« Poll: Biggest Name Traded Today | Main | Dodgers In Serious Talks For Victorino »
The Nationals and Brewers have interest in Red Sox catcher Kelly Shoppach, tweets Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe. The 32-year-old backstop has performed well as Jarrod Saltalamacchia's backup, hitting .261/.343/.513 in 136 plate appearances. Shoppach has about $470K remaining on his contract this year.
« Nationals, Brewers Interested In Shoppach | Main
Roughly 9% of you feel that Phillies center fielder Shane Victorino will be the biggest name dealt today. The latest:
« Dodgers In Serious Talks For Victorino | Main
8:37am: The Diamondbacks are one of the teams to which Lee can block a trade, notes Rosenthal.
8:08am: The Diamondbacks say Upton is definitely staying and there is no truth to rumors of Lee or Hernandez, tweets Bob Nightengale of USA Today. That, of course, does not make Rosenthal's report of the D'Backs seeking an ace pitcher untrue. Meanwhile, Nightengale notes that the club is likely to trade shortstop Stephen Drew today.
3:59am: The Diamondbacks are trying to swing a blockbuster for an unknown ace starting pitcher, reports Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. One rival executive "received indications that the Phillies and Diamondbacks had discussed a deal involving Cliff Lee and Justin Upton," but that scenario is unconfirmed and it is not known whether the D'Backs are among the 21 teams to which Lee can block a trade. Plus, Kevin Towers and company would need serious assistance covering the $95.1MM guaranteed to the Phillies' lefty through 2015.
Rosenthal notes that the Mariners inquired on Upton earlier this month, but talks failed to progress. Given that club's repeated comments on and off record, we can probably forget about Felix Hernandez.
Rosenthal did not mention the Marlins' Josh Johnson, who is reportedly expected to stay put through today's deadline. It's difficult to name another ace-like starting pitcher on whom a team might listen.
« Enter The DraftStreet Trade Deadline Freeroll | Main
Yahoo's Jeff Passan posted his latest information in an early-morning column; here are a few highlights.
« Red Sox Called Braves, Rangers About Beckett | Main | Enter The DraftStreet Trade Deadline Freeroll »
It's been a busy weekend in baseball's Western divisions; the Angels have landed Zack Greinke, the Padres have extended Huston Street, the Giants have landed Marco Scutaro and the Diamondbacks have acquired Chris Johnson. There's still plenty of news and potential action out west, however... here are tonight's links:
« West Notes: D-Backs, Drew, Yunel, Headley | Main | Passan On Beckett, Marlins, Headley, Pence »
Pick one player from each of eight tiers and you've got a shot at part of the $400 prize pool in DraftStreet's latest MLBTR freeroll! You've got nothing to lose by signing up and making your picks, as this game has no entry fee. You'll be competing based on the stats your eight players accumulate in games on Tuesday, July 31st - trade deadline day.
I've chosen an all-offense strategy, with huge power coming from bats like Ryan Braun, Prince Fielder, and Michael Morse, plus plenty of speed from Mike Trout, Ian Kinsler, and Jacoby Ellsbury. Check out the scoring categories in the rules section. A screenshot of my roster:
Take five minutes to make your picks for Tuesday's games, and you've got a shot at the $400 prize pool! Please note that this post is a paid advertisement by DraftStreet.
« MLBTR Originals | Main
David Wright is more than a year away from hitting free agency, but the Mets hope to sign him to an extension sooner, rather than later, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports. The Mets don't want to experience the tension that would occur if Wright enters the 2013 without a long-term deal, and the team's officials sound confident they'll find common ground with the ACES client this offseason.
Wright earns $15MM this season and his contract includes a $16MM club option for 2013 ($1MM buyout) that will definitely be exercised. The 29-year-old is playing at an MVP level this year, which means the Mets probably can't expect to lock him up for a deal similar to Ryan Zimmerman's six-year, $100MM contract.
Cano's contract status is similar to Wright's. The second baseman earns $14MM this year and his contract includes a $15MM club option ($2MM buyout for 2013). Like Wright, Cano is playing at an MVP level and his contract option is sure to be picked up. The Yankees have a club policy of waiting for players to hit free agency before negotiating contracts, but Cano says he'd listen if the Yankees have a proposal.
'I am always open to hearing anything,' he said, according to Sherman. 'If it works for both sides, that is great. But I have to hear an offer.'
