MLB TRADE DEADLINE FAST APPROACHES~!

[the max 0]

I think that keeping all the trade discussion in one topic is a good idea, as the deadline gets closer. Al might disagree though...

 

Steve Finley

Diamondbacks

 

 

Dodgers

Padres

Giants

 

Jul. 28 - The Marlins and the Phillies are out. Finley will not waive his no-trade clause to join an East Coast team, The Arizona Republic reported July 28.

 

"They were intriguing," Finley said of interest from Philadelphia and Florida. "But as we started getting a little closer to the deadline and discussing it with my family, and with San Francisco, LA (Los Angeles) and San Diego all in the mix, it seemed appropriate to stay on the West Coast."

 

That means the Dodgers and Padres are now the favorites to land Finley, ESPN's Jayson Stark reports. Arizona has discussed a three-player package with the Dodgers. Finley owns a home in Del Mar, Calif., a suburb north of San Diego.

 

 

Randy Johnson

Diamondbacks

 

 

Yankees

Red Sox

Angels

Dodgers

 

Jul. 28 - It looks more and more likely that Johnson will be staying in Arizona. Johnson told D-Backs GM Joe Garagiola on July 27 that he would not accept a trade to the Dodgers, ESPN's Peter Gammons reports. Johnson told the GM that it's either the Yankees or nothing, and a source tells Gammons that Garagiola is leaning toward keeping the future Hall of Fame left-hander.

 

The D-Backs have emphasized that while they would like to accomodate Johnson's request for a trade to a title contender, they are not running a fire sale. If they can't work out a trade for the Big Unit, they'll be more than happy to keep him.

 

 

Kris Benson

Pirates

 

 

Mets

Phillies

Rangers

Twins

Angels

 

Jul. 27 - A report in the July 27 editions of the Chicago Sun-Times says the Pirates are close to announcing a deal that would send Benson, the No. 1 pick in the 1996 draft, to the Twins for Doug Mientkiewicz and a prospect. Minnesota needs another starter and wants to move Mientkiewicz so Justin Morneau can become its everyday first baseman.

 

A day earlier, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette indicated the Pirates were prepared to accept a deal for Benson, but that deal didn't involve the Mets (Ty Wigginton) or Phillies (Ryan Howard).

 

According to the Post-Gazette, the Angels were offering 21-year-old first baseman Casey Kotchman, a former No. 1 pick with a history of injuries.

 

 

Doug Mientkiewicz

Twins

 

 

Pirates

Red Sox

 

Jul. 26 - Mientkiewicz has been told he will be traded so the Twins can make Justin Morneau the everyday first baseman, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported July 26. "If I'm moving, then it's part of the business," Mientkiewicz told the newspaper. "I understand they have a guy behind me that probably deserves a chance to play."

 

According to the Star Tribune, the Twins might package Mientkiewicz in a deal for Pittsburgh right-hander Kris Benson.

 

 

Orlando Cabrera

Expos

 

 

Cubs

Giants

 

Jul. 28 - According to ESPN's Jayson Stark, the Expos are believed to have asked the Cubs for one of their top two prospects, pitcher Angel Guzman or outfielder Felix Pie. With the Cubs balking at giving up either prospect, the Giants are now a dark horse to get Cabrera.

 

 

Larry Walker

Rockies

 

 

Braves

Red Sox

Marlins

Rangers

 

Jul. 27 - Walker has yet to be asked to waive his no-trade clause, The Denver Post reported July 26. And if he's approached at the July 31 deadline, the 37-year-old right fielder says he'll shoot down any and all trade proposals. A Marlins scout has been watching Walker.

 

"If something gets dropped on me at the last second, I won't even hesitate to say no," Walker told The Post. "I would need time to talk about it and make sure it's right for everyone involved."

 

According to The Post, some of the teams interested in Walker – the Braves and possibly the Dodgers – might want him to play first base.

 

 

Ugueth Urbina

Tigers

 

 

Giants

 

Jul. 28 - Giants GM Brian Sabean and one his top scouts watched Ugueth Urbina pitch a 1-2-3 eighth inning at Cleveland on July 27, The San Francisco Chronicle reports. Another scout was seen at a game involving Detroit's Double-A affiliate this week.

