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Jacque Jones Update

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Jacque Jones is still a Cub, with yesterday’s Marlins deal quashed.  Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune writes that Tribune owner Sam Zell was not the reason the trade died, contrary to other reports.  Money caused the snag, but not Zell.  Sullivan says talks with the Marlins are unlikely to be revisited.

On a side note, all of the Tribune baseball writers are blogging!  They must be thrilled.

Gordon Wittenmyer of the Sun-Times says Cubs GM Jim Hendry has had recent talks with the Padres, Rangers, White Sox, and others.  Jones had a pinch-hitting appearance in today’s game, grounding out to Todd Helton.

Rosenthal’s Latest – Buehrle To Brewers?

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Ken Rosenthal has a new article, and as usual he’s broken several brand new trade rumors.  A brief summary:

  • Here’s a good one: the Brewers have "kicked the tires" on Mark Buehrle.  You can never have too much pitching, I guess.  It’s a long shot that Doug Melvin could pull it off without involving Yovani Gallardo or Ryan Braun, and he won’t trade those two.  Without either player, the Brewers would pretty much be offering quantity over quality in terms of prospects. My own speculation: Corey Hart might intrigue Kenny Williams, but he’d be hard to part with.
  • Rosenthal estimates ten teams are looking at Buehrle.  He names the Mets, Braves, Mariners, and Cardinals.  Add the Brewers and we’re still five short.  The five Rosenthal doesn’t mention could include the Red Sox, Yankees, Marlins, Rockies, Dodgers, and Phillies.  Just guessing on the last five.
  • The Blue Jays have changed their tune on Troy Glaus – they’ll now listen to offers for him.  It is believed Glaus might waive his no-trade clause to play close to home for the Padres, Angels, or Dodgers.  Glaus is owed about $5.9MM more this year and $12.75MM in 2008.  He also negotiated an $11.25MM player option for ’09 when he was traded to Toronto.  Perhaps to agree to a trade he’d want his deal extended through ’09 for $13MM or so.  Rosenthal says the package for Glaus would likely involve a young third baseman, like Chase Headley, Brandon Wood, or Andy LaRoche.  Such a deal would be hard to ignore for J.P. Ricciardi.  Of the three teams mentioned, Ricciardi has only previously dealt with Bill Stoneman (on the Brad Fullmer trade).
  • Rosenthal says the Cubs are not involved in a trade for Ken Griffey Jr.  The ownership change will prohibit them from taking on his contract.  Rosenthal also mentions that the Cubs are having difficulties finding a taker for Jacque Jones.
  • The Angels still like Adam Dunn, though I still don’t see how he fits into their roster.
  • The prospect going to the Tigers for Mike Maroth won’t be anything special; the point was to unload his $3MM salary. 

Jacque Jones Trade Near?

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According to Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times yesterday, the Cubs are trying to trade another position player by Monday so they can add a 12th pitcher.

That position player probably is our good friend Jacque Jones.  Wittenmyer named the Padres, Rangers, and White Sox as interested parties.  Bruce Miles adds the Mets to the mix.  The Cubs would have to eat some of the $7.2MM or so remaining on Jones’ contract, which runs through 2008.  Another option would be to move shortstop Cesar Izturis, who has about $2.6MM left on his deal (assuming his ’08 option is bought out).

Buster Olney yesterday mentioned that the Cubs were one of the teams in one Milton Bradley, in addition to the Yankees and Padres.  Bradley is still fair game, and the Cubs may be looking to replace Jones with him.

Rosenthal’s Latest

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Ken Rosenthal has a new column up.  A summary appears below.