The Yankees aim to avoid the luxury tax by 2014, so GM Brian Cashman might have to get creative to retain Cano and Curtis Granderson (Granderson is also under team control through 2013). Cano, 29, felt underpaid on the contract he signed with his previous representatives and wants to make a score on his next contract, Sherman reports.
Agent Scott Boras, who represents Cano, said it costs elite prices to buy elite players out of free agent years. Boras pointed out that the Yankees generate far more revenue than most teams and said clubs sometimes have to commit to ten-year deals for the privilege of locking up an elite player for his prime years.
« Quick Hits: Padres, Victorino, Red Sox, Liriano | Main | MLBTR Originals »
SUNDAY, 12:51am: The Brewers will receive right-handed reliever Fautino De Los Santos in the trade according to Susan Slusser of The San Francisco Chronicle. The 26-year-old pitched to a 7.25 ERA in 36 Triple-A innings this year and owns a 4.21 ERA with 11.4 K/9 and 5.0 BB/9 in 36 1/3 big league innings with Oakland over the last two seasons.
SATURDAY, 3:05pm: The Brewers and Athletics have agreed on a trade to send catcher George Kottaras to Oakland, tweets Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com. It's not yet known what the Brewers will receive in return.
Kottaras, 29, was designated for assignment by Milwaukee on Thursday. The catcher has a .209/.409/.360 slash line in 116 plate appearances this year for the Brewers. In parts of five big league seasons, Kottaras owns a .221/.326/.402 batting line. The Brewers replenished their catching depth this afternoon when they inked Humberto Quintero to a minor league deal.
Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports (via Twitter) first reported that the two sides were nearing a deal for the catcher.
« Central Notes: Cardinals, Reds, Willingham, Ryan | Main | Quick Hits: Headley, Fire Sales, Draft Picks »
Though the Giants did pick up some infield help in Marco Scutaro earlier tonight, the Giants are focusing on relief pitching given the high cost of a big hitter, reports Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle. He cites Matt Belisle, Rafael Betancourt, Brandon League, Chris Perez and Francisco Rodriguez as a few of the names linked to San Francisco and "if there's a guy who has experience pitching in the later innings and he's now on a second-division team, you can bet the Giants are looking into him," Schulman writes.
The Giants aren't the only team who are looking into the arms race as we head towards the trade deadline. Here are some more pitching-related rumors...
« NL East Notes: Phils, Victorino, Braves, Reyes, Buehrle | Main | Pitching Rumors: Shields, Orioles, Felix, Angels »
Three of baseball's hottest teams reside in the NL Central, where the Reds (15 wins in their last 17 games) hold a two-game lead over the Pirates (15-6 in their last 21 games) and a 5.5 game lead over the Cardinals (seven wins in their last eight games). Let's check out the latest from both leagues' Central divisions...
« Pitching Rumors: Shields, Orioles, Felix, Angels | Main
With such notable names as Zack Greinke, Wandy Rodriguez and Hanley Ramirez already dealt, what other big moves could see as we head into the last weekend before the trade deadline? Here are a few items to kick off Saturday...
« Quick Hits: Gregerson, Rangers, Indians, Escobar | Main
Three AL East executives said they view the Red Sox as the Yankees' greatest intra-divisional threat this year, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports. 'There is just too much talent on that roster for them not to contend,' one of the executives said of the Red Sox. Here are the latest notes and rumors from Sherman...
« NL Central Notes: Correia, Greinke, Hart, Ramirez | Main | Sherman On Red Sox, Crawford, Shields »
As usual, the market for relievers is developing late. One name to watch, according to Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports (via Twitter) is Padres right-hander Luke Gregerson. The 28-year-old could appeal to clubs as he has a 3.05 ERA with 9.5 K/9 and 2.6 BB/9 on the year. While Gregerson could be a valuable trade chip for San Diego, the Mets reportedly turned down a proposal that would have sent Gregerson to Queens for Daniel Murphy. Here's a look around baseball as we burn the midnight oil on MLBTR..
« AL West Notes: Angels, Hernandez, Hamilton | Main | Quick Hits: Gregerson, Rangers, Indians, Escobar »
Here's the latest out of the NL Central as we keep a close eye on the latest Zack Greinke rumors..
Zach Links contributed to this post.
12:43pm: Dempster doesn't want to be traded to the Braves right now, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports. Instead, the right-hander hopes to be dealt to the Dodgers. While the Dodgers had interest in Dempster and were considered by some to be the favorites to acquire him, they didn't reach an agreement with the Cubs. Chicago would lose leverage with the Dodgers if Dempster rejects a trade to the Braves, his second choice.
