Gammons’ Latest: Duke, Halladay, Reds, Rays
ESPN's Peter Gammons has a new blog post up, writing about how teams are reluctant to part with their top young players, even if they are overvaluing them. He also mixes in a little rumory goodness, so let's take a peek…
- The Pirates have indicated that it'll take "a gaggle of prospects" to move Zach Duke.
- When inquiring about Roy Halladay, the Yankees were told the price was Phil Hughes plus prospects Austin Jackson and Jesus Montero.
- One GM says "Cincinnati wants to move a few contracts, like either Bronson Arroyo or Aaron Harang, but we're not interested in giving players or taking on their money. Harang hasn't been the same guy since last May." Harang has a 4.99 ERA since a 63-pitch relief appearance on May 25th of last season.
- Another GM said "We've looked at Doug Davis, Jon Garland, Kevin Correia, Ian Snell and the long list of available starting pitchers and do not see anyone we would give A- or B-list prospects to get."
- Teams like the Yankees, Red Sox, Angels, and Dodgers are at an advantage because they can afford to restock their farm systems quickly by spending big in the draft or on the international market.
- The Rays are likely "to see what they can get" for Carl Crawford after the season, and will hold onto prospects they consider keepers.
Odds & Ends: Strasburg, Diamondbacks, Indians
Lots of trade talk means lots of links, so let's get right to the madness:
- Corey Brock at MLB.com examines the possibility presented by Chico Harlan at the Washington Post that Stephen Strasburg could end up a Padre.
- Bernie Miklasz at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch looks at the Cardinals' five biggest winners in the Matt Holliday trade. Rick Hummel looks at other memorable trades in which the Cardinals dealt top prospects.
- According to Nick Piecoro at the Arizona Republic, the Diamondbacks are currently in a "holding pattern" with no. 16 overall pick Bobby Borchering.
- Geoff Baker at the Seattle Times wonders if the Mariners' brutal 9-0 loss last night will mark the team's transition into selling mode.
- Paul Hoynes at the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports that the Indians will have a look at recently departed reliever Rafael Betancourt when he hits the free agent market.
- Hoynes also outlines the Indians' payroll obligations for next season, and wonders if low attendance and revenues will force them to trim the team's "luxury items."
- Toni Ginnetti at the Chicago Sun-Times talked to Cubs GM Jim Hendry, who expects some upgrades will come after the non-waiver deadline.
- Jamey Newberg takes a look at the concept of trading prospects through the lens of the Rangers.
- Tom Haudricourt at the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel chatted with Brewers owner Mark Attanasio, who will take an "aggressive but smart" approach at the deadline.
- Jeff Zrebiec at the Baltimore Sun says director of scouting Joe Jordan is "irked" by the fact that only 20 of the Orioles' 50 picks have signed with the team.
- Rumors are swirling that Luis Gonzalez might be heading back to the Diamondbacks as a team official, says Jesse Sanchez at MLB.com.
Padres Aren’t Discussing Gonzalez
The Red Sox have asked about Adrian Gonzalez, but the Padres steadfastly refuse to discuss him, according to Jon Heyman of SI.com. Boston has enough top prospects to entice most teams, but the Padres "just won't budge."
Red Sox After Adrian Gonzalez?
According to Sean McAdam at the Boston Herald, the Red Sox have been "very aggressive" in their pursuit of Adrian Gonzalez from the Padres, but their offers have been "rebuffed."
The Adam LaRoche acquisition may have just been one domino falling before a major acquisition, McAdam notes, as the Sox have been spending the final week before the trade deadline to hunt for an impact bat. Their interest in Victor Martinez is well-known, but a source tells McAdam the cost for Martinez has been "prohibitive." McAdam also says that if another deal is in the works, it will be for a player "that can upgrade the Sox not only this year, but for several seasons to come."
The Padres haven't formally put Gonzalez on the trading block, and indications are that the first baseman is staying put.
Padres To Extend Bud Black Through 2010
Padres COO Jeff Moorad says manager Bud Black will receive a one-year extension, according to MLB.com's Corey Brock. Word of the extension, which was announced in general terms earlier this month, comes from XX 1090 in San Diego. Black's current deal expires after this season, but he'll soon be under contract to manage the Padres through 2010. Since 2007, Black has led the Padres to a 189-231 record. The highlight of his Padres career to-date came in 2007, when he led the Padres to within a game of a playoff berth.
