Rumors for July, 2010
Ken Rosenthal’s NL West Trade Deadline Rumors
Posted by: | CommentsKen Rosenthal of FOXSports has a few National League West Trade Deadline Rumors to follow (courtesy of Major League sources close to Rosenthal)
The Dodgers are considering trades for Scott Podsednik and other outfielders as they wait for the return of the injured Manny Ramirez and Reed Johnson. Jayson Stark of ESPN said the Dodgers were pursuing Detroit Tigers outfielder Ryan Raburn.
The Giants are also talking to the Royals about Podsednik. They are also weight other options such as Florida Marlins’ Jorge Cantu, Royals’ Jose Guillen and several left-handed and right-handed relievers.
The Dodgers are also active in the bullpen market. They are looking at the three Toronto Blue Jays relievers: right-handers Kevin Gregg and Jason Frasor and left-hander Scott Downs – though Downs is “a longshot”.
The Padres are focusing in on two or three modest candidates, most likely on the offensive side.
The Rockies are in the mix for Cantu, but also could be sellers. Earlier we talked about the Rockies possibly parting with reliever Joe Beimel.
Toronto Blue Jays show interest in Diamondbacks Kelly Johnson
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According to multiple Major League sources close to Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports the Toronto Blue Jays have spoken with the Arizona Diamondbacks regarding second baseman Kelly Johnson. Morosi says the talks have not progressed far.
Johnson is appealing to the Blue Jays for several reasons: he isn’t scheduled to become a free agent until after the 2011 season, he would be a high on-base-percentage player for a team that doesn’t walk very much and he could fit in the line up in left field or second base.
The Blue Jays incumbent second baseman, Aaron Hill, told Jeff Blair of the Globe and Mail that he would be willing to switch positions if it meant the team could upgrade their offense.
Johnson is statistics having the best season in his career by batting .276/.366/.499 in 94 games. He is earning $2.35 million this year.
Oakland Athletics Ben Sheets to miss season with torn flexor tendon
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GM Billy Beane can now rest knowing that he can stand by his word and not make any July Trade Deadline moves involving right-handed pitcher Ben Sheets.
Today, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle says Oakland’s pitcher Ben Sheets will miss the season due to a torn flexor tendon. No surgery is scheduled yet. Sheets has said his elbow has been extremely sore the past three start.
Prior to his injury, Sheets was a target of the Phillies and the Twins and Tigers. Beane previously said he doesn’t plan on being active by the July 31st non-waiver trade deadline. He liked the veteran influence that Sheets had on the younger players.
It’s likely that the A’s can recoup some of Sheets’ salary for the rest of the year via insurance. Sheet’s signed a one-year, $10 million deal before the season, so he has a little less than $5 million owed to him. Read More→
Detroit Tigers acquire Jhonny Peralta from Cleveland Indians for LHP Giovanni Soto
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Anthony Castrovince of MLB.com says the Detroit Tigers have acquired infielder Jhonny Peralta from Cleveland Indians for left-handed pitcher Giovanni Soto.
Ed Price of AOL FanHouse first reported the Tigers’ interest in Peralta. The Tigers are in need of infield depth because their third baseman Brandon Inge is out due to a broken left hand.
Peralta, 28, went into Wednesday’s game hitting .246 with seven home runs.
Buster Olney of ESPN adds, “Heard this: The Indians will pick up most of the salary $1.8 m in salary still owed to Peralta; the Tigers are picking up the cost of the 2011 buyout, which is $250,000, on a $7 m option.”
Ted Lilly Rumors: Are Phillies flirting with Lilly to make Oswalt jealous?
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The Ted Lilly rumors are heating up. Earlier today we heard the Minnesota Twins were in on Lilly. The Dodgers may also make a run for Lilly, despite their limited financial resources.
Today, Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports says the Phillies are interested in the Chicago Cubs left-handed pitcher. It’s possible that the Phillies are using the media as a method to create negotiation leverage to acquire Roy Oswalt. Think of it like a person playing “hard-to-get”. The Phillies want Oswalt, but rather than give away the kitchen sink for Oswalt they flirt with Lilly with the hopes that Oswalt will lower his price. If Oswalt drops his price at the last minute, Lilly could be left standing at the alter. (Sounds vaguely familiar ladies and gentlemen?)
