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Archives for July 2010

Aramis Ramirez Leaning Toward Exercising Option

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Aramis Ramirez is leaning toward exercising his $14.6MM player option for 2011, based on comments made to Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times:

"I want to stay here, but I've still got two months.  I haven't talked to my agent about it. But everybody knows I want to stay here. I guess I'm staying here [in 2011].''

Heading into the season, I thought a typical Ramirez campaign might prompt him to decline the option and seek a multiyear guarantee.  The 2010 season has not been typical, however, as Ramirez has limped to a .230/.286/.438 line in 311 plate appearances.  His poor play was limited to the season's first two months, and he's got nine home runs in July.  If Ramirez does exercise his player option, Adrian Beltre will be the only big name free agent at the hot corner.

Ramirez's 2012 mutual option is a large factor.  That has a $2MM buyout attached if the Cubs decline, meaning Ramirez stands to earn either $16.6MM for one year or $30.6MM for two, depending on what the team does. 

Roy Oswalt Rumors: Tuesday

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Yesterday we learned that location doesn't matter for Roy Oswalt, but he will require his $16MM option for 2012 to be picked up upon a trade.  The Astros' asking price remains high even as the number of suitors dwindles.  Today's rumors, with the latest bullets added up top throughout the day…

  • The Rangers looked into acquiring Oswalt even after completing the Cliff Lee deal, reports Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.  There is no match in terms of players, and the money would've been extremely challenging.  Still, the inquiry shows that the Rangers are not messing around.

Marlins To Explore Long-Term Deals With Players

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TUESDAY, 7:00am: Uggla said a contract extension "would make me a very happy man," reports MLB.com's Joe Frisaro.

MONDAY, 10:09pm: The Marlins will explore multi-year deals with “more than one” of their current players, president of baseball operations Larry Beinfest told Juan C. Rodriguez of the South Florida Sun Sentinel.  A source close to the Marlins told Rodriguez that the team hopes to sign Dan Uggla and Ricky Nolasco long-term this winter.

Both players have been in their share of trade rumors, but the club appears to have interest in keeping them around long-term. Nolasco will hit free agency after 2012 if the Marlins don't extend him. The 27-year-old makes $3.8MM this season and will receive pay raises after 2010 and 2011. Like Dan Haren, Nolasco has a relatively high ERA (4.50) but strong strikeout (8.0 K/9) and walk (1.8 BB/9) rates. 

Uggla would hit free agency after 2011 if he doesn't sign an extension. This year, the Marlins are paying him $7.8MM and he will get a raise through arbitration next season. It wouldn't be a surprise to see Uggla, who is on pace for a fourth consecutive 30-homer season, earn eight figures through arbitration in 2011.

Odds & Ends: Donnelly, Guillen, Mets, Red Sox

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Links for Monday, as we congratulate Matt Garza for throwing the first no-hitter in Rays history…

Competition For Scott Downs Heating Up

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MONDAY, 11:13pm: Talks between Blue Jays and Red Sox about a potential Downs deal aren’t currently progressing, according to Rob Bradford of WEEI.com. However, things can change quickly in the week leading up to the non-waiver trade deadline, so the Blue Jays are still scouting Red Sox single A pitcher Roman Mendez, according to Alex Speier.

SUNDAY, 12:28pm: ESPN.com's Buster Olney says the Blue Jays' discussions involving Downs are drawing "fascination" from rival executives who are curious to see what Toronto can acquire. The Jays have been asking for a significant return in part because of Downs' Type A status, but some execs don't believe that should be a factor, and feel the Jays are demanding too much for a non-closer (all Twitter links).

9:14am: The competition in the Scott Downs sweepstakes is "fierce," tweets Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. Morosi suggests that the Yankees and the Red Sox are the current front-runners, but that the Mets, Reds, and Twins are also involved.

In a year where the bullpen options are scarce, Downs stands out as not only the top left-handed arm available among an underwhelming group of southpaws, but also as one of the best overall relievers on the market. As MLBTR's Ben Nicholson-Smith pointed out when he examined Downs' trade value, the lefty seems headed for Type A designation, meaning he could potentially be worth a pair of draft picks for whichever team he finishes the year with.

Besides the clubs Morosi names, the Dodgers, Rockies, and Phillies are among others that have been linked to Downs this month.

Red Sox Offered Ramirez For Barajas; Deal Unlikely

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The Red Sox offered reliever Ramon Ramirez to the Mets for Rod Barajas before the catcher went on the disabled list, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (via Twitter). A source confirmed to Alex Speier of WEEI.com that the Red Sox and Mets discussed several trade possibilities involving Ramirez, including one that involved Barajas. However, Speier's source says the Red Sox aren't likely to trade Ramirez to the Mets.

The failed trade tells us two things about Boston's intentions for the coming week. First, it tells us that the Red Sox are willing to part with Ramirez, as Gordon Edes of ESPNBoston reported on Twitter earlier today. It's not a surprise, since Ramirez, who makes $1.55MM this year, will get raises in 2011 and 2012 before hitting free agency. He's not super-cheap, and he's effective (4.69 ERA, 6.2 K/9, 3.3 BB/9), but far from dominant.

