Another round of links, as Nick Swisher prevents Cliff Lee's trade value from getting too high…
- GM Kenny Williams told Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times that the White Sox aren't desperate for anything right now.
- Reporters asked Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik about Lee, but Zduriencik just repeated that the Mariners are focusing on winning as many games as possible, according to Larry Stone of the Seattle Times.
- MLB.com's Todd Zolecki reports that the Phillies have a scout at tonight's Yankees-Mariners game, though it could be part of the scout's normal coverage.
- ESPN.com's Buster Olney hears that Mets infielder Ruben Tejada would not be enough to anchor a deal for Lee, but prospect Wilmer Flores could be (Twitter links). Earlier today, MLBTR's Tim Dierkes looked at the Mets' ability to acquire Lee without giving up Jenrry Mejia.
- Now that the Indians have given first rounder Drew Pomeranz his physical, they're one step closer to starting negotiations with the left-hander, according to MLB.com's Anthony Castrovince.
- Cal Ripken Jr. told Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun that he may take a job in the Orioles organization. So could Ripken become the team's next manager? No.
- Many players read MLBTR, but something tells me Adam Dunn isn't one of them. He told Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post that he hates trade rumblings when he's involved in them. The Nationals are open to making deals and teams are interested in Dunn.
UnknownPoster
“Many players read MLBTR, but something tells me Adam Dunn isn’t one of them. He told Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post that he hates trade rumblings when he’s involved in them.”
He doesnt like them when he’s involved(but no one does), but he still could like them otherwise
Fantasy Mike
ESPN.com’s Buster Olney hears that Mets infielder Ruben Tejada would not be enough to anchor a deal for Lee
That’s damn fine reporting by Buster Olney, damn fine.
frank_costanza
I find it hard to believe that Phillies scouts were just doing their routine scouting considering that the Phillies just played the Yankees a week ago. That being said, it would also be hard to believe that the Phillies were scouting Lee. What is there to scout? They know who he is. I just cant think of any other potential tradable pieces that they would be scouting, unless there is an infielder or Ardsma is available.
ReverendBlack
Scouting Report: Yep, that was still a helluva mistake.
cbcbcb
The trade was so bazarre in the first place with the junk that they got for Lee, that it seems like there was some sort of handshake agreement whereby the Mariners would offer the Phillies a discount for Lee midseason if they decided they needed him.
frank_costanza
well as a Phillies fan, I can only hope thats the case haha. I was one of the few people who not necessarily liked or disliked the trade, but understood why the trade was made.
the Phillies farm system was sucked dry in the Halladay deal, and they needed to have some talented young guys to replace the ones they lost. That being said, of course there is no guarantee that these prospects will ever amount to anything, but I understand why the Phillies felt the need to do what they did. Sure they are a “win now” team, but theyre in good shape to win for years to come. Just about all of their big talent is young or relatively young, and it wont be possible to retain all of them, so they need the best farm they can possibly have to replenish the players they lose.
And regardlessly of whether or not they kept Lee, the one thing everyone knew is that the Phillies were going to be the favorite in NL, and rightfully so.
CrustyJuggler
Unless the Mets go nuts and offer like a 4 player deal I don’t see how they can get Lee without Mejia in the mix.
Watched the Lee VS Yankees game. Probably the worst I’ve seen him pitch all year. …And he still threw a CG.
I’m going to miss that guy.
frank_costanza
i miss the way he runs out to the mound, does the arm windmill, and then pantomimes the pitch into center field.
Guest 3476
Crusty,Lee didn’t pitched THAT bad tonight(other than facing Swisher tonight and at the end of the game). but other than that,he still gave a quality start and got his THIRD straight complete game for the M’s this season.WOW!
CrustyJuggler
Are you serious!!! He pitched HORRIBLY!!! Didn’t you see that AB against Posada? Lee walked him.. HE ACTUALLY WALKED HIM!
Horribly display by Lee and I hope he has got all the “base-on-balls” stuff out of his system.
🙂
ReverendBlack
Didn’t see the game, but saw that he threw something like 103 fastballs? Amazing.
Gocubs2010
why do teams over use pitchers when they know they aren’t going to be able to keep him? Jays with Halladay, Lee with M’s, CC with Brewers.
CrustyJuggler
Overuse? What did Lee have tonight? 113 pitches?
No, 100-115 pitches is pretty normal for a starting pitcher. Thing is, Lee gets 9 innings out of it and most others are chased around the 6th.
Dock_Elvis
It’s nice having a guy go late into a game. It could only help to increase his trade value. I’m not sure Sabathia’s situtation fits here as he was traded for during a heated wild card race.
Dock_Elvis
It’s nice having a guy go late into a game. It could only help to increase his trade value. I’m not sure Sabathia’s situtation fits here as he was traded for during a heated wild card race.
