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Edes On Francoeur, Nick Johnson, Valverde

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8:10pm: David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution on the Red Sox-Francoeur rumor:

Talked to someone in Braves organization who sort of dismissed the Red Sox rumor. Said he hadn’t heard one thing about them having any serious interest in Francoeur or scouting him recently.

9:01am: Yahoo's Gordon Edes wrote about many different trade scenarios in his column last night.

  • Edes seconds Ken Rosenthal's rumor that the Red Sox have been scouting Jeff Francoeur.
  • The Nationals have been scouting the Mets' Triple and Double A teams, trying to figure out a possible return for Nick Johnson.  Names of interest for Washington: Jon Niese, Mike Antonini, Eddie Kunz, and big leaguer Bobby Parnell.  The Red Sox also had interest in Johnson, but not for the price of Michael Bowden.  Back to the Mets – Joel Sherman of the New York Post has a list of available players they could consider aside from Johnson, including Jermaine Dye, Ben Francisco, Adam LaRoche, and Eric Hinske.
  • Edes likes the fit of Jose Valverde with the Rays, but speculates that the Astros could ask for Wade Davis in return.  Six years of Davis would be a huge price to pay for a few months of Valverde plus possible draft picks.  Edes also likes Mark DeRosa for Tampa Bay, but they seem well-equipped to handle Akinori Iwamura's injury with internal options.
  • Edes names the Phillies, Brewers, Royals, and Twins as possible suitors for Brad Penny.  Edes adds that the Phillies "are already making plans for life without Brett Myers" after this season.
  • The shortstop market includes Jack Wilson and perhaps John McDonald, but could become more interesting for a team like Boston if the Indians make Jhonny Peralta available.

Nationals Ready To Trade Veterans

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Talking to Newsday's Ken Davidoff, Nationals acting GM Mike Rizzo volunteered three trade candidates from his team:

"Nick Johnson, or (Josh) Willingham, or (Austin) Kearns, anyone on our roster, if we can make a good baseball trade and improve ourselves, not only for our present but also for our future — a player that can impact us — we have to make those kinds of trades."

Also, Rizzo rejected the idea that a Johnson-Manny Delcarmen swap was even discussed with the Red Sox.  

Rizzo said that in general, the Nationals are seeking young, athletic players with high ceilings in trades.  It seems possible Rizzo will deal within the NL East, with the Mets seeking a first baseman and the Braves needing outfielders.

Daniel Cabrera Designated For Assignment

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According to Chico Harlan of the Washington Post, the Nationals designated pitcher Daniel Cabrera for assignment tonight.  Acting GM Mike Rizzo was frank: "I was tired of watching him."  We all were, Mike.  Cabrera told Harlan he would not accept a minor league assignment.

Back when the Nationals signed Cabrera for $2.6MM on December 20th, I thought it was a decent gamble.  They beat out the Mets and Pirates to get him.  But the velocity that made Cabrera intriguing pre-2008 did not return in 2009.  In fact, he lost even more on the fastball.  You have to wonder about Cabrera's health.  He posted a 5.85 ERA in 40 innings for the Nationals.

Odds & Ends: Braves, Peavy, Mets, Sabathia

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Links for Tuesday…

Rosenthal On Astros, Marquis, DeRosa, Francoeur

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Let's take a look at the latest from Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.

  • Rosenthal recommends the Astros trade veterans to improve their bottom-ranked farm system.  He'd especially like to see Houston make Roy Oswalt available.  They'd have take Oswalt's no-trade clause into consideration.
  • The Phillies continue to seek a starter, and they made an inquiry on Colorado's Jason Marquis.  Rosenthal finds Erik Bedard "perhaps the most intriguing fit" and notes that the Phils probably have flexibility to add payroll.  This question came up in a recent chat…I do think the Phillies have the pieces to pull off a Bedard trade.
  • The Brewers are not going after Cleveland's Mark DeRosa, as they cannot spare Major League pitching for him.  Rosenthal also finds Jake Peavy unlikely, as the Brewers probably couldn't pull off a deal without creating a new need.  Of Peavy, Rosenthal says, "He will not leave easily."
  • The Mets are interested in Nationals first baseman Nick Johnson, who is off to a .338/.445/.471 start.
  • The Royals might be the top suitor for Jeff Francoeur if the Braves shop him, but not everyone in Kansas City's front office is keen on him.  The Red Sox are known to have an eye on Francoeur.
  • Rosenthal's heard speculation that the Sox could trade Daniel Bard, whose value may be at a high point.
  • Rather than acquire someone like Yuniesky Betancourt, the Padres will stick with in-house options at shortstop (mainly Luis Rodriguez and Everth Cabrera, once they're healthy).

