Rumors for July, 2010
Houston Astros open to dealing RHP Brett Myers
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Late Friday, one Major League source close to Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports says that the Houston Astros have become more open-minded to offers of right-handed pitcher Brett Myers. It was believed that the Astros were going to hold onto Myers since they traded Roy Oswalt to the Philadelphia Phillies.
Morosi says that Myers will be the top right-handed starter moved in the final hours before the Saturday, 1pm PT non-waiver Trade Deadline.
The Minnesota Twins are among the teams involved in the Myers talks. The Astros would probably ask the Twins for one of their young starters – Scott Baker, Kevin Slowey or Nick Blackburn.
Myers signed a one-year, $5.1 million contract in January.
David Aardsma Rumors: Seattle Mariners could move reliever on Saturday
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A source close to Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports says the Seattle Mariners may move right-handed reliever David Aardsma on Saturday. Morosi notes that Aardsma has had six straight scoreless outing.
Last week, Morosi said the Detroit Tigers were keeping tabs on Aardsma and Brandon League.
A couple of weeks ago, Nick Cafardo of The Boston Globe asked Aardsma about a possible return to Boston as a seventh-inning man. I’ll take the ball whenever I’m called upon,’’ he said. “I enjoyed my time in Boston. Obviously, coming here gave me the opportunity to be a closer. I thought I was in a good rhythm last year, but haven’t been as solid this year. I have a better approach lately, but I’m not one of those [Mariano] Riveras or Jonathan Papelbons who is untouchable. If I’m traded, then I hope it’s to a good situation.’
Aardsma, 28, is 0-6 with 4.59 ERA with 18 saves in 36 appearances this season. He is being paid $2.75 million for 2010 and will be a free agent after the season.
No. 1 pick Bryce Harper using Facebook to create contract negotiating leverage?
Posted by: | CommentsNo. 1 overall pick Bryce Harper may be trying to negotiate his signing bonus over Facebook. Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post says that Harper’s agent, Scott Boras, has had a history of creating leverage for his negotiations in unique ways. Take a look at these postings:
In one posting from July 26 at 11:44pm Harper says:
Wish I was playing USA more than anything!!! Summer has been crazy, and thinking about returning to CSN for another year!!! Very possible!
In another posting from July 26 at 11:52pm Harper says:
Probably going back to CSN to try to win a National Championship!!! 
CSN is College of Southern Nevada, the school he played for last spring.
Supposedly, No. 3 pick Many Machado was responding to Harper’s comments, but Machado’s comments have since been removed. Sean Fagan of Half Smokes has Machado’s dialogue:
“ill go with u”
“: )”
“with both of us there we would def win brother”
and then Bryce responds with a heartfelt , “Are you serious bro? : )”
Last year, Boras said Stephen Strasburg could play a season in Japan before entering the Majors as a free agent. Strasburg eventually signed with the Nationals before the deadline.
If Harper does not sign by the August 16 deadline, Harper could play for CSN next year and re-enter the draft in 2011.
Messages left for Boras by The Washington Post trying to confirm Harper’s Facebook page were not returned.
Picture courtesy of Big League Stew
Ryan Theriot Rumors: Chicago Cubs could trade Theriot to Diamondbacks for Kelly Johnson
Posted by: | Comments7/30 22:44: Troy E. Renck of the Denver post tweets that the Chicago Cubs could move infielder Ryan Theriot to the Arizona Diamondbacks for Kelly Johnson. The Arizona Diamondbacks may need a shortstop if they can’t keep Stephen Drew.
7/27 13:53: In a series of Tweets, Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post says,
Chicago media reporting rox have interest in Ryan theriot. That move makes more sense for future than this year if team doesn’t keep barmes (source: @troyrenck)
I am confirmed through independent source that rox have inquired about theriot. That move makes more sense for nxt yr (source: @troyrenck)
Theriot is in arb process would come in at roughly 3 mill. That would be cheaper than barmes. So I can see why rox are keeping ears open (source: @troyrenck)
Rocks looking at middle infield options. Jed lowrie’s name came up when red sox called on [Chris] iannetta that could be revisited in offseason (source: @troyrenck)
Padres, Dodgers, Mets and others in on Pittsburgh Pirates regarding Paul Maholm?