 

 

Victor Zambrano

Devil Rays

 

 

Mets

Rangers

 

Jul. 27 - The Mets have inquired about Devil Rays right-hander Victor Zambrano, the New York Post reports. Rays GM Chuck LaMar will listen to offers for the hard-throwing right-hander with control problems, and reportedly wants pitching prospects in return.

 

 

Danny Bautista

Diamondbacks

 

 

Marlins

Red Sox

 

Jul. 26 - If the Marlins can't reel in Colorado's Larry Walker or Arizona's Steve Finley, they might go after another Diamondback – right fielder Danny Bautista, The Palm Beach Post reported July 26. Bautista, 32, a free agent at season's end, would be owed less than half of his $4 million contract.

 

 

Mike Sweeney

Royals

 

 

Angels

Athletics

Diamondbacks

Dodgers

Giants

Mariners

Padres

 

Jul. 28 - There was a lot of buzzing over the weekend about a potential deal that would have sent Mike Sweeney to Seattle, ESPN's Jayson Stark reports. But the Royals are believed to have told Sweeney they would trade him only if they could get him into a pennant race. So that Seattle deal? Not happening.

 

 

Ricardo Rincon

Athletics

 

 

Phillies

 

Jul. 28 - The Phillies struck out on Terry Adams but have discussed a Placido Polanco-Ricardo Rincon deal with Oakland, ESPN's Peter Gammons reports.

 

 

Carlos Beltran

Astros

 

 

Dodgers

Phillies

 

Jul. 28 - The Phillies, according to various sources, talked to Houston about Carlos Beltran and spoke with the Yankees about Kenny Lofton, ESPN's Jayson Stark reports. But Houston still hasn't made a decision on whether to put Beltran back on the market.

 

 

Cliff Floyd

Mets

 

 

?

 

Jul. 28 - Shopping Cliff Floyd got a little tougher for the Mets after the veteran outfielder spoke candidly to the media about his sore right Achilles' tendon and his desire to retire at age 33, the New York Daily News reports. Floyd's four year, $26 million contract expires in 2006.

 

"I've thought about it," Floyd said of a trade request. "I'll do what's best for myself and the team I'm on. It's becoming a damn grind."

 

 

LH reliever

Setup man

 

Jul. 22 - Atlanta would like to add a setup man and a situational left-hander to its bullpen, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. If there's a fire sale in Seattle before the July 31 deadline, the Braves might be interested in Mike Myers, Ron Villone or Eddie Guardado.

 

 

Ramon Ortiz

Angels

 

 

Yankees

Orioles

 

Jul. 22 - The Angels, in need of a left-handed reliever, have received two offers for Ortiz, The Los Angeles Times reports. The Yankees proposed a deal involving Felix Heredia and the Orioles offered Buddy Groom. Angels GM Bill Stoneman, however, said he has no plans to add a lefty to a bullpen that now has seven righties.

 

"The history of our guys pitching against left-handers is better than every guy available," Stoneman told The Times. "Getting a left-handed reliever is not a top priority. It's just not."

[Guest Anglesault]

I'd almost say if they can't get Johnson, they're best move is going for some sort of reliever or position player. Trying to convince the fans that getting Ramon Ortiz is just as good as getting Randy Johnson or is an overwheliming improvement over what we have won't go well.

[jimmy no nose 0]

The rumored deal of Benson from the Pirates to the Twins for Doug Mientkiewicz and a prospect is being denied by many sources now. Word is the Pirates just aren't interested in him because he makes too much money and isn't having a good season at all coming off injury. It's still possible that Benson will go to the Twins though, but it would have to be for a top prospect and another younger player.

 

And here is the latest rumor

http://msn.foxsports.com/story/2611108

 

Red Sox GM Theo Epstein, intent on changing his team's clubhouse culture, could make a series of moves to jolt his club, according to a major-league executive.

 

Confirming a report in Wednesday's Boston Globe, the executive says the Sox are "working on" a trade that would send shortstop Nomar Garciaparra to the Cubs for righthander Matt Clement and also have talked about dealing righthander Derek Lowe to the Padres in a deal that could land them center fielder Jay Payton.

But the Garciaparra trade is "less close than it has been," according to a source with knowledge of the negotiations, who says the Red Sox are waffling.

 

The Red Sox's offense would suffer without Garciaparra, particularly since the team already is missing right fielder Trot Nixon, who is sidelined with a strained left quadriceps. But the Sox went 35-24 when Garciaparra and Nixon were on the disabled list earlier this season, and Epstein could make another deal — possibly for a first baseman — to improve the team's run production. Center fielder Johnny Damon is another player the Sox would consider moving.

