Padres Rumors

Padres Acquire Dusty Ryan

By Tim Dierkes | December 21, 2009 at 2:08pm CDT

The Padres acquired catcher Dusty Ryan from the Tigers for a player to be named later or cash considerations, tweets AOL FanHouse's Ed Price. Tigers minor league pitcher Scott Drucker broke the news first on Twitter. Ryan had been designated for assignment on December 10th in a move corresponding to the Curtis Granderson trade.

Ryan, 25, hit .257/.359/.455 in 235 Triple A plate appearances this year. Heading into the season, Baseball America spoke of Ryan's "prodigious raw power" and "plus-plus arm," but considered his receiving skills a work in progress.

Odds & Ends: Gonzalez, Bradley, Hamels

By Luke Adams 2 | December 20, 2009 at 3:56pm CDT

Let's have a look at some miscellaneous Sunday links….

The Tigers purchased the contract of catcher Andy Bouchie from the Long Beach Armada. Bouchie, 24, was a seventh round pick by the Brewers after his junior season at Oral Roberts University, but was released due to catching depth in the Milwaukee system. He hit .290 with 7 home runs and 45 RBI in 59 games in the Golden Baseball League this year.
Jon Paul Morosi explains why the Padres should wait until July 31 to trade Adrian Gonzalez.
Larry Stone offers some optimism for Seattle fans with concerns about newly-acquired Milton Bradley in a nice article, reminding us that Bradley has had non-problematic stops over the course of his career. Stone quotes Eddie Guardado, Bud Black, and Ken Macha, all of whom support Bradley.
Scott Lauber writes that amidst the Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee pandemonium, it's easy to forget about Cole Hamels, but the Phillies haven't. They still see Hamels as a top-of-the-rotation arm and are confident in his ability to rebound from a forgettable 2009.
ESPN.com's Buster Olney writes that Oakland's potential deal with Coco Crisp reflects the value the A's place on defense.
In his usual lengthy Sunday column, the Boston Globe's Nick Cafardo focuses primarily on the Red Sox' moves, past, present, and future. He provides at least one interesting hot stove note though: Mark DeRosa's asking price has come down, and Cafardo wonders if the Mets could sign the infielder and play him at first base.
Cafardo also mentions that, while plenty of teams are interested in Chien-Ming Wang, the Yankees hope to match any final offer the right-hander receives.
Newsday's Ken Davidoff can't see any other teams taking a chance on Mike Lowell unless he exhibits good health in Spring Training.
In a separate article, Davidoff examines the next move for Johnny Damon. Davidoff lists the Braves, Rays, Cubs, and Mets as possible destinations, but concedes there are roadblocks in each case.
Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports looks at the remaining names on the closing market, concluding that there are too many arms and not enough teams in need of a closer.
Peter Schmuck of the Baltimore Sun says there's nothing wrong with any of the Orioles' recent signings, but that they aren't the big splashes fans may have hoped to see.

Adrian Gonzalez Rumors: Saturday

By Zachary Links | December 19, 2009 at 9:04pm CDT

9:04pm: This morning, ESPN's Jayson Stark told WJAB Radio in Portland, Maine that he was told by sources all throughout the winter meetings not to buy into any talk of Adrian Gonzalez being dealt this winter.

4:20pm: While GM Jed Hoyer and the Padres "won't never say never" to the possibility of an Adrian Gonzalez deal, Corey Brock of MLB.com (via Twitter) says not to count on it, as it would take a monster deal to pry him away.

For months now, we've been hearing rumors of a Gonzalez-to-Boston trade. Earlier this week it was reported that the Mariners and Orioles have interest, while one source close to the player told Jorge Arangure that he believes he will be dealt to the Red Sox rather soon.

Do you believe that the Padres are intent on keeping Gonzalez or are they merely trying to see how high the bidding can get for the star first baseman?