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7/30 22:42: Dodger and Pirates are still apart on money and players, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.
7/30 19:12: Ken Rosenthal says the Pirates and Dodgers believe a deal for Maholm is a genuine possibility. He notes that a deal is not close.
7/30 15:27: Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com says various reports have the Mets being interested in acquiring Maholm, but no deal is imminent.
7/30 14:25: Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette tweets, “#Pirates seeking ML-ready starting pitcher for Maholm, per team source.”
7/30 14:15: Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette tweets, “#Pirates, #Padres NOT close to Maholm deal, per high-ranking team source. S.D. ‘Just fishing.’”
7/30 14:05: Scott Miller of CBSSports says, “Sources say #Pirates aren’t simply dumping salary if deal Maholm or others, want major league or high-level prospect ready for majors back.”
7/30 13:47: Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette tweets, “Hearing #Dodgers, #Padres not only teams in on #Pirates LHP Paul Maholm at moment.
7/30 13:34: Tim Brown of Yahoo Sports tweets, “Padres look close on Maholm.”
7/30 13:02: Buster Olney of ESPN tweets, “Heard this: The Padres are making progress on a Paul Maholm deal.”
7/30 12:39: According to multiple sources close to Jon Morosi of FOXSports, the San Diego Padres talking with the Pittsburgh Pirates regarding Paul Maholm.
Earlier today, Pittsburgh Pirates GM Neal Huntington said the team would be willing to trade a starting pitcher if the price is right. At the time Huntington did not identify any starters, but he made reference to players that will soon be free agents. The only players that fit that profile are Paul Maholm and Zach Duke.
Earlier this month, the Los Angeles Dodgers were believed to be interested in Maholm. The Dodgers have been looking for starting and relief pitching. GM Ned Colletti recently told Jim Bowden of Inside Pitch and FOXSports that he has the flexibility for a “major” transaction.
Maholm, 28, is making $4.5 million and his salary will increase to $5.75 million in 2011. There is a club option for 2012 worth $9.75 million, otherwise he can be bought out for $750,000.
John Buck Trade Rumors: Detroit Tigers talking with Blue Jays about All-Star catcher
Posted by: | CommentsJon Paul Morosi of FOXSports said the Detroit Tigers have spoken with the Toronto Blue Jays regarding All-Star catcher John Buck. Morosi thinks that Buck would be a better fit for the Tigers than any of the Jays’ relievers.
Earlier Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports said, “#BlueJays unsure if they will make multiple trades or none. One source with knowledge of club’s activities says “million balls in air.””
Other players the Blue Jays could trade include Jose Bautista, Scott Downs and Jason Frasor.
Atlanta Braves designate Brent Clevlen for assignment
Posted by: | CommentsDavid O’Brian of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution says the Atlanta Braves had designated outfielder Brent Clevlen for assignment. If he clears waivers, he will go to Triple-A Gwinnett.
Clevlen, 26, has one hit (a double) in four at-bats this season with the Braves. He is a lifetime .234/.280/.429 hitter.
Adam Dunn Trade Rumors: Chicago White Sox saying they are out on Dunn
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7/30 20:48: Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports tweets, “#WhiteSox saying, again, that they are out on Dunn. If that’s true, Dunn could stay with #Nationals. #Rays only in at rt price. #Nationals don’t seem ready to budge. So, barring mystery team, hard to see Dunn deal. #WhiteSox can wait until Aug. – Alex Rios time”
7/30 15:59: Buster Olney of ESPN says, “Heard this: The Nationals are frustrated in their attempts to get equal value for Adam Dunn, and conversely, rival teams are saying that the asking price for Dunn is enormous. This is why the Yankees turned away from the Dunn talks and snagged to Berkman if they had ultimately lost out on Dunn. It’s like a game of musical chairs.”
