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Could D-Rays Flip Dan Wheeler?

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Keith Law raises a good point in his blog post today – the Devil Rays might be able to spin Dan Wheeler for a younger, cheaper player.  Law thinks it’s very likely that Andrew Friedman and Co. will aggressively shop Wheeler in the next two days.  They’ve managed to spin Ty Wigginton into a more scarce commodity with higher demand.

For example: if Octavio Dotel is worthy of a discussion about Dodgers’ shortstop Chin-Ling Hu, does Wheeler fall within the same realm?  If not, does controlling him through 2008 close the gap?  With Reid Brignac struggling in Double A overall, why not attempt to add another shortstop?  Or if Brignac succeeds (his bat has come alive this month), the Rays could move Hu to second base.  Evan Longoria at third base would make Akinori Iwamura expendable.

Another option would be to target Seattle’s Jeff Clement, though I’d imagine Bill Bavasi would want more than just Wheeler.  Carlos Pena would be a nice fit.

The Rockies could re-engage talks to get Wheeler, perhaps offering up one of their young flamethrowers or a guy like Jeff Baker.

Mets and Devil Rays

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Ryan McConnell of the New Jersey Star-Ledger posted a run-down of Mets’ rumors, mostly old hat by now.  Items of note:

  • The Mets are being asked too much for both Chad Cordero and Octavio Dotel, causing them to take another look at Eric Gagne.  They are also looking at Matt Thornton (White Sox), Shawn Chacon (Pirates), Chad Bradford (Orioles) and Jon Rauch (Nationals).  I think they should go for Chad Bradford, silly contract be damned.
  • We’ve all heard about second base possibilities in Mark Grudzielanek, Mark Loretta and Luis Castillo.  I think that of these candidates, Grudzielanek is the best defender, while Castillo is the best offensive player, even though Loretta is putting up better numbers this year.  All three will be free agents this off-season, with the exception of Grudzielanek if he earns the $4M player option for 2008 which vests with 500 plate appearances, a slim possibility.  Castillo is the youngest player and the best choice for the Mets, if they can get him.  He’s likely be a Type A free agent if the Mets let him go; if they don’t, he could be their 2008 second baseman.  All in all, though, I’d prefer the Mets stick with Damion Easley and Rubén Gotay.
  • Now the kicker.  This is what makes trade deadlines fun (and painful).  From McConnell:

And, finally, the hot, completely unsubstantiated rumor floating around my workplace was that the Mets and D-Rays were discussing a Lastings Milledge and "a Minor League pitcher" (probably Pelfrey, maybe Humber) for Carl Crawford. It didn’t pass my smell test — I’d think Tampa would command a lot more for their stud outfielder — but it’s fun to think about regardless. Plus, for what it’s worth, a Met scout was spotted at Tropicana Field last week.

It doesn’t pass my smell test either, but it’s still fun to think about, unless you’re convinced that Lastings Milledge is the next Gary Sheffield, like I am.

John Peterson writes for the Met-blog Blastings! Thrilledge.

Reds Acquire Jorge Cantu

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In a minor move, the Reds acquired infielder Jorge Cantu today along with outfielder Shaun Cumberland.  They shipped pitchers Calvin Medlock and Brian Shackelford to the Devil Rays in the deal.

The Reds are doing the right thing by sending the 24 year-old Cantu to Triple A to re-establish himself.  Yes, he once drove in 117 runs and blah blah blah.  The power potential is nice; he now needs to keep his head down, maybe learn a little plate discipline, and hit his way into the Reds’ lineup.  There’s no infield spot for him, unless Wayne Krivsky foolishly trades Edwin Encarnacion or just starts Cantu over EE.

Cumberland is a legitimate prospect, though the 23 year-old didn’t step up to the challenge of Double A.  He’s got the tools to succeed, and he was never going to crack the Devil Rays’ outfield.  There’s some upside here even if the numbers don’t show it.