  • Rosenthal thinks the Tigers are unlikely to acquire Eric Gagne or Akinori Otsuka, perhaps preferring to look at internal options.  That’s a shame, as I think they really need to add someone.
  • The White Sox won’t be granting a 72 hour negotiating window if they trade Mark Buehrle.  Strictly a rental.  That could limit the market for him, but Kenny Williams will come up with at least one quality prospect.
  • The Dodgers don’t seem likely to trade for Adam Dunn or Jermaine Dye, but could go after Mark Teixeira.  Dye seems most likely to end up in the NL West somehow, but only if he is healthy and hitting.
  • Possible Dontrelle Willis suitors: the Rockies or Diamondbacks.  They’ve got the young trading chips, and the need in the present day.  The Rox could offer Aaron Cook plus prospects, and the D’Backs could try Livan Hernandez and youngsters.  If the D’Backs dare offer up Justin Upton, the Marlins would jump.  Of course, D-Train needs to be healthy and the Marlins would need to fall out of contention.
  • Barry Bonds’s agent really doesn’t see a trade happening.  Well, no one does, but it’s fun to speculate.  Rosenthal thinks only the Yankees could accomodate him.
  • Aside from the Pirates and Padres, the Astros, Cardinals, and Rangers could go after Milton Bradley. 
  • Rosenthal has a GM source who thinks the Reds could wait until this winter, exercise Adam Dunn’s $13MM option for ’08, and then trade him.  Dunn, however, would gain no-trade protection until June 15, 2008 and then be able to block 10 teams thereafter.
  • Troy Glaus isn’t going anywhere.  Even if the Jays wanted to trade him, his contract is prohibitive.
  • The Indians or Rockies could trade for Octavio Dotel for bullpen depth.  Dotel is developing into a fine trading chip for Dayton Moore, just as planned.  The Tribe has had interest in Dotel in past offseasons. 

Possible Milton Bradley Suitors

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Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle mentions several potential suitors for Milton Bradley in today’s column.  She names the Padres and Pirates as possibilities, citing connections to Paul DePodesta and Jim Tracy.  Additionally, Slusser quotes Billy Beane in saying that he worked on a Bradley trade within the past three weeks but it fell through.

The Pirates, as a noncontender, really don’t need to be picking up impending free agents.  There’s just no reason for it.  They need to give as much playing time to young players as possible.

The Padres, though, make a fine fit.  Bradley could help them in all three outfield spots, when healthy.  John Perrotto confirms interest from both teams. 

Meanwhile, the Mets will apparently pass because of Bradley’s baggage.  Bradley, though, had a relatively peaceful stay in Oakland. 

Latest From Gammons

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The man himself, Peter Gammons, had a blog posting on Saturday that I neglected to mention here.

  • Gammons mentions some suitors for Mark Buehrle: the Mets, Cardinals, and Mariners.  He draws the Jermaine Dye/Padres connection we have seen in the past.
  • Gammons believes the Astros will move one of Brad Lidge, Dan Wheeler, or Chad Qualls.  However, that was written before Lidge hit the DL for a strained oblique.  Houston would also love to move Morgan Ensberg, but that’s nothing new.
  • The Dodgers are looking for a corner infield slugger, but aren’t interested in Troy Glaus or Scott Rolen.  Adam Dunn isn’t in the Dodgers’ plans, either.  Dunn’s defensive limitations really seem to be hindering a deal.  If they are going to give up multiple young future stars, it’s going to take Mark Teixeira.  In other words, they’d go all-in. 
  • Bill Stoneman is "cautiously looking for a bat."  Cautious is the name of the game with Stoneman.  It’s a seller’s market for power hitters.  Imagine what the Marlins could get for Miguel Cabrera. 

Michael Barrett Traded To Padres

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According to Buster Olney, Michael Barrett has just been traded to the Padres.  The Padres will also receive cash in the deal.  Ken Rosenthal believes the amount of cash is greater than $1MM, since it needs approval from the commissioner’s office.  In return, the Cubs received backup catcher Rob Bowen and a young outfielder named Kyler Burke. 

Burke, 19, was drafted 35th overall out of high school last year based on his huge power potential and athleticism.  He hasn’t shown anything against pro pitching yet.  Kevin Goldstein of Baseball Prospectus says Burke has an "enormous ceiling" with a strong right field arm.  This is an upside play by Jim Hendry – Burke could be a star or a complete bust.

Bowen will provide the Cubs a mostly defensive-minded backstop, although that’s what they have already.  He was once seen as a future starter as a Twins minor leaguer, but his bat never panned out.  Bowen has teamed up with Henry Blanco before, when both were Twins.  Bowen was a waiver claim for his last two teams, so that gives you an idea of his value.  On the plus side, he’s speedy for a catcher and a switch-hitter.