Another team that’s targeting Lilly is the New York Mets, but according to Rosenthal, they are “waiting on direction from above.” Not quite sure what that means – they may wait to see what the Twins, Dodgers and Phillies are doing. Or they it could be a call by management. We’ll find out soon.
Cleveland Indians Rumors: Ready to deal Fausto Carmona and Jake Westbrook?
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There are a few rumors regarding a couple of Cleveland Indian starting pitchers: right-handed pitchers Fausto Carmona and Jake Westbrook.
Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated says that the Indians and the Philadelphia Phillies are talking and Carmona and Westbrook remain possibilities.
Jayson Stark of ESPN adds that Westbrook seems like the most likely of the two Indians pitchers to be moved, but according to one executive close to Stark, he’ll be “very surprised” if they don’t deal Carmona. The same executive says the Indians know Carmona’s value is higher than ever and there’s no sure bet the value will stay that high.
Here’s an excerpt from PRO Rumors Top 10 MLB starting pitchers that could be traded by July 31.
Fausto Carmona, Cleveland Indians, RHP: Carmona is relatively affordable and with a string of team options, he could be under team control though 2014. He’s prone to wildness and could falter under the pressure of a big city such as New York. The Mets could be a potential destination for Carmona, but he may not be able to handle the media and the fan base. Read More→
Los Angeles Dodgers targeting Scott Podsednik and Ryan Raburn
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The Dodgers are in desperate need of a starting pitcher, but according to Jayson Stark of ESPN, Los Angeles they may have their focus on acquiring a hitter before the July 31st non-waiver 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 adds that Los Angeles is also having interest in Detroit Tigers outfielder Ryan Raburn.
There is competition for Podsednik. The Dodgers’ rivals – the San Francisco Giants are known to be pursuing Podsednik.
Earlier this morning we heard the team is in need of a starter for Saturday’s game, and manager Joe Torre hinted to MLB.com that the pitcher could come from outside the organization.
Why the price is high on Kansas City Royals Joakim Soria?
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The New York Yankees have been targeting Kansas City Royals closer Joakim Soria over the past few weeks. Yesterday, we found out that the Yankees are on Soria’s no-trade list (in addition to the Red Sox, Tigers, Phillies, Cardinals and Cubs). It got us scratching our heads as to why somebody wouldn’t want to play for the Yankees. Today, Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports fills us in on the financial motivation to NOT play in New York.
Morosi says that Soria’s $6 million contract for 2012 will vest if Soria finishes 55 games in 2011. It would be tough to finish that many games if he’s not the closer. Mariano Rivera, the current Yankees’ closer, is likely to keep that job at least through 2011 (assuming he re-signs with the Yankees after this season), so Soria will be the 8th inning setup guy at best until Rivera retires.
So the Yankees want Soria, but Soria doesn’t want to go unless he gets paid. So what are the Yankees going to do?
Morosi says that the no-trade clause will give Soria leverage to negotiate terms on his contract. A possibility would be for Soria to demand that his options are guaranteed as a part of the trade. Soria also has options for $8 million in 2013 and $8.75 million 2014. Read More→
Dan Uggla switches agents to join Terry Bross of Gaylord Sports Management
Posted by: | CommentsA source close to Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports says that Florida Marlins second baseman Dan Uggla has switched agents. He has left Jeff Borris of the Beverly Hills Sports Council to join Terry Bross of Gaylord Sports Management.
Marlins GM Larry Beinfest told reports earlier this week that he plans to explore multi-year deals with more than one of his current players.
Uggla is currently making $7.8 million this season, and has one more year of salary arbitration before he becomes a free agent. His salary for 2011 could top $10 million.
Derrek Lee prefers to remain a Chicago Cub
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Cubs first baseman Derrek Lee told the organization that he prefers to remain a Cub rather than accept a trade. GM Jim Hendry confirmed this to ESPNChicago.com.
According to a Major League source, the Los Angeles Angels proposed a trade to the Cubs over the past 10 days for Lee. Lee turned down the deal because he has been in the league for 10 years and five with the same time. Lee also has a no-trade clause.
Earlier this week, Jayson Stark of ESPN said it was “highly doubtful” that Lee would waive his no-trade clause.
The Los Angeles Angels also have been a candidate for Lee. The team has been looking for a temporary solution at first base and a bat since Kendry Morales had his season ended with an injury in May.
The free-agent-to-be, Lee, is batting .249 with a 11 home runs and 44 RBIs.
