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.
Astros Claim Luis Durango
The Astros announced that they have claimed outfielder Luis Durango from the Padres and optioned him to Triple-A. They transferred right-hander Alberto Arias to the 60-day disabled list to create room on the 40-man roster. The Padres had designated Durango for assignment eight days ago.
Durango appeared in 28 games as a backup center fielder last year, but has yet to appear in a Padres game in 2011. The 25-year-old has a .243/.328/.294 line with 10 stolen bases at Triple-A Tucson as a center and left fielder this year.
Heyman On Padres, Athletics, Twins
The latest from SI's Jon Heyman…
- The Padres are being aggressive in engaging in trade discussions, say executives who have spoken to them. They're even willing to discuss dominant set-up man Mike Adams, who is under team control for next year. Many teams prefer Adams over closer Heath Bell, who Heyman says is "very likely" to be dealt. There are a couple of surprise suitors for Bell, but one exec told Heyman the righty "won't bring as much as you think."
- The impending returns of Rich Harden, Brandon McCarthy, and Tyson Ross are delaying the Athletics' decision on whether to sell. If they do sell, here's a look at who might be available.
- A rival executive believes the Mets would have to be bowled over to trade Jose Reyes, though teams seem convinced Carlos Beltran and Francisco Rodriguez will be traded. Teams haven't even called the Mets yet about Reyes' availability, tweets ESPN's Buster Olney.
- Heyman says that the Dodgers have not received any calls on Matt Kemp.
- Though they are nine games out, Heyman says there is no evidence the Twins will start shopping soon. A competing exec thinks they'll stand pat. While Michael Cuddyer would be coveted, his value in the clubhouse might compel the Twins to keep him.
- The Giants don't have much interest in Cleveland's Orlando Cabrera, writes Heyman.
- The Reds "seem reluctant" to trade catcher Ramon Hernandez. For more on Hernandez, click here.
- The Rockies are in wait-and-see mode, but if they sell they'll look to move closer Huston Street. Street is signed through 2012 with a club option for '13.
NL West Notes: Brazoban, Castillo, Tate, Sanchez
Though the Dodgers' bankruptcy has been the biggest news to emerge from the NL West this week, there's plenty going on with the division's other teams. Here's the latest:
- The D'Backs announced that they called up right-hander Yhency Brazoban and left-hander Alberto Castillo from Triple-A Reno and optioned right-handers Esmerling Vasquez and Bryan Shaw to Reno.
- Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports, who first reported the Brazoban callup, notes that the reliever last pitched in the Major Leagues as a member of the 2008 Dodgers. Meanwhile, Castillo had a 1.83 ERA with 8.0 K/9 and 2.5 BB/9 in 39 1/3 innings at Triple-A this year.
- Padres prospect Donavan Tate received a 50-game suspension for violating MLB's drug prevention and treatment program, according to John Manuel of Baseball America. It's the second time that Tate, the third overall selection in 2009, has tested positive for a drug of abuse. The 20-year-old has a .294/.368/.471 line through 76 plate appearances in the lower minors this year.
- Triple-A manager Steve Decker told Chris Haft and Adam Berry of MLB.com that 21-year-old catching prospect Hector Sanchez probably needs more seasoning before he can contribute in San Francisco. The Giants recently promoted Sanchez from Class A to Triple-A, but would like to see him improve his plate discipline. They're searching for big league catchers in the meantime.
Cardinals Notes: Wainwright, Heath Bell, Bartlett
At 41-38, the Cardinals are three games behind the Brewers in the NL Central. They rank second in the league with 4.67 runs scored per game, though Albert Pujols will miss all of July with a left forearm fracture. The Cards' starters rank 10th in the league with a 3.90 ERA, while the bullpen is 13th at 4.19. Today's links…
- Adam Wainwright hopes to make the Cardinals' September and playoff rosters this year, to help the team and to force his $9MM option for 2012 and $12MM option for 2013 to vest, he told Rick Hummel of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. However, since Wainwright had Tommy John surgery in late February, manager Tony La Russa isn't expecting anything from him this year. I think the Cardinals would prefer Wainwright not to rush, and will happily pick up his options anyway.
- Joel Sherman of the New York Post hears that the Cardinals "are trying to land" Heath Bell and Jason Bartlett of the Padres. In that scenario, Ryan Theriot would have to move to second base. Acquiring Bell and Bartlett at the trade deadline would require taking on about $3.7MM in additional 2011 salaries, plus quality prospects.
- Get your Cardinals MLBTR fix through our team-specific Facebook, Twitter, and RSS pages.
Sherman On Yankees, Padres, Clippard
Joel Sherman of the New York Post dishes all kinds of Yankees rumors today; let's check it out.
