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Archives for July 2009

Rays Could Move Kazmir

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According to Ed Price at AOL Fanhouse, the Rays are itching to deal, with Roy Halladay, Victor Martinez and Cliff Lee on the radar. Now, they're apparently willing to dangle Scott Kazmir as part of a deal, and the Angels are said to have "some interest" in acquiring him.

The Rays are four games out of first place and were on the bad end of Mark Buehrle's perfect game today, which could be an impetus to make an impact deal. Kazmir has struggled mightily this season, putting up a 6.69 ERA and 58/40 K/BB ratio. He makes $6MM this year and has $22.5MM remaining on his contract after this season.

Red Sox After Adrian Gonzalez?

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According to Sean McAdam at the Boston Herald, the Red Sox have been "very aggressive" in their pursuit of Adrian Gonzalez from the Padres, but their offers have been "rebuffed."

The Adam LaRoche acquisition may have just been one domino falling before a major acquisition, McAdam notes, as the Sox have been spending the final week before the trade deadline to hunt for an impact bat. Their interest in Victor Martinez is well-known, but a source tells McAdam the cost for Martinez has been "prohibitive." McAdam also says that if another deal is in the works, it will be for a player "that can upgrade the Sox not only this year, but for several seasons to come."

The Padres haven't formally put Gonzalez on the trading block, and indications are that the first baseman is staying put.

Padres To Extend Bud Black Through 2010

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Padres COO Jeff Moorad says manager Bud Black will receive a one-year extension, according to MLB.com's Corey Brock. Word of the extension, which was announced in general terms earlier this month, comes from XX 1090 in San Diego. Black's current deal expires after this season, but he'll soon be under contract to manage the Padres through 2010. Since 2007, Black has led the Padres to a 189-231 record. The highlight of his Padres career to-date came in 2007, when he led the Padres to within a game of a playoff berth.

“Slim” Chance Rays Make Blockbuster Deal

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Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports says the Rays are pursuing the biggest stars available, but remain unlikely to acquire any of them. Payroll limitations could prevent the Rays from adding Victor Martinez, Cliff Lee or Roy Halladay. The Rays would consider parting with Scott Kazmir and Carl Crawford, though the chances they deal their star left fielder are "close to zero."

Rosenthal says ambitious trade talks aren't uncommon leading up to the deadline. One GM believes the Rays are "shooting in the dark" and doubts they will acquire a big name player. However, the Blue Jays are a potential fit for the Rays. They like Tampa's young talent, and Rosenthal hears that Halladay would accept a trade to the team.

Brian Anderson Asks White Sox For Trade

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3:47pm: Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times says Anderson "isn't going anywhere." The club has tried to trade him recently with no success. 

1:21pm: Brian Anderson wants the White Sox to trade him, according to MLB.com's Scott Merkin. The 27-year-old outfielder explained to GM Kenny Williams why he believes he'd do better with another organization.

"I need to play every day and be an everyday big-leaguer," Anderson said. "I have more to offer. If it's not with the White Sox, then maybe it really is time for a change."

The former first rounder headed to Triple A with a positive attitude earlier in the week, after the White Sox activated Carlos Quentin. Anderson has a .238/.322/.319 line this year with a pair of home runs in 65 games.

Stark On Deadline Deals

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ESPN.com's Jayson Stark says this year's deadline will be different than others, since more players will clear waivers, allowing teams to deal until the end of August. Matt Holliday, Jarrod Washburn and Jack Wilson are all "likely to zip through waivers" next month. Here are the rest of Stark's rumors:

  • The Phillies are as motivated as ever to acquire Roy Halladay. Their goal is to win the World Series, not make the playoffs.
  • The Phils don't want to trade Kyle Drabek or J.A. Happ, but one GM believes they should include Drabek if one of the two has to go.
  • The Phillies may have to decide which outfielder to include in a deal: Michael Taylor or Dominic Brown. One scout says there's "nothing not to like" about Taylor.  
  • Acquiring Cliff Lee would take a "four-for-one, Halladay-esque Package."
  • The Dodgers, Angels, Phillies, Rays and Brewers are scouting Lee. 
  • Both the Blue Jays and Indians want top young arms for their aces, but the Indians aren't demanding big-league ready prospects, as long as they get a high-upside group.
  • Expect Lee to be traded close to the deadline, if he's moved at all, because the Halladay saga will need resolution first.
  • The Orioles have two prices for George Sherrill. Teams willing to take on his salary have to give up a premium prospect and another prospect, but if the O's have to pay Sherrill, they want a premium prospect and two other players.
  • Danys Baez's value has plummeted recently.
  • The Braves, unsure of how much Tim Hudson can contribute, are leaning heavily towards keeping Javier Vazquez.
  • Adding a reliever is now the Dodgers' top priority.    
  • The Phillies have some interest in Ryan Spilborghs, Scott Hairston and Ryan Raburn.
  • The Reds would like to deal some of their expensive pitchers.
  • July 31st is also the deadline for Japanese teams to acquire foreign players for the rest of their season, so if Scott Boras is going to send Stephen Strasburg overseas, this will have to be the week.
  • The Cubs are looking at left-handed relievers, including Sherrill, John Grabow and Joe Beimel. 

Rockies Acquire Rafael Betancourt

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2:52pm: Troy Renck of the Denver Post says the Rockies traded Single A pitcher Connor Graham to the Indians for Betancourt.

2:32pm: Ed Price of AOL FanHouse says the Rockies acquired Rafael Betancourt from the Indians.

1:01pm: MLB.com reports that the Rockies will trade for right-handed bullpen help today. We'll update you as information becomes available.

Rays Pursuing Victor Martinez

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The Rays are now pursuing Victor Martinez, Jon Heyman of SI.com reports. They have Jeff Niemann, Wade Davis and Jeremy Hellickson to offer the Indians, though the clubs aren't believed to have exchanged names. The Red Sox have many top young pitchers as well and have been discussing Martinez for weeks with the Indians. Boston remains interested in V-Mart, even after adding Adam LaRoche, but one GM believes the two clubs would have completed a deal weeks ago if one was going to happen.

Rays catcher Dioner Navarro has been a disappointment this year, hitting just .223/.253/.327. He has five homers, but his strikeout to walk ratio has deteriorated badly.

The Rays are also discussing Cliff Lee with the Indians and R.J. Anderson of DRaysBay hears that the club has interest in Chad Qualls.

Rays Talked To Indians About Acquiring Lee

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1:07pm: Ken Rosenthal now hears that the Rays may involve a third team in the deal to provide the Indians with more pitching.

8:25am: No deal is imminent, but the Rays and Indians discussed a deal that would send Cliff Lee to the Rays for prospects, accoding to Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. Wade Davis is believed to be among the top prospects that interest Indians GM Mark Shapiro, but the Rays have been reluctant to deal the 23-year-old righty. 

Davis isn't considered an elite prospect along the lines of Clay Buchholz or Tommy Hanson, but the Rays want to keep him and would be more open to dealing Reid Brignac. The Indians are said to want pitching in exchange for Lee, so it's likely the Rays would presumably have to part with some to acquire the reigning Cy Young Award winner.

The Rays are also interested in Rafael Betancourt, Jason Frasor and Michael Wuertz.

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