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No Help Coming For Rays?

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According to Marc Topkin of The St. Petersburg Times, Rays owner Stuart Sternberg indicated that he feels his team is good enough to win with the players they have.

"If I look around the team, there's nowhere that I think at this point that we could improve ourselves dramatically," Sternberg said before the game. "There's no glaring hole. I don't see a hole.

"With the guys we have here and those (returning) guys, yeah, this is what's getting it done. I don't think anyone is lining up to throw a great player at us. We're very fortunate. We really don't have glaring needs. It's just performance."

The returning guys he speaks of are the eight players currently on the DL, as Scott Kazmir, Chad Bradford, Fernando Perez and Brian Shouse are expected to return to the club at some point this season. Topkin mentions that the back of the bullpen could use an upgrade, but Sternberg replied "If we spend more money, it's not going to be on a closer." Before the season we learned that the Rays were unlikely to add payroll.

Stark On Deadline Deals

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ESPN.com's Jayson Stark reports that, with only five teams more than six games under .500, it's a tough time to be a buyer. Here are the details from his latest Rumblings and Grumblings:

  • There are many trade candidates in Washingon, but free agent-to-be Nick Johnson is the likeliest to move of them all.
  • Adam Dunn's price would be "astronomical" according to one executive.
  • One of Danys Baez and George Sherrill will likely be dealt, and it seems more likely that Baez will move. As one official says, "he's throwing great, but he's still Danys Baez."
  • The D'Backs would prefer to move prospective free agents, like Doug Davis and Chad Tracy. Stark writes that Davis could fit on the Mets.
  • One executive believes Brian Giles "should get released."
  • Cla Meredith could bring a decent return for the Padres, who could also move Chris Young and Kevin Kouzmanoff.
  • The Royals could move reliever Ron Mahay.
  • At this point the Astros still aren't likely to sell. No one expects them to move Roy Oswalt, but Ivan Rodriguez, LaTroy Hawkins and Jose Valverde could be dealt if the Astros decide to sell.
  • One official says the Pirates would "love to move Jack Wilson."
  • Victor Martinez and Cliff Lee aren't going anywhere, but Mark DeRosa is becoming "more marketable by the minute."
  • Matt Holliday will hit the market if the A's don't play very well for the next few weeks. The A's will want the equivalent of a first rounder and a sandwich pick and, because few elite bats are available, at least one exec thinks they'll get a good return.
  • The A's are worried he'll accept arbitration if they offer it, but Stark hears that Scott Boras would likely direct Holliday towards a better hitter's park, even if it was for less money.
  • The Red Sox aren't in a hurry to deal Brad Penny. If they go for a shortstop, they'd want a short-term fix only.
  • The Rockies- definitely not sellers right now- could eventually look to add a setup man.
  • Delmon Young is "exceptionally available."
  • The Brewers won't discuss dealing Mat Gamel or Alcides Escobar.
  • The Rays would like to add a reliever, but they're one of many teams that can't add much payroll.

Pedro Too Expensive For Rays, Cubs?

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1:28pm: Yahoo's Gordon Edes hears the Cubs are serious about Pedro, even though they don't like his demands. "We wouldn't be [watching him] just to waste our time," a Cubs source said.

12:37pm: Bruce Miles of the Daily Herald says Lou Piniella has not discussed Pedro with GM Jim Hendry. Miles adds that the righty's likely too expensive for the Cubs, anyways.

11:13am: Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times reports that the Rays are a long way from completing a deal with Pedro. Andrew Friedman did not comment on the Rays' interest.

10:15am: Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports that the Rays were eyeing Pedro Martinez as a reliever, but cannot meet his salary demands. Sherman says Pedro seeks a "significant amount of money" and the Rays can't afford a pricey addition to their team.

Meanwhile, Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times says it's "doubtful" the Cubs have the payroll flexibility to add Pedro, even if he's asking for $5MM prorated. Cubs GM Jim Hendry says he has "a lot of respect" for the three-time Cy Young Award winner. Wittenmyer says an injury to a Cubs starter would add urgency to the team's interest in Pedro.

Yankees And Angels Will Watch Pedro Too

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Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports that the Cubs, Rays, Yankees and Angels will watch Pedro Martinez pitch in the Dominican Republic tomorrow. However, all four clubs are downplaying their interest in signing the pitcher and none of them would address their biggest need by adding a starter.

Pedro still wants a major league deal worth about $3MM and he has indicated he won't lower his price. His demands make him less appealing; teams would show more interest if Pedro were willing to sign a minor league deal. As Rosenthal points out, the Angels and Yankees need relievers, the Cubs need offense and the Rays have a full rotation.

Pedro In Talks With Cubs, Rays?

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The Associated Press talked to Pedro Martinez, who says he has had discussions with the Cubs and Rays.

"There's a good chance I'll be signing soon, but there still isn't anything firm," Martinez said.