- Yankees GM Brian Cashman admitted the team's weakness is left-handed pitching, but says, "I can't force it. I can't make it happen if it is not there." Another Yankees official said that a lefty would help, "But I don't think it is live or die." Sherman believes Wandy Rodriguez and Francisco Liriano might be the two best available southpaw starters, but both bring concerns. Relief-wise they could go for the Marlins' Randy Choate or consider higher-priced names in August like Brian Fuentes and Mike Gonzalez.
- In general, Cashman said he doesn't think he can trade for a starter better than Bartolo Colon or Phil Hughes or a reliever better than Rafael Soriano, and all three could be back in July. According to Sherman, the Yankees "have shown no interest in high-cost veterans with dubious stuff such as the Brett Myers, Carlos Zambrano, Ryan Dempster, Edwin Jackson, Livan Hernandez, and Jason Marquis."
- Hoping for the Yanks to acquire Jair Jurrjens or Derek Lowe? We're not sure if either is available, but Sherman says "the Yankees' policy has become pretty much to run away from Atlanta pitching after having successful Braves hurlers blow up on them."
- The Yankees would not offer an extension to Hiroki Kuroda, if the righty were to make that a condition of a trade. We know Kuroda will require some form of compensation.
- The Padres "want to get out in the market quickly" with relievers Heath Bell and Chad Qualls, writes Sherman. The Yankees, however, prefer Mike Adams, who is considered much less available.
- The Nationals are willing to trade setup man Tyler Clippard, but are looking for a center fielder and have their sights on B.J. Upton.
New York Notes: Crosstown Trades, Osuna, Reyes
The Yankees own the best record in the American League and a half-game lead in the AL East over the Red Sox. The Mets are at .500 and sit 4.5 games out in the wild card race. The latest on New York's teams…
- The Mets and Yankees have matched up on only nine trades in their history, which you can check out with our Transaction Tracker. Yanks GM Brian Cashman has authored three of them, acquiring Mike Stanton (2004), Armando Benitez (2003), and Robin Ventura (2001). Cashman told Brian Costa of the Wall Street Journal, "There's never been an issue with it, but you'd better win the trade." Costa's article is an excellent discussion of cross-town dealing, so be sure to check it out.
- Speaking of Yankees-Mets deals, one Yankees person who spoke to SI's Jon Heyman called the chances of a trade for Francisco Rodriguez "less than 50-50." As I mentioned earlier today, K-Rod carries a lot of baggage.
- The Yankees will eventually need 40-man roster spots for Phil Hughes, Rafael Soriano, and Eric Chavez when they come off the 60-day DL. Mike Axisa of River Ave. Blues breaks down the most expendable Yankees currently on the 40-man. The Yankees are one of 19 teams with a full 40-man roster.
- The Yankees, Rangers, Blue Jays, Athletics, and Padres watched Roberto Osuna throw in Mexico on Thursday, reports Roberto Espinoza of Vanguardia (link in Spanish). The Red Sox are also interested. The 16-year-old Osuna is one of the top pitchers in the July 2nd class.
- SI's Jon Heyman surveyed two executives and two agents about Jose Reyes' next contract, with three of the four expecting $20MM per year and six or seven years.
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.
NL West Notes: Dodgers, Cook, Hawpe
Let's check out a few items from the National League West..
- Steve Soboroff, who publicly clashed with the commissioner’s office in his brief tenure as the Dodgers’ vice chairman, has resigned, writes Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times.
- Bill Center of the San Diego Union-Tribune wonders where Brad Hawpe will fit in when he returns from the disabled list. Even though it'll be hard to find a place for the veteran, it's hard to imagine the Padres cutting him loose and paying him the $2MM that he is still owed.
- Rockies pitcher Aaron Cook needs to turn things around quickly before the Rockies start exploring other options, tweets Troy Renck of The Denver Post. Earlier today, Renck reported that the club has started calling other teams to gauge the market for rotation help.
Quick Hits: Dodgers, Mariners, Pedro, Giants
On this day in 2004, the Royals completed a three-team deal that sent Carlos Beltran to the Astros. The Athletics were the third party in the transaction and bagged Octavio Dotel from Houston. The Royals, meanwhile, received Mark Teahen, John Buck, Mike Wood, and cash considerations..
- A fun fact courtesy of ESPNNewYork.com's Adam Rubin (via Twitter): Mets manager Terry Collins is tied with Braves skipper Fredi Gonzalez for second-most managerial seniority in the NL East with their current team.
- Mark Cuban’s interest in buying the Dodgers should make Padres fans nervous, writes Tim Sullivan of the San Diego Union-Tribune. Sullivan believes that Cuban has the forward-thinking mindset and deep pockets to shift the balance of power in the NL West.
- Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik has a chance to win right now and needs to make a move to bolster the offense, writes Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times.
- Pedro Martinez isn't ready to announce his retirement just yet, according to Enrique Rojas of ESPNDeportes.com (Spanish link). Martinez also says that he envisions himself in a Sandy Koufax-type role with a club.
- The Giants could use an offensive infusion as the deadline approaches, writes Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports.com.