, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (on Twitter).
Bell told Scott Miller of CBSSports.com that he would be willing to take a discount to re-sign with the Padres after the season (Twitter link). "I said I'd take a discount, and I want to stay here," said Bell. "Everyone knows that."
Jon Heyman of SI.com says (on Twitter) that baseball people around the league expect Bell to wind up with Texas because they have the need and the prospects to get a deal done.
Bell told Scott Miller of CBSSports.com that a trade is "going to happen" (Twitter link).
Don't expect the Angels to trade for Bell if the Rangers can't swing a deal for him, Mike DiGiovanna of the LA Times writes (on Twitter). The Angels may not have enough upper-level prospects to sway the Padres.
The Rangers are "pushing hard" for Bell, according to T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com.
The Rangers say any deal for Bell is doubtful today, since the sides aren't close, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today (on Twitter).
Miller reports (on Twitter) that the Padres have not seemed willing to trade Adams.
The Padres' asking price on Bell is too high for the Rangers currently, tweets Scott Miller of CBS Sports. The Padres are asking for three players for Bell and the Rangers remain "very interested" despite the Padres' asking price, according to Miller.
An executive of one team told ESPN's Jayson Stark the Padres are "getting closer" to a major bullpen deal, and talks "could end quickly." The Rangers appear to be the favorite for Bell, though they've been in on Adams and Chad Qualls as well. The Phillies seem to view Adams as a better fit than Bell, and could try to swing a deal that also includes Ryan Ludwick. Though the Padres are talking actively with the Cardinals and Angels as well, they're higher on the Rangers' and Phillies' prospects.
The Padres and Rangers are engaged in substantive talks on Bell, tweets Rosenthal. Similarly, Jon Heyman says the Rangers are making progress on Bell and Scott Miller says Texas has pushed harder today. Miller says they've had "good talks" but nothing is imminent.
There's been little substantial dialogue between the Phillies and Padres regarding Bell, tweets MLB.com's Corey Brock.
Colby Rasmus was a central part of the Cardinals' discussions with the Padres for Bell, writes Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.

Hunter Pence Rumors: Thursday

By Tim Dierkes | July 28, 2011 at 11:50pm CDT

Yesterday we learned that the Phillies offered Jarred Cosart, Jonathan Singleton, and a second-tier pitching prospect for Hunter Pence, but the Astros did not pull the trigger. Domonic Brown may have been available as well, but it appears Pence will remain with Houston until the offseason at least. The latest:

The Astros are deep into trade talks and could deal Pence as soon as Friday, according to Zachary Levine of the Houston Chronicle, who confirms that the Phillies are the leading candidate to acquire the outfielder.
The Astros are "mulling" the Braves' offer for Pence, according to ESPN.com's Jayson Stark (on Twitter). The Braves' offer is "significant" and is built around highly-regarded pitching prospects, but does not include Julio Teheran, according to Stark.
The Phillies are making progress toward a deal for Pence, but they'll have to reach an agreement by Friday or the Astros will move on to other suitors, according to Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. The Phillies would include Jarred Cosart and Jonathan Singleton in a deal for Pence, according to FOX. The Astros prefer younger prospects and Domonic Brown is not currently in the trade. The Braves, who have "more restrictions" on their prospects, would enter the fray along with the Reds and Red Sox if the Phillies don't complete a deal.
The Phillies have been Pence's most serious suitor and the Braves have a high level of interest as well, according to Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. The Angels aren't seriously pursuing Pence and the Astros may be reluctant to trade Pence to the Reds and Pirates, two NL Central rivals.
The Phillies and Braves continue pursuing Pence and the Indians are still involved, according to Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports (Twitter links). There's a better than 50/50 chance of a deal. The Rangers aren't seriously pursuing Pence, however.
The Astros appear to be moving closer to trading Pence, according to Brian McTaggart of MLB.com. Six teams are involved, but no deal is imminent.
The Phillies' hope that the Astros will move Pence seems to be holding up the Phils' conversations with the Padres about Ryan Ludwick and Mike Adams, tweets ESPN's Buster Olney. Olney's colleague Jayson Stark adds that interest in Pence is exploding since the Beltran trade, naming the Phillies, Braves, Reds, and Red Sox as suitors.
Interest in Pence has picked up considerably with Carlos Beltran off the market, reports Danny Knobler of CBS Sports.
As many as eight teams are in on Pence, tweets Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports, including the Phillies and Braves. Rosenthal says the Astros are listening.
The Braves are the last team in on Pence, tweets SI's Jon Heyman. The Phillies "seem to have all but given up" on Pence after their big offer was rejected.

