Mariners Rumors

Odds and Ends: Bedard, Hudson, Inoa, Varitek

By Tim Dierkes | July 23, 2008 at 1:28pm CDT

Let’s dig through today’s links.

Cork Gaines takes a look at the Rays most likely to be traded.
According to Ken Davidoff, the Rockies have been scouting Yankees pitching prospect Humberto Sanchez. He’d be a more reasonable return for Brian Fuentes.
Erik Bedard’s MRI came out clean, but it’s still hard to see him in a big league game before August.
Dan Haren used to follow every trade rumor on the Internet, but Justin Duchscherer doesn’t monitor the hot stove buzz.
Shane Victorino is aware of the rumors, but wants to stay in Philly.
With Emilio Bonifacio gone, Scott Bordow thinks the D’Backs should try to sign Orlando Hudson. Bordow would only offer $8MM a year though.
Paul Hoynes looks at the Indians’ areas of need for the offseason.
Peter Abraham doesn’t expect the Yankees to pursue a catcher.
Melissa Segura of SI.com writes about Michael Inoa’s buscon.
Patrick Newman profiles Kenshin Kawakami, who should be quite popular this winter.
Buster Olney expects Jason Varitek to feel a ripple effect from Jorge Posada’s injury. His sources expect the Red Sox to offer Varitek one or two years at $6-8MM per.
MLB.com is looking for a fan to guest host their show The Dish.

Olney On Ibanez

By Tim Dierkes | July 23, 2008 at 10:05am CDT

ESPN’s Buster Olney had some details on Mariners left fielder Raul Ibanez yesterday:

There is a perception that the Mariners’ asking price on Raul Ibanez is high, but Seattle hasn’t deeply negotiated with anyone yet — though the Mariners will be getting into those talks in the days ahead. While their asking price is going to be affected by the fact that Ibanez will likely be a Type A free agent after the season and would command two compensation draft picks, it figures that they’ll work out a deal with the Mets, Diamondbacks or some other team for Ibanez, who is arguably the best left-handed hitter on the market. It figures, too, that the Mariners will be looking to move Jose Vidro.

There are other quality left-handed hitters on the market – Adam Dunn and Aubrey Huff have both out-hit Ibanez this year. All three are question marks defensively though.

Ibanez and Dunn are both free agents after the season, and are highly likely to earn Type A status.

Yankees In Trade Talks For Washburn

By Tim Dierkes | July 22, 2008 at 11:41pm CDT

11:38pm: SI.com’s Jon Heyman checks in on these talks. He says the Yankees want to ship Kei Igawa to Seattle, but then the Mariners could see that and raise them a Jose Vidro.

It would probably be easier for the Yankees to eat all of Washburn’s contract while just sending the Mariners a marginal prospect.

9:34pm: Dan Graziano of the Newark Star-Ledger reports that the Mariners are scouting the Yankees’ Double A club. The Ms aren’t big on Melky Cabrera, but may be willing to take minor leaguers if New York takes on all of Washburn’s contract.

1:36pm: According to ESPN’s Buster Olney, the Yankees are "taking a serious look at Seattle lefty Jarrod Washburn."

Washburn, 34 in August, has a 4.75 ERA in 110 innings this year. For what it’s worth, he has a 3.03 ERA in 62.3 innings since May 25th. That’s cherry-picking, though – 4.50-4.75 is Washburn’s level. He can chew up 190 innings at the back end of a rotation.

Washburn is owed $10.35MM in ’09, and has limited no-trade protection. Olney believes it would mainly be a salary dump, and the Mariners might consider something like Kei Igawa and a secondary prospect. Yankees GM Brian Cashman hasn’t struck a deal with the Ms since ’03, when he worked with Pat Gillick on an Armando Benitez for Jeff Nelson swap.

Tim Brown’s Latest: Peralta, McPherson, Putz

By Tim Dierkes | July 22, 2008 at 10:34pm CDT

Yahoo’s Tim Brown posted a new column this evening.

The Nationals got an OK return for Jon Rauch, acquiring second baseman Emilio Bonifacio. That could set the pace for reasonable reliever prices.
The Indians are listening on Casey Blake, Paul Byrd, and Jamey Carroll, as you know. Jhonny Peralta isn’t off-limits either.
Here’s a new name of interest for the Dodgers: Marlins minor league third baseman Dallas McPherson. He’ll be 28 soon, and carries a .287/.400/.650 line with 32 home runs in 314 Triple A at-bats. This could be the second time McPherson blasts 40 home runs in a minor league season.
The Red Sox inquired on J.J. Putz, but the Mariners say he’s not available.

Heyman’s Latest: Holliday, Teixeira, Burnett, Blake

By Tim Dierkes | July 22, 2008 at 10:19pm CDT

10:19pm: Angels GM Tony Reagins laughed at Charley Walters’ Teixeira rumor, blaming it on…"those bloggers."

11:16am: The latest from SI.com’s Jon Heyman.

