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D’Backs Rumors: Haren, Kuroda, Carlos Gonzalez

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MLB.com’s Steve Gilbert has some trade rumors to digest this evening concerning the D’Backs.

  • Arizona had discussions with the A’s about Dan Haren today.  Many names were thrown about.  Conor Jackson was not involved.  The A’s asked about Max Scherzer and were told he’s not available.  We learned earlier that Carlos Gonzalez’s name came up. 
  • By the way, the D’Backs aren’t interested in Joe Blanton.
  • Arizona is still around 3/30 on Hiroki Kuroda.
  • The Rangers inquired about Carlos Gonzalez but wouldn’t consider parting with Eric Hurley for him.
  • The Nats are indeed interested in Miguel Montero, as reported previously.

Mets Rumors: Kuroda, Livan, Estrada, Colon

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UPDATE, 12-4-07 at 5:49pm: Jayson Stark says the Mets haven’t talked to the the A’s or Orioles at all in Nashville, meaning no talks for Haren or Bedard as of yet.

FROM 12-4-07 at 8:05am:

What’s cooking with the Mets?  Let’s round ’em up.

  • Mark Hale reports that the Mets have advanced to "Round 2" of the bidding process for Hiroki Kuroda.  They did this by indicating a ballpark of what they might offer but without actually making an offer.  Hale says 8-10 teams are in on Kuroda, including the Royals, Phillies, Diamondbacks, and Mariners.  The Ms reportedly have some kind of offer out to him, either 3/30 or 4/44.  The Phils are said to have an offer out as well.  Hale doesn’t name the Dodgers but it’s been said they’re getting aggressive on him too.  The Cubs and Rangers are other teams that have been connected to Kuroda. 
  • The Mets appear to have mild interest in Livan Hernandez, perhaps as a fallback innings-eater option.  The Phillies, Cardinals, Nationals, and Astros are other known suitors for Livan.
  • The big fish are still out there in Johan Santana, Erik Bedard, and Dan Haren.  The Mets won’t include Jose Reyes, David Wright, or Carlos Beltran in any deal.  It’s been said that a Carlos Gomez/Aaron Heilman/Philip Humber package was offered for Bedard and rejected.
  • Dan Graziano says the Mets also inquired on Dontrelle Willis, Ben Sheets, and Roy Oswalt and were told none of the three are available.  Graziano adds that the Mets are looking into signing Bartolo Colon.
  • Omar Minaya will meet with the agents for Octavio Dotel and Shawn Chacon today.
  • Minaya disputes Ken Rosenthal’s report that he sought an extension from the Mets and didn’t get one.  Ownership told him he’ll be there "a long time."
  • Though they didn’t want him in the Lastings Milledge deal, the Nationals are interested in acquiring Johnny Estrada for their catcher vacancy.  Damian Miller is also known to be a target of Jim Bowden’s.

Rosenthal’s Latest: Mahay, Cordero

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Ken Rosenthal busts out a few new ones.

  • The Royals have been in touch with Ron Mahay’s agent.  Rosenthal names the Yankees, Giants, and Astros as other interested parties.  Why the Giants?  The Royals would trade Jimmy Gobble and then sign Mahay.  Regarding the Yankees, Rosenthal says that the Santana situation somehow affects their willingness to sign Mahay.  Meanwhile, Jayson Stark says the Rays are also in on Mahay.
  • The Nationals asked for Chad Qualls and Luke Scott for Chad Cordero and were rebuffed by Ed Wade and the Astros.  It’s not the craziest offer but how many outfielders do the Nationals need?  12?  We heard two hours ago that Scott was almost a Padre, but haven’t had any follow-up.  Buster?

Nats Shopping Rauch For A Shortstop?

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The Washington Post’s Barry Svrluga says the Nationals are listening on Felipe Lopez, as you might expect.  However they’re hesitant to leave Cristian Guzman as the only person on the roster who can play shortstop.  With that in mind, Jim Bowden is shopping Jon Rauch with at least one team in hopes of getting a shortstop.  By the way, only one of Rauch/Cordero will get traded, if any.

Trying to think of Rauch scenarios.  To the Cubs for Ronny Cedeno?  To the Dodgers for Chin-Lung Hu?  To the Red Sox for Jed Lowrie?