Odds & Ends: MacDougal, Maddon, Brazell

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Memorial Day linkage…

Red Sox Shoot Down Delcarmen/Johnson Swap

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MONDAY: Chico Harlan of the Washington Post has a Nationals source who "dismissed the seriousness" of the Johnson-Delcarmen discussions.  Harlan says the Nationals believe they can get more value by waiting into the summer to trade Johnson, and have "fielded calls from about a dozen teams."  What do you think – will the Nats maximize Johnson's value by waiting?

FRIDAY: Earlier today, we heard that the Nationals had offered Nick Johnson to the Red Sox in exchange for Manny Delcarmen. WEEI's Alex Speier is reporting that the Red Sox have officially turned the offer down.

According to Delcarmen's agent, Jim Masteralexis, the trade was "immediately shot down." Both Delcarmen and Johnson are having fine seasons, but it looks like the Nationals will have to try something else in order to improve their bullpen.

Giants Not Dangling Cain, Not Interested In Holliday

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Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle provides an update on a few Giants rumors.

  • Schulman's "very high-level" Giants source says Matt Cain is not being dangled, contrary to an earlier rumor.
  • Schulman agrees with Juan C. Rodriguez's report that the Giants have asked the Marlins about Dan Uggla.
  • Schulman believes the Giants are talking to the Nationals about Nick Johnson.  However, his source said the team has no interest in Matt Holliday.  Much has been made of Holliday's slow start, but keep in mind he's hitting .296/.406/.494 in May.

Giants Seeking A Bat

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According to Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News, Giants GM Brian Sabean held court today.  Baggarly learned that Sabean is actively seeking a bat on the trade market, and the GM has even begun considering hitters who are headed toward free agency (a change from his earlier stance).

Baggarly believes Nationals first baseman Nick Johnson has to be near the top of the list.  Johnson has been linked to the Mets and Red Sox, the Mets perhaps more in a speculative sense.  Nats GM Mike Rizzo has to love the multiple suitors, but he might want to move Johnson while his stock is high.

The Giants are nine games out in the NL West, so the sooner they add offense the better.  The team is dead last in the NL in both OBP and SLG.  Speculating on other acquisition targets: Aubrey Huff, Dan Uggla, Mark DeRosa, Paul Konerko, Matt Holliday, and Felipe Lopez.  Other ideas?  One factor to consider is that the Giants are not willing to trade their top prospects.

Nationals Rumors: Strasburg, Johnson, ‘Pen

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ESPN.com's Tim Kurkjian takes a close look at the Nationals in his latest column and concludes that they have good baseball teams to look forward to. Along the way, he turns up some Nats rumors:

  • Stephen Strasburg pulled an oblique muscle Wednesday, but acting GM Mike Rizzo says he's not concerned, repeating a line we've heard before: "If the draft was today, we would select Stephen Strasburg." 
  • Kurkjian hears that it will cost the Nationals between $25-50MM to sign Strasburg for six years. 
  • Since the Washington 'pen has struggled so much, there's a good chance the Nats will add a reliever or two this offseason.  
  • As an alternative, they could deal Nick Johnson for pitching; Kurkjian suggests the Mets or Giants could be interested.
  • Matthew Cerrone of MetsBlog.com heard from a person connected to the Mets that the Nationals would likely want Bobby Parnell in exchange for Johnson.
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