TUESDAY, 9:05am: Dempster has given preliminary indications that he'd accept a trade to the Braves, ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick reports (Twitter links). However, Dempster felt blindsided when news of the proposed deal leaked before the Cubs reached him.
MONDAY, 6:20pm: Jon Heyman of CBS Sports writes that Dempster to the Braves now has a 50-50 chance of happening.
3:30pm: The teams are awaiting Dempster's approval, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports (on Twitter).
2:57pm: Dempster is in the Cubs' clubhouse preparing for tonight's game in Pittsburgh, according to reporters, including Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune (on Twitter). He declined to discuss today's developments, Doug Padilla of ESPNChicago.com reports (on Twitter).
Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports suggests the clubs could have an agreement or near-agreement (Twitter links). Convincing Dempster to accept the trade may be the final obstacle.
2:38pm: The Cubs haven't received Dempster's permission to complete a trade, David Kaplan of CSNChicago reports (on Twitter). "There is no trade," Dempster tweets via his foundation. "Don't know where this info came from!" Meanwhile, Goldstein hears that the deal is not done, but acknowledges that it might simply be delayed while MLB considers the financial side of the transaction (Twitter link).
1:51pm: Randall Delgado will be in the trade if it's completed, ESPN.com's Keith Law reports (on Twitter). The sides will also find a way to balance the money.
Delgado, 22, has started 17 games for the Braves this year, posting a 4.42 ERA with 7.2 K/9 and 4.1 BB/9 in 91 2/3 innings. The right-hander entered the season as the 46th-best prospect in MLB, according to Baseball America. His average fastball checks in at 92 mph, according to FanGraphs. Delgado has a ceiling as a number three starter in the Major Leagues, Kevin Goldstein of Baseball Prospectus writes (on Twitter).
1:22pm: The Braves and Cubs have agreed to a trade that will send Ryan Dempster to Atlanta, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports (on Twitter). The right-hander can veto any trade, but he is not likely to demand an extension in order to approve the deal, according to Jon Heyman. Randall Delgado could be going to Chicago in the deal, Bowman adds.
Ryan Dempster - Cubs (PW)" src="http://rotoauthority.blogs.com/.a/6a00d834515b9a69e2017616a6a38b970c-250wi" alt="Ryan Dempster - Cubs (PW)" />
Dempster, 35, has an NL-best 2.11 ERA with 7.1 K/9 and 2.5 BB/9 in 98 innings for the Cubs this year. He earns $14MM in 2012 -- more than $5.5MM between now and the end of the season -- but the Cubs are said to be willing to absorb salary to facilitate a deal.
The Braves won't be able to obtain draft pick compensation for Dempster even if he signs elsewhere after the season. In other words, he's strictly a rental unless the sides reach an extension between now and the end of the season. The Braves believe they'd have a good shot at re-signing Dempster, David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports (on Twitter). The Cubs would have been able to obtain one compensatory selection for losing Dempster if they had kept him for the remainder of the season and made him a qualifying offer.
Braves starters have combined for a 4.34 ERA with 7.0 K/9 and 3.4 BB/9 so far this year. The team's rotation currently consists of Tim Hudson, Tommy Hanson, Mike Minor, Jair Jurrjens and newcomer Ben Sheets. Brandon Beachy and Arodys Vizcaino are out for the season with Tommy John surgery, which diminished the organization's internal options.
Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com first reported that the Braves were nearing a deal for Dempster after David O'Brien first reported the Braves were nearing a deal for a starter. Photo courtesy of US Presswire.
« Latest On Ryan Dempster | Main | Phillies To Extend Cole Hamels »
The Dodgers have acquired Hanley Ramirez and Randy Choate from the Marlins for Nathan Eovaldi and a minor leaguer, reports Tim Brown of Yahoo! Sports (on Twitter). The minor leaguer is right-hander Scott McGough according to Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports, and Dylan Hernandez of The Los Angeles Times says that Miami is not sending any money to the Dodgers (Twitter links).
"We had to do something," Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria said, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (on Twitter). "The machine was sputtering. It's too good a baseball team and for some reason it didn't seem to be operating on all cylinders from the beginning of the season."
The Athletics, Dodgers, Blue Jays and Orioles all had some interest in Ramirez, and the Red Sox might have been interested as well. However, the infielder has 37.3MM remaining on his contract with Miami ($15MM in 2012, $15.5MM in 2013 and $16MM in 2014) and owns a pedestrian .246/.322/.430 batting line. His trade value isn't what it once was.