Tyler Clippard To Nationals For Albaladejo

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A source at the Meetings tells me the Yanks are sending Tyler Clippard over to the Nats in a trade for minor league reliever Jonathan Albaladejo.  Ah here we go, the Washington Post now has this one.

Clippard, a righthanded starter, turns 23 in February.  He’s said to be a "finesse righty with a plus curve."  A move to the NL and a rotation spot means things are looking up for him.

Albaladejo is a 25 year-old who did a nice job in relief at Triple A and with Washington last year.  The Nats had snagged him as a minor league free agent. 

You’ve got to like this move for the Nats, even if it seems small.

Nationals Shopping Lopez, Kearns

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According to Bill Ladson of MLB.com, the Nationals are shopping shortstop Felipe Lopez and outfielder Austin Kearns.  Two targets: Mike Pelfrey of the Mets and Kevin Slowey of the Twins.

It wouldn’t be surprising to see Omar Minaya flip Pelfrey for someone with more immediate value.  While the Mets could use Kearns in right field, he’s not the type of return one envisions for Pelfrey.  Maybe for a Phil Humber though.  Kearns will earn $5MM in ’08, and $8MM in ’09 plus a $10MM club option for ’10 with a $1MM buyout.  The 27 year-old hit .266/.355/.411 this year.

The match for Slowey seems better – Lopez could play short for the Twins and Kearns might be able to handle center.  However, trading Slowey and Matt Garza in the same offseason seems unlikely, and even less likely if Johan Santana is moved.  If Lopez’s defense is truly improved, maybe the Rays would have interest.

Another guy who could work for the Rays is Cristian Guzman.  Ladson says the Cubs were rumored in on Guzman but that one was shot down. 

Nats Still Like Jason Jennings

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It’s no secret that the Nationals like free agent starter Jason Jennings – they touched base with his agent almost a month ago.  Today, MLB.com’s Jim Molony writes that the Nats are still targeting Jennings on a one-year deal.

Jennings’ torn flexor tendon is believed to be an injury he came make a full recovery from by Spring Training.  If so, many other teams will seek Jennings as a possible bargain.  So the Nats aren’t going to slip under the radar and get him for $3MM or something.  There will be plenty of competition from teams like the Rockies, Rangers, Royals, and Mets.

Mr. Dukes Goes To Washington

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UPDATE, 12-3-07 at 4:19pm: The Rays will receive a 20 year-old southpaw starter named Glenn Gibson.  Gibson was actually rumored way back on November 14th in this deal and the Nats didn’t want to part with him.  He’s said to have a "decent fastball, very good curve, and tons of polish."  Scratch what I said about getting Dukes for nothing; Gibson is something.  He’s been compared to Will Inman but with a little more projection.

UPDATE, 12-3-07 at 2:34pm: The Post’s Barry Svrluga has more on this trade.  The Nats basically get Dukes for nothing – just an as-yet unknown minor leaguer.  Jim Bowden is hoping Dmitri Young can keep Dukes in check, and he’s not worried about his outfield surplus.

UPDATE, 12-3-07 at 2:18pm: The Washington Post’s Dave Sheinin confirms that the Nats have acquired Dukes.  That’d leave the Nats with four outfielders, five if Nick Johnson comes back and forces Dmitri Young to the outfield.

UPDATE, 12-3-07 at 1:30pm: Marc Topkin has some unconfirmed buzz that Dukes is indeed headed to the Nationals.

FROM 12-3-07 at 1:18pm:

C. Trent Rosecrans of the Cincinnati Post says a Nationals-Rays trade may be in the works.  We know the Nats have interest in Elijah Dukes, and I could see the Rays parting with him even with Delmon Young gone.  After all, the Rays are known to be looking at various free agents to help in right field such as Geoff Jenkins.

Odds and Ends: Loretta, Pettitte, Affeldt

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Random Winter Meetings rumors…

Brown’s Latest: Erstad, Livan, Tomko

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Yahoo’s Tim Brown checks in with his own set of rumors after working the floor a bit.

  • Darin Erstad is popular – the Padres, Mariners, Astros, and Rays have inquired.  His mystique lives on.
  • The Phillies appear to have a serious interest in Livan Hernandez, though he doesn’t seem to be what they need.
  • Brett Tomko’s agent met with the Rockies today.  Brown says the Pirates, Nationals, Marlins, Reds, and Rangers are after him too.  Separately it’s been said that the Astros are in on him too.  The Padres made a weak $1.5MM offer to Tomko.

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