Blue Jays Rumors

Odds and Ends: Soto, Joba, Colletti, Tazawa

By Tim Dierkes | September 3, 2008 at 11:08am CDT

Let’s dig in with today’s links!

As you know, the Steinbrenners want Brian Cashman back for ’09. Now it’s up to him.
Geovany Soto was discussed as a throw-in on the trade that ultimately sent Sammy Sosa to Baltimore back in ’05. One that did get away that year: Ricky Nolasco (in the Juan Pierre deal).
Michael Gluckstadt interviewed ESPN’s Buster Olney.
CBSSports.com’s Danny Knobler takes a look at the deep free agent class of starting pitchers. Dave Cameron considers this "the greatest collection of free agent arms to hit free agency at the same time in the history of the game."
Joel Sherman disagrees with the ’09 Joba Rules.
Ned Colletti, the game’s best GM? It’s hard to tell if T.J. Simers is being entirely serious here.
Nick Piecoro gives a scout’s take on Chad Beck, who the D’Backs sent to Toronto for David Eckstein.
The Red Sox, Braves, and Mets are eyeing Japanese amateur pitcher Junichi Tazawa, and Patrick Newman has more details.
John Perrotto says Pedro Alvarez is coming across as a punk.

Rosenthal’s Latest: Hendry, Burnett, Laird

By Tim Dierkes | September 3, 2008 at 9:55am CDT

Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports has a new column up.

Rosenthal fills us in on Jim Hendry’s contract status: Hendry controls his own fate with an option for ’09. If the new Cubs ownership doesn’t want to extend him beyond that, he could elect free agency this winter. Click here to download a spreadsheet of Hendry’s trade history.
Teams with third basemen to trade this winter are at an advantage due to the weak free agent market. Names like Garrett Atkins, Melvin Mora, and Hank Blalock could generate interest. Blalock is a huge question mark though, and the Rangers still have to decide on his $6.2MM option. Jorge Cantu, Adrian Beltre, and Kevin Kouzmanoff are other names to watch in my opinion.
Rosenthal talked to a rival executive who sees the Red Sox making a "major push" for A.J. Burnett if he opts out. He can hindle the rigors of pitching in the AL East, and will also draw interest from the Yankees.
The Rangers may shop Gerald Laird this winter. Laird, 29 in November, is under team control through 2010. The Reds could be a nice match.
Marlins infielder Chris Coghlan can play second or third base, giving the Fish flexibility on whether they want to trade Cantu, Mike Jacobs, or Dan Uggla this winter.

Odds and Ends: Eaton, Tazawa, Royals, Jays

By Tim Dierkes | September 2, 2008 at 8:58am CDT

Today’s links…

SI.com’s Tom Verducci ranks the five best midseason deals of the past 25 years.
Peter Abraham thinks the Yankees should stick with Robinson Cano.
Pat Gillick says there’s a slight chance the Phils acquire a reliever this month. He was not able to acquire Kyle Farnsworth in August.
MLB.com’s T.R. Sullivan doesn’t put much stock in the rumor that Nolan Ryan will clean house in Texas.
Phillies GM Pat Gillick admitted signing Adam Eaton was a mistake. Many MLBTR readers thought so when the signing was finalized in November of ’06.
The Red Sox hope to sign a Japanese amateur pitcher named Junichi Tazawa, which may not go over well with Nippon Professional Baseball.
Gil Meche, Joakim Soria, and Zack Greinke are pretty much off-limits. Most other Royals are fair game in trade discussions. GM Dayton Moore intends to make changes this winter, and may also dive back into the free agent market.
The Blue Jays have $15MM to spend, with needs at shortstop, first base/DH, and catcher. GM J.P. Ricciardi would prefer to fill those holes internally. Shysterball wonders why Ricciardi is talking about next year.
Michael Rosenberg says Ivan Rodriguez is all about the money.

D’Backs Acquire Eckstein

By Steve Adams | August 31, 2008 at 3:33pm CDT

It’s official: The Diamondbacks have acquired Blue Jays shortstop David Eckstein in exchange for minor league pitcher Chad Beck, according to MLB.com.

Eckstein has posted a respectable line of .273/.352/.355 this season over 75 games with Toronto.

Rotoworld sees Beck, 23, as a long shot to make it to the majors as starter, but feels he can reach the big-league level as a reliever. Beck has had success at both Class-A levels this season. He posted a 2.04 ERA with South Bend, and after being promoted to High-A Visalia, struggled as a starter but has posted a very nice 1.37 ERA as a reliever for the club.

D-Backs Now Favorite To Land Eckstein

By Cork Gaines | August 31, 2008 at 9:38am CDT

Ken Rosenthal is reporting that the D-Backs are the favorite to land David Eckstein from the Blue Jays, prior to tonight’s deadline for players to be eligible for the post-season. Previously we heard that both the D-Backs and the Angels were in pursuit of Eckstein.

Eckstein, 33, is almost certain to be traded before the deadline for setting postseason rosters at midnight Sunday. While talks are fluid, the Jays currently are more inclined to trade with the D-backs, sources say.

Rosenthal says the Angels are now considering other options, including Omar Vizquel of the Giants and Juan Castro of the Orioles.

Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex.com and can be reached here.

Angels Eyeing Backup Shortstops

By Tim Dierkes | August 29, 2008 at 6:07pm CDT

FRIDAY: Blue Jays GM J.P. Ricciardi confirmed he’s in discussions with the Angels about his shortstops.