Odds & Ends: Treanor, Barton, Damon, Kelly Johnson

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | December 18, 2009 at 9:45pm CDT

More links as the weekend draws closer…

MLB.com's Adam McCalvy reports that the Brewers signed catcher Matt Treanor to a minor league deal. The former Tiger struggled to stay healthy this year.
The Dodgers signed outfielder Brian Barton to a minor league deal, according to Hernandez. The 27-year-old has hit just .268/.354/.392 in 179 big league plate appearances, all coming in 2008.
MLB.com's Bill Ladson has learned that the Nationals are not interested in Johnny Damon because they're trying to improve their defense.
David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal Constitution tweets that Damon has some interest in signing with the Braves. The outfielder would have to be willing to take a pay cut to join the club, in O'Brien's opinion.
Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports that the D'Backs have made Kelly Johnson an offer. The details aren't clear, but Piecoro guesses it's a one-year deal worth $2MM.
Dodgers' GM Ned Colletti said that any talks with Cincinnati are "all but dead," according to Dylan Hernandez of The LA Times. Yesterday we heard the two teams were exploring an Aaron Harang trade.
Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports tweets that the Tigers, Giants and Royals have interest in Jack Cust. ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick says the Mariners may be the favorites to sign Cust.
Jorge Arangure Jr. of ESPN.com hears that Jose Contreras is narrowing his options down and preparing to sign. His agent says "there are some interesting opportunities in the bullpen."
Jon Paul Morosi of FoxSports.com says that with his options dwindling, Miguel Tejada might have to slide over to third to be rewarded with a contract.
Claudio Vargas' deal with the Brewers is worth $900K, says Tom Haudricourt of The Journal Sentinel. The righty could also earn another $400K in incentives.
O'Brien mentions that Adam LaRoche said there's been no contact from the Braves that he knows of. Earlier we learned that some teams were put off by LaRoche's asking price.
Corey Brock of MLB.com reports that the Padres have named Jaron Madison scouting director. Madison spent the last two years working as the assistant scouting director in St. Louis.
Venezuelan reporter Efrain Zavarce says that Kelvim Escobar has signed with…a Venezuelan Winter League team. He'll pitch in relief tomorrow, and the Rays will have someone in attendance.

Olney On Gonzalez, LaRoche, Holliday

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | December 18, 2009 at 4:57pm CDT

ESPN.com's Buster Olney asked an "independent evaluator" to guess what the Red Sox would have to give up to obtain Adrian Gonzalez. Olney's source says the Padres need to acquire Ryan Westmoreland and Casey Kelly, plus other highly-touted prospects. Gonzalez is under control for two more years at $10.25MM. He'd probably be worth $40MM-plus over two years on the open market, so the Padres have some serious bargaining power. Here are the rest of Olney's rumors:

The A's are interested in Adrian Beltre, but "only in an Oakland economy size financial package."
Some teams bristle at the idea of paying eight figures for Beltre.
Some teams have been put off by Adam LaRoche's asking price.
The Orioles checked out of the Matt Holliday derby when they learned that he's asking for considerably more than $75MM.

Padres, Crisp Talking Deal

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | December 18, 2009 at 7:58am CDT

Agent Steve Comte tells MLB.com's Corey Brock that Coco Crisp and the Padres are discussing a potential deal.

"We see a real fit there, possibly," Comte said, adding that Crisp would like to sign before the holiday.

Tim heard yesterday that Crisp, who says he's healthy after surgery on each shoulder, would prefer a one-year deal with the Padres or A's. As for other teams, the Cubs have some interest and the Royals are open to bringing him back. Some considered the Red Sox and White Sox suitors, but they've both added outfielders this week in Mike Cameron and Juan Pierre.

Earlier in the month, ESPN.com's Buster Olney suggested the outfielder could sign a one-year deal worth $3-4MM. Crisp wouldn't be a steal at that price, but we know the Padres have at least some money to spend.

Padres Notes: Denorfia, Gonzalez, Payroll

By Luke Adams 2 | December 17, 2009 at 5:32pm CDT

The San Diego Padres have signed Chris Denorfia to a minor league contract, according to MLB.com's Corey Brock. Denorfia, who will receive an invite to Spring Training, has posted respectable career numbers in the majors (.279/.356/.380), albeit in only 237 plate appearances. The 29-year-old outfielder spent the last two years with the Oakland A's organization.

Meanwhile, Brock also shares some information from Padres CEO Jeff Moorad regarding Adrian Gonzalez. Moorad says that "there's nothing active" or currently "on the table" involving the first baseman. The Red Sox have been linked to Gonzalez most frequently in trade rumors, but Moorad doesn't believe GMs Jed Hoyer and Theo Epstein have had any conversations since the Winter Meetings. Still, Moorad concedes the Padres would "be silly not to listen" on any Gonzalez offer that would "dramatically improve" the club. The catch there, of course, is that even a strong haul of prospects probably has no chance of dramatically improving the Padres for at least a year or two.

