Rumors for July, 2011
Mets willing to cover Carlos Beltran’s salary
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In a Tweet by Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated, he has heard that Carlos Beltran and Michael Cuddyer top the San Francisco Giants’ wish list for outfielders.
Beltran’s name has been thrown around for quite some time, but the Giants haven’t bit on the All Star outfielder. He’s owed $9 million for the rest of the season, and the Mets want a top prospect in exchange for him. It’s possible that the Giants could shell out the cash to get Beltran or they could mortgage their future by sending prospect Zack Wheeler or starting pitcher Jonathan Sanchez.
It was reported late Monday afternoon by Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com, that the Mets are willing to cover Beltran’s remaining salary.
“From what I gather, they are asking a lot for him because they are willing to pick up all of his salary,” the source told ESPNNewYork.com.
Heyman says that Cuddyer is an unlikely sell right now for the Twins, but last week FOX Sports said that he could be a trade candidate if Minnesota can’t catch up in the AL Central.
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Heyman on: Rasmus and Pirates
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Here’s the latest from Sports Illustrated’s Jon Heyman:
– Apparently, the Tampa Bay Rays, Washington Nationals and Boston Red Sox among others have called the St. Louis Cardinals regarding Colby Rasmus. Cardinals GM, John Mozeliak, says that they’re not shopping the outfielder and adds that it is highly unlikely they’ll trade him.
– The Pittsburgh Pirates are also looking at Heath Bell, Mike Adams and Chad Qualls.
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Tampa Bay Rays designate Adam Russell for assignment
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The Tampa Bay Rays have designated Adam Russell for assignment, Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times reports.
Russell, 28, was 1-2 with a 3.03 ERA in 36 relief appearances over 32 2/3 innings pitched this season with the Rays.
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Jamey Carroll might be the best addition for Brewers
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Last week, we learned that the Milwaukee Brewers were planning on improving the left side of their infield. Today, Tom Haudricourt of the Journal Sentinel tweeted that the short stop market is indeed limited.
The Brewers left side that includes Yuniesky Betancourt and Casey McGehee rank fairly low with their offensive numbers in addition to their below-average defensive abilities. Haudricourt says that Jamey Carroll might be the best the Brewers could do.
Carroll is hitting .289/.359/.356 with 8 RBI’s in 284 AB’s for the Dodgers this season.
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Detroit Tigers rumors: interested in Aaron Harang
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Here’s a running list of trade rumors involving the Detroit Tigers:
– The Detroit Tigers have shown interest in Aaron Harang according to Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated.
– According to Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports, the Tigers have added another pitcher to their wish list. Baltimore right hander Jeremy Guthrie. Sources close to Morosi say they have interest in Guthrie, but he’s behind the likes of Ubaldo Jimenez and Hiroki Kuroda on their pecking order wish list.
– A source close to Jerry Crasnick of ESPN says that the chances of Derek Lowe going to the Tigers are “extremely low.” Money being the “big sticking point.” Lowe is owed about $21 million and the Braves would have to pick up at least 75% of his salary to make it work.
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Aramis Ramirez doesn’t want to waive his no-trade clause
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According to sources close to Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports, Cubs third baseman, Aramis Ramirez, is still “adamant” he will not waive his no-trade clause for any club. Rosenthal adds that Ramirez is on the Angels’ wish list.
Last week, rumors indicated that the Angels and Cubs could have been working on a deal that would have sent Ramirez to Anaheim. The 33-year old veteran in the final year of his five-year contract and is owed roughly $7 million for the remainder of the season.
Teams calling Nationals for Storen and Clippard
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Several teams are calling the Washington Nationals about relievers Drew Storen, Tyler Clippard and Todd Coffey, sources close to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports say.
Washington is listening to offers for Storen and Clippard, but they will only deal them if they can improve long-term. The team’s number-one goal is to find a center fielder that possibly can bat leadoff.
The Nationals are also getting calls on second baseman Danny Espinosa and shortstop Ian Desmond. Rosenthal suggests that the Minnesota Twins, San Francisco Giants and Milwaukee Brewers could benefit from Desmond.
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Rangers targeting Heath Bell and Mike Adams
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The Texas Rangers are ready to defend their American League pennant and according to sources close to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports, the team has Heath Bell and Mike Adams of the San Diego Padres, Tyler Clippard of the Washington Nationals and Andrew Bailey of the Oakland Athletics as their main targets.
Rosenthal says the A’s aren’t ready to trade Bailey unless they receive an “overwhelming offer”.
Bell and Adams are two of the most prized pitchers this July and San Diego is in discussions with the Phillies, Yankees and other teams.
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Pirates willing to acquire a ‘high-priced rental’
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The Pittsburgh Pirates are just a 1/2 game behind the Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Central, and according to Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, the team is willing to consider acquiring a high-priced “rental” player to provide a boost in the playoff chase.
“We are open to various types of players, based on acquisition cost and fit on the club,” GM Neal Huntington said.
Biertempfel says that the Pirates are looking for a late-inning reliever and an impact bat, either a corner infielder or right fielder. ESPN’s Buster Olney tweeted yesterday (via Biertempfel) that the Pirates have contacted the Oakland Athletics about outfielder Josh Willingham.
The Pirates could also look at Aramis Ramirez, who as Biertempfel points out is on pace for 27 homers this season. He says that the Cubs are not expected to pick up his $16 million mutual option for 2012. That option would not automatically vest if he is traded, though he would get a $1 million relocation bonus.
Astros’ outfielder Hunter Pence has also been scouted by the Pirates. The 28-year old outfielder is making $6.9 million this season and has two years of arbitration eligibility left. Biertempfel adds that Pence is not worried about trade rumors.
“I’ve been an Astro my whole career. They’re all I know,” Pence said. “It’s completely out of my hands, so I embrace the challenge of doing what I’ve got to do each day. In this business, you never know, but it’s not something you should focus on.”
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Ubaldo Jimenez to the Yankees?
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Yesterday, we learned that there’s a 10 percent chance the Rockies could trade Ubaldo Jimenez. The Rockies have spoken with the New York Yankees and probably the Boston Red Sox, Detroit Tigers, Cincinnati Reds and others.
Today, Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated tweeted that a person with ties to the Rockies said that Jesus Montero won’t be the centerpiece of a Jimenez deal. He said that they would take him, but not as the center piece of the deal. This could make the Rockies asking price for Jimenez to rich for even the Yankees.
Jimenez, is under contract through 2014 if both club options are exercised and is set to make $17.95 million over the next three years. That’s quite affordable for an ace, even though this season he has struggled from time to time.