The Padres, meanwhile, are looking to bolster their offense in the present and Barrett should be able to help despite his poor start to 2007.  I’m not too worried about chemistry issues despite Barrett’s recent incidents.  Barrett is reunited with Greg Maddux, who he caught from 2004-06.  Barrett is a free agent after the season.

Jim Hendry and Kevin Towers matched up last year, as the Cubs dumped off veterans Scott Williamson and Todd Walker to San Diego for some arms.

Latest Dunn To Padres Rumor

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A new trade rumor has surfaced, though Kevin Towers may have already shot it down.

The report on San Diego radio (specifically XX Sportsradio 1090) was that the Padres could send southpaw reliever Justin Hampson as well as groundball artist Clay Hensley to the Reds for Adam Dunn.  Kevin Towers described this rumor as "not worth chasing" to the San Diego Union Tribune’s Tim Sullivan.

Hampson is the only lefty in the Padres’ pen, and he’s allowed just two earned runs in 22.1 innings.  However, his strikeout rate is quite low and his history isn’t that impressive.  The Padres insist they don’t need a southpaw in the pen, but could easily bring up Royce Ring if they trade Hampson.

After a breakout rookie season in ’06, Hensley hasn’t been able to get on track this year.  He’s been battered around in 12 starts split between the Padres and Triple A.  He had a fine spring but blister and groin injuries surfaced and Hensley ended up losing his rotation spot to Justin Germano.

Kevin Towers and Wayne Krivsky have matched up on a trade once before.  In March of 2006, Towers sent catcher Dave Ross to the Reds for right-handed starter/former top prospect Bobby Basham.

Sheehan On Adam Dunn

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Joe Sheehan of Baseball Prospectus gives his analysis on some Adam Dunn trade suitors.  And it’s a free article.

Is Dunn really a lightning rod for criticism in Cincinnati?  I’d like to see what those who live there think.  I feel that in this day and age Dunn is mostly appreciated for his strengths.

Sheehan’s top five fits for Dunn, in order of likelihood, are the Twins, Angels, Yankees, Padres, and A’s.  As Sheehan alludes to, Terry Ryan and Bill Stoneman don’t make this type of trade. 

What’s more, the Angels would have a serious logjam with Dunn.  You don’t move Casey Kotchman off first, leaving the DH and left field spots for Dunn.  You’d rotate the DH spot between Dunn and Vlad, and the left field spot between Garrett Anderson, Reggie Willits, and occasionally Dunn.  Someone’s losing some playing time in the deal, and Vlad is probably getting less time at DH to rest.  Use of Dunn on the field probably compromises the defense.  An Anderson injury could make this less of a problem.  Another thought: a coworker of mine suggested that the Angels give up some quality prospects for their bat, but force the inclusion of Shea Hillenbrand in the deal.  Not a bad idea.

Interesting to note that Sheehan calls Chase Headley unavailable.  Not sure if that is based on some inside info.  I had speculated yesterday that Headley’s callup could be a showcase.

Sheehan’s idea of the Yankees for Dunn makes a ton of sense, but they would have to assemble a prospect package without any real alluring name.  Well, Joba Chamberlain might be somewhat alluring.  It sounds like Wayne Krivsky would ask for Robinson Cano though. 

Padres Showcasing Headley?

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The Padres called up Double A third baseman Chase Headley today, and he’ll start against the Cubs.  There are many reasons for the cup of coffee: he’s raking, Kevin Kouzmanoff is hurting, and Bud Black doesn’t like Russell Branyan.

I think there may be one additional reason Headley is getting a look: he’s being showcased for a trade.  That’s pure speculation on my part, but as far as I can tell Headley is the Padres’ best expendable trading chip.  He’s a solid third baseman and he’s in the midst of a power breakout this year.  Of course, the Padres could keep both players and move Kouzmanoff to left field one day.

If the Padres are to get involved for a big-name slugger like Jermaine Dye or Adam Dunn, Headley’s name will come up.  The White Sox and Reds don’t actually need a third baseman, but players can be moved around.   

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