Nationals Rumors

Heyman’s Latest: Nady, Teixeira, Sherrill

By Tim Dierkes | July 23, 2008 at 3:59pm CDT

Jon Heyman is cranking out a lot of rumorage. Here’s his latest.

The price has dropped a tad on Xavier Nady, as the Pirates have become more interested in moving him.
The Braves still might trade Mark Teixeira right before the deadline, and Heyman thinks they can easily beat two draft choices.
Many teams scouted George Sherrill recently: the Marlins, Dodgers, Cardinals, Phillies, and Brewers.
Some execs "expressed annoyance" at the D’Backs underpaying for Jon Rauch.
Heyman says the Yankees are looking for catching, though Peter Abraham doesn’t agree.
The Twins, Giants, and Dodgers have interest in Hank Blalock, who has a $6.2MM option for ’09.

Odds and Ends: Bedard, Hudson, Inoa, Varitek

By Tim Dierkes | July 23, 2008 at 1:28pm CDT

Let’s dig through today’s links.

Cork Gaines takes a look at the Rays most likely to be traded.
According to Ken Davidoff, the Rockies have been scouting Yankees pitching prospect Humberto Sanchez. He’d be a more reasonable return for Brian Fuentes.
Erik Bedard’s MRI came out clean, but it’s still hard to see him in a big league game before August.
Dan Haren used to follow every trade rumor on the Internet, but Justin Duchscherer doesn’t monitor the hot stove buzz.
Shane Victorino is aware of the rumors, but wants to stay in Philly.
With Emilio Bonifacio gone, Scott Bordow thinks the D’Backs should try to sign Orlando Hudson. Bordow would only offer $8MM a year though.
Paul Hoynes looks at the Indians’ areas of need for the offseason.
Peter Abraham doesn’t expect the Yankees to pursue a catcher.
Melissa Segura of SI.com writes about Michael Inoa’s buscon.
Patrick Newman profiles Kenshin Kawakami, who should be quite popular this winter.
Buster Olney expects Jason Varitek to feel a ripple effect from Jorge Posada’s injury. His sources expect the Red Sox to offer Varitek one or two years at $6-8MM per.
MLB.com is looking for a fan to guest host their show The Dish.

Tim Brown’s Latest: Peralta, McPherson, Putz

By Tim Dierkes | July 22, 2008 at 10:34pm CDT

Yahoo’s Tim Brown posted a new column this evening.

The Nationals got an OK return for Jon Rauch, acquiring second baseman Emilio Bonifacio. That could set the pace for reasonable reliever prices.
The Indians are listening on Casey Blake, Paul Byrd, and Jamey Carroll, as you know. Jhonny Peralta isn’t off-limits either.
Here’s a new name of interest for the Dodgers: Marlins minor league third baseman Dallas McPherson. He’ll be 28 soon, and carries a .287/.400/.650 line with 32 home runs in 314 Triple A at-bats. This could be the second time McPherson blasts 40 home runs in a minor league season.
The Red Sox inquired on J.J. Putz, but the Mariners say he’s not available.

Cristian Guzman Signs Extension With Nationals

By Tim Dierkes | July 22, 2008 at 4:55pm CDT

According to the Washington Times, the Nationals signed shortstop Cristian Guzman to a two-year extension today for a reasonable $16MM. It’s a discount both in years and amount, based on comparable deals for shortstops. Nice signing by the Nationals.

Jon Rauch Traded To Diamondbacks

By Tim Dierkes | July 22, 2008 at 4:21pm CDT

According to Baseball Digest Daily, the Diamondbacks acquired reliever Jon Rauch from the Nationals for second baseman Emilio Bonifacio.

Bonifacio was ranked sixth among D’Backs prospects heading into the season. He’s hitting .302/.348/.387 in Triple A currently. He’s incredibly fast and plays above-average defense.

The D’Backs get a fine late-inning reliever in Rauch; I thought Jim Bowden would ask for more. Rauch is signed cheaply through 2010 and has been an above average reliever for several years now.

White Sox Looking For Pitching

By Tim Dierkes | July 21, 2008 at 10:15am CDT

According to CBSSports.com’s Danny Knobler, the White Sox are hunting for pitching of both the starting and relieving variety.

Based on previous reports, GM Kenny Williams is eyeing Oakland’s Huston Street and Washington’s Jon Rauch. With the success of southpaws Matt Thornton and Boone Logan, it appears that Williams is focused on right-handers. Most of the top available names aside from Street and Rauch are lefties, unless you’re a David Weathers fan.

With Jose Contreras on the DL with elbow tendinitis, the Sox also may explore the starting pitching market. So far they’ve only been linked in published reports to Freddy Garcia, and that was before the Contreras injury. Plus, Ozzie Guillen doesn’t seem terribly optimistic on Garcia. The best available starters are probably Justin Duchscherer and A.J. Burnett. Knobler says more than a dozen scouts watched Burnett’s last start.