Quick Hits: Fister, Mets, Giants, Rangers

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | July 28, 2011 at 11:40pm CDT

With less than three days until the trade deadline, here are the latest rumors and notes from around MLB…

Kevin Goldstein of Baseball Prospectus introduced us to some prospects on contenders who should come with a "buyer beware" sign. Jonathan Singleton of the Phillies and Jesus Montero of the Yankees make the list, which is at ESPN.com.
One team with interest in Doug Fister heard there's "zero" chance the Mariners part with him, according to Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com (on Twitter).
Andy McCullough of the Star-Ledger hears that the Mets aren't likely to sign first round pick Brandon Nimmo until close to the August 15th deadline for teams to sign their draft picks (Twitter link).
Jon Heyman of SI.com hears that the Giants still have interest in adding a catcher (Twitter link).
The Rangers appear to be involved in serious talks with the Padres and A's regarding relievers, according to Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News (on Twitter). For the latest on Heath Bell and Mike Adams, click here.

Braves Eyeing Crisp, Ludwick, Upton, Quentin

By Tim Dierkes | July 28, 2011 at 6:58pm CDT

The latest on the Braves' search for an outfielder:

The Braves have also had internal discussions about Coco Crisp, according to ESPN.com's Buster Olney (on Twitter).
A scout told Mark Bowman of MLB.com that Ludwick tops the Braves' wish list.
The Braves are "desperate" for an outfield bat, but Quentin may cost multiple top prospects, according to Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com.
It's starting to seem like the White Sox will trade Quentin and the Braves are most often mentioned as a frontrunner, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post (on Twitter).
The Braves and Phillies are both "very interested" in Quentin and it appears that the White Sox will consider moving him, according to Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com (on Twitter).
Scott Miller of CBSSports.com confirms that the Braves have talked about Ludwick (they have "significant interest"), Willingham, Quentin and Pence. He adds B.J. Upton to the list of outfielders they're considering.
The Braves are "hot" for White Sox right fielder Carlos Quentin, tweets Rosenthal, and the Sox love Atlanta's young arms. However, one holdup is the thumb injury to Dayan Viciedo, who would replace Quentin in Chicago's lineup.
The Athletics' Josh Willingham is on the Braves' list of post-Carlos Beltran options, tweets Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. Earlier we heard that the Braves are the last team in on Houston's Hunter Pence and one of four teams in on San Diego's Ryan Ludwick.

Minor Moves: Miller, Cintron

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | July 28, 2011 at 6:55pm CDT

The latest minor moves come from Matt Eddy of Baseball America…

The Dodgers released Justin Miller, who had been pitching at Triple-A. The 33-year-old posted a 5.73 ERA with 7.8 K/9 and 9.0 BB/9 in 22 Triple-A innings for the Dodgers, Rangers and Marlins this year. He was useful for the Dodgers in 2010, throwing 24 1/3 innings in the big leagues.
The Padres released Alex Cintron in what appears to be a procedural move. The infielder retired in May, then decided to un-retire earlier this month. He last appeared in the Major Leagues in 2009.

Phillies Targeting Pence, Quentin, Adams

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | July 28, 2011 at 5:17pm CDT

Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. is working aggressively to improve his club before Sunday afternoon’s non-waiver trade deadline. And according to Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com, Amaro’s shopping list has been established.

