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Archives for May 2009

Red Sox Could Shop Brad Penny

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Alex Speier of WEEI.com says Brad Penny could be a name floated in trade talks by the Red Sox. Not a huge surprise given Boston's ample starting pitching depth. Penny is only making $5MM on a one-year contract for 2009. Says Speier:

"Right now, the mention of Penny in trade speculation seems like precisely that: speculation. There had been some published suggestions that the Mets were likely to be interested in the right-hander, but a major-league source said that New York had no interest in acquiring the pitcher."

Penny is a veteran to the trade circuit, notes Speier. And despite his declaration that the Red Sox have been his "best experience being on a team in baseball thus far,” he acknowledges the team's pitching depth makes him expendable.

Peavy To Brewers Remains A Possibility

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Two months ago, a trade rumor involving Jake Peavy and the Brewers was shot down by Milwaukee GM Doug Melvin. But Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel says don't be surprised if the Brewers do indeed enter the sweepstakes.

The Padres appear to be seeking young pitching prospects and, says Haudricourt, the Brewers do not have that to offer. Further, Melvin has said he has no interest in trading Mat Gamel or Alcides Escobar, his top prospects. Still, the price for Peavy may come down "as suitors fall by the wayside" (i.e. possibly the entire AL) and Haudricourt repeatedly notes Brewers owner Mark Attanasio's financial creativity could make a deal plausible for the Brewers.

MLBTR posted a handy round up of what we know about Peavy and the Padres. And from yesterday's Odds & Ends: JorgeSaysNo! reiterates that the Brewers are a "perfect fit" for Jake Peavy, and Craig Calcaterra of NBCSports.com's "Circling The Bases" believes Milwaukee will need to move quickly in order to land him.

What would you do if you were Doug Melvin? Would you include Escobar or Gamel? Do the Brewers have the pitching prospects? Could Evan Anundsen or Jeremy Jeffress be part of a package?

Marlins, Loria Want “Substantive Changes”

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On a 4-game losing streak leaving the team 19-25, and with hopeful ace Ricky Nolasco demoted, the Marlins are not right. In a note, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald says the Marlins are looking to make a change.

"With owner Jeffrey Loria losing patience, the Marlins are talking to other teams and open to making substantive changes. Don't underestimate Loria's personnel involvement — he called for a move before the team promoted Chris Coghlan, who (before May) hadn't played left field since he was 12."

Jackson mentions Dan Uggla as a possible trade chip. Uggla is making $5.35MM in '09, his first year of arbitration, and after an abysmal beginning he may finally be starting to earn it by posting a 1.265 OPS with 4 HR and 9 RBI over his last 7 games.

The Marlins pitchers may lead the NL in strikeouts, but the team's 4.98 ERA is third to last and their 187 walks are tied with the Nats for most allowed.

There are lots of good comments discussing Marlins 2010 options and 2009 trade possibilities in this post.

Giants Shopping Matt Cain

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Brian Sabean has gone to market. The Giants G.M. is seeking a bat with Nick Johnson atop his list, according to Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News.

In a piece posted last night, Baggarly says Sabean is dangling Matt Cain to get a feel for his value on the open-market. "Because Cain is young, controllable and relatively cheap for two more seasons, it would require productive offensive players with similar service-time attributes to strike a deal," says Baggarly.

Cain will make only $2.65MM this year and $4.25MM next, with a $6.25MM club option for 2011. Coming off a complete game victory yesterday, Cain is 5-1 with a 2.40 ERA despite an increased walk rate and decreased strikeout rate in 2009.

Cardinals Shopping Greene

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Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe mentions the Cardinals are trying to trade Khalil Greene, who is struggling mightily in a contract year as a result of reported anxiety problems. Whenever a shortstop hits the block, it seems the Boston media has to consider the possibility. The position has been a black hole for the team since 2004. Cafardo says:

"The Cardinals are shopping Khalil Greene, and have inquired with the Sox about their interest. Greene is hitting .210 with two homers and 14 RBIs and has committed six errors. Bobby Crosby is hovering around .200 in Oakland. Are either the answer? The Sox appear to have enough offense that obtaining a defensive specialist could tide them over."