One more note from Moorad: After the Padres slashed payroll by nearly $30MM heading into 2009, the team may have a little more breathing room this winter. Moorad says Hoyer "has money to spend, not a lot, but money to spend." San Diego's 2009 salaries totaled around $43MM, while 2010 could potentially see them up closer to $50MM. This slight flexibility perhaps explains the club's decision to retain Kevin Correia, following rumors that the righty would be non-tendered.

Odds & Ends: Mike Gonzalez, Second Base, Penny

By Tim Dierkes | December 17, 2009 at 11:41am CDT

Links for Thursday…

One official who spoke to MASN's Roch Kubatko called yesterday's Gordon Edes tweet about the Orioles making a run at Adrian Gonzalez "complete fiction."
ESPN's Keith Law doesn't mind the Orioles' Mike Gonzalez signing, but finds the loss of a decent draft pick to be the "real negative." Law does not expect much from Garrett Atkins.
Dave Cameron of FanGraphs says there's a surplus of available second basemen this year. He suggests some free agents will have to switch positions to find jobs.
Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch writes about the "longstanding mutual interest" between the Cardinals and Brad Penny.
Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe does not think the Red Sox should include Jacoby Ellsbury in a trade for Gonzalez.
Talking to Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News, Yankees catcher Jorge Posada said he'd like the team to acquire one more starter to allow Phil Hughes or Joba Chamberlain to work in relief. Also, Posada expects Johnny Damon to return.

Olney On Holliday, Bay, DeRosa

By Tim Dierkes | December 17, 2009 at 10:57am CDT

Hot stove nuggets from ESPN's Buster Olney…

Olney doesn't see Jacoby Ellsbury as a great fit for the Padres in a potential Adrian Gonzalez deal, in that Ellsbury will be arbitration-eligible a year from now and is represented by Scott Boras.
Olney heard the Red Sox would be interested in signing Matt Holliday at less than the current Cardinals offer. Here's the question: what exactly did the Cardinals offer to Holliday in guaranteed money and years? $15-16MM a year for up to eight years is pretty vague. Is it just a five-year offer, as Olney suggested a few days ago?
Jose Valverde is in a bad place, writes Olney, as there's no clear suitor looking to spend $8-10MM for a closer and give up a draft pick. If Valverde lingers on the market into February he could be a bargain.
Olney heard that the Mets' "five-year concept" for Jason Bay is heavily backloaded, so much that the true value is similar to Boston's rejected four-year, $60MM offer.
Righty Edgar Gonzalez might be Japan-bound. He spent this year in the Oakland organization.
Mark DeRosa's asking price appears to have come down – Olney says it's in the three-year, $18MM range. Still seems too pricey, but it's a step in the right direction.

Adrian Gonzalez Rumors: Wednesday

By Tim Dierkes | December 16, 2009 at 8:00pm CDT

8:00pm: Edes tweets that the Orioles "made a pretty good run" at Gonzalez during the Winter Meetings. It seems clear that Gonzalez has the potential to spark quite a bidding war.

1:36pm: ESPN's Gordon Edes tweets that there's "nothing going on" on the Gonzalez front. Edes doesn't expect the Red Sox to land Adrian Beltre or Matt Holliday either. Larry Stone of the Seattle Times believes that if the Padres do make Gonzalez available, the Mariners "won't let the Red Sox get him without a fight."

11:36am: Interesting tweet from ESPN's Jorge Arangure Jr. – he has a source close to Gonzalez who believes the player will be traded to Boston within the next ten days.

9:13am: The Red Sox are "working hard" to obtain Padres first baseman Adrian Gonzalez, write Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. The writers caution that a deal is "not close, and might not happen at all." Bill Center of the San Diego Union-Tribune wrote late last night that the two teams are not talking, but wondered if they'd re-engage.

Rosenthal and Morosi suggest the signings of John Lackey and Mike Cameron give the Red Sox flexibility to trade Clay Buchholz and Jacoby Ellsbury, and the Padres would be tempted by the chance to acquire both for Gonzalez. The Sox are reluctant to make that deal. Still, getting Gonzalez at $10.25MM over two years would free up resources for other pursuits during that time.

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