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Jarrod Washburn Rumors

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3:09pm: Jayson Stark says the Yankees view Washburn as a salary dump, and won’t include even low-level prospects unless the Mariners eat money or take Igawa.

1:27pm: Peter Abraham says the Yankees are trying a new way to get Washburn.  Neither Abraham nor Geoff Baker believes Washburn’s no-trade clause will be an issue or something the Yankees would compensate for.

9:59am: SI.com’s Jon Heyman says Seattle’s request of Cabrera and Gardner for Washburn is "a non-starter for the Yankees."

FRIDAY, 9:21am: Joel Sherman says Igawa is not part of the Washburn discussions.

THURSDAY, 5:36pm: According to Ed Price of the Newark Star-Ledger, talks have progressed on a possible Washburn-Yankees trade.  Price says the Ms aren’t sold on Kei Igawa, but the Yankees are willing to discuss Melky Cabrera and Brett Gardner.

4:56pm: This is a bit out of order, since Abraham’s info below actually came out after this Seattle PI column from John Hickey.

Hickey says the Yankees, Cardinals, White Sox, and possibly Brewers have talked to the Mariners about Washburn.  The pitcher’s no-trade clause allows him to block a deal to the Yankees but not the Cards or Sox.  He seems willing to waive the clause, anyway.

11:12am: According to Peter Abraham:

One trade the Yankees could make now if they wanted would be Kei Igawa and a B-level prospect to Seattle for LHP Jarrod Washburn and DH/1B Jose Vidro. The Yankees would take on $16 million (plus a $500,000 buyout for Vidro) while shedding the $9.4 million owed to Igawa. 

So for roughly $7.1 million, you get Washburn for this year and next and Vidro for this season. Washburn would likely want something to waive his no-trade clause, which includes the Yankees.

I agree with Abraham – that seems pretty reasonable.  As he says, you can just DFA Vidro.  Washburn alone is worth it, as long as the prospect isn’t anyone special and he doesn’t demand a ton for the no-trade compensation.

Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Trade Deadline

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Some random links as we head toward the trade deadline, from the Blogosphere…

  • One writer at Bugs and Cranks thinks that the Rockies should not lower their demand for Brian Fuentes and feels that the Cardinals are the most likely team to land the closer.
  • UmpBump wants the Rockies to keep Matt Holliday and would prefer moving Garrett Atkins, allowing Ian Stewart to play third.
  • Meanwhile, another writer at Bugs and Cranks wants the Cardinals to pass on Matt Holliday and Jason Bay, but think St. Louis should go after George Sherrill and/or Fuentes.
  • Outs Per Swing does not feel that the Rays need to add a player like Xavier Nady, but they are also skeptical that Rocco Baldelli can be the right-handed bat the team needs.
  • MetsBlog does not see the Mets landing George Sherrill or Huston Street, noting the O’s are asking for too much and the Mets will not meet the A’s demands. MetsBlog also feels the Mets have more obvious holes than relief pitcher.
  • River Ave. Blues says the recent success of Ian Kennedy in Triple A has given the Yankees a very big chip in the trade market.
  • Drunk Jays Fans says Roy Halladay will not be traded, despite recent reports that the Jays were secretly shopping him.

Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex and can be reached here.

Graziano’s Latest: Sherrill, Arroyo, Rhodes, Zaun

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Dan Graziano of the Newark Star-Ledger has a new Trade Winds column.

  • Graziano notes how incredible the Erik Bedard trade could look for Baltimore if they spin George Sherrill for prospects.  He names the Cardinals, Rays, Marlins, and Red Sox as suitors.  The Mets fear Sherrill’s price tag, while the Yankees don’t expect a deal within the division.
  • The Yankees haven’t spoken to the Reds about Bronson Arroyo (although based on previous reports, they have scouted him).  The Yanks aren’t likely to sign Barry Bonds, and aren’t terribly thrilled with the catching market.
  • Fernando Martinez’s possible injury could increase the Mets’ urgency to find a left fielder.  For some reason, Adam Dunn is not in the mix.  The Mets are in on relievers Brian Tallet, Jack Taschner, and Arthur Rhodes. 
  • The division rival Marlins are after Rhodes, as well as Gregg Zaun.
  • Graziano says no one denied his rumor that the Blue Jays were quietly discussing Roy Halladay with other teams.  The offseason might be a better time to shop him, though.

