Headlines

Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Blue Jays Rumors

Jays Scouting Dodgers’ A Ball Team

By | at

Yesterday I neglected to mention a nugget from Jeff Blair’s blog post:

Sources say the Blue Jays have also zeroed in on the Los Angeles Dodgers, and have had people at games involving their Single-A Great Lakes Loons affiliate.

The best prospects on that team are probably Bryan Morris and Andrew Lambo, according to Baseball America.  But how would the Dodgers and Jays match up?

Matt Stairs might make sense for the Dodgers.  On July 1st, Ken Rosenthal suggested he’d be perfect and that the two teams had spoken.  The Dodgers have also been linked to David Eckstein.  A.J. Burnett is unlikely – Jayson Stark said yesterday that the Dodgers probably weren’t looking for pitchers after missing out on CC Sabathia.

Jays Ready To Throw In The Towel

By | at

THURSDAY, 3:15pm: Blair talked to Jays GM J.P. Ricciardi, who admitted he’s yet to have talks with the Phillies about Burnett.  But the Jays are scouting the Phillies and other clubs.  Ricciardi talked about improving the team for the future, and doesn’t think Burnett’s poor start last night affects his value.

Blair says the Jays are also getting calls on Matt Stairs.

THURSDAY, 11:29am: Terrible news for the Jays – McGowan has a rotator cuff tear.  Meanwhile, Burnett has allowed 19 hits and 15 runs in his last two starts.

WEDNESDAY: The Blue Jays are now 12.5 games out in the AL East and 9.5 games out of the wild card.  Baseball Prospectus puts their playoff chances at roughly 1%.  GM J.P. Ricciardi admitted yesterday that his team’s playoff chances are "probably not good."

Now comes news that starter Dustin McGowan has been pitching with a sore shoulder for several starts.  An MRI is scheduled today.  Jeff Blair believes a serious injury to McGowan would impact A.J. Burnett’s availability.  I’m not sure exactly what he means by that, but I assume it’d make the Jays more likely to throw in the towel and trade Burnett.

The Phillies seem to be Burnett’s most likely suitor, if they don’t end up getting Erik Bedard.  Or maybe the Cardinals will jump into the NL Central arms race and pursue him.  The Dodgers are another possibility.

Phillies Like Burnett, Lowe

By | at

12:58pm: Jeff Blair of The Globe and Mail has details on the Phillies’ pursuit of Burnett.  He says the Jays are scouting the Phils’ Double A club, and like Greg Golson, Carlos Carrasco, Lou Marson, Jason Donald, and Brad Harman.  It seems that Carrasco, Golson, or Marson would have to be in a deal.  Blair says the Phillies might try to convince Burnett not to opt out of his contract so he can remain near his Baltimore home for the 2009-10 seasons.

Additionally, the Phillies inquired about Derek Lowe’s availability with the Dodgers.

11:46am: Pitching and hitting…two things you need to win baseball games.  Insightful, eh?  The Philles are looking for both – manager Charlie Manuel wants a "blue-chip pitcher" as well as a "good bat."

Pitching is the team’s priority.  David Murphy bandies about names like A.J. Burnett, Roy Oswalt, and Erik Bedard.  Or the Phillies could look to the B list, like they did last year when they acquired Kyle Lohse.  Lohse, by the way, wasn’t a fan of the "B list" comment by Pat Gillick.

So who’s on the ’08 B list?  I’ll suggest Bronson Arroyo, Joe Blanton, Boof Bonser, Greg Maddux, Randy Wolf, Jarrod Washburn, Odalis Perez, Jason Marquis, Tim Redding, and Paul Byrd.  Most of these guys appeared on my June 4th look at the starting pitching market.  I’ll try to revisit that list this afternoon with a fresh post.

On the hitting side, the Phillies don’t have an obvious position to upgrade.  Thoughts?

Rosenthal’s Latest: Sabathia, Burnett, Fuentes, Guillen

By | at

Ken Rosenthal has a new column up.  I updated the second bullet about Burnett – I had omitted an interesting rumor accidentally.

