Possible Destinations For Sabathia
Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer weighs in on the different teams that could land CC Sabathia.
- Yankees: Despite Ken Davidoff’s report yesterday that the Yankees would not land Sabathia, Hoynes notes that the Yankees are desperate for an ace but acknowledges that they may wait until the off-season.
- Phillies: Hoynes points out that Sabathia’s first big league manager was Charlie Manuel, but the Phillies may not have enough in the system.
- Cubs: Hoynes feels that Lou PIniella would trade for Sabathia right now if he could.
- Red Sox: Hoynes feels the Sox are more likely to wait until the off-season.
- Rays: Hoynes notes that the Rays have the pieces in the farm system to land Sabathia, but wonders if they are willing to rent a player for a playoff push.
- Angels: Hoynes points out that Sabathia is from the west coast and the Angels may have a better chance of resigning him.
Hoynes also talked to scouts about what the Indians can expect to receive if they do decide to trade the free agent-to-be.
One scout said that "they could get two young players that were at or close to the big-league level that they could control for a while" while a second scout speculates the bounty could be " two and three prospects, depending on whether that team could sign Sabathia to an extension before he becomes a free agent this winter."
Griffey’s Agent Denies Rays Rumor
SI.com’s Jon Heyman recently wrote that Ken Griffey Jr. was telling friends he was monitoring the Rays as a possible destination. Heyman’s source indicated Junior would consider waiving his no-trade rights to play near his Orlando-area home. Heyman admitted that no serious trade talks have occurred, though.
Today, Griffey’s agent Brian Goldberg apparently debunked the story. Goldberg considers it to be "a media member thinking out loud." He adds that Griffey has not been approached with any trade proposals, though no one was claiming that.
Odds and Ends: Bradley, Floyd, Threets
Let’s round up some links.
- Juan Rincon rejected the Twins’ Triple A assignment. Anyone want him?
- The Reds received a 23 year-old righty named Henry Arias from the Royals to conclude the March Brad Salmon deal.
- I had forgotten about this…the Royals almost acquired Milton Bradley a year ago for Leo Nunez but the deal was voided.
- Paul Hagen offers some pitching ideas for the Phillies.
- David Cameron explains why the Mariners are so bad.
- The international signing period begins on July 2nd; pitcher Michel Inoa heads the class. It’s been suggested the A’s could offer him $4MM.
- Jon Heyman says this might be Cliff Floyd‘s last season. Floyd has a $2.75MM club option for ’09.
- Howard Megdal considers Scott Schoeneweis and Brian Schneider the Mets’ most tradeable commodities.
- Erick Threets is shocked no team was willing to pick him up and keep him in the Majors. For El Lefty Malo, this serves as a reminder that fans often overvalue their team’s players.
Heyman’s Latest: Griffey, Garcia, Sabathia
SI.com’s Jon Heyman has a new column up.
- Ken Griffey Jr. is reportedly telling friends that the Rays are his preference if he is to be traded. He’d be close to his Orlando home, always a major consideration for him. Heyman says Junior would prefer to be dealt after the All-Star game. It’s not known whether the Rays have interest in Griffey, though. Jayson Stark suggested yesterday that Griffey could sign there as a free agent next year.
- Freddy Garcia hit 85 mph in a recent session. It’s been suggested he could be in the Majors by late August.
- Heyman talked to a "hopeful competing GM" who expects C.C. Sabathia to be traded.
Percival Return Will Cause Roster Crunch
MLB.com’s Bill Chastain writes of an impending Rays roster crunch. Closer Troy Percival can come off the DL Friday. Percival’s replacement, Grant Balfour, doesn’t deserve a demotion. He’s out of options, and the Rays would have to sneak him through waivers to get him back to Triple A. Balfour did clear waivers in April. Given his situation and success this year, perhaps we can add Balfour to our Reliever Market list.
The Rays acquired Balfour from the Brewers for Seth McClung last July. He’s endured all kinds of injury problems but seems on track in ’08. DRays Bay suggests keeping Balfour and either cutting Gary Glover or trading Jason Hammel.
Odds & Ends: Beckham, Bedard, Bonds, Mulder
Lots of high profile players in today’s Odds & Ends:
- The Rays have opened contract discussions with first overall pick Tim Beckham, says Marc Topkin.
- Phil Rogers of the Chicago Sports Tribune suggests we add Erik Bedard to the list of starting pitchers who may be available at the trade deadline. More appropriately, Rogers also notes the M’s will most likely hold on to Bedard through 2009, a far more likely outcome.