Odds And Ends: Gonzalez, Giambi, Mets
Some links for the morning…
- MLB.com's Corey Brock reassures Padres fans, telling them that Adrian Gonzalez and Heath Bell are staying put for now.
- But Gonzalez told Chris Jenkins of the San Diego Union-Tribune that he understands his team's predicament: "To a certain extent, I don't disagree with the people who say the best thing for the Padres is to go out and get a bunch of people for me."
- Patrick Newman of NPB Tracker passes along a report saying the Seibu Lions are trying to acquire Triple A pitcher Jonah Bayliss from the Blue Jays.
- Rich Hoffman of the Philadelphia Daily News says the Phillies depend on their scouts and believe only what they see for themselves.
- MLB.com's Mychael Urban wonders if Jason Giambi might shut it down for the season.
- Joel Sherman of the New York Post wonders if Nick Evans and Daniel Murphy are even major league bench players.
- The Brewers were among the teams scouting Cliff Lee last night, according to Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
Odds and Ends: White Sox, Correia, Ordonez, DNA Tests
A final batch of links for the night owls:
- Ozzie Guillen does not expect any trades before the deadline, according to the Chicago Tribune's Mark Gonzales. But Scott Merkin of MLB.com talks to GM Ken Williams, who doesn't rule out the possibility.
- MLB.com's Corey Brock reports that starter Kevin Correia could be the next Padre to be traded, though no significant interest has bubbled up yet.
- On the same day that Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com asks if it's time for the Tigers to cut Magglio Ordonez, the former All-Star seems to answer by hitting a grand slam.
- And The New York Times reports that Major League Baseball is using DNA tests to determine the age of some Latin American prospects.
Discussion: Should The Padres Deal Adrian Gonzalez?
Writing for VoiceofSanDiego.org, Tom Krasovic analyzes the Padres' options when it comes to first baseman Adrian Gonzalez.
San Diego CEO and vice chairman Jeff Moorad has maintained that Gonzalez will not be traded during or after the season, saying that "at some level, albeit a significant one financially, I can see him fitting in long term."
Just how "significant" that is will be the issue for the Padres. Krasovic has heard that "the Padres believe that Gonzalez could command $20 million per season as a free agent."
Will the Padres be able to sign Gonzalez when his contract expires after 2011? If not, when should they consider dealing him and stocking their depleted major and minor league rosters? Who might put in a bid for him this offseason?
Odds and Ends: Cubs, Meredith, Fuentes, Dunn, Pavano
A few links on a busy Tuesday night around the league:
- Lou Piniella still wants a left-handed power bat, according to Carrie Muskat of MLB.com.
- The Orioles officially added Cla Meredith to their active roster today, optioning reliever Kam Mickolio to Triple-A Norfolk.
- On Twitter, ESPN The Magazine's Jorge Arangure reports that the Giants have signed Colombian outfielder Leonardo Fuentes for a bonus of around $280k. Arangure also reports that the Padres made a late bid for the outfielder.
- According to Matthew Leach of MLB.com, Tony LaRussa downplayed rumors that the Cards are pursuing Adam Dunn.
- And R.J. Anderson at Fangraphs argues that Carl Pavano could be a trade deadline bargain.
Odds & Ends: Brewers, Yankees, Braves
On this day last year, the Brewers acquired second baseman Ray Durham from the Giants for two prospects, and almost exactly a year later they landed Felipe Lopez for two more. Who will it be in 2010?
- Evan Brunell at the Hardball Times likes the Brewers' Felipe Lopez acquisition and thinks a starter could make the Brewers legit playoff contenders.
- Marc Carig at the Newark Star-Ledger reports that Hal Steinbrenner is "open to all possibilities" for the Yankees at the trade deadline.
- Peter Gammons thinks the Red Sox need to pursue a bat most of all. "The Dodgers will acquire pitching. The Giants will get a bat. Florida may get a closer. The Cubs will also do something," he believes.
- Dave Cameron at Fangraphs recaps the site's list of 2009 player trade values.
- Mark Bowman at MLB.com takes a deep look into the Braves' current position, and believes how they perform in their upcoming series will be a large indicator as to whether they buy or sell pieces before the deadline. Bowman thinks there's a chance the Braves could be done making major moves.
- Tom Krasovic posits that the Padres must stop offering no-trade clauses in their contracts, as such clauses have backfired with many players, a list potentially including Jake Peavy with his recent DL stint.