Rosenthal’s Latest
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
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
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
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
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
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?
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.
Rosenthal’s Latest
The authority on all trade rumors, Ken Rosenthal has spoken. Let’s review.
- As we have heard before, the Dodgers like Adam Dunn. We’ve also discussed the fact that there’s not a clear place to put him. Whether you go with first base or left field, a veteran must move. The Padres like Dunn as well but talks have yet to occur. The Angels may have liked him in the past but they don’t seem likely at this point. And the Twins? They just won’t break the bank for him unfortunately.
- With Michael Barrett having issues with 40% of the Cubs’ rotation, the Cubs could look to trade him. Even though he’s a top offensive catcher, his impending free agency might prevent any strong return. Plus, the Cubs would have to go with a Henry Blanco/Koyie Hill tandem. A more likely scenario is that the Cubs will let Barrett walk after the season.
- Finally some clarity on Eric Gagne‘s limited no-trade protection. Rosenthal reveals that he can veto trades to 12 teams. The Phillies and Indians are again mentioned as suitors. Rosenthal thinks Mark Teixeira could generate a lot of talk but no action at the trading deadline. Kind of like Alfonso Soriano or A.J. Burnett before him.
- The asking price for Brad Lidge, supposedly: a premium young catcher and promising young pitcher. Lidge will probably earn $8MM next year before hitting free agency. The Astros should be happy with a young catcher or a young pitcher, not both. I’d mention Salty here but I think he is worth much more than Lidge. Rosenthal says the Astros could move another bullpen arm like Wheeler or Qualls to get the bat they need.
- Could the Devil Rays simply retain Al Reyes and Carlos Pena? Both players could be valuable contributors to the 2008 club. I like the idea of keeping Reyes around for next year, but I think Pena has peaked.
- Noah Lowry would get the attention of the Braves or Cardinals, but the Giants are unlikely to move him.
- The Phils are likely to pass on Tomo Ohka despite their need for pitching.
Padres, Dodgers Remain Interested In Dye
Bill Shaikin of the L.A. Times has a couple of trade rumors for us this morning.
- Shaikin reiterates Ken Rosenthal’s scoop that the Padres and Dodgers have interest in White Sox slugger Jermaine Dye. Shaikin believes the "we won’t trade for prospects" edict from Kenny Williams could be stretched if Jonathan Broxton or Chad Billingsley were made available. Those guys may have graduated from prospectdom anyway. Ned Colletti is definitely working the phones for a slugger.
- Scott Linebrink is named as an available Padre, but I would not expect Kenny Williams to go for that. Throw in Clay Hensley or Chase Headley and maybe we have something.
- Shaikin also mentions that the Tigers have interest in Rangers closer Eric Gagne. Yes, I understand that most contending teams with bullpen issues will at least show a passing interest in him. Shaikin seems to indicate that Gagne’s "no-trade protection" is full and would give him leverage to change his current incentive-based contract.
Colletti Talks To Ichiro’s Agent
Word via the San Diego Union-Tribune yesterday was that Dodgers GM Ned Colletti spent an hour talking to Tony Attanasio, the agent for impending free agent Ichiro Suzuki. Attanasio also represents Giants manager Bruce Bochy.
The Dodgers won’t have an opening in center field next year given the Juan Pierre contract. But Ichiro, of course, can play a fine right field. It wouldn’t be hard to replace Andre Ethier‘s .711 OPS, though it would lock the Dodgers into two powerless players in their outfield.
Several NL West teams may go toe-to-toe for Ichiro, including the Dodgers, Padres, and Giants. All could make room for him. Still, it seems a long shot that Colletti and Attanasio were discussing Ichiro. That seems like tampering. Attanasio has, in the past, suggested that the Mariners trade Ichiro this summer if they don’t plan on signing him. We’ll be keeping a close eye on this situation in the coming months.