I don’t know much about Medlock but the reliever posted sick numbers in his second crack at Double A this year – 11.1 K/9, 0.9 BB/9.  He hit a wall in Triple A though.  According to Baseball Prospectus, he’s a small flamethrower with a fine change-up.  I’m not sure why the Reds would be giving up an interesting guy like this for Cantu.

Shackelford is a 31 year-old southpaw who the Reds were probably happy to unload.  Shackelford is best known for this debacle, though ultimately charges weren’t pressed.  He’s not anything special on the mound.

I have to give this trade to the Devil Rays, because Medlock seems interesting and Cantu’s value was near rock bottom.  The Rays had no place for Cantu, though the Reds don’t appear to either.

Astros Trade Wheeler To Devil Rays For Wigginton

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UPDATE: Wigginton will be used as the primary third baseman; you have to expert Morgan Ensberg to be gone soon.

We expected both players to be traded, but not for each other.  Today, the Astros traded 29 year-old reliever Dan Wheeler to the Devil Rays for 29 year-old supersub Ty Wigginton.  By my count, Wheeler reaches free agency after the 2008 season and Wiggy after 2009.

Looking at the two most important metrics, strikeout and walk rate, Wheeler should return to form for Tampa Bay.  His strikeout rate is up; his walks down.  Wheeler does not allow many baserunners.  Perhaps the reunion with former Astros pitching coach Jim Hickey will help Wheeler curb his gopheritis.  Should the Rays trade Al Reyes, or perhaps even if they don’t, Wheeler is a strong candidate to assume closing duties for the team.

I’m seeing a lot of folks panning Tim Purpura for getting Wigginton for Wheeler.  Personally I don’t think it’s too bad.  The Astros will have holes at second and third base next year, and Wigginton can play either position based on which spot the Astros can fill otherwise.  I’d like to see him at second base, where his bat would be above average.  Could Purpura have done better, given the strong demand for relievers?  If it was the Wheeler of years past, sure.  But he has a 5.07 ERA this year.   

Latest Mets Rumors: Luis Castillo, Chad Cordero

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Let’s have a look at the latest rumors swirling around the Mets.

Mariners Considering Kei Igawa, Al Reyes, Jason Jennings?

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Apparently the Mariners have some interest in twice-demoted Yankees starter Kei Igawa, according to an uncited TV report.  The report pleased Ichiro Suzuki and Kenji Johjima.

Igawa is locked up through 2011, which may or may not be a positive.  He earns another $1.5MM this year plus $4MM annually through the end of the contract.  The posting fee situation ensures that Igawa’s salary is  really cheap, the price a team might pay for a semi-utility guy like Mark DeRosa.  If Igawa can be league average in the comfy confines of Safeco, he’s a bargain.  More likely he’d have value to an NL team. 

The Mariners were in on Igawa this offseason, along with the Padres, Diamondbacks, Dodgers, Braves, Mets, Cubs, Tigers, and Indians.  Igawa was said to prefer playing on the West Coast.  The 28 year-old had a decent strikeout rate but has otherwise been rocked in 62 innings as a Yankee.

Meanwhile Dan Graziano says the Mariners are entertaining practically every available starter.  He says they’re "hot on the trail" of Jason Jennings.  I still think Jennings stays put.

Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times has a few new names for us: the Mariners have "serious interest" in reliever Al Reyes and may go for Edwin Jackson as well.

Yankees Focused On Gagne, Wheeler, Qualls

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It seems highly likely that the Yankees will make a move to upgrade their bullpen before the Tuesday trade deadline.  They appear to have three main targets.

Kat O’Brien of Newsday says the Yanks have had serious discussions with Texas regarding Eric Gagne.  Though Gagne wants to close, remember that he can be traded to New York without his consent.  A Rivera-Gagne combo would essentially turn every game into seven innings.  O’Brien names righthanders Ian Kennedy and Jeff Marquez as two pitchers the Rangers might be after.  Kennedy is definitely more highly regarded.  The Rangers also like Melky Cabrera but the Yankees are resisting.