Dodgers manager Don Mattingly will determine whether to play Ramirez at shortstop or third base, Rosenthal reports (on Twitter). Ramirez has volunteered to play either position, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports (on Twitter). He's likely to play shortstop until Dee Gordon returns from the disabled list, then move to third base.
Choate, 36, has a 2.49 ERA with 9.6 K/9, 3.2 BB/9 and a 60.3% ground ball rate in 25 1/3 innings with the Marlins this year. The lefty specialist earns $1.5MM in the final season of a two-year, $2.5MM contract and will hit free agency after the season. The Dodgers had been looking for a left-handed reliever.
Eovaldi has started ten games for the Dodgers this year, posting a 4.15 ERA with 5.4 K/9 and 3.2 BB/9 in 56 1/3 innings. The 22-year-old entered the season as the 96th-best prospect in MLB, according to Baseball America. In five minor league seasons he has a 3.28 ERA with 7.4 K/9 and 3.7 BB /9.
McGough, a 22-year-old right-hander, has a 3.88 ERA with 9.1 K/9 and 4.7 BB/9 in 34 relief outings at Class A. The 2011 fifth rounder has averaged more than one strikeout per season since being drafted.
Ben Nicholson-Smith contributed to this post.
« Dodgers Acquire Hanley Ramirez & Randy Choate | Main
8:25am: Hamels' deal includes an option for a seventh year, MLBTR's Tim Dierkes has learned. It's a club option at $20MM or a vesting option at $24MM. The option vests if three conditions are met: Hamels is not on the disabled list with a left shoulder or elbow injury at the end of the 2018 season, and he pitches 200 innings in 2018, and he pitches 400 innings in 2017-2018 combined.
If the club exercises its option, Hamels will earn $158MM over seven years. If the option vests, he'll earn $162MM over seven years ($1MM more than Sabathia).
7:25am: The Phillies have agreed to sign Cole Hamels to a six-year contract extension, ESPN.com's Buster Olney reports (on Twitter). The left-hander will obtain $144MM over six years for an average annual value of $24MM, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports (on Twitter). He has passed his physical, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports (on Twitter).
Hamels' extension will be the second-largest contract ever for a pitcher, trailing only C.C. Sabathia's seven-year, $161MM agreement with the Yankees. Hamels obtains the largest extension for any pitcher in history, surpassing Johan Santana's $137.5MM deal with the Mets. Hamels obtains the same AAV as teammate Cliff Lee, who signed a five-year, $120MM contract with Philadelphia two offseason ago.
Hamels, 28, has a 3.23 ERA with 8.8 K/9 and 2.2 BB/9 in 133 2/3 innings for the Phillies this year. He averaged 31 starts and 206 innings per season from 2007-11, his five first seasons in Philadelphia's rotation. Agent John Boggs represents Hamels, the 2008 World Series MVP. The contract covers his age 29-34 seasons.
If Hamels had reached free agency, the California native would have drawn interest from many teams, including, perhaps, the Dodgers. Instead, teams looking to sign starting pitchers this coming offseason will set their sights on the likes of Zack Greinke, Anibal Sanchez and Edwin Jackson.
The Phillies now have three starters earning $20MM per season: Hamels, Lee and Roy Halladay. As ESPN.com's Jayson Stark reports, there had never been a team with two $20MM per season starters until the 2012 Phillies took the field (Twitter link).
Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports first reported the sides were nearing an extension. Photo courtesy of US Presswire.
« Angels Acquire Barry Enright | Main
The Marlins aren't thinking about firing manager Ozzie Guillen, but are expected to continue discussing potential trades in the week leading up to the MLB trade deadline, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports. The 45-51 Marlins sent Anibal Sanchez and Omar Infante to Detroit yesterday, signaling that they don't expect to contend in 2012. Here are more of Rosenthal's notes...
« Marlins Open To Moving Hanley, Likely To Keep Johnson | Main | Angels Acquire Barry Enright »
On this date three years ago left-hander Mark Buehrle pitched a perfect game against the Rays with an impressive effort punctuated by the most memorable catch of Dewayne Wise's career. Here are today's links...
« Quick Hits: Lewis, Maholm, Headley, Longoria, Lynn | Main | Rosenthal On Marlins, Ichiro, Rangers, Pence »
The Angels announced that they acquired right-handed pitcher Barry Enright from the Diamondbacks in exchange for a player to be named or cash considerations. He'll report to Triple-A, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports (on Twitter).
