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2007 MLB Free Agents: Dave Roberts

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There’s been some chatter about Dave Roberts lately – he’ll be a coveted free agent this winter.  Back in July, I discussed Roberts in my center fielder free agent market review:

"Roberts, 34, is best known for his stolen base in the 2004 ALCS.  He’s solidly above average at hitting but is ranked just 30th on defense.  He’s got a weak arm but was a solid defender prior to 2005.  According to the Fielding Bible, Roberts still has his speed and range so he should bounce back defensively if healthy.  He’s been moved to left field to make an excellent pair with Mike Cameron.  If someone can snag him for $3-4 mil and get him 500 ABs, he’s a fine option.  It’s just that he has a lengthy injury history."

It just so happens that in his contract year, Roberts looks to set career highs in at-bats, batting average, and on-base percentage.  The Padres have enjoyed his .382 OBP mark (18th in the league) at the top of their order.  He’s also stolen bases at better than a 90% clip.  His $2.25MM salary is a bargain, and he’ll have plenty of suitors.

Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union-Tribune recently mentioned that the White Sox and Cardinals are already showing some interest.  Rockies beat writer Troy E. Renck throws Colorado’s hat into the ring.

A few other possibilities: the Blue Jays could go after Roberts if they decide to trade Vernon Wells.  The Rangers could get involved if Gary Matthews Jr. departs.  Ditto for the Cubs if they don’t retain Juan Pierre.      

Waiver Trade Candidate: Ryan Klesko

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Let’s assess Ryan Klesko’s situation and background.  He could be a  candidate for a waiver trade this month.

When he has been on the field, the 35 year-old Klesko has recently been seen in left field.  Last year, he dealt with back soreness/spasms, a fever, a pinched nerve in his neck, and a strained shoulder.  He got into 137 games despite all of that, but slugged just .418. 

The Padres planned to move him to first base and the #2 slot this year, but a cortisone shot didn’t solve his shoulder problem.  By April he’d decided to have surgery.  Currently he’s about a week away from playing in rehab games.  Some team might want his left-handed bat, and if his shoulder’s better some power could return. 

Klesko makes $8MM in the final year of his deal; Kevin Towers has already mentioned that he won’t exercise Klesko’s 2007 option.  As a 10 and 5 player, he the ability to reject any waiver claim.  He’s said he’s willing to waive that right if there’s a chance to play full-time for a contender.  Adrian Gonzalez is hitting .303/.346/.519 as Klesko’s replacement.

Earlier in July, the Red Sox expressed a little bit of interest in Klesko.  While any trade would involve a contending team, it’s unlikely Klesko would be a starter.  The Twins and Angels could have interest as well. 

Justice: McLane Orders Lidge Trade

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According to Richard Justice on his SportsJustice blog:

"I’m told Drayton McLane ordered Purpura to trade Brad Lidge. I got this information from an official with another team. I would expect the Astros to deny it."

Justice also mentions that Roger Clemens is pushing Drayton McLane for help, who has in turn orderd GM Tim Purpura to make something happen.

Mets closer Billy Wagner is campaigning for Omar Minaya to bring Lidge in so Wagner can fix him.

Also, I’m told Justice was recently on 610 AM in Houston.  He mentioned that if the Astros trade Lidge for Hank Blalock straight up, the subsequent move would be to swap Morgan Ensberg and Adam Everett for Scott Linebrink and Khalil Greene. 

Red Sox Trade Rumors

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It’s tough to get anything out of Boston these days; Theo Epstein has plugged all of his leaks.  Let’s see what we can piece together though.

According to Sean McAdams of The Providence Journal:

"Friends of the Rocket insist he’s sorry that he chose the Astros over the Red Sox."  McAdams mentions that Clemens would love a trade to Boston if it could be done without infuriating the Houston fanbase.  Also, a source of mine tells me that the Mets have inquired about Clemens.

Then there’s the possible three-way trade with the Rockies and Padres.  The Padres would get Mike Lowell, the Red Sox would get Ryan Shealy and a starter, and who knows what the Rockies would get. 

Don’t get that rumor confused with the other three-team scenario from Gordon Edes of the Boston Globe.  In that case, the Red Sox get Julio Lugo and Scott Linebrink, the Padres get Mike Lowell, and the D-Rays get prospects.      

Plus, Jayson Stark mentioned last night that the Red Sox are "making a late run at Alfonso Soriano."  He doesn’t have much more than that, but it can’t be dismissed.  Stark has also connected Boston to Jason Schmidt and Brad Lidge.

Trade Rumor Roundup: 4 Days Left

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What’s cooking this morning in the world of MLB trade rumors?

Gotham Baseball’s Mark Healey spoke to all sorts of baseball sources; here’s his latest Rumor Mill.  New developments: the Mets could pursue various Rockie pitchers, and the Yanks crave John Smoltz.

My Mets guy indicates that the Wilson Betemit for Scott Linebrink deal that’s been bandied about could go down at the last minute.  What?  He hears things outside of the Mets.

SportsBlah sorts through the Alfonso Soriano rumors. 

Jimmy Gobble was scratched from his start last night.  Let the rampant rumormongering begin.  Actually, KC just switched him with Runelvys Hernandez to break up the southpaws in the rotation.   

As the days go by, Doug Melvin sounds more and more like he’ll trade Carlos Lee.

RotoAuthority gives the fantasy take on Shin-Soo Choo, Ben Broussard, Scott Kazmir, and many more recent developments.

All the newspapers are reporting that the Yankees have deemed Scott Proctor "untouchable."  I know good relief help is hard to find, but should a 29 year-old middling reliever at the peak of his value really be deemed untouchable?  Especially the way Joe Torre is abusing him.

