Mariners Explore Deal For Kouzmanoff; Not Ready To Trade Yet
Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports.com reports that the Mariners are taking a "wait-and-see" approach to trades and "will probably wait about two weeks before moving definitively on the trade market."
Morosi adds that the Mariners and Padres have "engaged in preliminary discussions with the Padres about third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff, according to one source with knowledge of the talks."
With Adrian Beltre on the DL, a deal for a third baseman would make sense for the Mariners. Earlier today, we discussed an alternative for the Mariners at third, as well as the chances that they will trade pitchers Erik Bedard and Jarrod Washburn.
Rockies Rumors: ‘Pen, Atkins, Torrealba
Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post has the latest on the Rockies' search for a reliever and details on a couple trade chips:
- The Rockies had interest in Joel Hanrahan before he was dealt to the Pirates.
- They would love to reacquire LaTroy Hawkins, but he's not available now.
- The D'Backs would part with Chad Qualls.
- The Padres are expected to move Cla Meredith.
- Garrett Atkins could be moved and the Red Sox seem to be a logical fit, but a history of failed deals between the two sides could slow talks. The Red Sox have scouted Atkins, but their interest level isn't known.
- Yorvit Torrealba's future remains uncertain and he says he'd like to remain in Colorado, though he realizes he might be dealt.
Odds And Ends: Pirates, Glaus, Melvin
Happy Canada Day to all of our Canadian readers from our Canadian writer! Now for some links…
- This week's chat will take place today at 2pm CST.
- Joel Sherman of the New York Post says Omar Minaya has been negligent when it comes to filling out his roster with talented role players.
- Troy Glaus is ready to start rehabbing, according to Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. There's been speculation that the Cards could trade Glaus when he returns, but they could use his bat, too.
- The Pirates signed another Taiwanese high schooler, Hsu Chi-wei, according to East Windup Chronicle.
- Former D'Backs and Mariners manager Bob Melvin will accept an unspecified job with the Padres, according to MLB.com's Corey Brock.
- Jorge Says No! takes a closer look at the Atlantic League to determine which players could make an impact oh a big league roster.
No Offers For Adrian Gonzalez
Adrian Gonzalez hasn't been on the trading block, so no teams have even presented the Padres with "serious trade offers," according to ESPN.com's Jorge Arangure.
That works for Gonzalez, who plans on honoring his contract until it expires after 2011, and for the Padres front office. As one executive joked, Kevin Towers & co. will have to walk around in suits of armor if they deal Gonzalez and Jake Peavy the same year they let Trevor Hoffman walk.
Check out the rest of Arangure's article for detail on kidnapping threats Gonzalez has received.
Odds & Ends: Indians, Pirates, Zambrano
Some links to wrap up a relatively busy weekend, with more on the way:
- ESPN's Jorge Arangure says the Yankees, Red Sox, Reds and Padres in on 16-year-old Dominican RHP Cristopher Cabrera.
- John Perrotto at Pirates Report says if he were Neal Huntington, he'd go ahead with the rumored swap of Nyjer Morgan for Lastings Milledge with the Nationals.
- Phil Rogers at the Chicago Tribune is fed up with Carlos Zambrano and thinks the Cubs should waive him and take anything another club is willing to give. Not a great week for Cubs fans, eh?
- Bud Shaw at the Cleveland Plain-Dealer notes that the Indians have had more success making deals than with their draft picks.
- Paul Hoynes at the Plain-Dealer gets some more player reactions to the Mark DeRosa deal.
- Andrew Baggarly at the San Jose Mercury News wonders if Jermaine Dye and Mark Teahen could be on Giants GM Brian Sabean's radar screen.
Odds & Ends: Mariners, Phillies, Padres
Serving up absolutely the most hyper of links from across the baseball sphere, with more to come:
- Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik sat down for a lengthy Q&A with fans on MLB.com. Ever wanted to know what it's like to be a GM? "It's cool," says Zduriencik.
- David Murphy at the Philadelphia Inquirer talked to Phillies GM Ruben Amaro, who echoes a belief around the league: “I think things will heat up late, because everybody is still kind of in it,” he said.
- According to Jorge Arangure at ESPN the Magazine, the Padres are keeping tabs on Dominican OF Jose Alberto Peña and pitcher Cristopher Cabrera.
- Paul DePodesta says the Padres have come to terms with their third, fifth and seventh round picks.
- Juan C. Rodriguez at the Sun-Sentinel wonders if the Marlins should go after Luis Ayala now that Matt Lindstrom has hit the DL.
- Eric Seidman at Fangraphs takes a nifty look at batting average on ground balls. David Wright currently leads the majors with a .471 average in that department.
- Geoff Baker at the Seattle Times discusses the ramifications of potential trade piece Adrian Beltre's recent bout with bone spurs.
Odds & Ends: Chipper, Tigers, Padres, Diamondbacks
Some Saturday links…
- Furman Bisher of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution says it's time for the Braves to put Chipper Jones on the market.
- The Tigers designated catcher Dane Sardinha for assignment to make room for righty Alfredo Figaro, according to CBSsports.com.
- Nick Canepa of The San Diego Union-Tribune writes that now is as good a time as any for the Padres to inject some youth into the team.
- In addition to first rounder AJ Pollock, Nick Piecoro reports that the Diamondbacks have announced the signing of four draft picks, including supplemental first rounder Mike Belfiore.
- CJ Nitkowski blogs that he and the SK Wyverns of the Korean Baseball Organization have parted ways.
- Rob Biertempfel reports that the Pirates signed another draft pick.
Odds & Ends: Webb, Padres, Corpas, Nationals
Some Friday evening linkage…
- Nick Piecoro says that if Brandon Webb's latest setback requires surgery, it would give the club pause about picking up his $8.5MM option for 2010.
- Paul DePodesta runs through all of the Padres' recent roster moves.
- Rockies reliever Manny Corpas had an MRI on his right elbow today according to Patrick Saunders. Both the team and Corpas were surprised since he has pitched effectively of late. Depending on the severity of the injury, this may impact the Rockies' decision to trade closer Huston Street.
- Thomas Boswell at The Washington Post says we "will see little or nothing for a long time" regarding negotiations with first overall pick Stephen Strasburg. Boswell also says the Nats have begun to discuss which free agents they will pursue next offseason, and the general assumption is that they will go after a reliever.
- Alyson Footer tweets that the Astros have signed three draft picks, including third rounder Jonathan Meyer.
- CBSsports.com's Scott Miller spoke to Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik, who indicated that they haven't decided to sell off movable pieces yet.
- Dean Jones Jr. writes that the Orioles signed a pair of undrafted free agents out of Towson: infielder Gary Helmick and catcher Jason Stifler.
Padres Sign Brian Lawrence
According to a press release, the Padres have signed righthander Brian Lawrence to a minor league deal. He allowed two runs in six innings in a start for the Triple-A Portland Beavers on Wednesday night. Prior to signing, Lawrence had been with the Orange County Flyers of the independent Golden Baseball League.
Lawrence last pitched in the big leagues in 2007 for the Mets. He spent five years with the Padres from 2001-2005, drawing Opening Day assignments in 2003 and 2004.
Mariners Claim Josh Wilson, DFA Quiroz
For the second time today, a Padre has been claimed off waivers. This time, it's Josh Wilson going to the Mariners, according to Ryan Divish of the Tacoma News Tribune. The Mariners also designated catcher Guillermo Quiroz for assignment.