Heyman’s Latest: Street, Durham, Holliday

By Tim Dierkes | July 20, 2008 at 12:01am CDT

SI.com’s Jon Heyman just posted a new column.

The Brewers and White Sox inquired on A’s closer Huston Street. However, A’s GM Billy Beane said "there is nothing going on" in regards to Street. The Sox were linked to both Street and Jon Rauch today, so Kenny Williams is clearly monitoring the relief market.
Heyman says the Rays have not discussed Street with the A’s, and the Dodgers "aren’t believed to be heavily involved."
Heyman is on board with the recent rumors about Ray Durham and Jack Taschner possibly heading to Milwaukee.
Heyman also confirms Ken Rosenthal’s report of the Phillies’ interest in Matt Holliday. He agrees that these talks have cooled, but notes a good relationship between GMs Dan O’Dowd and Pat Gillick. Gillick and O’Dowd have matched up for three deals, two occuring while Gillick worked for the Mariners.
The Dodgers continue to consider shortstop a priority. Heyman wonders if Cristian Guzman would be a fit, especially if extension talks sour. Jack Wilson and David Eckstein are other possibilities.

Nationals Rumors: Guzman, Rauch, Holliday

By Tim Dierkes | July 19, 2008 at 11:14pm CDT

MLB.com’s Bill Ladson has the goods on the Nationals.

The Nationals are currently negotiating with Cristian Guzman’s agent on a possible extension. Last month, the Nats proposed a two-year extension. It’s thought that Guzman might make some concessions given how little he gave the Nats in the first three years of his current contract. But if the two sides can’t reach an agreement soon, the Nats may choose to trade Guzman.
Ladson also reports that the White Sox and Rays are scouting closer Jon Rauch. Rauch, you may recall, came up as a starter with the Sox and was traded to the Expos in ’04. Kenny Williams made that deal with Omar Minaya.
Ladson’s source confirmed mild interest in Colorado’s Matt Holliday. Ladson notes Jim Bowden’s fondness for Adam Dunn as well. However, the source considers the infield a greater need for the Nats.

Heyman’s Latest: Yankees, Manny, Bowden, Pudge

By Tim Dierkes | July 18, 2008 at 10:05am CDT

SI.com’s Jon Heyman has a new column up.

Given Richie Sexson’s expected part-time role, the Yankees are in the market for an everyday outfielder to replace Hideki Matsui’s bat. Barry Bonds is not under consideration. Heyman tosses out names such as Matt Holliday, Xavier Nady, Jason Bay, and Adam Dunn, while noting that the price on most is too high (the Pirates deny this).
Heyman is still saying the Cardinals will consider trading Colby Rasmus, despite various denials.
The Yanks are also looking to add a #3-4 starter type. Here’s a look at the market.
Manny Ramirez probably isn’t going to get what he wants – free agency, an extension, or a trade.
The Nationals are supporting GM Jim Bowden despite his recent problems. Heyman reported rumblings last month that Bowden "could be in trouble."
Despite the Marlins’ interest, the Tigers are unlikely to trade Ivan Rodriguez. Jon Paul Morosi agrees, while noting that Pudge’s salary might be too high for Florida anyway.

Odds and Ends: Nady, LaHair, Garcia, Bonds

By Tim Dierkes | July 17, 2008 at 1:30pm CDT

Baseball is back today, but rumors are a bit light. We’ll kick it off with odds and ends.

Susan Slusser reports "rumblings" around Justin Duchscherer. As you know, Duke hopes to sign an extension with the A’s but they’ll wait until after the season.
The Nationals signed second round pick Destin Hood.
Matt Holliday has heard rumors about a trade to the A’s. I believe this originated as Ken Rosenthal speculation on June 22nd.
Xavier Nady doesn’t want to be traded, and has been "visibly bugged" by the recent rumors. Still, he and Damaso Marte are the most likely trade candidates for the Pirates.
D.J. Carrasco actually does have an option left, so the White Sox can demote Carrasco or Adam Russell to Triple A but keep both.
Ryan Divish heard a rumor that first baseman Bryan LaHair will get the call to the Majors. What will the corresponding roster move be for the Mariners?
Jon Paul Morosi takes a look at the Tigers’ most tradeable prospects, noting that several are currently injured.
A Freddy Garcia update. His agent says they might be receptive to a multiyear deal, but prefer one year. He previously said a club option was not in the cards.
NPB Tracker looks at the pros and cons of Barry Bonds signing with the Softbank Hawks.
Jim Moore thinks the Mariners should trade Ichiro.

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