Meanwhile, Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News tells us that the Yankees have "narrowed their sights" to Dan Wheeler and Chad Qualls of the Astros.  The Astros control Wheeler through 2009 and Qualls through 2010, so the asking price will be significant.  Jayson Stark says Houston is looking for a young MLB-ready position player; Cabrera seems to fit the bill.

Another Yankee-related note from O’Brien’s article – the Yankees are not pursuing Ty Wigginton anymore.  Other writers do not agree.  Dan Graziano indicates that Wiggy is still in play and the Yankees might try get Al Reyes added to the deal as well.  Peter Abraham talked to an AL exec who expects the Yanks to get Wigginton.  Graziano adds that the Yankees have had recent discussions about Octavio Dotel and Jon Rauch.

Devil Rays Swap Seth McClung For Grant Balfour

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Drays Bay broke the story tonight: the Devil Rays sent Seth McClung to Milwaukee for Grant Balfour.  A change of scenery isn’t a bad idea for either player.

McClung gets a lot of attention for his ability to light up the radar gun.  The Devil Rays were wishcasting him as their closer as recently as last year.  The problem for a while now has been his ridiculously bad control.  He’s 26 now.  Let’s see what Mike Maddux can do with him.  Or at least what Stan Kyles can do with him. 

Balfour has spent a ton of time under the knife; I covered his travails in this post.  He’s 29 presently.  Given the Devil Rays’ bullpen, he could be closing by year’s end (said with tongue only half in cheek). 

Basically, a live arm was swapped for another live arm.  We’ll see if anything comes of it.   

Teams Looking At Ty Wigginton

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UPDATE: You can toss the Cubs into the mix for Wigginton.

One role player drawing a lot of interest is Tampa Bay’s Ty Wigginton.  He plays hard, he’s versatile, he delivered his own baby, and he’s at .274/.325/452 in 372 ABs. 

Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times says the Dodgers, Twins, Red Sox, and Yankees are in on Wigginton.  Wiggy might have a starting role for the former two teams.  Andrew Friedman may be compelled to find a deal before the deadline, because at $4MM plus Wigginton is a nontender candidate for the D-Rays next year.

Names like Scott Proctor and Scott Baker have surfaced as possible returns for Wigginton, but the general impression seems to be that the Devil Rays would need to improve their offer to get one of them.

Molony On Jennings, Slowey

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Jim Molony’s column today at MLB.com has many good trade rumors that I haven’t seen elsewhere.  Let’s discuss.

  • Molony says at least a dozen scouts watched Jason Jennings toss a quality start last night.  He needed it; I was beginning to think he wasn’t right.  Still, the performance probably isn’t enough to cause some team to offer a package for Jennings superior to two draft picks.
  • The Diamondbacks and Pirates had a scouting presence at the Astros-Dodgers game.  Interesting players appearing in the contest included James Loney, Andre Ethier, Wilson Betemit, Mark Loretta, Morgan Ensberg, Jason Lane, Chad Qualls, Dan Wheeler, and Brad Lidge. You connect the dots, I have no idea.
  • The Red Sox suggested sending Joel Pineiro to the A’s for Bobby Kielty in a swap of unwanteds; they were rebuffed.
  • The Phillies and Braves watched Matt Morris allow four runs in six innings on Tuesday.  They also may have been monitoring Steve Kline, who also pitched.
  • A Devil Rays scout watched the Twins in Toronto on Tuesday.  Ty Wigginton is thought to be a target for Minnesota.  Perhaps the Rays’ scout fancied Scott Baker, who started for the Twins and went seven innings.  Baker would be a stupendous return for Wiggy, in my opinion.
  • The Phillies had their assistant GM scouting Kevin Slowey’s start on Saturday.  Molony suggests Minnesota might want Pat Burrell.  That would involve a ridiculous amount of salary relief and a lack of Slowey.  Slowey allowed one run in six innings in the game.
  • UPDATE: Just realized that the above pair of bullets seem to have originated from La Velle E. Neal III of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune.  The scout watching the Twins on Tuesday was Lee Elia.  Not sure why Molony didn’t cite this source, but I suppose he may have come across the info independently.
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