Rumors for July, 2010
Ted Lilly Rumors: Acquisition by the New York Mets is very doubtful
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A Mets official told Joel Sherman of the New York post that the acquisition of Chicago Cubs left-handed pitcher Ted Lilly is “very doubtful”.
The Mets and Cubs have been rumored to be discussing Lilly for some time. Sherman says there is not a match because the Mets are not willing to take on most to all of the $4 million-plus Lilly is still owed for this year and give up prospects.
The Mets were also interested in Houston Astros pitcher Brett Myers, but the team found out that the Astros are almost completely unwilling to engage in serious discussion. Myers and the Astros have a mutual option for $8 million next year, and a Mets official said, “I think Houston wants to bring him back next year.” Read More→
Update – Baltimore Orioles Rumors: Cardinals showing interest in Miguel Tejada
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7/29 00:26: A source close to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says there was “no traction” for a deal between the Cardinals and Orioles for Tejada.
7/28 14:48: Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports chimes in with a few rumors from the Baltimore Orioles.
Rosenthal says that the St. Louis Cardinals are showing interest in Orioles third baseman Miguel Tejada. It’s unclear if there’s a match between the two teams. Multiple sources close to Rosenthal say that both the Tejada and infielder Ty Wigginton are drawing the heaviest interest.
Yesterday, we heard that the Orioles are ready to sell Tejada, but one team that could be interested, the New York Yankees, feels “lukewarm at best.”
Trevor Hoffman Trade Rumors: Will Brewers trade all-time saves leader?
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Adam McCalvy and Jordan Schelling MLB.com say that if the Milwuakee Brewers get an offer for the the all-time saves leader, it’s very possible that right-handed pitcher Trevor Hoffman will have the final say.
Hoffman has a no-trade clause in his contract that prevents the Brewers from trading him to all but five of the other Major league teams without his permission.
Hoffman could be attractive to clubs seeking right-handed relief help. He has a 1.69 ERA in his last 15 appearances. He signed through this season for $7.5 million, and has a club option for 2011 with a $500,000 buyout.
“I haven’t even really thought about it,” Hoffman said. “I’m comfortable here. I think we’re a good enough ballclub to scratch back in this thing. If your mind starts to drift any other way, then I don’t think you’re ‘all-in’ with what we’re doing here. Read More→
Joe Beimel Trade Rumors: Phillies and Red Sox interested in LH reliever
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7/28 22:08: Troy E. Renck of The Denver Post says the Red Sox are interested in Beimel. The Rockies also will listen to offers for Brad Hawpe, but don’t expect a Rockies fire sale.
7/28 12:40: A source close to Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports says the Colorado Rockies could trade left-handed reliever Joe Beimel, and the Philadelphia Phillies could be interested.
The Rockies are eight games out of first place in the NL West and 5 1/2 games out of the Wild Card, so it’s hard to tell if they are buyers or sellers at this point, but regardless of the standings, Rosenthal thinks the Rox could trade Beimel.
Beimel signed a Minor League contract with the Rockies last March. He pitched in the Minors for a few weeks before he was called up to the Major Leagues in April. Beimel, 33, is 1-1 with a 2.87 ERA in 45 appearances for the Rockies this season.
Prince Fielder Rumors: Rangers, Angels and White Sox actively pursuing P. Fielder
Posted by: | Comments7/28 19:34: A source close to Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports says the Rangers are not confident about acquiring Fielder. The asking price is too rich and they don’t want to bankrupt their farm system.
7/28 10:25: Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated says the Texas Rangers, Los Angeles Angels and the Chicago White Sox are active on the hunt for Prince Fielder. Heyman is surprised about the Rangers’ activity given their current bankruptcy status.
The Rangers have been actively seeking first baseman depth since they traded Justin Smoak in the Cliff Lee trade. The Angels have been looking for a first baseman to replace the injured Kendry Morales since May. The White Sox have been the least shy in the group to make their intentions known about acquiring a first baseman. Chicago White Sox GM, Kenny Williams, is very confident in landing either Prince Fielder or Adam Dunn.
Adam Dunn Rumors: Yankees, Rays and White Sox interested in Nationals first baseman
Posted by: | Comments7/28 19:32: Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated tweets, “#yankees remain interested in adam dunn. but no serious talks yet. do #nats have something else working?”
7/28 11:11: Jim Bowden of FOXSports Radio has some information on Washington Nationals first baseman Adam Dunn:
Bowden confirms that Dunn has not received a counter-proposal from the Nationals. “In fact [he] has never received an offer from the Nationals”
The New York Yankees, Tampa Bay Rays and Chicago White Sox are pursuing Dunn at this hour.