THURSDAY: With Maicer Izturis out for the season and Erick Aybar day-to-day, the Angels are looking to acquire a veteran backup shortstop. Backup at second base wouldn’t be a bad idea either, in case Howie Kendrick’s injury is serious. Mike DiGiovanna names John McDonald, David Eckstein, Marco Scutaro, Juan Castro, and Jamey Carroll as targets. The numbers on these guys:

McDonald: .222/.269/.292 in 162 PAs. Owed $350K in ’08, $1.9MM in ’09.
Eckstein: .274/.353/.357 in 293 PAs. Owed $830K in ’08.
Scutaro: .265/.347/.348 in 475 PAs. Owed $290K in ’08, $1.1MM in ’09.
Castro: .194/.233/.250 in 118 PAs. Owed minimum, Reds paying contract.
Carroll: .271/.355/.346 in 314 PAs. Owed $400K in ’08, $2.5MM club option for ’09 with $0.15MM buyout.

Scutaro seems like the best fit; Carroll has not played shortstop this year. It is not known whether any of these players have cleared waivers. Who do you think the Angels should target?

Odds and Ends: Hart, Ellis, Mientkiewicz, Varitek

By Tim Dierkes | August 29, 2008 at 11:35am CDT

Today’s random links…

Ken Rosenthal discusses possible changes at various GM positions. Jon Heyman says Pat Gillick could take a high-ranking role with the Blue Jays if not the Mariners.
Former Indians and Rangers GM John Hart is interested in the Mariners job. The Mariners hope to have their permanent GM hired by the end of October.
A Japanese pitcher invented a new pitch called the shake.
Eddie Bajek wonders if Mark Ellis could handle shortstop. It’s good to think out of the box given the free agent market at the position.
Doug Mientkiewicz would like to spend another season as a Pirates clubhouse leader, but he’d also like more playing time.
The trio of Blue Jays middle infielders react to the Angels rumor.
DraftInfo chatted with MLB.com’s Jonathan Mayo.
Amalie Benjamin believes there’s a good chance the Red Sox re-sign Jason Varitek.

Phillies Acquire Matt Stairs

By Tim Dierkes | August 29, 2008 at 5:56am CDT

5:56pm: ESPN’s Buster Olney says the Jays will receive pitcher Fabio Castro, who warmed up during today’s game against the Cubs. The 23 year-old lefty has struggled with his control, but still makes for a solid acquisition by J.P. Ricciardi.

12:19am: According to Ken Rosenthal, the Phillies acquired outfielder/first baseman Matt Stairs from the Blue Jays. The prospect in the deal has yet to be determined. Stairs was designated for assignment recently. He fills the Phillies’ need for a left-handed bench bat (likely taking them out of the market for Mike Lamb).

Stairs, 40, hit .250/.342/.394 in 368 plate appearances with the Jays this year. He was mostly shielded from left-handed pitching. Stairs is owed $400K this year and $1MM in ’09.

Interestingly, the Jays will now give 20 year-old top prospect Travis Snider a look.

Odds and Ends: Indians, Rays, Jays

By Tim Dierkes | August 28, 2008 at 2:43pm CDT

Time to cobble together today’s links.

The Dodgers designated Tanyon Sturtze for assignment. The 37 year-old pitched only 2.1 innings for the big club.
Dejan Kovacevic does not believe the Pedro Alvarez issue will prevent the Pirates from working with Scott Boras in the future.
RotoAuthority assembles a fantasy team entirely of players who went undrafted in March.
Dave Cameron wonders if the Indians will make a trade due to their catching surplus.
Rays Index wants to make it clear that drafting high is only a small factor in the Rays’ success.
Drunk Jays Fans caught an amusing exchange between a fan and GM J.P. Ricciardi on his radio show.
Dave O’Brien ponders the possibility of a Mike Hampton trade. In another post, he mentions that reliever Will Ohman was claimed on waivers and pulled back.

Odds and Ends: Burnett, Inoa, Minaya, Glavine

By Tim Dierkes | August 27, 2008 at 10:51am CDT

Today’s links…

Pablo Ozuna…designated for assignment again. Additionally, the Phillies cut Andy Tracy. The 34 year-old hit .288/.377/.516 in Triple A this year.
Eddie Bajek added AL infielders to his Elias rankings. Orlando Cabrera and Edgar Renteria are Type As, while Mark Ellis and Mark Grudzielanek are Type Bs. Cabrera could net the Sox some picks.
The Phillies would like to bring Jamie Moyer back next year, but so far they’ve only had informal talks. Earlier this month Moyer spoke of an obligation with the Phillies, but he is not under contract for ’09. The Phillies have also had informal talks with Pat Burrell, who’s said he wants to stay.
Richard Griffin discusses A.J. Burnett quite a bit in his mailbag, suggesting this is the pitcher’s best season because of his career-high win total.
Athletics Nation talks to A’s owner Lewis Wolff about the Michael Inoa signing.
Omar Minaya’s job is secure.
Aaron Harang has suggestions for the Reds to make their ballpark more pitcher-friendly.
Tom Glavine is feeling good after somewhat minor elbow surgery, but isn’t sure about playing in ’09. Ken Rosenthal wrote recently that Glavine wants to pitch next year.
Grant at McCovey Chronicles gives his take on pitch counts.

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