MLB Trade Deadline Thread

[Flickered Flame]

13 days until the trade deadline. Trade talks are probably starting to heat up and the teams that should be selling are starting to become clear. The A's already moved Kendall and my buddies in Oakland said the A's may not be finished cleaning house. It will be interesting to see how many trades, and better yet how many big named player will actually change teams.

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070717&content_id=2091616&vkey=trade2007&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb

[flames_1987]

I defintley think Beane has some more moves up his sleeve before the deadline comes. Always exciting to see what the guy is going to do

[Antithesis]

ESPN's Rumor Central section for the MLB lists some interesting stuff ... you need an Insider subscription though. If anyone is interested, I would be glad to make some periodic updates.

The Dodgers are looking for a 3rd baseman reportedly. Troy Glaus has some ties to the area but he says that the Jays have not approached him to waive his no-trade clause.

The Rangers are apparently looking at offers for Mark Teixeira, but have not received any appropriate offers. Interested teams apparently include the Yankees, Dodgers, Angels, Mariners, and Braves.

The Yankees are also interested in acquiring Wilson Bettemit from the Dodgers and tried to get him last year.

Finally, Rumor Central has a bit on Jermaine Dye being frustrated by the situation in Chicago:

Jermaine Dye has exhibited very distant behavior since White Sox management refused to talk about extending his contract, the Chicago Sun-Times reports. In the wake of pitcher Mark Buehrle getting a four-year, $56 million contract extension, Dye and his camp approached the club with an offer over the All-Star break but did not receive a very positive response. Since then, Dye has become quiet in the clubhouse.

[flames_1987]

Anithesis thanks for the update, would be awsome if you could update us from time to time, for those of us who don't have the insider.

Can't really see the Jays doing much, with the win now philosphy the Jays had tried to adopt I can't see them being sellers. I think JP is hoping to get everyone back and healthy next year and basically give it one last kick at the can with this group. Glaus has started to really swing the bat well though this week, and he's really been the only rumoured Jay in trade talks, so who knows

[Antithesis]

ESPN Rumor Central items of the day:

The Brewers are apparently close to acquiring free-agent-to-be slugger Adam Dunn from the Reds, in exchange for Tony Gwynn Jr., reliever Matt Wise and an infield prospect.

The Red Sox are interested in acquiring a left-handed reliever and are focussing on Damaso Marte from the Pirates. "Marte is holding lefty batters to an .087 batting average (four hits in 46 at-bats). The Red Sox's present lefty specialist, Javier Lopez, hasn't been nearly as effective against left-handed batters as they are batting .286 (14 hits in 49 at-bats) against him."

Keith Law has an interesting column up where he lists the teams he thinks are on the borderline for being buyers or sellers ... so anyone below them is a seller, while anyone with a better record is a buyer.

Buyers

Phillies (46-45)
Cubs (46-43)
Yankees (45-44) "strategic buyers"
Twins (48-43) "strategic buyers"

Sellers

Rockies (45-46)
Blue Jays (45-46) "strategic sellers"
A's (44-47)

Law says this specifically about the Jays: "A comeback this year isn't impossible, but it's unlikely, especially with the Mariners and Twins in front of them in the wild-card race and the Yankees at their side. So it makes sense for the Jays to sell, but to do so strategically, with an eye toward their 2008 playoff chances rather than a longer-term rebuilding process, which wouldn't make sense given their very thin farm system."

[Flickered Flame]

More rumors from mlb.com

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070720&content_id=2098337&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb

[Flames in 07]

Can someone who understands the MLB explain how there are two trade deadlines?

We always have the deadline then there are trades done for a couple weeks after.

[Caged Great]

Can someone who understands the MLB explain how there are two trade deadlines?

We always have the deadline then there are trades done for a couple weeks after.


The first trade deadline is non waiver deadline.

This is where you can trade any one any where provided there's no ntc's involved.

The second trade deadline is the waiver deadline.

you have to put players you want to trade on waivers, if they're claimed, you can trade the player to that team, let him go outright, or pull the player entirely but they can't be put back on.

The deadlines are a month apart.

[Sylvanfan]

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/7045738?MSNHPHMA

Mets could be in the market for a second baseman now that Valentine looks to be out for awhile with a broken leg. I wonder if they'll look to Jorge Cantu from Tampa, or if they can find out a better option?

[socalwingfan]

Minor deal just announced on the Yankees broadcast - NY gets catcher Jose Molina from the Angels for minor league relief pitcher. Good move by Cashman - Nieves was a horrible backup catcher. There's also a rumor of NY RP Scott Proctor to TB for Ty Wigginton!

[Flickered Flame]

Yeah very good move by Cashman, Molina is at least capable of playing every now and than. Would Wigginton play first base for the Yanks or be a guy to come off the bench?

[socalwingfan]

Yeah very good move by Cashman, Molina is at least capable of playing every now and than. Would Wigginton play first base for the Yanks or be a guy to come off the bench?