Spirit of '69
While Lee was pitching that third straight complete game another event of relevance to this developing story took place in Puerto Rico. The Mets lost their second consecutive game to the Marlins, and in both games starting pitching did them in. Tonight Hisanori Takahashi blew a three run lead, giving up six runs in the third inning and all with two outs. Even still, they tied it in the top of the ninth only to lose it in the bottom of the ninth on an Uggla RBI single, again with two outs.
So R.A. Dickey and Takahashi, who have done a terrific job over the past month and a half, are now faltering. If the Mets had won both games they’d be in first place right now instead of a game and half back. This ratchets up the pressure even more to get Lee or at least another high quality starter, which means people who were off the table earlier tonight might now just be on the table.
frank_costanza
i dont know if people are on the table necessarily. I mean the Mets front office would have to be REALLY REALLY REALLY stupid to think that RA Dickey and Takahashi would continue what they were doing and take them into the post season. They wanted to add another top flight starter as it was, I dont think anything has changed.
Spirit of '69
Frank — The Mets front office is not REALLY, REALLY, REALLY stupid. It’s downright delusional, and that’s been the heart of the team’s problems for the last several years. This past off-season the need to upgrade the starting rotation was obvious, yet they deluded themselves into thinking they could trust 40% of the rotation to Oliver Perez and John Maine. If Dicky and Takahashi had won the past two nights and the Mets were in first place this morning, I guarantee you there would be high-level people — perhaps even the owner — wondering out loud if they shouldn’t just stand pat, believing these two guys could carry them through to the end.
I hate to lose, but if these last two outings lead to the Mets getting Cliff Lee and then moving one of Dickey or Takahashi to the bullpen where they could be effective, these last two losses could wind up being a blessing in disguise. It was Pedro Feliciano who lost the game last night, probably because he pitches almost every night. Another top flight starter upgrades the rotation, and, just as importantly, bolsters a bullpen that’s always an adventure.
Spirit of '69
Frank — The Mets front office is not REALLY, REALLY, REALLY stupid. It’s downright delusional, and that’s been the heart of the team’s problems for the last several years. This past off-season the need to upgrade the starting rotation was obvious, yet they deluded themselves into thinking they could trust 40% of the rotation to Oliver Perez and John Maine. If Dicky and Takahashi had won the past two nights and the Mets were in first place this morning, I guarantee you there would be high-level people — perhaps even the owner — wondering out loud if they shouldn’t just stand pat, believing these two guys could carry them through to the end.
I hate to lose, but if these last two outings lead to the Mets getting Cliff Lee and then moving one of Dickey or Takahashi to the bullpen where they could be effective, these last two losses could wind up being a blessing in disguise. It was Pedro Feliciano who lost the game last night, probably because he pitches almost every night. Another top flight starter upgrades the rotation, and, just as importantly, bolsters a bullpen that’s always an adventure.
Ted Matula
Been hearing Cowley on local sports radio a lot; seems like Kenny’s been dodging him a lot . . . and suddenly Kenny’s talking again to report that the White Sox “are not desperate for anything right now.” Sounds like Kenny’s about to make a deal.
aap212
The Mets should go for Oswalt instead of Lee. It will be more than a rental and they’ll be dealing with a dimmer GM.
Belandsexo
M’s need to just hold out for the Mets or Twins to crack. Twins trio of Baker, Slowey, Blackburn have been horrific of late. Liriano is even struggling now. Dickey and Takahashi have finally come back to earth. Santana is struggling.
One of these teams will crack. Probably the Mets given the pressure on Omar.
sportsnut969
There’s no hurry for the Indians when it comes to Drew Pomeranz because they will most likely make him do 3 to 4 years in the minors before he even gets to smells the air in a major league stadium with a Indians pro jersey on.
You will never see the Indians fast track a polished college starting pitcher like Pomeranz they are worried about losing Arby years being owned by the a cheap Arse owned like the Dolans.
You would never see them do like Cincy did with Mike Leak, all the talking heads said Alex White may have been the best pitcher over in last years drat after Strausberg but you still find him at the AA level even with our very poor pitching this year from our # 4 and 5 starters this year.
And the Dumb Arses wonder why the fans don’t come out ?? Why do we only average 6500 to 10,000 per game WELL YOU SUCK that’s why
sportsnut969
There’s no hurry for the Indians when it comes to Drew Pomeranz because they will most likely make him do 3 to 4 years in the minors before he even gets to smells the air in a major league stadium with a Indians pro jersey on.
You will never see the Indians fast track a polished college starting pitcher like Pomeranz they are worried about losing Arby years being owned by the a cheap Arse owned like the Dolans.
You would never see them do like Cincy did with Mike Leak, all the talking heads said Alex White may have been the best pitcher over in last years drat after Strausberg but you still find him at the AA level even with our very poor pitching this year from our # 4 and 5 starters this year.
And the Dumb Arses wonder why the fans don’t come out ?? Why do we only average 6500 to 10,000 per game WELL YOU SUCK that’s why