Bowden speculates that the Nationals will wait until the last hour then ask him “‘You want to DH in AL or sign here for this offer?’ Bye Bye”
Roy Oswalt Rumors: Phillies and Astros have intesified talks about deal for Oswalt
Posted by: | Comments7/28 19:23: Jayson Stark of ESPN says the Phillies and Astros have intensified talks about a deal for Oswalt. Stark cautions that money issues could still derail the deal.
One source close to Stark says there was still a “a large gulf” between the clubs on how large a portion of the $23 million on Oswalt’s contract the Astros would be willing pay.
There are still doubts that Oswalt is willing to waive his no-trade clause to approve a trade to the Phillies.
Because of the uncertainty of the Oswalt deal, the Phillies have made contact with the Chicago Cubs about Ted Lilly and with the Cleveland Indians about Fausto Carmona and Jake Westbrook.
7/28 18:58: Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated tweets, “phillies remain favorites for oswalt. yankees checked in on roy only once. but its always hard to rule them out entirely.”
7/28 18:33: Buster Olney of ESPN tweets, “Heard this: A third team that was involved in the Phillies-Oswalt talks has backed out. Philly-Houston now dealing head to head.” Olney earlier said, “Heard this: The Phillies’ trade for Roy Oswalt that has been discussed is likely to include three or four teams — if it happens.”
7/28 11:28: Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports confirms that the Reds made a call on Oswalt, but no names were exchanged.
7/28 10:36: Jimmy “The Cat” Hayes of The Team 1380 of St. Louis says (via Tim McKernan of insideSTL.com) the Cincinnati Reds are “active” in the Oswalt trade talks.
7/28 10:16: In a series of tweets, a source close to Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports says the Philadelphia Phillies know what the Houston Astros want for right-handed pitcher Roy Oswalt, and they can satisfy those demands without making a separate deal involving outfielder Jayson Werth.
Rosenthal adds that the St. Louis Cardinals and Los Angeles Dodgers are out of the Oswalt sweepstakes. The Phillies are divided about whether or not they want to take additional payroll and trade additional prospects.
Colorado Rockies Rumors: Jorge Cantu, Aaron Cook, Joe Beimel, Jorge de la Rosa
Posted by: | CommentsKen Rosenthal of FOXSports has a few Colorado Rockies rumors to keep your eye on:
Rosenthal says the Rockies are out on Florida Marlins Jorge Cantu.
The Rockies were previously known to be quietly shopping pitcher Aaron Cook. Rosenthal says the Philadelphia Phillies could be interested in the right-hander. Cook, 31, is 4-6 with a 4.78 ERA in 19 starts this season.
Earlier Rosenthal said the Rockies could trade left-handed reliever Joe Beimel. Rosenthal now says there could be 4-5 teams in on Beimel. One of those teams are the Phillies.
The Rockies could re-sign starting pitcher Jorge de la Rosa. de la Rosa, 29, is 3-3 with a 5.65 ERA in 8 starts this season.
Los Angeles Dodgers acquire Scott Podsednik from Kansas City Royals
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According to Jayson Stark of ESPN the Dodgers have acquired outfielder Scott Podsednik from the Kansas City Royals for 2 minor leaguers.
Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports says the Royals will get Triple-A catcher Lucas May and Single-A right-handed pitcher Elisaul Pimental from the Dodgers for Pimentel.
Earlier today, Strak said the Dodgers were shifting their focus away from acquiring pitching to acquiring a hitter before the Trade Deadline. In a series of Tweets, a source close to Stark says the Dodgers are “moving closer” on Kansas City Royals’ outfielder Scott Podsednik. Stark added that Los Angeles is also having interest in Detroit Tigers outfielder Ryan Raburn.
It was widely believed that the San Francisco Giants were also interested in acquiring the Royals’ outfielder.
Podsednik, 34, is hitting .309/.352/.400 with 5 home runs and 44 RBIs in 94 games this season. He will make $1.65 million this season, but the Dodgers will assume the approximately $650,000 left on the contract for this year.
Pittsburgh Pirates D.J. Carrasco would welcome chance to play for contender
Posted by: | CommentsJenifer Langosch of MLB.com says that D.J. Carrasco of the Pittsburgh Pirates would welcome the chance to join a team that has a shot at making the playoffs.
“Yeah, I’d like to have an opportunity to go and play in the postseason and play with a contender,” Carrasco said on Wednesday. “I’m not getting any younger. That window gets a little smaller as you get older. At the same time, hopefully it could help the Pirates build if they can get what they need from me.”
Carrasco’s name hasn’t come up as often as teammate Octavio Dotel, but given the weak market of relief pitching, it wouldn’t be surprising if Carrasco is traded to a contender.
In 54 2/3 innings, Carrasco has a 3.95 ERA, struck out 44 and walked 22 batters in 44 appearances. Despite being used as a long reliever, he would some the chance to be a starting pitcher again.
Carrasco could be a good pick up for the budget conscious team or for those teams that are teetering on the buying/selling border.
