Quick Hits: Blue Jays, Beltran, Astros, Zambrano
Congratulations to Ervin Santana, who threw the third no-hitter of the season this afternoon. Santana joins Francisco Liriano and Justin Verlander on this year’s list of pitchers to author a no-no. Here are the latest links from around MLB…
- Blue Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos says he's likely done making trades, according to Richard Griffin of the Toronto Star (on Twitter). The GM will continue monitoring the trade market in case something comes up, but his work might be done.
- The Rangers offered a group of "OK" prospects for Carlos Beltran and Philadelphia's offer was even weaker, according to Jon Heyman of SI.com (on Twitter). San Francisco eventually acquired Beltran.
- The Astros are stepping up their efforts to trade Wandy Rodriguez, Brett Myers and Michael Bourn, according to Jon Heyman of SI.com (on Twitter).
- Carlos Zambrano told reporters, including Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune, that he wants to stay in Chicago as long as there is "change" (Twitter link). The right-hander, who is available in trades, did not specify what kind of change he's looking for.
- Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch hears that the Reds have serious misgivings about making an all-in move to save their season (Twitter link). After tonight's loss, Cincinnati is 50-54.
Los Angeles Notes: Carroll, Ethier, Kuroda, Angels
The Angels are buyers and the Dodgers are sellers, but what are the Angels looking to acquire and who are the Dodgers willing to part with? Here are the latest rumors…
- The Indians are discussing Kuroda and Carroll with the Dodgers, according to Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer (on Twitter).
- The Brewers have had continued dialogue with the Dodgers about Jamey Carroll, according to ESPN.com's Buster Olney (on Twitter).
- Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports report that interest in Hiroki Kuroda is intensifying, with the Yankees at the forefront. The Red Sox, Rangers, Tigers, and Indians remain in the mix. Kuroda has not yet been presented with a formal trade offer to accept or decline.
- The odds of an Andre Ethier trade are "very slim" and the Dodgers would have to be blown away to move the outfielder, according to Jon Paul Morosi and Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. The Red Sox haven't had serious discussions with the Dodgers about a deal for Ethier, who isn't eligible for free agency until after the 2012 season.
- Jon Heyman of SI.com hears that there's little belief that Kuroda will accept a trade out of Los Angeles (Twitter link). The right-hander can block deals to any team.
- The Angels are more focused on acquiring relievers than adding third base help, according to Rosenthal (on Twitter).
Latest On Padres Relievers
7:33pm: A source tells CBSSports.com's Scott Miller that the Padres think they can re-sign Bell at a discounted rate after the season, so they aren't guaranteed to trade him before the deadline.
5:35pm: The Cardinals are still trying for Bell and the Rangers are in the mix as well, according to Jon Heyman of SI.com (Twitter links). Though the closer can't choose his next team, he prefers the Cardinals, Heyman reports.
3:36pm: The pace has quickened in the Padres' talks for Bell and Adams, tweets ESPN's Buster Olney.
2:02pm: The Cardinals are still talking to the Padres about their relievers in the aftermath of the Colby Rasmus deal, tweets Scott Miller of CBS Sports. The Cards acquired relievers Marc Rzepczynski and Octavio Dotel in that deal, also gaining the flexibility to move Kyle McClellan back to the bullpen.
Earlier today, ESPN's Jayson Stark wrote that teams that have spoken to the Padres say they still have very little interest in moving Mike Adams, and don't think they match up with the Cardinals on Heath Bell.
Rangers Eyeing Bell, Adams, Bailey, Balfour
Now that Carlos Beltran is heading to the defending World Champions, last year’s American League pennant winner can focus its attention elsewhere. The Rangers, who showed some interest in Beltran before the Giants agreed to acquire him, continue to pursue relievers, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.
They are talking to the Padres about Heath Bell and Mike Adams, who are among the most highly coveted relievers available. They are also interested in Grant Balfour and Andrew Bailey of the A’s, though Bailey is a “distinct longshot,” in Rosenthal’s estimation.
Carlos Beltran Rumors: Wednesday
Yesterday's Carlos Beltran learnings: the Indians offered to pick up all of Beltran's contract and include a good player, but nothing was presented to the player; the Phillies won't trade Jonathan Singleton for Beltran and many other top prospects can't be had either; the Mets' asking price has come down from two weeks ago and they're talking two and three-prospect deals with suitors. The latest:
- Beltran is not going to the Rangers, tweets Rosenthal. The Giants are his presumed frontrunner. He says the Mets had asked about Giants prospects Zack Wheeler and Gary Brown. They won't get Wheeler, but Rosenthal says "we'll see" on Brown.
- Giants starter Jonathan Sanchez could go to the Mets as part of a Beltran trade, tweets Sherman.