George Sherrill Rumors

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4:50pm: The Baltimore Sun lists the Cardinals, Brewers, Dodgers, Cubs, Reds, Phillies, Marlins, and Tigers as teams represented at yesterday’s Orioles-Blue Jays tilt.  The article implies that those clubs were there hoping to scout Sherrill, though a few might have been eyeing A.J. Burnett or both pitchers.

Jeff Zrebiec says the O’s want two or three prospects for Sherrill, who is under team control for a long time.

2:16pm: According to Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, the Brewers are not engaged in trade talks for Orioles closer George Sherrill.  The O’s are looking for a shortstop, and the Brewers aren’t willing to part with J.J. Hardy or Alcides Escobar.  Makes more sense to wait until Escobar forces their hand, anyway.

GM Doug Melvin told Haudricourt he doesn’t expect to add a reliever this month.

A.J. Burnett Rumors

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Let’s put all of the A.J. Burnett rumors and links in one place.

  • Joe Strauss says the Cardinals were one of 15 teams scouting Burnett yesterday.  Strauss says that Burnett’s contract allows a trade to the Cardinals, and they "remain intrigued" after Walt Jocketty pursued him as a free agent in ’05.
  • Will Carroll says he’s been heavily scouted but demand is low.  Carroll thinks the Phillies could jump back in if the price comes down.  He also wonders whether Burnett would clear waivers in August.
  • Jayson Stark says Burnett is "eminently available," with the Yankees, Phillies, and Cardinals checking in.  He adds that the Blue Jays won’t trade within the division, the Phillies chose Joe Blanton, and the Cardinals balked at the price of two premium players.
  • Jim Molony expects Burnett to stay put.
  • Dave Cameron thinks Burnett is underrated.
  • Ken Rosenthal finds trade interest in Burnett minimal, noting that teams would prefer a guarantee that the pitcher will opt out after the season.

Jays Quietly Discussing Halladay?

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According to Dan Graziano of the Newark Star-Ledger:

Roy Halladay is apparently unhappy in Toronto and has let management know it, and management has apparently responded by doing some quiet surveying of teams (such as St. Louis and the Dodgers) that are far, far away from the AL East in an effort to see what it could get for the 2003 Cy Young Award winner.

Apparently, the returns other teams are getting for top-talent pitchers such as CC Sabathia, Rich Harden and Erik Bedard has inspired the Blue Jays to at least find out what it could get for one of the best pitchers in the American League. It remains unlikely that they’d deal him, but you never know.

Halladay has been ridiculously good this year, and he is signed through 2010 at a below-market rate.  Doc is the face of the franchise, though, and if anything the Jays might try to extend him further.

Rosenthal’s Latest: Teixeira, Burnett, Sherrill

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Here’s the latest from Ken Rosenthal, who should probably take a vacation in August.

  • The D’Backs inquired on Mark Teixeira, but a trade is unlikely.  Tex might be the best available hitter, as Matt Holliday seems likely to stay put.
  • The Rockies scouted Nick Adenhart’s last start.  The Angels have more interest in Brian Fuentes than Holliday.
  • Tons of scouts converged on Camden Yards last night to watch A.J. Burnett and George Sherrill pitch (those hoping to see Sherrill were disappointed).  The Cardinals, Phillies, Yankees, Brewers, Marlins, Dodgers, and Tigers all had scouts there to watch at least one of the pitchers. 
  • Rosenthal says trade interest in Burnett "remains minimal," as teams fear the pitcher’s contract.
  • The Orioles are taking a look at the Brewers’ Triple A team, but it is believed that they are reluctant to part with more prospects.
  • The A’s chose first baseman Chris Carter over Emilio Bonifacio in the Dan Haren trade.