 

The Cubs resisted trading Clement due to physical questions surrounding righthanders Kerry Wood and Mark Prior, but their rotation is the healthiest it has been all season. Wood, Prior, Carlos Zambrano and Greg Maddux still would form an impressive front four, and lefthander Glendon Rusch could take over the fifth spot. The addition of Garciaparra could make the risk worthwhile.

 

The Sox and Padres first talked about Lowe in early June. The price for Lowe almost certainly would involve more than Payton, and a deal remains possible even if the Padres don't acquire Diamondbacks center fielder Steve Finley. Without Payton, the Padres could go with a platoon of Terrence Long and Xavier Nady in center field or even promote Class AAA OF Freddy Guzman.

[2GOLD 0]

Clement for Nomar?

If Nomar isn't long term then HELL NO!

 

Clement has been awesome, not his fault the team doesn't freakin score when he pitches. And as quick as injuries have been, I don't like the idea of handing over Clement for a player who might be there for one half season.

 

Trades at the deadline for serious players DON'T WORK. They just don't. I'm sorry, who was that big name the Marlins picked up? Or the Yankees? And before someone says "Curt Schilling to the D-Backs", they missed the playoffs that first year he was in town after the deal was made.

 

Fifth starter? Sure.

Relief pitcher? Sure.

Minor role player? Yes.

Major name player? No, maybe next year if you can keep him.

 

If the Cubs can't keep Nomar then the deal is worthless.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Trades at the deadline for serious players DON'T WORK. They just don't. I'm sorry, who was that big name the Marlins picked up? Or the Yankees? And before someone says "Curt Schilling to the D-Backs", they missed the playoffs that first year he was in town after the deal was made.

 

Ugueth Urbina. Of course, I agree with the overall sentiment. Deadline deals are somewhat overrated.

 

I think that keeping all the trade discussion in one topic is a good idea, as the deadline gets closer. Al might disagree though...

 

I don't mind a thread for discussing rumors. If an actual trade comes down, it should get its own thread.

[Crimson Platypus 0]

I just wish my Tigers would go get an ace *insert Big Unit pipe dream here*...

[Guest Anglesault]

Payton on the Sox would all but guarantee another Yankee/Red Sox brawl, if he's anything like he was on the Mets.

[sfaJack 0]

I don't like the idea of handing over Clement for a player who might be there for one half season.

Clement's a FA at the end of the year, too, so you run a risk of not re-signing him as well. But Nomar's potential to not re-sign is not what stops me from making the trade.

 

What stops me is that Clement has indeed been awesome this year and thus is worth keeping based on that alone. Good pitching has saved the Cubs' asses so far this year. Couple that with the fact that Prior (and maybe Wood too, who knows) might be up and down with the elbow for the rest of the year and you have extra incentive to hang onto Matt.

 

Shortstop is a problem area for the Cubs, yes, but it's not crippling to them. Blowing a hole in your rotation by trading Clement when the true health of your aces is in question probably would be. I guess I just don't trust Glendon Rusch in crunch time.

[2GOLD 0]

I don't like the idea of handing over Clement for a player who might be there for one half season.

Clement's a FA at the end of the year, too, so you run a risk of not re-signing him as well. But Nomar's potential to not re-sign is not what stops me from making the trade.

 

What stops me is that Clement has indeed been awesome this year and thus is worth keeping based on that alone. Good pitching has saved the Cubs' asses so far this year. Couple that with the fact that Prior (and maybe Wood too, who knows) might be up and down with the elbow for the rest of the year and you have extra incentive to hang onto Matt.

 

Shortstop is a problem area for the Cubs, yes, but it's not crippling to them. Blowing a hole in your rotation by trading Clement when the true health of your aces is in question probably would be. I guess I just don't trust Glendon Rusch in crunch time.

 

Agreed. Plus Clement would be much easier to resign than Nomar who will want a big price tag.

 

 

Also Al, I don't consider deals to the bullpen to be bad trade deadline moves. It's when you try to add a 1 or 2 starter or a major player to a line-up. Team chemistry should never be surrendered when you are in the thick of a playoff race.