  • The Dodgers could’ve gotten CC Sabathia, Casey Blake, and Jamey Carroll without giving up Matt Kemp.  Owner Frank McCourt may have killed the deal, though he denies it.  Rosenthal describes the Dodgers as a "near-impossible trading partner."
  • Rosenthal reminds us that A.J. Burnett can veto trades to 15 teams and would probably require compensation to waive that right or his opt-out rights.  Rosenthal also says the Jays offered Burnett to the Brewers for J.J. Hardy, but the Brewers passed and then acquired CC Sabathia.
  • The Rays are named as the frontrunner for Brian Fuentes.  Fuentes has been linked to nine clubs in various reports.
  • Players such as Orlando Cabrera, Cristian Guzman, Jack Wilson, and Hardy may be hot commodities this winter given the large number of teams looking for a shortstop.
  • The Royals received inquiries on Jose Guillen in the wake of his scuffle with the team’s pitching coach.  However, the Royals plan to keep him.
  • The Padres hope to acquire up-the-middle players.  On a related note, Randy Wolf had a nice start last night.

Dodgers Looking For Shortstop Help

By | at

TUESDAY, 3:49pm: MLB.com’s Jim Molony chimes in on the Dodgers’ hunt for a shortstop.  He says they’ll give Nomar Garciaparra a chance, but they are also considering Toronto’s David Eckstein.  Back on July 3rd, the Baltimore Sun suggested the Orioles were looking at Eckstein.

TUESDAY, 8:53am: Dejan Kovacevic puts the brakes on the Jack Wilson-to-L.A. rumor.  He says that while Wilson is not untouchable, the Pirates are not likely to trade him.  They consider him affordable and do not have a capable replacement.

Kovacevic says talks with the Dodgers "seem dormant," and the Dodgers never offered a player from their Major League roster.  Additional unknown teams have also called about Wilson.

MONDAY: John Perrotto of the Beaver County Times wrote an article Sunday concerning the Dodgers’ pursuit of Pirates shortstop Jack Wilson.  Wilson, 30, is hitting .306/.348/.361 in 160 plate appearances this year.  He’s under contract next year for $7.25MM with an $8.4MM club option for ’10.  Wilson can block trades to six teams.

Perrotto wrote that Wilson is the Dodgers’ primary trade target.  He says "a Dodgers source indicated that Los Angeles might be willing to deal center fielder Matt Kemp."  A Kemp acquisition would create a logjam until the Pirates are able to move Jason Bay or Xavier Nady.  Failing that, Perrotto’s sources indicate the Bucs have interest in pitcher James McDonald and shortstop Chin-lung Hu. 

Ken Rosenthal wrote this morning that the Dodgers’ bid for Wilson is on hold as they restructure their offer.  If the Dodgers get him, that should eliminate any chance of re-signing Rafael Furcal.

Cubs Pursuing Harden In Wake Of Sabathia Deal

By | at

How will the Cubs counter the Brewers’ C.C. Sabathia acquisition?  They simply can’t match it, but the next best thing might be Rich Harden.  Harden is also a frontline starter, but he lacks Sabathia’s durability.

According to Chris De Luca of the Chicago Sun-Times, "the Cubs have spent a lot of time on the phone recently with Oakland Athletics GM Billy Beane trying to pry away Harden."  De Luca says they’ve been discussed a deal for at least a month.  Plan C is apparently Randy Wolf.  Will Carroll says the Cubs "think they match up well for A.J. Burnett."      

Jayson Stark commented on the Harden situation on Thursday:

The A’s will consider any offers that allow them to add and subtract at the same time. But any Harden deal would have to at least approach last winter’s Dan Haren extravaganza.

A reminder: Baseball America ranked Carlos Gonzalez as the game’s #22 prospect, and Brett Anderson was #36.  The Cubs don’t have two players like that.  Then add Greg Smith and Dana Eveland, who have combined for a 3.52 ERA in 207 innings this year.  Oh, and toss in Chris Carter and Aaron Cunningham for good measure.  That was a haul, even for an ace like Haren. 

