Rumors for July, 2010
7/26 13:52: Anthony DiComo of MLB.com tweets, “Don’t expect #Mets to shake up coaching staff today. Team source says nothing big is happening. “Everything is status quo.”
7/26 02:10: Despite giving New York Mets’ manager Jerry Manuel a vote of confidence last week, GM Omar Minaya could not offer the same to the Mets’ coaching staff after the team failed to score in the final 16 innings against the Los Angeles Dodgers, according to Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com.
“I don’t want to talk about that,” Minaya said. “I feel everybody here is trying hard. I could tell you the staff is trying hard. If you ask me [about] the overall performance that has happened, of course I’m not happy. Nobody is happy.
“Guys are doing the best they can. But we’re going to continue to sit down with Jerry and continue to evaluate how we can get better.”
The Mets averaged 2.1 runs per game and hit .196 to go 2-9 in their opening 11-game road trip after the All-Star Break. Read More→
Baltimore Orioles won’t change manager until after Trade Deadline
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Dan Connolly of The Baltimore Sun says the Orioles will continue without a permanent manager until at least after the July 31st non-waiver Trade Deadline.
Baltimore’s president of baseball operations, Andy MacPhail, said that he does not have a timeline for hiring someone to replace interim manager Juan Samuel. A managerial announcement will not come until at least August, Macphail confirmed, as he concentrates on the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline.
The leading managerial candidate, Buck Showalter, is not discouraged by the situation. He has had several talks with MacPhail and he remains interested in the position.
“I’m OK with the process and am respectful of what Juan is doing and with what Andy is trying to do with this organization,” Showalter told The Baltimore Sun today. Read More→
7/26 13:30: Buster Olney of ESPN tweets, “Heard this: The Nats have made progress in their effort to trade prospects for Edwin Jackson.”
7/26 11:44: Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports tweets, “3-way w Dunn going to #WhiteSox a little difficult to imagine; White Sox don’t have much to give.”
7/26 11:42: Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports tweets, “Source: #Diamondbacks will not hesitate to trade EJax if they get what they want. No 3-way talks with #Nationals and #WhiteSox – yet.”
7/26 09:56: Jayson Stark of ESPN says that there’s rumblings about a possible three-team deal involving the Washington Nationals, Chicago White Sox and Arizona Diamondbacks. The deal would send pitcher Edwin Jackson from the Diamondbacks to the Nationals. Adam Dunn would go to the Chicago White Sox and a “bunch” of young pitchers to Arizona. Read More→
Kosuke Fukudome Rumors: Cubs would pay part of salary
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Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports tweets, “Attention, [Kosuke] Fukudome shoppers: Source says #Cubs would pay part of $4M-plus left this year and “quite a bit” of $13.5M salary next year.”
The Chicago Cubs have been trying to trade Fukudome for some time now. Last month, the Red Sox were candidates to land Fukudome, but his high salary was a liability. Now with the Cubs’ willingness to eat up much of his paycheck, more teams may be interested.
Chicago has a crowded outfield with rookie Tyler Colvin taking much of Fukudome’s playing time in right field. The other spots are occupied by Alfonso Soriano in left fiend and Marlon Byrd in center field.
Jayson Stark of ESPN tweets, “Bunch of rumors flying that #Phillies were about to trade Jayson Werth to #Padres. Source: “Not true…had discussions…not close”‘
Todd Zolecki of MLB.com added via Twitter, “Jayson Werth was in the on-deck circle. Guess that bogus trade rumor was bogus after all.” He later said, “Jayson Werth starting the seventh inning in right field, so everybody relax for now. Plenty of time to freak out the rest of the week.”
So the Philadelphia Phillies and the San Diego Padres apparently had discussions. We’ll keep an eye on this if there are any more developments.
Boston Red Sox Rumors: Jayson Werth and relief pitching
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In a couple of tweets today, a source close to Gordon Edes of ESPNBoston.com says the Red Sox are “chasing a ghost” on the prospect of acquiring Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Jayson Werth. A trade for Werth to Boston is unlikely going to happen.
Another Major League source close to Edes said the Red Sox are in need of relief pitching. Despite the need for relief pitching, the team may trade right-handed relief pitchers Ramon Ramirez or Manny Delcarmen.
Derrek Lee Trade Rumors: Doubtful that he’ll waive full no-trade clause at this stage
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A source close to Jayson Stark of ESPN says that it’s “highly doubtful” Chicago Cubs first baseman Derrek Lee will waive his full no-trade to okay any deal at this stage.
It was reported earlier by Bob Nightengale of USA Today that the Texas Rangers are taking a close look at Lee. The Rangers are in need of a veteran everyday first baseman since they traded rookie Justin Smoak to the Seattle Mariners in the Cliff Lee deal earlier this month.
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.
Lyle Overbay Trade Rumors: To the SF Giants, Rangers, White Sox or Angels?
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Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports says that Lyle Overbay does not have an obvious place to go, and the Toronto Blue Jays may wait until August to move the first baseman – if he is dealt at all.
The 33-year-old doesn’t hit for power, but he’s a good defender. Morosi said that he’s too good of a defender that he can’t be viewed as a designated hitter.
The Jays may wait until August to trade the free-agent-to-be Overbay. He will likely clear waivers because of his $7 million salary.
One source close to Morosi said that GM Alex Anthopoulos “won’t trade Overbay just for the sake of trading him.”
Candidates that could use the left-handed Overbay include the San Francisco Giants, Texas Rangers, Chicago White Sox and Los Angeles Angels.
Chad Qualls rumors: Tampa Bay Rays interested in Diamondbacks reliever
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Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports says the Tampa Bay Rays are interested in Arizona Diamondbacks right-handed reliever Chad Qualls. Morosi adds the New York Mets had interest in Qualls, but it’s not clear if they still have interest. Qualls also has been mentioned as a candidate to land with the Boston Red Sox.
Earlier this month, Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated said Qualls has a lot of guts and could work as a middle reliever for a contender.
The big problem with Qualls is his poor stats. The 31-year-old reliever is 1-4 with 12 saves and a 8.49 ERA this season. He has a horrible WHIP of 2.114.
B.J. Upton Rumors: Rays likely to keep center fielder
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Despite trade interest in the Tampa Bay Rays center fielder B.J. Upton, a Major League source close to Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports says Upton is unlikely to be moved.
Top outfield prospect Desmond Jennings is not ready to take over for Upton nor is a defensive tandem of Ben Zobrist and Sean Rodriguez enough to replace the speedy center fielder.
The Rays are drawing “heavy interest” in Upton, Rodriguez, infielder Reid Brignac and right-handed pitcher Wade Davis. The team would like to keep their current roster intact and use their prospect depth as trade bait.