- Some executives believe Boras is trying to direct Beltran to the Giants, a team that has the money to retain him after the season, tweets Joel Sherman of the New York Post. Meanwhile Ken Rosenthal tweets that the Rangers are offering the Mets a greater number of players for Beltran than the Giants, who are offering fewer players but more quality. The Phillies are still serious, tweets Yahoo's Tim Brown.
- The Indians walked away from the Beltran talks convinced that agent Scott Boras is controlling the process, tweets ESPN's Buster Olney. They won't shut the door on Beltran but believe he won't change his mind, tweets Yahoo's Jeff Passan.
- Joel Sherman of the New York Post says the Mets have "moved off A-level prospect requests" for Beltran, but Andy Martino of the New York Daily News has a high-level source who denies the Mets have lowered their asking price.
- The Mets are making progress in negotiations with the Rangers and Giants, reports ESPN's Buster Olney. The Braves remain involved.
Quick Hits: Rangers, Quentin, Gomes, Bauer
The Red Sox and Rangers rank first and second in the majors, respectively, in runs scored. Yet one night after Michael Cuddyer prevented the Rangers from scoring, another position player, Mitch Maier, shut down the Red Sox. Here's the latest from around MLB…
- The Rangers agreed to sign 11th round pick Connor Sadzeck for an over-slot bonus of $350K, according to Jim Callis of Baseball America (on Twitter). The right-hander tops out at 95 mph and projects as a reliever.
- The Phillies are among the teams scouting Carlos Quentin in case the White Sox decide to move him, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today (on Twitter).
- The Nationals like the fact that they could obtain a draft pick for newly-acquired outfielder Jonny Gomes after the season, Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post reports (on Twitter).
- Arizona GM Kevin Towers told Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic that Trevor Bauer, who signed yesterday, "possibly could" help the bullpen in September (Twitter links). The D'Backs "fully envision" Bauer competing for a rotation spot next spring.
- The D'Backs continue looking for pitching, according to Scott Miller of CBSSports.com (Twitter link).
Carlos Beltran Rumors: Tuesday
Yesterday right fielder Carlos Beltran shot down the notion that he's told the Mets he won't accept a trade to an American League team. Writers agree that the Rangers are making a big push and that the Phillies have cooled, but the standing of the Braves, Red Sox, and Giants is unclear. The latest up top:
- Beltran says he never blocked a deal to the Indians, according to Mike Puma of the New York Post (on Twitter). He says the Mets haven't come to him with possible deals.
- The Indians offered to pick up all of Beltran's remaining contract and give the Mets a good player in return according to MLB.com's Peter Gammons, but Cleveland was not a fit for the Scott Boras client. Heyman reports (on Twitter) that the deal was never presented to Beltran, so the Mets must know which teams he'll accept a trade to.
- The Phillies won't give up Jonathan Singleton for Beltran, according to Jon Heyman of SI.com, who confirms that Cosart and Brown aren't available either (Twitter link). More Phillies prospects will soon be off the table as well, according to Heyman.
- Brewers GM Doug Melvin declined to speak about Beltran in particular, but he told Adam McCalvy of MLB.com that he's always open to making the right deal, generally speaking.
- Agent Scott Boras told ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick that Beltran's decision to accept or block a trade will revolve around his chances of winning a title. Crasnick's take on the leading suitors for Beltran confirms what we've read for the past 24 hours or so: the Rangers have ramped up their pursuit of Beltran and the Braves and Giants remain interested, while the Red Sox and Phillies appear to have slipped to the back of the pack.
- There's a strong belief the best offer may come from the Rangers, tweets SI's Jon Heyman.
- The Mets' asking price has come down a bit from two weeks ago, an interested executive told Joel Sherman of the New York Post (Twitter links). Sherman says the Mets are talking two and three-prospect deals with the Rangers, Red Sox, Giants, Braves, Phillies, and Brewers.
- The Mets have been turned down on requests for Mike Minor, Julio Teheran, or Arodys Vizcaino of the Braves, Zack Wheeler or Gary Brown of the Giants, and Domonic Brown or Jarred Cosart of the Phillies, reports ESPN's Jayson Stark. Stark says the Mets are telling teams the Beltran deal isn't about money, and the team that offers the best players will get him.
- A high-ranking source tells ESPN's Buster Olney there is no clear frontrunner for Beltran as of right now (Twitter link). Meanwhile, a source close to the talks tells Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports he expects things to intensify within the next 48 hours (Twitter link).
- The Giants "look like a possible favorite" for Beltran at the moment, reports SI's Jon Heyman. The Braves are very interested as well, while the Phillies "don't seem all that involved."
- The Reds are not currently involved in trade talks for Beltran, tweets ESPN's Buster Olney.