Rosenthal’s Latest: Teixeira, Yankees, Padres, Fish

By | at

And now, the latest from Ken Rosenthal’s Full Count video:
  • If the Braves decide to shop Mark Teixeira, they may have a tough time getting as much as they’d like. The Red Sox, Angels, and Diamondbacks – among other contenders – are set at 1B/DH with David Ortiz, Casey Kotchman, and Conor Jackson respectively. Rosenthal notes Boston will only pursue Teixeira if Ortiz’s wrist fails to heal.
  • Brian Cashman isn’t sure whether the Yankees are buyers or sellers.  Most of their high paid players have no-trade clauses.  Should they want to buy, Rosenthal suggests A.J. Burnett is a guy they could make a play for: an underperformer with a contract the Blue Jays would be happy to pass off.
  • The Padres are planning to hold onto Brian Giles with the anticipation that a better replacement will not be available this winter. They continue to shop Randy Wolf, who can veto up to 14 clubs, and Greg Maddux to the Cubs continues to be bandied about.
  • The Marlins need help in the bullpen, at catcher, and particularly centerfield. They could pursue Willy Taveras, Scott Podsednik, or potentially free agent Kenny Lofton, 41, who has generated interest but not signed anywhere.

Orioles Interested In Eckstein

By | at

According to the Baltimore Sun, citing "industry sources," the Orioles are talking to the Blue Jays about shortstop David Eckstein.  The Jays have deemed Eckstein expendable, even though they’re reportedly hunting for a long-term shortstop.  Jeff Zrebiec and Roch Kubatko believe it wouldn’t take much to acquire him. 

Eckstein, 33, is hitting .273/.360/.348 this year.  The Orioles’ shortstops have hit .228/.264/.287 this year collectively.

The O’s have also scouted Juan Uribe and Felipe Lopez.  Despite previous reports of "substantive conversations" for Lopez, the Sun says the team’s interest has waned.

Jays Shopping Burnett For Shortstop?

By | at

5:55pm: Robert MacLeod talked to Jays President Paul Godfrey, who said J.P. Ricciardi is not shopping Burnett but has received calls.

2:23pm: According to Bob Elliott of the Toronto Sun, the Blue Jays are shopping starter A.J. Burnett for a shortstop.  Elliott notes that the Phillies and Orioles have had scouts at recent Burnett starts.  Neither of those organizations figures to match up on the shortstop front though.

Any contenders with an MLB-ready shortstop to spare?  The Cubs have Ronny Cedeno, who may or may not have a future as a regular.  The Brewers have J.J. Hardy and Alcides Escobar in the organization.  The Braves have Brent Lillibridge, and the Dodgers have Chin-lung Hu.  The Dodgers might need to hang on to Hu, however.

Rosenthal’s Latest: Padilla, Manny, Beltre, Dunn

By | at

Rumor man Ken Rosenthal has a new column up.

  • At least three teams have inquired on the Rangers’ Vicente Padilla: the Mets, Yankees, and Brewers.  Jon Daniels is looking for "quality young pitching."
  • Manny Ramirez’s $20MM option for ’09 isn’t a lock.  It’s a tough call – .900 OPS players on one-year deals don’t grow on trees.
  • Rosenthal suggests David DeJesus or Melky Cabrera would be nice fits for the Diamondbacks, who aren’t looking for a rental.  He also speculates on names like Brian Giles, David Dellucci, and Randy Winn.  Note: Rosenthal is playing GM here, not relaying inside info of trade talks.
  • Rosenthal believes Matt Stairs would be a nice addition for the Dodgers, and notes that the Dodgers and Blue Jays have spoken.  The Jays’ direction for ’08 is still uncertain though.
  • Still sounds like it’d take a "knockout offer" to pry Rich Harden loose from the A’s.
  • The A’s are said to like Mariners third baseman Adrian Beltre.  He can block trades to eight unknown clubs though.
  • Adam Dunn isn’t generating much trade interest yet.
  • KC’s Ron Mahay is "drawing significant interest."  The trade market for lefty relievers is fairly robust.
Show all

MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

Do not Sell or Share My Personal Information

hide arrows scroll to top