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Hideki Matsui

Buster Olney Drops Uncommon Trade Thoughts

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Buster Olney talks trade in his latest insider-only piece. Let’s have a look at the guys he names.

  • Ryan Howard. This is a tough one. Philly is in second place right now, and they should be in contention throughout the year. Howard has started poorly, but you can figure a rebound. While the Phillies might not be eager to pay Howard $25 to $30MM over the next two years, some other team might. I figure they could get a decent haul from, say, the Angels. Still, it’s hard to justify trading away your best power hitter (at least in name) while you’re vying for a playoff berth. The odds are long, very long for this one.
  • Hideki Matsui and Johnny Damon. No way, no how. Then again, Phillies fans are probably saying the same about Howard. The Yanks stagnant offense figures to improve once A-Rod returns next week and Jorge Posada gets back behind the dish next month. But Matsui leads the team in average, OBP, and slugging, while Damon is second in OBP. Unless the Yanks fall out of contention, there’s no way they’re trading these guys. Even so, they’re a pair of 34-year-old outfielders making $13 million a season, with 2009 guaranteed. There’s no way a team will offer anything close to equal value.
  • Ben Sheets. If the Brewers are going to contend this year, they’re going to need Sheets in the rotation. However, they’re 16-17 right now, and likely won’t see Yovani Gallardo for the rest of the season. The Brewers likely won’t keep Sheets after this year, anyway, so if they’re still in the middle of the pack, they can use the oft-injured ace to reload on players that can help them next year. Their lineup is still very young, with only two regulars over the age of 28. An influx of pitching could set them up well for next year.

Joe Pawlikowski writes for River Ave. Blues, a Yankees blog.

Odds and Ends: Crisp, Stewart, Meyer

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Let’s round ’em up!

Yankees Still Discussing Santana

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Ed Price of the Newark Star-Ledger spoke to Yankees senior VP Hank Steinbrenner yesterday.  He learned what we all suspected – the Yankees aren’t truly out of the running for Johan Santana, and have even spoken to the Twins recently about him.

Price’s Twins source indicated that the Yankees want to move Hideki Matsui’s $26MM before they get heavily involved for Santana.  Another option might be to ditch Mike Mussina and his $11MM salary for ’08.  He and Matsui both have no-trade protection though.

Yankees Bullpen Situation

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It’s well-known the Yankees want to improve their bullpen.  There’s been talk of converting young minor league starters into relief for 2008.  Otherwise, who’s on the radar?

  • A reliever could be acquired for Hideki Matsui – Tyler Kepner suggests Jonathan Sanchez or Kevin Correia.  Brad Hennessey is another possibility.
  • Kepner says the Yanks checked in on LaTroy Hawkins, Ron Mahay, and Trever Miller but haven’t made offers.  However, Mark Feinsand says the Yanks are talking to Hawkins about a one-year deal worth between $3.25-3.5MM.
  • Luis Vizcaino is probably out of the picture.  George King adds Jeremy Affeldt to the list of free agents the Yanks are checking out.
  • Peter Abraham says the Yanks are competing with the Royals for Mahay and that it might take three years, $9MM.  Pete Caldera recently said Mahay wants three years and $12MM though.  Bob Dutton notes that it’s Mahay’s agents pushing the Royals; they have little interest.
  • Rob Biertempfel says the Yankees and Astros have interest in acquiring Damaso Marte from the Bucs.  George King says John Grabow interests the Yanks as well.

The Giants and Hideki Matsui

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As we learned earlier this week, the Giants and Yankees have talked about a Hideki Matsui trade.  Let’s discuss.

  • According to Andrew Baggarly, talks are still in the early stages but the teams will meet again soon on the topic.  A source close to Matsui indicated that he’d waive his no-trade for San Fran.  However, the Giants are said to prefer adding a right-handed slugger.  Baggarly thinks the Giants would readily part with Jonathan Sanchez and Brad Hennessey, with Noah Lowry a possibility.  The Giants won’t part with Brian Wilson, their closer of the future.
  • Other notes from Baggarly – the Giants are over Miguel Tejada and were told Jay Bruce is untouchable.
  • Pete Caldera says the Yankees like Lowry but considers a deal a long shot.
  • Ed Price reports that Matsui’s agent hasn’t had a request about waiving the no-trade, and the agent won’t comment on Matsui’s willingness.
  • Don’t expect the Giants to acquire both Alex Rios and Matsui.  Tim Lincecum would stay if Lowry goes.  At this same link Mark Feinsand notes that subtracting Matsui’s contract might create more flexibility to acquire Johan Santana.

Giants Discuss Hideki Matsui, Reds Like Rios

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UPDATE, 12-6-07 at 1:38pm: Abraham has more than a no comment now – he confirms that the Yankees and Giants have discussed Matsui.  Abraham speculates that Noah Lowry could make sense.

UPDATE, 12-6-07 at 12:29pm: Peter Abraham got a "no comment" from Cashman  on Matsui.  Abraham implies that the no comment could be telling.  Abraham also adds that Matsui has said he would waive his no-trade clause.

FROM 12-6-07 at 10:31am:

Good stuff from the Toronto Sun’s Bob Elliott today.

  • Just a small blurb from Elliott – the Giants and Yanks have discussed Hideki Matsui.  Elliott notes that Matsui has a full no-trade clause.  He makes $13MM in each of the 2008 and ’09 seasons.  On November 8th, Ken Davidoff noted that the Yanks would prefer to move Matsui over Johnny Damon.  He added that it could be embarrassing for Matsui to leave New York.
  • Elliott also said the Reds are interested in Alex Rios.  If the Giants are pondering sending Tim Lincecum to the Jays for him, I imagine the Reds would have to counter with Homer Bailey.  Bailey, however, is less proven than Lincecum. 

ESPN’s Latest: Barrett, Ensberg, Mahay

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Who said the Meetings are over?  ESPN’s Peter Gammons, Buster Olney, and Jerry Crasnick are still running down rumors.

  • The Rays want Michael Barrett, according to Gammons.
  • Looks like Kevin Mench will be non-tendered.
  • Crasnick says the Marlins may go after Morgan Ensberg, who is also likely to be non-tendered.  The Phillies aren’t much interested in him.
  • Gammons says Ron Mahay is down to the Yanks or Royals.
  • He also says the Padres’ Milton Bradley signing won’t get in the way of their Kosuke Fukudome pursuit.
  • Olney backs up the rumor about the Giants’ interest in Hideki Matsui.

Odds and Ends: Lowell, Sabathia, Polanco

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I’m going to start up a catch-all Odds and Ends post for smaller rumors and notes today.  Refresh to see it grow.

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