Hadn’t heard of the Mets’ interest in Juan Cruz and Jose Valverde until Dan Graziano mentioned it this morning.  Could be a great buy low situation for a real live arm in Valverde.  Cruz I think could be tough to pry away.

There was just no reason to try to start Roger Clemens trade speculation.  The Astros, five games back in the wildcard, have invested way too much to suddenly wave the white flag.

Bidding war for…Cory Lidle?  Looks like Toronto has the lead so far; Lidle starts tonight.

Buster Olney mentioned today in his blog that the White Sox are willing to discuss trades for Freddy Garcia.  He also indicates that the Red Sox are working on a large, creative deal with more than two teams.

Add the Mariners and Cardinals to the Yankees for Shawn Green’s interested parties.  He can veto a deal to any of these three teams and is happy in Arizona.

Padres Acquire Scott Williamson

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The Padres picked up 30 year-old reliever Scott Williamson from the Cubs today.  In return the Cubs received some Class A pitchers: Fabian Jimenez Angulo and Joel Santo. 

Santo was ranked 16th among Padres prospects coming into this season, while Angulo was not in the top 30. 

Williamson is making $2MM this year.  He was one of Jim Hendry’s Tommy John rehab projects.  This season, Williamson has dealt with a problem similar to tennis elbow.  Speculation is that the Padres acquired Williamson to set up a trade of Scott Linebrink for a third baseman.  The deal marks Jim Hendry’s first with Kevin Towers.

Trade Rumor Roundup: 9 Days Left

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Let’s see what we’ve got this morning in the non-Hillenbrand department…

This is cool: a commenter over at Viva El Birdos emailed Dontrelle Willis’s agent, Matt Sosnick, asking about the latest trade rumor.  Meanwhile, Jayson Stark was adamant in his chat Friday that Willis will not be traded.

Enough with the Mike Lowell for Jake Peavy rumors, folks.  No. Freakin’. Way.  I know Buster Olney mentioned that Boston must’ve been targeting a notable pitcher given how well Lowell has played this year (.297/.349/.504) but Peavy isn’t going anywhere.  Plus, if you adjust Lowell’s production for PETCO Park it would be pretty close to league average for his position.

Could Mike Pelfrey be traded as a player to be named later?  The answer seems to be Yes, if named in January, and only if sent to an AL team.  MetsBlog tries to decipher MLB’s rules.  Of course, Pelfrey is not going to be traded.  But it’s good to know.

Gut feeling…I think the Brewers will trade Carlos Lee.  Doug Melvin is preparing for a deal, and I think this is an opportunity he can’t pass up.

What’s with the Indians picture next to George Kottaras?

Trade Rumor Roundup: 10 Days Left

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Couple of fresh rumors surrounding the Padres’ third base vacancy, and I’m proud to say that MLBTradeRumors was able to deduce these in advance.  A week ago I compiled a spreadsheet of Kevin Towers’ trading history since 2001, nerd that I am.  From that we learned that Towers loves working with the Red Sox and also Bill Bavasi.  That he would consider Adrian Beltre and Mike Lowell for his vacancy followed logically.  Today, the Beltre rumor comes courtesy of Ken Rosenthal and Buster Olney threw down the Lowell rumor.  If those two big dogs fall through, Towers could pursue previous acquisitions Joe Randa or Rich Aurilia.

Plenty of speculation, newspaper articles, and quotes involving Julio Lugo heading to Toronto.  Not that this would be a bad move, but this club has a clear need for pitching.  Ricciardi only has so many bullets to fire as far as prospects and dollars.

ESPN’s Stark Market tells us that the Mets may have soured a bit on Lastings Milledge and could consider shipping him to Philadelphia for Bobby Abreu.  Meanwhile, Baseball Prospectus’s Jay Jaffe reminds us that Milledge’s most comparable player is Ruben Mateo, and recommends the deal for New York.

Wacky rumor involving A-Rod to the Phils made the message board rounds yesterday afternoon, but I think it’s safe to say there’s nothing to this one.  Mark Healey agrees.  The best part is that this one actually got all the way to A-Rod himself, who said he’d veto a deal to Philly.  Check out that Gotham Baseball column from Healey for some fresh rumorage.      

I was just checking my referrers, seeing where people are coming from when they land here at MLBTradeRumors.com.  A lot of the traffic comes from search engine queries.  Turns out someone recently found this site by Googling: "what does dayn perry have against royce clayton."  Now that’s a damn good question.

Shea Hillenbrand Designated

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According to a Blue Jays source of mine, this is how the Shea Hillenbrand designation went down:

"It seems Hillenbrand and a few (word is two) of his teammates were being
mischievious during yesterday’s workout. Gibbons stormed in the clubhouse
like an old den-mother and demanded the pranksters reveal themselves.

Just Hillenbrand stepped forward.

Gibbons blew a gasket. Everyone’s face hung open.

Gibb told Hill to take a shower and leave (on his first day back from adopting
a kid).

As the team left for the field, Hill still suited-up and paced in the
clubhouse, not knowing what to do.

Until an in-house courier hand delivered his walking papers.

He then left."

Alright, this is Tim talking again.  It seems that Hillenbrand’s mischief involved writing "This is a sinking ship" on a chalkboard in the clubhouse.  Good times.

The Padres, Twins, Rangers, and Angels have been connected to Hillenbrand at one time or another.  While the Pads are the concensus favorite, keep in mind that Kevin Towers and J.P. Ricciardi have never completed a trade with one another before.  (As far as I can tell).  But hey, there’s a first time for everything.

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