While a change of scenery may be what Greene needs, Boston may not be the best fit given the anxiety problems. Still, Cafardo explores the option because "frustration is beginning to build among other Sox players" due to poor defense from Julio Lugo and Nick Green. With his struggles, the Cardinals will have to eat some of his $6.5MM salary.

Jed Lowrie is expected back from wrist surgery after the All Star break.

Giants Seeking A Bat

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According to Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News, Giants GM Brian Sabean held court today.  Baggarly learned that Sabean is actively seeking a bat on the trade market, and the GM has even begun considering hitters who are headed toward free agency (a change from his earlier stance).

Baggarly believes Nationals first baseman Nick Johnson has to be near the top of the list.  Johnson has been linked to the Mets and Red Sox, the Mets perhaps more in a speculative sense.  Nats GM Mike Rizzo has to love the multiple suitors, but he might want to move Johnson while his stock is high.

The Giants are nine games out in the NL West, so the sooner they add offense the better.  The team is dead last in the NL in both OBP and SLG.  Speculating on other acquisition targets: Aubrey Huff, Dan Uggla, Mark DeRosa, Paul Konerko, Matt Holliday, and Felipe Lopez.  Other ideas?  One factor to consider is that the Giants are not willing to trade their top prospects.

Rosenthal: Phillies In Search Of Starters

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Ken Rosenthal appeared on the FOX broadcast of the Yankees vs. Phillies game this afternoon and dropped this bit of information:

"There is no question the Phillies want another starter, maybe even two starters the way this thing might evolve. In a perfect world, they would get a number 2 to fit behind Cole Hamels, someone better than Joe Blanton, the pitcher they acquired last season. Obviously, we've heard about Jake Peavy this week. He probably would not want to come to Philly. But you'll be hearing about guys like Erik Bedard and Jarrod Washburn, who both pitch for the Mariners, maybe even Roy Oswalt. The Phillies are going to inquire and be in on every one of those pitchers."

We're talking about fairly high-priced talent here.  Do the Phillies have that kind of scratch? They set a franchise payroll record this season.

Discussion: Erik Bedard

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We've covered Erik Bedard's situation with Seattle at length here on MLBTR, but there's nothing wrong with a little refresher.

  • He'll earn $7.75MM this season and is a free agent in 2010.
  • At 30 years of age, he boasts a career ERA of 3.74, a career WHIP of 1.32 and a 48-40 win-loss total.
  • If they decide to move him, the Mariners are likely to price him like an ace.  
I thought it'd be interesting to poll the readers.  Do you believe he'll be on the move before July 31?  What clubs are you expecting to take a run at him, and who has the kind of resources to land him?

Odds & Ends: Peavy, Gomes, Nolasco, Price

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Your Saturday afternoon links, with more to come…

MacPhail On The O’s

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Peter Schmuck of the Baltimore Sun spoke recently with Orioles president Andy MacPhail.  His club is on pace for less than 70 wins this season, but MacPhail is generally pleased with the direction the organization is headed.

"The Orioles are less than two seasons into his plan and this particular season has a very particular transitional purpose," writes Schmuck.  "That's why he's not willing to rush Matt Wieters and [Chris] Tillman and some of the other top prospects into the fray.  Wieters will be here in the next week or two and the others will come when the time is right, not because the club needs a marketing boost."

The O's made a couple of questionable personnel moves this offseason — signing Adam Eaton and dealing for Felix Pie — but the nucleus for future success would seem to be in place.  Adam Jones is a budding star in the outfield and Wieters is as close to a no-doubt prospect as they come.

"Things don't change overnight," MacPhail said Friday.  "We really have made more progress than what you could have reasonably assumed."

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