 

The Marlins got bullpen help and Jeff Conine, who was more of a "need to fill" hole than an upgrade. Plus he wasn't exactly a huge player to acquire. The major deals don't pay off in the short run and if you can't keep the player then don't deal for them.

[Guest Anglesault]

Also Al, I don't consider deals to the bullpen to be bad trade deadline moves. It's when you try to add a 1 or 2 starter or a major player to a line-up. Team chemistry should never be surrendered when you are in the thick of a playoff race.

Team Chemistry is horseshit.

[2GOLD 0]

 

 

Also Al, I don't consider deals to the bullpen to be bad trade deadline moves. It's when you try to add a 1 or 2 starter or a major player to a line-up. Team chemistry should never be surrendered when you are in the thick of a playoff race.

Team Chemistry is horseshit.

 

Seemed to work well for the Angels and Marlins and even your Yankees.

[Guest Anglesault]

 

 

Also Al, I don't consider deals to the bullpen to be bad trade deadline moves. It's when you try to add a 1 or 2 starter or a major player to a line-up. Team chemistry should never be surrendered when you are in the thick of a playoff race.

Team Chemistry is horseshit.

 

Seemed to work well for the Angels and Marlins and even your Yankees.

And my Yankees (Bronx Zoo version) seemed to work pretty damned well without it, don't you think?

[Guest FrigidSoul]

The Cubs aren't going to resign Clement though when they already have Wood, Prior, Zambrano, and Maddux locked up for the forseeable future. Clement is going to be asking for a pay increase and I think he goes from being a $6mill pitcher to a $9mill or $10mill one with the pitching on the FA market this year. Cubs have two good pitching prospects in their farm system, and they could use Nomar.

 

If the Astros are willing to deal Beltran and he would accept playing RF for the rest of the season then I would trade Lowe to the Padres for prospects to swing to Houston(should the Clement deal go through). Derek Lowe to San Diego for Freddy Guzman and Tagg Bozied. Then swing Guzman, Bozied, and Anastacio Martinez to Houston for Beltran. If Beltran doesn't want to play right then I can live with

 

LF Damon

CF Beltran

RF Manny

 

Damon doesn't have the arm to play RF.

[sfaJack 0]

Goddamn it, the Astros are NOT trading Beltran. From today's Houston Chronicle:

 

Beltran staying put

 

Astros general manager Gerry Hunsicker unequivocally denies having his All-Star center fielder on the market.

 

"The (Carlos) Beltran speculation (in the media) is pure fantasy," Hunsicker said. "Beltran is going nowhere, and ditto for any of our other important players that have been speculated about."

[Guest FrigidSoul]

Then the Houston management is being completely stupid. They gave up alot to get somebody who by no means is resigning with them or helping them in the playoffs because THEY CAN'T GET THERE.

 

If he isn't available then so be it. Hopefully the Red Sox sign him in the off-season.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Also Al, I don't consider deals to the bullpen to be bad trade deadline moves. It's when you try to add a 1 or 2 starter or a major player to a line-up. Team chemistry should never be surrendered when you are in the thick of a playoff race.

 

Jeff Bagwell for Larry Andersen. Bullpen deals are the WORST, because you give up quality talent for guys who are going to give you about 20-30 innings.

 

And I agree with Anglesault. Team chemestry can't even really be quantified, much less become a tool to help you win pennants.

Edited July 28, 2004 by alkeiper

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Then the Houston management is being completely stupid. They gave up alot to get somebody who by no means is resigning with them or helping them in the playoffs because THEY CAN'T GET THERE.

 

If he isn't available then so be it. Hopefully the Red Sox sign him in the off-season.

The Astros should keep Beltan, hold out in hopes of a playoff run, and offer arbitration at the end of the season. At worst, they'll get an extra two first-round picks in return.

[Guest FrigidSoul]

With Wade Miller out until mid August and Andy Pettite's arm dangling by a thread I don't think they have a good win streak left in them. They could trade both Kent and Beltran, save a ton of money and pick from whatever minor leaguers they want.

 

They also went from having one of the most fearsome bullpens to a bunch of dead ass relievers. Lidge is their best guy there, after that you go to David Weathers.

[Guest GreatOne]

And I agree with Anglesault. Team chemestry can't even really be quantified, much less become a tool to help you win pennants.