- Also in the longshot rumor department, John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle speculates on Barry Bonds playing for the Red Sox. Personally, I would predict there’s a 0.0% chance Bonds plays in Boston.
- In that same piece by John Shea, Mark Mulder could be done. He’s rejecting the idea of a third surgery and attempting to alter his delivery to remain effective and pain free.
- Will Carroll reports Jeremy Bonderman has undergone surgery to overcome Thoracic Outlet Syndrome – as I understand it, a pinched vein causing a blood clot – and will need a minimum of 6 months to a year of recovery time. This should keep Armando Gallaraga and Dontrelle Willis in the rotation.
By Nat Boyle
Draft Day Roundup
The draft is just four hours away. We’ll be live-blogging it here at MLBTR. Here are today’s draft links.
- Baseball America’s brand new top 30 projections.
- According to Keith Law, Mariners doctors gave the thumbs up on Tanner Scheppers and the team could take him at #20.
- Law says the Nationals seem to be debating between Kyle Skipworth and Aaron Crow at #9.
- Law adds that first baseman Yonder Alonso has an $8MM rumored asking price, which could cause him to drop. Alonso is roughly the 11th-best player in the draft, combining various expert rankings.
- Speaking of huge demands, Buster Posey‘s people are floating $12MM. Perhaps for that reason, the Rays will go with Tim Beckham.
- The Pirates seem a near-lock to take Pedro Alvarez at #2.
- Jonathan Mayo is "fairly certain" the Reds will take Gordon Beckham at #7.
- Nick Piecoro tosses out some possibilities for the D’Backs at #26.
- Tom Haudricourt has three names for the Brewers at #16.
Rosenthal’s Latest: Padilla, Greinke, Hatteberg
Let’s discuss Ken Rosenthal’s lastest column.
- There’s some chatter that the ’09 draft class will be weak. This could motivate teams to trade their impending free agent stars this July rather than collect compensation picks.
- Mets pitching coach Rick Peterson has "fallen out of favor with some in the organization." Rosenthal believes he’d be a hot commodity if fired.
- The Rangers are open to trading Vicente Padilla, as you’d expect. We’ve heard some crazy things about the asking price.
- While the Royals don’t seem to consider Zack Greinke untouchable, they’d have to be bowled over to trade him.
- The Yanks probably don’t have room for Ben Broussard, and the Orioles could swoop in and sign him if he’s granted free agency this month.
- Look for Scott Hatteberg to become a free agent today; interest appears to be tepid.
- The Florida teams are willing to spend money for midseason upgrades. They’re understandably reluctant to trade prospects.
- Doesn’t seem like Orlando Cabrera will be signing long-term with the White Sox.
Mayo’s Latest: Alvarez, Orioles, Cashner
MLB.com’s Jonathan Mayo has some draft tidbits tonight.
- The idea has been floated that the Rays could draft Pedro Alvarez with an eye on moving Evan Longoria to second base down the road. Alvarez’s position really shouldn’t be a concern – Carlos Pena might be gone by the time he’s ready. Mayo’s heard buzz that the Rays have narrowed it down to Alvarez or Buster Posey, despite what Tim Beckham‘s dad said.
- Standard speculation is that the O’s are looking at Brian Matusz and Justin Smoak, but Mayo’s heard there might be a non-Beckham dark horse.
- The White Sox have Smoak, Yonder Alonso, and perhaps Andrew Cashner on their radar at #8.
Left-Handed Power Options For Cubs
Lou Piniella seemingly wouldn’t mind a left-handed power hitter on his team, even if he’s not complaining about it. It’s fair to assume the Cubs are locked in at first base, third base, and left field. That makes the left-handed power pursuit much more challenging.
We can probably rule out Adam Dunn, Raul Ibanez, Chad Tracy, Barry Bonds, Aubrey Huff, and Hank Blalock. Kosuke Fukudome could be shifted to center field, but none of these guys could handle right regularly.
I came up with three possibly available players who can play right field, somewhat. I’m thinking of Eric Hinske, Milton Bradley, and Ken Griffey Jr. Putting Bradley in right field with no DH option seems dangerous, and recent chatter says Junior’s staying put. Hinske, who is hitting .257/.340/.542 in 162 plate appearances, seems the best target. Keep in mind that this is just one guy’s opinion, not a trade rumor.