Secondly, we are reminded that the Red Sox want to add a catcher, even though Victor Martinez is returning from the DL tonight. They have been connected to Chris Snyder and Chris Iannetta for months, and could pursue John Buck if they're interested in a short-term fix behind the plate. The list of potentially available catchers isn't a long one, so the Red Sox have limited ways of upgrading over Dusty Brown or Kevin Cash.

D’Backs Likely To Continue Trading

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The D’Backs have already traded Conor Jackson and Dan Haren, but MLB.com’s Steve Gilbert reports that they aren’t done dealing yet. Interim GM Jerry Dipoto would still like to trade Chris Snyder and Chad Qualls, according to Gilbert. Team officials are also open to dealing Adam LaRoche and Edwin Jackson.

Gilbert reports that the D'Backs have not discussed a three-team deal that involving Jackson, the White Sox and the Nationals, though Washington does appear to have interest in the right-hander. The Red Sox, who offered Ramon Ramirez to the Mets for Rod Barajas, have had interest in Snyder, so it would not be a surprise to see the catcher traded to Boston. The White Sox and Angels are among the teams that have some interest in LaRoche and the Rays have interest in Qualls despite his lofty 8.49 ERA.

All of the players Gilbert names have attracted some interest, so Dipoto will have the chance to make many deals. Other than Justin Upton and possibly Ian Kennedy, contenders will be able to obtain just about anyone on the D'Backs.

Yankees Trying To Trade Chan Ho Park

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The Yankees are trying to trade Chan Ho Park, according to ESPN.com's Jayson Stark (via Twitter). The market for relievers is thin, but adding Park to it doesn't change much for teams in search of relief help. The 37-year-old has allowed seven homers and 30 other hits in 32.1 innings for a 5.57 ERA. Park's strikeout (7.2 K/9) and walk (2.5 BB/9) numbers have been above-average, but he has been hittable in 2010.

Park earns $1.2MM this season before hitting free agency. He missed time with a hamstring injury earlier in the year and his place in the Yankees 'pen has been less than secure since May. Presumably, the Yankees would part with Park for salary relief or a fringe prospect.

Roy Oswalt Rumors: Monday

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Roy Oswalt is the best available starter with Dan Haren off the board, though there's no guarantee that the Astros move the righty. He has a substantial contract with a no-trade clause and the Astros are demanding lots in return for their ace. Here is the latest on Oswalt, with new bullets added at the top throughout the day…

  • Oswalt told MLB.com's Brian McTaggart that "location doesn't matter," in case any doubt remained. Earlier today, Oswalt told Bernardo Fallas of the Houston Chronicle that he would accept a deal to the East Coast under the right circumstances. "That’s not an issue," he said.
  • Oswalt will not approve any trade unless the acquiring team picks up his 2012 option, according to Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Oswalt would consider deferring money, but he will not accept a deal unless the team trading for him picks up his $16MM option (Twitter link).
  • A source tells Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports that Oswalt does not want to play for the Phillies.
  • ESPN's Jayson Stark says the Astros seek "a young, front-line player off the big-league roster, two high-end prospects and one more prospect" for Oswalt, making a trade far from a sure thing.  Stark contends that Astros owner Drayton McLane will require a return he can brag about.
  • The Cardinals "don’t feel confident in their ability" to acquire Oswalt, reports Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports.  The Cards face the added wrinkle of playing in the same division as th Astros.  GM John Mozeliak, speaking in general terms, told Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch "I can't say I'm encouraged" about making a major pitching move.
  • The Phillies could acquire Oswalt without moving Jayson Werth, writes MLB.com's Todd Zolecki.  Morosi feels that the Phillies represent "one of the more viable landing spots for Oswalt." 

Rays Will Consider Two-Month Rentals

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The Rays have shown interest in impending free agents Cliff Lee and Jayson Werth this summer, so they seem prepared to invest in players who won’t necessarily stay in Tampa after 2010. Today, GM Andrew Friedman confirmed to Roger Mooney of the Tampa Tribune that the Rays are interested in players who aren’t under long-term control.

“There are some we’re looking at that we can control short-term and some that we can control longer,” Friedman said, noting that his decisions will vary depending on the situation. “We’re open-minded to either [type of player].”

Friedman says he sees fewer impact players available than there were in 2008 or 2009 and that seems especially true now that Lee and Dan Haren are off the market. The Rays don’t appear confident in their ability to acquire Werth, but Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports reported today that the team has interest in Chad Qualls.

The Rays, who seem willing to trade prospects, face a payroll drop in 2011, which may contribute to their interest in free agents-to-be. Owner Stuart Sternberg is prepared to spend in 2010, but the Rays will face cuts in 2011, when payroll is expected to drop below $60MM.

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