Enright, 26, started 21 games for Arizona's Triple-A affiliate this year. The right-hander posted a 5.87 ERA with 5.9 K/9 and 4.2 BB/9 in 110 1/3 innings. Enright has a 4.87 ERA with 4.6 K/9 and 2.9 BB/9 over the course of 136 2/3 career innings with the Diamondbacks.
« Knobler On Greinke, Brewers, Hamels, Phillies | Main | Week In Review: 7/15/12 - 7/21/12 »
The addition of a player such as Zack Greinke or Matt Garza may mean the difference of making the playoffs or spending October on the golf course for a team like the Braves. With the non-waiver trade deadline looming, teams will be forced to consider the value of trading for a front-of-the-rotation starter and how that particular move may impact the remainder of the season.
The question becomes which available starting pitcher will contribute the most down the stretch to help a team reach its goals for the season. Will Ryan Dempster prove to be the second coming of C.C. Sabathia during his stint with the Brewers? Or will Cole Hamels flame out like Ubaldo Jimenez after he arrived in Cleveland last July?
« Week In Review: 7/15/12 - 7/21/12 | Main
It was just last month that the Astros selected Carlos Correa with the first overall pick in the amateur draft, and Houston's already on track for another top draft choice. The Astros have the worst record in baseball, which means they're favored to select first in the 2013 draft. The Cubs aren't far behind their division rivals and the Rockies are also in the mix for the top pick in '13.
MLBTR's Reverse Standings page offers a simple way of following the action, as teams vie for the for the best draft picks in June of 2013 by losing the most games in 2012. The standings will be updated every morning through the end of the season, and even calculate tiebreakers by looking at last year's standings. You will always be able to find the link under MLBTR Features in the right sidebar.
« Poll: Which Starter Would Provide Biggest Boost? | Main | Reverse Standings »
With a flurry of trades and transactions marking the theme of the last seven days, let's catch up on the week that was here at MLBTR...
« Minor Moves: Hurley, Russell, Hughes, Broderick | Main
Some links from around the league as Saturday turns into Sunday...
« D'Backs, Tigers Have Talked Drew & Peralta | Main | Minor Moves: Hurley, Russell, Hughes, Broderick »
9:32pm: Romero can opt out of his contract if he is not called up the big leagues by August 15th according to Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com (on Twitter).
4:07pm: The Indians have signed left-hander J.C. Romero to a minor league deal, according to Paul Hoynes of The Plain Dealer (via Twitter). The veteran has been assigned to Triple-A Columbus.
Romero, 36, opted out of his deal with the Orioles and elected free agency last month. The reliever initially hooked on with the Cardinals back in December but was cut loose just six weeks into the season. Romero owns a career 4.15 ERA with 7.2 K/9 and 5.1 BB/9.
« Indians Sign J.C. Romero | Main | Quick Hits: Yankees, Span, Giants, Cardinals, Mets »
Here are the day's minor moves...
« Blue Jays To DFA Andrew Carpenter | Main | Quick Hits: Greinke, Nats, Indians, Liriano, Dodgers »
A look at the latest out of the AL and NL West..
« AL East Notes: Shields, Rays, Blue Jays, Orioles | Main | West Notes: A's, Haren, Santana, Upton »
The Blue Jays will designate Andrew Carpenter for assignment tomorrow, according to Shi Davidi of Sportsnet (via Twitter). The right-hander appeared in just two games for the Blue Jays this season with his last appearance coming on July 14.
Over parts of five major league seasons, Carpenter has just 26.1 innings to his credit, posting an 8.54 ERA with 8.9 K/9 and 4.8 BB/9. However, the 27-year-old put up a 3.38 ERA with 6.8 K/9 and 2.3 BB/9 in 12 starts and nine relief appearances.
« West Notes: A's, Haren, Santana, Upton | Main
Recently it was reported that Zack Greinke received an extension offer from the Brewers in the neighborhood of $100MM and today the pitcher told Tom Haudricourt of the Journal-Sentinel and Adam McCalvy of MLB.com that the figure is "pretty accurate". However, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com says that there's no indication that Greinke will sign quickly. More from around baseball as Friday turns into Saturday..
« AL Central Notes: Liriano, Hernandez, Tigers | Main | Sherman On Mets, Hamels, Padres »
Cody Ross was a walkoff hero for the Red Sox tonight, slugging a three-run homer in the bottom of the ninth off White Sox closer Addison Reed to give Boston a 3-1 win in the Battle Of The Sox. Here are some links from around the majors as we wrap up a busy Thursday of trade rumors...