Yeah but we've seen tons of examples of "all-star teams" (like the '97 Mariners who won the AL West but they were SUPPOSED to do that) fail and not win jack. So something has to be said for it, whether it's called chemistry or not.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

Yeah but we've seen tons of examples of "all-star teams" (like the '97 Mariners who won the AL West but they were SUPPOSED to do that) fail and not win jack. So something has to be said for it, whether it's called chemistry or not.

 

The Mariners lost to a team with 98 wins. How is that an example of ANYTHING?

[Guest Anglesault]

According to ESPN, RJ seems to be strongly suggesting that the D-Backs do whatever they want to do tonight

[Guest FrigidSoul]

RJ also said the Yankees or nothing because they have the best record in baseball. I think he stays in Arizona.

[Guest Anglesault]

If he stays in Arizona, I really want to see just how miserable he makes the whole clubhouse. At this point, I can see him making it completely unbearable.

 

I wonder if it's totally below Johnson to start coming up with injuries for the rest of his contract.

[Guest The Winter Of My Discontent]

It looks as though the A's have no interest in getting into the post season. They need an extra bat.

[Guest GreatOne]

The Mariners lost to a team with 98 wins. How is that an example of ANYTHING?

 

Where the fuck does that come from? I'm sorry if I didn't cowtow to you on the Pedro argument but get over it!

 

Anyway the last thing they were supposed to do was squeak by in the West and get bitchslapped out of the playoffs by a team that came out of nowhere in Baltimore. That might have been more to their lackluster pen but Johnson and Moyer getting lit up the first two games and scoring a grand total of eight or nine runs the whole series didn't help either. Plus you had Randy Johnson beginning to mope about a new contract as well. It's called not being ready to play, you might not call it chemistry--then again you're also the one saying Enrique Wilson is just as good as Derek Jeter in the 9th inning with 2 on and 2 out down by two--but it's something. Point is you have to have more than an 'all-star' team. It might be the manager, it might be something else, but it's there. Call it what you want.

 

I guess the '99 Dodgers would be a more clear example eh?

[2GOLD 0]

If he stays in Arizona, I really want to see just how miserable he makes the whole clubhouse. At this point, I can see him making it completely unbearable.

 

I wonder if it's totally below Johnson to start coming up with injuries for the rest of his contract.

 

Then I say they match him and send his ass down to the minors where he can sit till he rots.

 

His agent saying, "He'll only play for the Yankees" when they are offering next to nothing is a joke and the D-Backs will be a even bigger joke if they make the move for what New York is offering.

 

If they are a joke either way, I say they make Randy's life a living hell for doing it to them. Ship him to rookie league and if he gets an "injury", then tell him his ass can't go home and that he has to sit on his fanny with the rest of the team.

 

Johnson is acting like a whining baby and giving him his way is the last thing they should do. And besides, he has never been a peach to be around so I doubt the Arizona clubhouse would care if he sulked.

[Bored 0]

It looks as though the A's have no interest in getting into the post season.  They need an extra bat.

Even though the offense as a whole is average, second base is the only position where they have a glaring need for a bat as every other position they've had solid production. As always though funds is an issue and the A's already added some payroll with the Dotel trade and I don't know if ownership will be willing to add more.

 

Besides the A's are plenty good enough to win the division with the team they have...if they could finally start winning on the road.

[Guest GreatOne]

Actually unless Texas' smoke and mirror act (I like the lineup but Kenny freakin Rogers and the miracle pitching connection?) holds up, the A's will make the playoffs with the M's a non-factor and Anaheim's attempt at Yankees West landing them third place (injuries? don't wanna hear it)

[Bored 0]

Trades at the deadline for serious players DON'T WORK. They just don't. I'm sorry, who was that big name the Marlins picked up? Or the Yankees? And before someone says "Curt Schilling to the D-Backs", they missed the playoffs that first year he was in town after the deal was made.

 

Ugueth Urbina. Of course, I agree with the overall sentiment. Deadline deals are somewhat overrated.

Hey what about Doyle Alexander in 1987 to the Tigers when he went 9-0 after the deal?

 

Of course they traded John Smoltz to get him...

 

Actually the best deadline deal I can think of is the Braves trading for Fred McGriff in 1993 for Melvin Nieves and a couple of nobodies. He was a huge part of the Braves catching the Giants that year.

[Guest GreatOne]

I'd go Dave Justice for the Yanks in 2000, then again AARON BOONE would have taken Rhodes deep.