Heyman’s Latest: Nady, Teixeira, Sherrill

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Jon Heyman is cranking out a lot of rumorage.  Here’s his latest.

  • The price has dropped a tad on Xavier Nady, as the Pirates have become more interested in moving him.
  • The Braves still might trade Mark Teixeira right before the deadline, and Heyman thinks they can easily beat two draft choices.
  • Many teams scouted George Sherrill recently: the Marlins, Dodgers, Cardinals, Phillies, and Brewers.
  • Some execs "expressed annoyance" at the D’Backs underpaying for Jon Rauch.
  • Heyman says the Yankees are looking for catching, though Peter Abraham doesn’t agree.
  • The Twins, Giants, and Dodgers have interest in Hank Blalock, who has a $6.2MM option for ’09.

The Lefty Reliever Market

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Let’s take a look at some of the left-handed relievers on the market.

George Sherrill, Orioles

Brian Fuentes, Rockies

Damaso Marte, Pirates

  • 33 years old, $6MM club option for ’09 with a $250K buyout.  Type A status likely.
  • Known suitors: Red Sox, Tigers, Mets, Yankees, Phillies, Cardinals, Rays
  • Asking price: Perhaps a package exceeding the value of two draft picks

Ron Mahay, Royals

  • 37 years old, signed for ’09 at $4MM. 
  • Known suitors: Cardinals, Yankees, Rays
  • Asking price: Unknown, but Royals intend to keep him. Rany Jazayerli wonders if trading Mahay now would discourage future free agents from signing with KC.

John Grabow, Pirates

  • 29 years old, under team control through ’09.  Elbow stiffness last year.
  • Known suitors: Tigers, Phillies, Cardinals
  • Asking price: Less than that of Marte

Eddie Guardado, Rangers

Alan Embree, Athletics

  • 38 years old, $3MM club option for ’09.  Type A status possible, but may choose to accept offer of arbitration.  Embree wouldn’t be surprised if he was traded.
  • Known suitors: None
  • Asking price: Unknown

Jeremy Affeldt, Reds

  • 29 years old, free agent after season.  Type B status possible, could accept offer of arbitration.
  • Known suitors: Yankees, Rays, Astros, Phillies last offseason
  • Asking price: Unknown

Pirates Rumors: Wilson, Bay, Nady, Marte, Grabow

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Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette has the latest Pirates hot stove chatter.

  • The Pirates are not opposed to creating a hole at shortstop for the rest of the year by trading Jack Wilson.  They would just need the right return.  Teams are still calling on Wilson, with the Dodgers confirmed and the Tigers possible.
  • A Jason Bay deal seems less likely – the Pirates’ price is high for their star.
  • Xavier Nady and Damaso Marte continue to draw interest, with John Grabow in the mix as well.  Nady or Marte would require two prospects each.  Nady’s suitors are the Rays, Mets, Yankees, and Braves.  Marte has roughly a dozen suitors.
  • Ed Price of the Newark Star-Ledger says the injury to Hideki Matsui led to heightened interest from the Yankees in Nady and Bay.  They’re also in on Marte and Grabow.  The Bucs aren’t interested in Melky Cabrera.
  • Interesting stuff in this John Perrotto article found via DRays Bay.  He names the Red Sox, Tigers, Mets, Yankees, Phillies, Cardinals, and Rays as teams interested in Marte.  The Tigers, Phillies, and Cardinals also have an eye on Grabow.
  • Perrotto runs through all kinds of names of interest to the Pirates: Anthony Reyes, Chris Duncan, Jeff Larish, Matt Joyce, Ross Ohlendorf, Brent Lillibridge, Brandon Jones, Jeff Niemann, Jon Niese, Eddie Kunz, and Bobby Parnell. 
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