« Ryan Dempster Rumors: Thursday | Main | Quick Hits: Strasburg, Rangers, Hunter, Cubs »
As Tigers left-hander Phil Coke celebrates his 30th birthday, here's are a few rumors from around the AL Central...
« Quick Hits: Strasburg, Rangers, Hunter, Cubs | Main
The asking price for relief help remains high, even for players nearing free agency, Joel Sherman of the New York Post writes. The Mets, of course, are looking for relievers and they'd prefer to acquire a controllable player, according to Sherman. Here are Sherman's latest notes, starting with the Mets:
« Quick Hits: Greinke, Hunter, Ruggiano, Marlins | Main
The latest minor moves from around MLB...
« West Links: Angels, Schierholtz, Rangers, Quentin | Main | Minor Moves: Trevor Crowe »
Here's the latest from around the league as Wednesday turns into Thursday...
« Twins Notes: Liriano, Sanchez, Span | Main | Quick Hits: Greinke, Hunter, Ruggiano, Marlins »
Here is the latest from baseball's two West divisions...
« Quick Hits: Dempster, Headley, Yankees, Greinke | Main | Sherman On Phillies, Hamels, Dempster »
The Tigers are actively pursuing starting pitching with less than two weeks remaining before the July 31st trade deadline, MLB executives tell ESPN.com's Buster Olney (on Twitter). Top pitching prospect Jacob Turner allowed seven earned runs in two innings to the Angels last night, so Detroit's need for pitching now seems more acute than ever.
The Tigers appear to have some level of interest in Ryan Dempster (details here), Matt Garza (details here) and Wandy Rodriguez (details here). They're expected to make top third base/outfield prospect Nick Castellanos unavailable in trade discussions, but they are probably willing to part with Rob Brantly, and Turner, Casey Crosby or Bruce Rondon could also be available.
The White Sox are also said to be prioritizing starting pitching in trade talks. Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports points out that all three AL Central contenders -- the Tigers, White Sox and Indians -- could use rotation upgrades. Another AL Central team, the Twins, has one of the most intriguing trade candidates in baseball: Francisco Liriano.
Justin Verlander, Doug Fister, Max Scherzer and Rick Porcello round out the rest of Detroit's rotation. Rookie left-hander Drew Smyly is on the disabled list with a strained rib cage muscle.
« Mets Rumors: Broxton, Bullpen, Deadline Plan | Main | Tigers Actively Seek Pitching »
Some interesting links of note as Roy Halladay, activated from the disabled list today, takes the mound for the first time since May 27 at Dodger Stadium ...
« Tigers Actively Seek Pitching | Main
The Phillies are said to be planning to offer Cole Hamels a contract extension worth at least $120MM, but it's not stopping them from evaluating trade possibilities in case the sides don't reach a deal. Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports that the Phillies are 'operating on two planes' with Hamels. They're involved in serious negotiations about a long-term deal at the same time that they're positioning themselves to trade Hamels and Shane Victorino quickly if necessary. Here are the rest of Sherman's notes on the trade market:
« Justin Upton Rumors: Monday | Main | Braves Seeking Top Of Rotation Arms »
Between baseball's two Central divisions, at least six teams figure to be buyers, and more could emerge depending on how the coming weeks play out. The White Sox, Tigers, Indians, Reds, Pirates, and Cardinals could all add pieces prior to July 31, and here are some links pertaining to those clubs...
« Central Links: Castellanos, Cardinals, Miller, Crowe | Main | Tigers Interested In Stephen Drew, Ryan Roberts »
The Braves have been connected to several pitchers this summer, but ESPN's Jayson Stark hears from other teams that Atlanta is only interested in acquiring top-of-the-rotation pitchers at the deadline (Twitter link).
As Stark notes, that contradicts reports that link the Braves to names like Francisco Liriano and Jason Vargas. Atlanta has been linked to Zack Greinke, but GM Frank Wren will reportedly only part with his prized young pitching prospects if he's able to extend Greinke. Wren is unlikely to exceed $20MM annually in an offer for Greinke. The Brewers themselves are said to be gearing up for an offer in th five-year, $100MM range to retain their ace.
The Braves have seen young arms like Mike Minor and Randall Delgado struggle this season and turned to Ben Sheets in the short-term. Sheets had a brilliant Atlanta debut, but it's unlikely that he'd be counted on for significant contributions. After losing Brandon Beachy to Tommy John surgery earlier this summer, it stands to reason that they'd seek a front-line arm to replace his fantastic 2012 numbers.