Hunter Pence is his top priority (latest rumors here), Carlos Quentin is his second choice (latest rumors here) and Mike Adams is his third choice (latest rumors here). Matt Gelb of the Philadelphia Inquirer confirms that Pence is Philadelphia's top target. The Phillies are interested in several other players, but their hope is to acquire Pence, Quentin or Adams, according to Salisbury.

Multiple Teams Interested In Jamey Carroll

By Tim Dierkes | July 28, 2011 at 4:40pm CDT

4:40pm: The D'Backs and Pirates are also looking at Carroll, according to Jon Heyman of SI.com (on Twitter).

11:48am: The Brewers would like to acquire Dodgers infielder Jamey Carroll more than ever with Rickie Weeks hitting the DL for an ankle sprain, tweets Bob Nightengale of USA Today. However, Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports tweets that the Indians are continuing to show interest in Carroll.

Though they acquired outfielder Kosuke Fukudome earlier today, Indians president Mark Shapiro tweeted that the front office is "still working to improve the team with other additions." Potential targets vary from Ryan Ludwick to Ubaldo Jimenez, based on tweets from Jon Heyman and Troy Renck.

Tigers Rumors: Starting Pitchers

By Tim Dierkes | July 28, 2011 at 12:33pm CDT

The Tigers acquired Jhonny Peralta a year ago today, but this year they're trying to hold off the Indians rather than make trades with them. Who will they add before Sunday's deadline? The latest:

It sounds like the Tigers' three options for a starting pitcher currently are Hiroki Kuroda, Aaron Harang, and Jeremy Guthrie, tweets Danny Knobler of CBS Sports.
The Dodgers, Mariners, Astros, and Rays had scouts assigned to watch the Tigers' Low-A team last night, tweets Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. The game was postponed due to rain, however. At any rate, Nick Castellanos and Bruce Rondon are a couple of notable prospects on that club.

Red Sox Rumors: Rasmus, Starting Pitchers

By Tim Dierkes | July 28, 2011 at 9:46am CDT

The latest on the Red Sox, who have the best record in the American League…

The Red Sox are “still looking at all options,” including outfielders, but their focus may be shifting to pitching, according to Scott Lauber of the Boston Herald.
Lauber hears that the Red Sox didn’t actively pursue Colby Rasmus.
The Red Sox will consider Rich Harden, Erik Bedard, Hiroki Kuroda, Jeremy Guthrie, Aaron Harang, and Ubaldo Jimenez as they decide whether to add a starting pitcher, reports Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe. ESPN's Jayson Stark names Kuroda, Bedard, Harden, and Jimenez as pitchers on their radar. He notes that the Red Sox have "stayed involved from the beginning" on Jimenez.
The Red Sox wouldn't give up anything really good for Kuroda, opined MLB Network's Peter Gammons on WEEI's Mut & Merloni show.
Gammons believes the Cubs' Reed Johnson is the most logical fit for an outfielder for Boston.

Latest On Padres Relievers

By Tim Dierkes | July 27, 2011 at 7:33pm CDT

7:33pm: A source tells CBSSports.com's Scott Miller that the Padres think they can re-sign Bell at a discounted rate after the season, so they aren't guaranteed to trade him before the deadline.

5:35pm: The Cardinals are still trying for Bell and the Rangers are in the mix as well, according to Jon Heyman of SI.com (Twitter links). Though the closer can't choose his next team, he prefers the Cardinals, Heyman reports.

3:36pm: The pace has quickened in the Padres' talks for Bell and Adams, tweets ESPN's Buster Olney.

2:02pm: The Cardinals are still talking to the Padres about their relievers in the aftermath of the Colby Rasmus deal, tweets Scott Miller of CBS Sports. The Cards acquired relievers Marc Rzepczynski and Octavio Dotel in that deal, also gaining the flexibility to move Kyle McClellan back to the bullpen.

Earlier today, ESPN's Jayson Stark wrote that teams that have spoken to the Padres say they still have very little interest in moving Mike Adams, and don't think they match up with the Cardinals on Heath Bell.

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