I see Wigginton as a bench guy - spelling Phillips and Cano at 1st and 2nd. I don't know why TB would want Proctor but after watching the Yanks pound out 24 runs in a double header today, I can see why they would need him. I feel bad for TB - they have some good young talent on that team and absolutely 0 pitching.

[HOOT]

Buyers

Phillies (46-45)
Cubs (46-43)
Yankees (45-44) "strategic buyers"
Twins (48-43) "strategic buyers"

Sellers

Rockies (45-46)
Blue Jays (45-46) "strategic sellers"
A's (44-47)"

Its amazing that the Yankees have spent what close to $275M on payroll this year and they are still buyers, but boy do I love watching them lose! :hehehe:

[Flickered Flame]

Just over a week until the deadline. More from mlb.com

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070723&content_id=2103882&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb

[Antithesis]

Today's roundup from ESPN:

Yankees are apparently interested in acquiring Jon Gardland from the White Sox as well as left-handed reliever Matt Thornton. No mention of who might be going back the other way in such a deal.

The Dodgers are the front-runners to acquire Octavio Dotel from the Royals. The Royals' preference in return is second baseman Tony Abreu but the Dodgers are reluctant to send him. Apparently, another possibility in this deal is a minor-league shortstop prospect. Other teams listed as interested include the Mets, Red Sox, and Indians.

Oh, and Mike, you might like or not like this: the As are looking to move Joe Kennedy. The teams interested include the Dodgers, Phillies, and Brewers.

From yesterday, this notable thing: the Jays are apparently interested in Pittsburgh SS Jack Wilson. The article only notes that the trade would likely only happen after the non-waiver deadline passes because the Jays will want Pittsburgh to pick up the bulk of his remaining salary.

Peter Gammons posted a blog on Friday, regarding the deadline, titled "Don't Expect Race-Altering Moves". Here is an excerpt:

So while the Mets, Braves, Phillies, Red Sox, Dodgers and Padres would like a starter, nothing race-changing is likely to occur. And while the Astros convene next week to decide whether or not to weigh their options on Brad Lidge, Chad Qualls and Dan Wheeler, while the Rangers continue to market Eric Gagne and Akinori Otsuka, while the Pirates shop disgruntled Salomon Torres and the Royals take bids on Octavio Dotel, what general managers like Omar Minaya, Pat Gillick, Dave Dombrowski and Mark Shapiro won't do is make a deal similar to Jeff Bagwell for Larry Andersen.

"I don't know of anyone who will trade a potential impact everyday player for a relief pitcher, especially one who isn't a dominant closer," says Minaya. Another contending GM says, "I don't blame Dayton Moore for trying to rebuild, but he wants a major league-ready positional player for Dotel."
Hey, what outsiders don't understand is ownership pressure. Drayton McLane has to sign off on rebuilding before Astros GM Tim Purpura can even begin to market Lidge, who could mean the World Series to Detroit, Cleveland, Boston or the Mets. Those kinds of pressures are on Moore, Wayne Krivsky in Cincinnati, Jon Daniels in Texas and Andrew Friedman in Tampa Bay, pressures no one else knows who hasn't sat in their chairs in buildings operated by their respective owners.

As odd as it may seem, Brian Cashman in many ways is the most relaxed of the GM bunch. On Friday morning, the Yankees are six games behind the Indians in the loss column for the wild card and seven games behind the Red Sox in the AL East (in New England, that's Anxt Legion), and Cashman on Wednesday took a leisurely drive to Trenton, N.J., to watch Philip Hughes. Cashman is looking to add a first baseman if it isn't Shea Hillenbrand, find someone to take Kyle Farnsworth, maybe move a Scott Proctor for depth (the NY Post has been on Wilson Betemit), and await the reconstruction of the Yankee pitching staff.

Now, one wonders why Cashman might not be interested in Shea Hillenbrand? Well ... he IS a head case ... and he has been doing terribly since leaving the Jays.

I wonder what a team could acquire in terms of promising young minor-leaguers in exchange for a young, cheap, MLB positional player? You'd think, if the market was as hot for these guys as it apparently is, that some brave and enterprising GM would take advantage and get a number of prospects a year or two away and hope that you can turn that one guy into two or three ...

Gammons also lists these points I selected at the end of his blog (I've quoted easily less than half of the article, mods, hope that is fine):

- Has the window of opportunity on trading Dontrelle Willis begun closing on the Marlins. "As much as we all like and respect Dontrelle, there are major doubts about him now," says one GM. "An ERA over 5.00 pitching in that park? Come on. Right-handers hitting .330 with a .927 OPS against him? I have to believe the innings and the delivery may have worn him down, and the novelty has certainly worn off."

- The Wily Mo Pena era may soon come to an end, but unless something falls in their laps, Boston's right-handed-hitting outfield addition will be from the list floating: Bobby Kielty, Lew Ford, Reggie Sanders, et al.

- No, the Dodgers will not entertain trading James Loney, Matt Kemp, (obviously) Russell Martin, