Headlines

Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Nationals Rumors

Odds & Ends: Dmitri, Marlins, Pirates

By | at

Come on, commenters. It's trade deadline week. There's no time for sleep. Some more links for your Sunday night enjoyment…

  • Mark Zuckerman of The Washington Times reports Dmitri Young may soon call it quits.  He tore his left quad during a rehab game with Double-A Harrisburg last week and recently sent this text message to the Times:  "I'm upset because I was feeling great, and then pop.  Wasn't the way I wanted to go out."
  • Joe Frisaro of MLB.com writes that the Marlins are cautiously watching the trade market.  "We've been looking; Larry Beinfest has been looking at moves for a month," Marlins president David Samson said. "It's a difficult scenario because we're not willing to trade our future, because we have such good position players coming up.
  • According to the Wall Street Journal, a group of college professors have made a fascinating discovery:  "Whether a player is elected to the Hall of Fame by veteran baseball writers is an entirely predictable outcome based on a few statistics."  That quote sells the article short; it's an excellent read for baseball buffs.
  • According to Baseball America's Ben Badler, the Mets have officially signed Venezuelan left-hander Juan Urbina.
  • MLB.com's Jen Langosch reports the Tigers are scouting the Pirates, and vice versa.  Detroit is looking for a middle infield bat and/or a starter.  Pittsburgh just so happens to have a few perfect fits in Freddy Sanchez and Zach Duke.
  • If you haven't already, join MLBTR on Twitter for even more updates and discussion.

Talkin’ Giants Baseball

By | at

As we cruise closer to the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline, the Giants still boast one of baseball's most intriguing situations.  The club is 52-46 — 10 games behind the Dodgers in the National League West, but just two games back in the Wild Card.  Most experts agree they need a bat to continue contending, and they've been linked recently to sluggers like Victor Martinez, Ryan Garko and Nick Johnson.

Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle recently heard "word from [Giants] general manager Brian Sabean that chances for a deal are 50-50."

"We're talking," manager Bruce Bochy said Sunday as his club prepared to head home after a long road trip. "I'll talk to Brian. I'll discuss it with the staff on the plane on the way back and see what we can do to get this thing going again."

Schulman believes the Giants might also have interest in Toronto's Marco Scutaro or Baltimore's Aubrey Huff.  Either way, it's pretty clear what San Francisco is seeking as Friday's deadline nears: offense.

Odds & Ends: Pirates, Acta, Pedro, Zumaya

By | at

A fresh batch of links on a busy Sunday evening…

  • MLB.com's Jenifer Langosch answered various fan-submitted questions about the Pirates.  A couple of minor hot stove items were touched on.
  • According to Bill Ladson of MLB.com, former manager Manny Acta stopped by Nationals Park early Sunday afternoon.  It's not clear why, and Acta said via e-mail that he will not make a comment on the matter.
  • Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette notes the Twins had scouts in Arizona Sunday afternoon to watch the Pirates.  It's not clear who they were scouting, but Jack Wilson and Freddy Sanchez are known to be on the trading block and the Twins are looking for infield help.
  • Fred Goodall of the Associated Press reports that the Single-A Clearwater Threshers had to cut Pedro Martinez's first rehab start short because of rain.
  • According to the Larry Lage of the AP, via the Detroit Free Press, Joel Zumaya is "hoping" to pitch again this year.  Could the uncertainty surrounding the right-hander's balky shoulder prompt the Tigers to make a deal for another bullpen arm?

Cafardo’s Latest: Martinez, Boston, Pitching

By | at

In his latest piece for The Boston Globe, Nick Cafardo reports that the Indians turned down an offer of Clay Buchholz for Victor Martinez according to an NL scout. The Red Sox then countered with a package of Michael Bowden, Justin Masterson, and an outfield prospect, but the Indians turned that down as well.

Let's round up the rest of Cafardo's rumors…

  • In addition to Boston, the Indians are also fielding offers from the Rays and Giants for Martinez, but aren't inclined to make a deal unless a team's best prospects are involved.
  • Cafardo runs through the list of other pitchers that "could be pried away," including Scott Kazmir, Cliff Lee, Erik Bedard, Jarrod Washburn, and George Sherrill. He says it'll take "a blockbuster package" to land Lee.
  • Aubrey Huff and Kevin Millar are also available.
  • The Red Sox will "dip in the (Roy) Halladay sweepstakes" if the price comes down, but otherwise will look for a righthanded bat that can play the outfield.
  • Cafardo says it will be interesting to see if the Yankees, Phillies and Dodgers are aggressive at the deadline or take a pass, considering all three clubs are playing well right now.
  • The White Sox could pull off something big because GM Kenny Williams "has a bit of gambler in him."
  • It'll be interesting to see if the Giants' plans to add a bat are put on hold after the sudden death of principal owner Sue Burns.
  • Twins GM Bill Smith may add a middle infielder and/or a reliever before the deadline. Last night we learned that they were "deep into talks and talking composition of a deal" with the A's about Orlando Cabrera. The team might be able to stretch it's normal payroll with Target Field opening next year.
  • Cafardo proposes a "swap of underachieving Scott Boras clients," J.D. Drew and Magglio Ordonez.
  • While there is some uneasiness about there not being any substantive talks between the Nationals and Stephen Strasburg, those kind of deals can come together quickly. The signing deadline is August 17th.
  • The Rangers are unable to add payroll, which will hamstring their efforts that the trade deadline.

Odds & Ends: Braves, Orioles, Arroyo, Strasburg

By | at

Some links to check out on the night Derek Jeter tied Ted Williams on the career hits list with 2,654…

  • MLB.com's Mark Bowman writes that if the Braves make a move before next Friday's trade deadline, "the best bet is that they'll add a reliever." He mentions Danys Baez, Takashi Saito, Ron Mahay, and John Grabow as available options.
  • Jeff Zrebiec of The Baltimore Sun took a look at the Orioles' main trade chips, including Baez, Aubrey Huff, George Sherrill, and Ty Wigginton.
  • Bronson Arroyo is officially on the trading block, according to SI.com's Jon Heyman,
  • The camp of top pick Stephen Strasburg has expressed concern over the Nationals' uncertain general manager situation, reports Chico Harlan of The Washington Post. 
  • Geoff Baker of The Seattle Times says that despite the Matt Holliday haul, the Mariners shouldn't expect as big of a return for Erik Bedard or Jarrod Washburn because they only project to be Type-B free agents after the season.
  • Brewers owner Mark Attanasio said ""We'll be aggressive but we won't be stupid," when it comes to making trades according to Tom Haudricourt.
  • Scott Lauber of The News Journal wrote about the dilemma of trading prospects.

Teams Interested In Dunn, Willingham

By | at

The Tigers, who we know are looking for a bat, are interested in Nationals' outfielders Adam Dunn and Josh Willingham according to MLB.com's Bill Ladson. The Nats want young pitching in return, and have been scouting players with Detroit's Double-A affiliate in Erie according to an industry source.

Ladson also writes that the Rangers have been scouting the Nats lately, and are believed to be interested in Willingham.

Heyman On Halladay, Holliday, Indians, Nats

By | at

9:34am: Heyman says the Yankees inquired about Cliff Lee and were told they'd have to give up Joba Chamberlain or Phil Hughes, plus other players.

8:34am: Jon Heyman of SI.com has the latest on the biggest stars available:

  • The Phillies are the frontrunners to acquire Roy Halladay. Heyman says the Jays are expected to ask for one of J.A. Happ and Kyle Drabek, one of Dominic Brown and Michael Taylor, plus others.
  • The Brewers may be the Phillies' biggest threat, but they'd probably have to part with Alcides Escobar, and maybe Mat Gamel, too. 
  • The Mets bowed out of the Halladay talks once Fernando Martinez's name came up. 
  • There's a "good chance" the Cardinals trade for Matt Holliday, according to one of Heyman's sources.  
  • Indians GM Mark Shapiro wonders if teams are holding onto their prospects too tightly: "It's almost to the point where there's an over-evaluation of these guys. There's almost an over-correction."
  • Heyman says the Nats should trade Nick Johnson, Adam Dunn and Josh Willingham. 

Knobler On Holliday, Giants, Tigers

By | at

A number of baseball officials tell Danny Knobler of CBS Sports that they expect plenty of activity in the final week before next Friday's trade deadline.

  • Billy Beane is apparently looking for young position players if he trades Matt Holliday. 
  • The Giants are "very interested" in Holliday. 
  • The Giants and Tigers have both checked out the Pirates and Nationals in their respective searches for bats. Adam Dunn and Nick Johnson have appeal, but the Giants would prefer a right-handed bat and the Tigers are hesitant to take on Dunn's $12MM salary for next season.  
  • Knobler says Tigers owner Mike Ilitch could always make a last-minute push for Holliday or Roy Halladay.  
  • There's no way to know how much flexibility the Rays, Rangers and Braves have until the deadline passes.

Odds & Ends: Orioles, Angels, Rangers

By | at

It's getting late for big news, but do GMs (or beat writers) ever sleep this time of year? Still a chance for some bedtime stories. Here are some sheep for the non-believers to count:

Cubs Still Monitoring Options

By | at

Dave van Dyck at the Chicago Tribune talked to Cubs GM Jim Hendry, who says that while anything can happen, the Cubs are looking more to "tinker" rather than make a big splash at the deadline. Van Dyck reminds that the Cubs just don't have the pieces to make a major trade, and Hendry sees team health as the major issue at hand.

Such tinkering, Van Dyck speculates, could involve the acquisition of a veteran backup catcher, left-handed reliever or vet outfielder along the lines of Jim Edmonds. He mentions there is room to add salary, but that it is "limited," which would discount someone like Jake Peavy. The Cubs have been in the mix for George Sherrill and Joe Beimel on the relief front, and Lou Piniella has said he desires "a couple hitters" before the deadline.

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