By Tim Dierkes | at
There's a "very good chance" the Reds don't make a trade by Saturday's deadline, GM Walt Jocketty told John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer.
Jocketty acknowledged that he's still looking for a veteran reliever, but he already acquired protection by signing free agents Russ Springer and Jason Isringhausen. Jocketty doesn't appear to be pursuing offensive help.
By Tim Dierkes | at
Today's rumblings from ESPN's Jayson Stark…
By Tim Dierkes | at
11:39am: The Rockies were telling teams yesterday that "they're waiting until Friday to assess where they are in the standings before they decide if they're still buyers," according to ESPN's Jayson Stark.
10:25am: The Rockies are now eight games out in the NL West and 5.5 back in the wild card. Talking to Dave Krieger of the Denver Post, Rockies GM Dan O'Dowd explained that the club has been struggling across the board, and trades can't fix everything. O'Dowd also talked about the expectation that plenty of players will be available in August:
"There's really not a ton of players on the market right now in the impactful category. There's one in particular I think if we're not able to acquire by the 31st probably wouldn't be there. The rest we've come across I don't think the 31st is necessarily a firm deadline."
O'Dowd appears to be referring to Jorge Cantu as the one target who will be traded by Saturday. Cantu is actually having a pretty bad year though; he's in the same offensive range as B.J. Upton, Jhonny Peralta, Howie Kendrick, and Jeff Francoeur. The Rockies might miss out on Cantu, as the Giants are said to be stepping up their pursuit.
O'Dowd talked about the bullpen market, saying he doesn't think it's possible to acquire a reliever who's pitching well right now. He also touched on the chances of the Rockies selling:
"I don't think we're going to be a seller unless it's something that fits with us strategically short term and long term. I still think we could even add if the right player was there for us, but it's got to be the right player. If we can rearrange some furniture a little bit in the process of doing that, we certainly would look at that."
Krieger thinks that means O'Dowd is willing to tinker with the team's offense. I wonder if an Aaron Cook trade fits with O'Dowd's strategy, as Jhoulys Chacin could replace him adequately right away. Joel Sherman of the New York Post wrote yesterday that the Rockies are quietly shopping Cook.
By Tim Dierkes | at
Scott Downs, Will Ohman, Javier Lopez, Craig Breslow, George Sherrill, Doug Slaten, Brian Tallet, Mark Hendrickson, and Bruce Chen make up most of the trade market for left-handed relievers. Today's rumors…
By Tim Dierkes | at
Jeremy Bonderman is seriously considering retiring at age 28 after the season, reports Vince Ellis of the Detroit Free Press. Bonderman will be a free agent, and he could hang up the spikes if he doesn't get an acceptable offer to return to the Tigers or sign with a team somewhat near his Pasco, Washington home.
Bonderman says he's saved a lot of money, so he has the ability to retire. He's earned over $40MM in his career, most of it coming from a four-year deal signed in '06. Bonderman should find interest if he decides to continue pitching. He's shown good health, decent peripherals, and flashes of his former velocity this year.
By Tim Dierkes | at
The Mets are quite concerned about their 2011 ticket sales, writes Joel Sherman of the New York Post. That concern could compel them to make a trade, but Sherman says their target is modest:
What I hear is the Mets are trying to locate a pitcher (probably a reliever) who is overpriced and not having a particularly strong season, but who their scouts like and pluck him for little to no prospect in return.
I can't speak for the Mets' scouts, but relievers Kerry Wood and Chad Qualls might fit the description.
By Ben Nicholson-Smith | at
Links for Tuesday, as Jose Bautista becomes the first major leaguer to reach the 30-homer plateau this season…
By Ben Nicholson-Smith | at
Maybe the Tigers and Rangers want to re-think their respective stances on Mike Lowell. Gordon Edes of ESPNBoston reported yesterday that the two clubs were losing interest in the Red Sox infielder, but Lowell homered three times in a rehab game for the Pawtucket Red Sox tonight. The Rangers are in on Jorge Cantu and others, while the Tigers may not add a bat this week, but Lowell is doing all he can to restore his trade value and his hip to full health. Here are the rest of tonight's Red Sox rumors:
By Ben Nicholson-Smith | at
Multiple teams are interested in Edwin Jackson, including the Nationals, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. The Nationals are trying to obtain pitching for Adam Dunn and flip that pitching to the Diamondbacks for Jackson.
The D’Backs seek a durable starter in any deal for Jackson and they should have suitors to choose from this week. Rosenthal reports that two to three clubs other than the Nationals are pursuing Jackson. Jack Magruder of FOX Sports Arizona reported on Twitter that the D'Backs would have to be "overwhelmed" to deal Jackson, but they would certainly consider it.
"If we could get a player back that could help at the major league level immediately, as well as help restock the farm system, we would listen," CEO Derrick Hall recently told MLB.com's Steve Gilbert.
Jackson has a 5.01 ERA with 7.0 K/9 and 4.0 BB/9 this season, plus a no-hitter. The 26-year-old has about $1.5MM remaining on his contract this year and will earn $8.35MM in 2011.
By Ben Nicholson-Smith | at
The Mariners released Joe Nelson, according to the transactions page for the Pacific Coast League. The Mariners signed Nelson in June and stashed the 35-year-old in Triple A after the Red Sox designated him for assignment.
Nelson had a 9.72 ERA in 8.1 big league innings this year, walking six and striking out nine. The 35-year-old has often posted high strikeout and walk rates in his MLB career and that trend didn't stop in the Mariners organization. The right-hander struck out a batter per inning at Triple A Tacoma, but allowed ten hits in eight innings, walking seven for a 6.75 ERA.
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