Some late-night links on this Saturday night …
- The Pirates are considering exercising shortstop Ronny Cedeno's $3MM 2012 option, but they will likely pass on options for Chris Snyder ($6.75MM), Ryan Doumit ($7.25MM) and Paul Maholm ($9.75MM), according to Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com. As well, Langosch adds the Bucs have interest in re-signing first baseman Derrek Lee but will probably allow Ryan Ludwick to walk in free agency.
- MLB and the players union are close on a new collective bargaining agreement, tweets Jon Heyman of SI.com, although slotting for draft signing bonuses remains an issue of debate. Commissioner Bud Selig and some small-market teams are in favor of hard slotting, according to Heyman.
- Cubs president Theo Epstein said he wants to talk to starter Carlos Zambrano before deciding how to proceed in handling the right-hander, according to Carrie Muskat of MLB.com, whether that be retaining Zambrano or trying to trade him. As well, Epstein hinted at one of the organization's overarching goals: "We're looking for assets," Epstein said. "We're going to scratch and claw and do everything in our power — in the Draft, internationally, small trades, waiver claims. We need to build assets because we don't have enough of them.
- Royals GM Dayton Moore told Dick Kaegel of MLB.com that he will "explore trade possibilities to add a starter." Moore said the Royals probably won't try to sign a free-agent starter, however.
MetsMagic
Dillon Gee for Alex Gordon and Danny Duffy!
vtadave
Mets might have to throw in Willie Harris to get that deal done.
MetsMagic
Then who will we trade to Baltimore for Zach Britton and Manny Machado?
vtadave
Your mom?
BaseballLogic_Braves
Old insult? Nice try? You make me laugh?
John Foraker
O hell no hands off
Lefty
If I were GM which I am not, but if I were I would consider trading Jake Arrieta and Nolan Reimold for David Wright. As for Britton and Machado, Never!
wickedkevin
This Nelson guy cracks me up. He has the worst trade ideas and posts them all about 3 times each.
EdinsonPickle
That’s not funny; it’s cruel and demented.
cubsfan97
Nelson has the optimism of Omar Minaya…whatever happened to Minaya…oh yea…
windycitywarrior
What would the Royals give for Zambrano? If the Cubs paid the majority of his salary would they get a good return and what would they get. Signed Sox Fan.
stewie75
on a young squad like that? they’re not gonna want Z sniffin’ around such young and impressionable minds.
Damien Chafin
I could see the Royals and Braves spalshing around a few ideas.. JJ and some prospects for Gordon maybe?
Tired_OF_FakeRumors
the pirates want to get rid of maholm?!? Hes not a bad pitcher.
TaillonColeandBellOhMy
If the Pirates pick up Cedenos option I’m going to blow up PNC Park
John Bowman
Do you think that either of d’Arnaud or Ciriaco is ready?
TaillonColeandBellOhMy
I’d rather have Maholms option picked up and put him at short
harmony55
How about starter Michael Pineda and thirdbaseman Alex Liddi for thirdbaseman Mike Moustakas, outfielder Wil Myers and starter Mike Montgomery (two Seattle Mariner players who performed well in 2011 for three Royal players who had disappointing seasons)?
thelaundry
As a a Royals fan I don’t want to see any of those 3 guys in a trade unless King Felix is the guy coming back. And even then probably not Moustakas.
harmony55
I doubt the Royals could land Felix Hernandez for a 23-year-old thirdbaseman who posted an OPS of .675 in 89 MLB games (and a .287/.347/.498/.845 line at Triple A), a 22-year-old starter who posted a 5-11 record and 5.41 ERA at Triple A and a 20-year-old outfielder who posted a .254 batting average and .745 OPS at Double A.
andrew hamer
thats still an improvement over most of the mariners line up
Justin Long
Melky Cabrera + Mike Montgomery for a quality #2 Pitcher. Make it happy Dayton.
BaseballLogic_Braves
Braves and Royals, make something happen.