This fits in with reports last week that Pedro had worked out with the teams, though Marc Topkin at the St. Petersburg Times talked with a Rays official who said it was "very unlikely" anything would come of it. Martinez also said he wants to pitch for a contender, because he needs the "emotion of competition."

Where will he land? Keep up with all the latest coverage of Pedro Martinez here.

Odds & Ends: Buchholz, Nats, O’s, Rays

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A few bits and pieces from around the web:

  • According to Daniel Barbarisi of the Providence Journal, the Red Sox are "shrugging off" comments made by Clay Buchholz that may have been blown out of proportion. "Whenever they come to a problem, they seem like they find a way to fix it without me being in the picture. It is what it is — it's frustrating at times," said Buchholz. Terry Francona called the comment one throwaway line in "a really mature interview."
  • The AP reports Nats' manager Manny Acta has no worries about being fired despite reports that that he'll be replaced by bench coach Jim Riggleman.
  • Eight draft picks were signed by the Orioles, all players selected between rounds 12 and 45, says Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun.
  • Cheng Sio of MLB.com reports the Rays signed 14 of their draft picks, all collegiate level players taken in the 12th round or later.

Isringhausen To Have Tommy John Surgery

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Marc Lancaster of the Tampa Tribune reports that Jason Isringhausen will undergo Tommy John surgery on his right elbow. The surgery will end the 36-year-old's season and, possibly, his career. The Rays signed him last winter to contribute to a bullpen that had been surprisingly good in 2008. Isringhausen only pitched eight innings this year before going on the DL.

As Drew pointed out when we heard he was going on the 60-day DL, Izzy's 293 saves are enough to place him 22nd on the all-time list.

Izzy To Hang Up His Spikes?

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Rays right-hander Jason Isringhausen was placed on the 60-day disabled list Sunday morning with an injury to his surgically-repaired right elbow, leading some in the media, including the St. Petersburg Times' Joe Smith, to speculate that the 36-year-old former closer may soon call it a career.

If he never throws another major league pitch, Isringhausen would finish up with a 3.60 career earned run average and 293 saves (good enough for 22nd all time).  

The Cardinals declined to offer him arbitration this winter and he went on to sign a minor league contract with Tampa Bay.

Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Strasburg, Pedro, McLouth

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On this date 70 years ago, Lou Gehrig played his last game with the Yankees. Gehrig would retire with a career batting average of .340, 493 home runs and a 179 OPS+. For comparison, Albert Pujols has a career batting average of .334, 337 home runs and a 171 OPS+. More than a third of the way through the '09 season, let's take a look at what is being written in the Blogosphere…

  • Josh Q. Public takes a look at what Stephen Strasburg would have to accomplish statistically to justify a 6-year, $50MM contract.
  • Federal Baseball spoke with Lee Jenkins about Strasburg and Jenkins' research of dominant amateur pitchers.
  • Nationals Park wonders if the Nats can sign Strasburg.
  • Ladies… say that Strasburg is destined to break down.
  • Bareknucks makes the case that Strasburg will be the next Mark Prior and baseball's version of Tony Mandarich.
  • Fanhouse has a pool going on how much Strasburg will ultimately sign for.
  • MLB Notebook argues that Pedro Martinez makes sense for the Rays. 
  • Operation Shutdown makes a case that the Pirates did well in the Nate McLouth trade.

Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex.com. If you have a suggestion for this feature, Cork can be reached here, and followed on Twitter here.

Rosenthal On Yankees, Angels, Glavine

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Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports that the Yankees will eventually "target the best available late-inning relievers." Here are some names to watch and the rest of Rosenthal's rumors:

  • The Yankees have already expressed interest in Huston Street.
  • The Rockies, on an eight-game win streak, are just 4.5 games back in the NL Wild Card race and don't want to deal Street until closer to July 31st.  
  • Chad Qualls and Jose Valverde could be options for the Yankees, but both have dealt with health issues and the Yankees would have to be certain they're healthy.
  • The Yankees could pursue Danys Baez. 
  • Angels GM Tony Reagins says other teams are calling him regularly, but there's "nothing on the horizon."  
  • The Angels could use help just about everywhere and they could deal from depth in the middle infield and behind the plate.  
  • Brandon Wood has been playing some first base in Triple A. 
  • Andy Sonnanstine and Jeff Niemann could be traded if the Rays don't start winning.
  • The White Sox may not receive good prospects in return if they deal Jermaine Dye, since "few clubs, if any" can afford to take on his $11.5MM salary and surrender top young players in the same deal.  
  • Rosenthal hears that any grievance Tom Glavine files against the Braves would be out of principle; he would donate any money awarded to charity.
  • Gregor Blanco could play right field for the Braves if they deal Jeff Francoeur.
  • Rosenthal heard from one scout who was "decidedly unimpressed" with Doug Davis.
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