Mariners To DFA Josh Wilson
The Mariners are about to designate utilityman Josh Wilson for assignment to make room for Mike Sweeney, according to Ryan Divish of the Tacoma News Tribune. Wilson has spent time with the D'Backs, Padres and Mariners this year, playing a variety of positions, including pitcher.
Zduriencik: No Pressure For Mariners
The Mariners are six games over .500, trailing the Angels and Rangers for the AL West lead just a year after losing 101 games. GM Jack Zduriencik has to decide whether to deal now, in August, or hope his team can win as-is. Here are the details from his conversation with Larry Stone of the Seattle Times, a chat that ended when the sight of Ken Griffey Jr. tickling Ichiro distracted the GM:
- Zduriencik doesn't feel pressure, even ten days before the trade deadline.
- He expects some deals to go down in August.
- He's open to re-signing his own free agents after the season, though he has only had casual conversations on the subject so far. Adrian Beltre, Erik Bedard and Jarrod Washburn headline the Mariners' crop of free agents.
- The Mariners are glad to have 2008 trade candidate Washburn around this year.
Rosenthal On Lee, Reds, D’Backs, Buchholz
Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports suggests the Phillies may find Cliff Lee nearly as appealing as Roy Halladay because the Indians lefty makes just $11.5MM through 2010 and Halladay makes over $20MM before the end of next year. Rosenthal says the Phils could package rookie standout J.A. Happ with Carlos Carrasco and Dominic Brown to get the Indians' attention. Here are the rest of his rumors:
- Though some say the Jays need to acquire Brown or Kyle Drabek in any deal for Halladay, Rosenthal points out that some scouts like Jason Knapp and Michael Taylor just as much.
- The Reds would like to move some of their expensive starters and relievers to make room for younger pitchers, Rosenthal says.
- Bronson Arroyo, Aaron Harang and Francisco Cordero make enough to scare some suitors away, and while a salary swap is possible, Rosenthal says the Reds are more likely to make offseason deals.
- Jon Garland, Doug Davis and Carl Pavano are drawing little attention. Teams' unwillingness to take on salary limits interest in the two D'Backs starters.
- Michael Wuertz and Rafael Betancourt are drawing "heavy attention," but the A's seem likely to keep Wuertz.
- It would be tough for the Angels to give Brandon Wood up for George Sherrill, especially since Wood could start at third next year if the team doesn't re-sign Chone Figgins.
- It seems unlikely that the Red Sox would trade Clay Buchholz for Victor Martinez. If he's moved at all, Buchholz would likely be dealt for a premium young hitter.
- Orlando Cabrera's hitting better and he could interest the Mariners, Cardinals, Twins, Reds and Mets.
- The Mariners are one of many teams interested in Josh Willingham.
- The Rockies are reluctant to deal Ryan Spilborghs, and refused a Phillies offer that included two quality prospects.
Odds & Ends: Yankees, Marquis, Washburn
A fresh batch of links for your Saturday afternoon enjoyment…
- Sweeny Murti of WFAN gathered a quote from Yankees GM Brian Cashman on the club's starting pitching depth: "Right now I don't feel like we need a guy…because we're going internal and waiting to see how that works out." In other words, they probably won't take part in the Roy Halladay or Cliff Lee sweepstakes.
- Tracy Ringolsby, writing for FOXSports.com, notes how a change of scenery has benefited 30-year-old right-hander Jason Marquis, who was named to his first All-Star team earlier this month.
- Mike Lipka of the Associated Press, via the Cleveland Plain Dealer, suggests Jarrod Washburn's chances of being moved hinge on the Mariners' play over the next few weeks. If the M's begin to slip back in the AL West, the left-hander will almost definitely be wearing a different uniform in August.
- Rickey Henderson, 50, acknowledged Friday that his playing days are over. But, as the all-time stolen base leader told ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick, he would love to pursue a career in coaching.
- Crasnick appeared on Portland, Maine's CMSB this morning and touched on several of the topics we've been throwing around here the past few weeks. He, like other experts have echoed recently, called the chances of a Halladay deal "50-50."
Taking Stock Of Seattle’s Trade Chips
The Mariners are in the playoff hunt with a 46-42 record, though many expected them to be sellers this month. As Gregg Bell of the AP reports, Mariners manager Don Wakamatsu and trade candidate Jarrod Washburn say they want to keep the team together and attempt to win now.