The Rockies and Braves will wait until right before the July 31st deadline to decide whether to trade Matt Holliday and Mark Teixeira. The Rox have been more active calling around about Holliday, though. Heyman notes that Rockies GM Dan O’Dowd has spoken to the Mets, Angels, Phillies, and other teams about him. The Rockies are seven games out, while the Braves are six back.
The Braves are reportedly making a list of trading partners for Tex, including the Red Sox, Angels, Rays, and D’Backs.
Charley Walters has a rumor: Teixeira to the Angels for Robb Quinlan and Brandon Wood.
The Yankees haven’t even considered signing Barry Bonds, despite the Hideki Matsui injury.
Heyman spoke to a "Yankees person" who is fearful of A.J. Burnett’s contract. I could see an acquiring team pushing for more certainty by buying out or guaranteeing the contract.
Heyman considers Manny Ramirez’s $20MM option for ’09 a bargain. For me, it’s not nearly as clear-cut.
Omar Minaya is "especially" a fan of Cleveland’s Casey Blake. He would be a great fit for the Mets.
Heyman is still hearing the rumor about the Mariners trying to lure Pat Gillick for an upper management position next year.

Bedard Going Nowhere Fast

By Coley Ward 2 | July 19, 2008 at 10:30pm CDT

10:30pm: Riggleman is now saying there is a chance the Ms get Bedard a start in late July against the Rangers. Regardless, his injury came at a poor time and a trade seems unlikely.

2:30pm: Tightness in Erik Bedard’s left shoulder did not improve over the All-Star break, so the team won’t start him before the July 31st trade deadline in an attempt to showcase him for other teams. "We’re not looking at trying to pitch him before the 31st. The 31st is irrelevant with a guy who’s got a tender arm," Seattle manager Jim Riggleman said.

Bedard will try and play catch Monday and if that goes well, he could throw a bullpen session next week. If it doesn’t go well, it won’t be long before talk of shutting Bedard down for the rest of the season. Trading Adam Jones and George Sherrill for Bedard didn’t look good on paper before the season started, but now it looks like an absolute steal for Baltimore. The Bill Bavasi era will not be remembered fondly.

Coley Ward writes for Umbump.com. You can contact him here.

Twins Out Of Running For Beltre

By Coley Ward 2 | July 19, 2008 at 7:51pm CDT

La Velle E. Neal III of Twins Insider is reporting that the Twins are bowing out of the Adrian Beltre sweepstakes. The price for Beltre, rumored to be similar to what the Phillies gave up for Joe Blanton, was just too high. Neal says:

In the Twins’ case, it could mean one of their four young starters plus a couple prospects.

Beltre is scheduled to make $12 million next season and any team that trades for the third baseman would have to pay that.

Just how much is Beltre worth? USS Mariner tackled that question in depth last September. Their findings might surprise you.

Coley Ward writes for Umpbump.com and can be reached here.

Odds and Ends: Roberts, Clark, Vidro, Manny

By Tim Dierkes | July 18, 2008 at 12:01pm CDT

Time for today’s link collection.

Geoff Baker on "The Ichiro Conundrum."
Peter Schmuck assesses the Orioles’ trade candidates, noting that several clubs are interested in Brian Roberts.
Paul DePodesta on the Tony Clark trade.
Mariners beat writers are stunned that Jose Vidro is still on the roster.
Manny Ramirez drew a six-figure fine for his altercation with the team’s traveling secretary. It’s suggested that Ramirez showed his displeasure by laying down for an at-bat against Mariano Rivera. UPDATE: Gordon Edes looked into this and found the fine to be much smaller and the at-bat to be of no concern to the Sox.
Bradford Doolittle of the KC Star looks at the Royals’ trade candidates.
RotoAuthority names 8 ways to avoid teams quitting on your fantasy league midseason.

Bedard Trade Unlikely

By Tim Dierkes | July 18, 2008 at 11:45am CDT

According to the AP, the chances of the Mariners trading Erik Bedard are slim. Bedard is currently on the DL with a shoulder injury. At best, he’ll be able to make one start before the trade deadline.

The AP notes that players on the disabled list can only be traded with commissioner approval. I asked ESPN’s Keith Law about this today; he told me all trades are subject to commissioner approval. So Bedard’s DL status isn’t technically an issue, but his health is obviously crucial to any suitor. The Mariners can always take their time getting Bedard healthy and shop him in the winter.

Though nothing is cooking on the A.J. Burnett front, he seems to be the best remaining semi-available starter. Randy Wolf, Greg Maddux, and Justin Duchscherer are other interesting names to watch.

Odds and Ends: Nady, LaHair, Garcia, Bonds

By Tim Dierkes | July 17, 2008 at 1:30pm CDT

Baseball is back today, but rumors are a bit light. We’ll kick it off with odds and ends.

Susan Slusser reports "rumblings" around Justin Duchscherer. As you know, Duke hopes to sign an extension with the A’s but they’ll wait until after the season.
The Nationals signed second round pick Destin Hood.
Matt Holliday has heard rumors about a trade to the A’s. I believe this originated as Ken Rosenthal speculation on June 22nd.
Xavier Nady doesn’t want to be traded, and has been "visibly bugged" by the recent rumors. Still, he and Damaso Marte are the most likely trade candidates for the Pirates.
D.J. Carrasco actually does have an option left, so the White Sox can demote Carrasco or Adam Russell to Triple A but keep both.
Ryan Divish heard a rumor that first baseman Bryan LaHair will get the call to the Majors. What will the corresponding roster move be for the Mariners?
Jon Paul Morosi takes a look at the Tigers’ most tradeable prospects, noting that several are currently injured.
A Freddy Garcia update. His agent says they might be receptive to a multiyear deal, but prefer one year. He previously said a club option was not in the cards.
NPB Tracker looks at the pros and cons of Barry Bonds signing with the Softbank Hawks.
Jim Moore thinks the Mariners should trade Ichiro.

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