- An executive from a team that has expressed interest in Beltran told Joel Sherman of the New York Post, "They are not getting a top-40-ranked prospect for Beltran even if they eat all the money [left on his contract]." Sherman's article goes on to explain why the Mets will probably have to settle for less-than-elite prospects. He reiterates that the Rangers are aggressively pursuing Beltran and the Braves and Red Sox are the other two most interested clubs.
Ubaldo Jimenez Rumors: Tuesday
Yesterday, a Major League source close to the Ubaldo Jimenez trade talks told Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports that the chances of a deal are "around 50/50." Here's the latest on the Rockies' ace, with the newest info up top…
- The Yankees and Red Sox called the Rockies about Jimenez today, according to MLB.com’s Thomas Harding. Talks with the Reds appear to be further along, though the Rockies appear to be asking for Travis Wood, Bailey and either Chapman or Mesoraco. The Rockies won’t lower their asking price, Harding reports. The Reds haven't said no yet, according to Troy Renck of the Denver Post (on Twitter). Until they do, there's a slim chance a deal will occur.
- Sources tell Dan Knobler of CBSSports.com that the team with the best chance to trade for Jimenez is the Yankees (Twitter link). The Blue Jays are considered a "real longshot at best."
- About seven teams are interested in Jimenez, according to Jon Heyman of SI.com who names the Reds, Tigers, Yankees, Red Sox, Rangers, Indians and Blue Jays (on Twitter).
- The Blue Jays "legitimately want" Jimenez, according an executive who spoke to ESPN.com's Jayson Stark (on Twitter).
- The Rockies have asked the Reds about Homer Bailey, tweets Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post. Earlier, Renck wrote that "chances remain slim" of a Jimenez trade. He said the Rockies "continue to listen and negotiate with multiple teams regarding Jimenez, with the Reds receiving the most attention," but in general Colorado's demands are so high that no team is expected to bite. Renck said the Rockies have asked the Reds for Devin Mesoraco, Aroldis Chapman, and Chris Heisey, among others. In an email exchange with MLBTR, Renck clarified that the Rockies asked for Mesoraco and Chapman together while Heisey is simply another name that has come up in talks. Both Mesoraco and Chapman appear to be untouchable.
- The feeling from executives is that the Rockies want to find a trade for Jimenez, tweets Joel Sherman of the New York Post. The Yankees, Red Sox, and Reds are calling, and the Blue Jays kicked the tires.
- The price on Jimenez hasn't dropped at all, writes ESPN's Jayson Stark. He says the Rockies require "three sure-thing young players, including one pitcher who goes into their rotation immediately." One executive who spoke with the Rockies pegs the chances of a deal at no more than 25 percent.
- The Rockies "recently held a two-hour internal conference call to go over the trade alternatives" for Jimenez, writes SI's Jon Heyman.
B.J. Upton Rumors: Tuesday
The latest on Rays center fielder B.J. Upton, who owns a .229/.310/.399 line on the season:
- The Rays had a scout watching the Nationals' Triple-A team yesterday, tweets Joel Sherman of the New York Post.
- The Giants are showing strong interest, tweets SI's Jon Heyman.
- The Indians, Giants, Braves, and Pirates are among the teams in on Upton, report Jon Paul Morosi and Ken Rosenthal. The Royals are not seriously pursuing Upton, while the Brewers, Rangers, and Phillies are not involved.
- The Nationals have balked at trading pitchers Ross Detwiler or Brad Peacock for Upton, reports ESPN's Jayson Stark. One executive says the Giants have moved in.
- Five teams are "in play" for Upton, a source tells Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports (Twitter link).
My apologies for an earlier error in which I erroneously attributed Joel Sherman's "asking for a ton" quote to the Rays and B.J. Upton. The quote actually referred to the Cardinals and Colby Rasmus.
Stark On Shields, Pena, Fukudome, Rangers
The latest from ESPN's Jayson Stark…
- The Rays listened on James Shields last week, but now they've taken him off the market for July and apparently the upcoming offseason.
- An executive who spoke with the Cubs says the level of interest in first baseman Carlos Pena has been exaggerated. That's pretty damning, since publicly the level of interest has always appeared tepid. Also, Stark says the Cubs believe Pena could get through waivers in August. I disagree with the notion that there will be a lot less money left on Pena's contract at that point, since half of the $10MM is to be paid in January.
- Kosuke Fukudome might be the one Cub dealt at the July deadline. We still haven't heard which teams are on his partial no-trade list, however.
- The Rangers are balking at including lefty Martin Perez in a deal. Perez is a consensus top-13 prospect in all of MLB. However, the Rangers will discuss their next tier of prospects - Tanner Scheppers, Robbie Erlin, Roman Mendez and Barret Loux, in Stark's mind.
- A longtime friend of Drayton McLane believes McLane's last act as Astros owner will be to convince GM Ed Wade to retain favorite Hunter Pence.