- Miguel Batista – Baker says it makes sense to move Batista, who makes $3.3MM before the end of the year. He could offset salary coming to Seattle.
- Relievers Sean White and Mark Lowe would atract interest and the Mariners may feel they have enough depth to part with one of them, especially with prospect Phillippe Aumont on his way.
- Unless the Mariners fall from contention, Baker suggests it makes sense to hold Erik Bedard, whose value is limited because of his time on the DL.
- Dealing Jarrod Washburn is a "no-brainer" if the M's fall out of it.
- Brandon Morrow, Wladimir Balentien and Jeff Clement could all be moved as well.
Seattle Acquires Jack Hannahan
CSNBayArea.com reports that the A's have traded infielder Jack Hannahan to the Mariners for minor league righthander Justin Souza. Hannahan was hitting .193-.278-.303 in 134 plate appearances this year, not to mention spending some time in the minors.
Souza, 23, was Seattle's ninth round selection in the 2006 draft, and had a 3.35 ERA working mostly as a starter in Double-A. He was not one of the Mariners top 30 prospects coming into the season according to Baseball America.
Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Church, Francoeur, Betancourt
Had enough of yesterday's trades yet? Good, because here are some reactions from around the blogosphere…
- Matt Cerrone at MetsBlog says he's not sure the Ryan Church–Jeff Francoeur swap makes total sense, and he's not sure if the move will have an impact for either team.
- Sam Page at Amazin' Avenue says that he's convinced the trade makes no sense, and all of the "talk about potential, shake-ups and athleticism is just noise."
- Talking Chops' "gondeee" likes the Church pickup, even if it cost the once-face of the franchise. Admittedly, it's been a while since Francoeur was viewed in that light.
- Jay Yencich at USS Mariner says the Mariners came out pretty good in the Yuniesky Betancourt deal, even if they had to send some cash Kansas City's way.
- D.W. at Tangled Up In (Royal) Blue doesn't understand how the move fits into the big picture for the Royals.
- Keith at The Royals Tower is taking a hiatus from blogging out of frustration caused by the deal.
Freddy Sanchez Rumors: Saturday
Yesterday we learned that the Pirates are "pushing hard" to trade All Star second baseman Freddy Sanchez before this year's trade deadline, but nothing appears imminent right now. Here's the latest roundup of Sanchez rumors courtesy of Dejan Kovacevic of The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Rob Biertempfel of The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, and Gordon Edes of Yahoo! Sports.
- Kovacevic says the Mariners and Twins remain interested in Sanchez.
- The Rockies' interest has cooled off of late, and they're now focused on acquiring bullpen help.
- Biertempfel adds a new team to the mix: Tampa Bay.
- Edes reports that a NL Central team is involved, and speculates that it could be the Cubs.
- Sanchez's $8MM vesting option based on plate appearances is an obstacle in any trade.
Odds And Ends: Chapman, Betancourt, Masset
- According to Baseball America, there's no evidence to suggest that Aroldis Chapman is 26 years old and allegations that he's any older than 21 don't pass the logic test.
- ESPN.com's Jayson Stark has the oddest anecdotes and funniest quotes from the first half of the season.
- The AP (via ESPN) reports that this year's All Stars will receive a combined $2.3MM in bonuses for making the team, led by Roy Halladay's $125k. I wonder who pays if Halladay's dealt before Tuesday…
- As Bradford Doolittle of the Kansas City Star shows, Yuniesky Betancourt does not have much of a glove or bat, so it's puzzling that the Royals wanted him.
- MLB.com's Mark Sheldon reports that the Reds aren't trading Nick Masset away, especially when his $418k salary makes him so affordable.
Royals Acquire Yuniesky Betancourt
The Royals acquired Yuniesky Betancourt and cash from the Mariners for a pair of minor league pitchers, according to Joe Hamrahi of Baseball Daily Digest. Betancourt makes at least $10MM before his current deal expires, so it'll be interesting to see how much the Mariners are contributing.
Here's some info on the pitchers, from Ryan Divish of the Tacoma News Tribune. Danny Cortes, 22, will report to AA. He's 6-2 with a 3.12 ERA in his last eleven games after a rough start to the year in the Royals organization. He was the Royals' minor league pitcher of the year last year and Baseball America labelled him the best minor league pitcher in the organization entering this year.
Derrick Saito, 21, has struck out more than a batter per inning in A ball. The 21-year-old lefty will begin his Mariners career in A ball.