Ben Goessling of MASN tweets, “#Nationals GM Mike Rizzo said the price won’t come down on Adam Dunn before the deadline.”
7/30 14:52: Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports tweets, “Berkman to #Yankees could put #Nationals in bind with Dunn. Nats lose big potential suitor. #WhiteSox can hold out for deal of their liking. #Rays can’t be sure Dunn will succeed as DH after failed expriment w Burrell. #Nationals might be stuck.”
7/30 14:00 Buster Olney of ESPN tweets, “Heard this: The Steinbrenners have given pre-approval to the acquisition of a large salary such as Lance Berkman or Adam Dunn.”
7/30 12:53: Bill Ladson of MLB.com (via Jim Bowden of FOXSports) says that if Dunn is traded, he thinks that it will be to the Chicago White Sox.
7/30 12:08: Bob Nightengale of USA Today Tweets, “#mlb White Sox have Edwin Jackson included in current trade package for Dunn. If Sox get Dunn, then will try to land Astros’ Brett Myers”
7/30 11:53: FOXSports.com says the Chicago White Sox are still in pursuit of Washington Nationals slugger Adam Dunn. According to a Major League source close to FOXSports.com, the White Sox remained in talks with the Nats about Dunn even after completing the deal for Edwin Jackson on Friday.
If White Sox GM Kenny Williams were to trade Jackson to the Nationals, he would need to find another starting pitcher. He is not looking for the Nats to package one of their starters along with Dunn, a source says.
7/30 20:44: Jane Lee of MLB.com says the A’s have no plans of moving Breslow or any bullpen member.
“The fact of the matter is that Craig has pitched well all season,” assistant general manager David Forst said Friday. “It wasn’t surprising to us the amount of interest we’ve received in him. But as we’ve said before, with the team we have now, we really like where we are considering the injury situation. The guys that have been out there have earned the right to keep that momentum going.
“There’s been an interest in a number of our guys, but at this point, yes, we would like to keep going with the guys we have.”
7/30 10:47: Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports says the Oakland Athletics are drawing heavy interest in left-handed reliever Craig Breslow, but the team is not motivated to move him. The team is serious about building momentum going forward.
Oakland Athletics GM, Billy Beane said earlier this month “I don’t anticipate us being that active at the trade deadline.” Beane is a man of his word. The A’s have been quiet this trading season.
The Boston Red Sox have been looking for relief pitching, and Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe suggested Breslow as a trade candidate.
Breslow, 29, is 4-2 with a 2.81 ERA in 50 relief appearances for the A’s this season.
Los Angeles Angels Rumors: Ready to sell off Abreu, Rivera, Matsui and Fuentes?
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As I’m writing this posting, the Angels are down 7-5 in a crucial game versus the division leading Texas Rangers. As of now, the Angels are 9 games back in the AL West and they are 13 games back in the Wild Card. So a loss today could dig a deeper hole for them that they may not be able to recover from. With that said, the Angels need to decide if they will continue to fight and be a buyer or cut their losses and sell off some of their expensive pieces.
Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times speculates that if the Angels fall further behind, they could look to trade veterans such as Bobby Abreu, Juan Rivera, Hideki Matsui and Brian Fuentes for prospects. Some of these players may be able to clear waivers, so the team won’t be too pressured to make a deal by tomorrow. Additionally, being so far behind in the playoff race, the team could call up Triple-A players such as outfielder Peter Bourjos and first baseman Mark Trumbo to get some big league experience.
“We’re obviously treading water and … treading water might be a little bit better than we’ve been,” Manager Mike Scioscia said.
“We’ve struggled the last couple weeks. There are options we need to look at, and if something will make us better internally or externally, Tony [Reagins, general manager] will act on it.”
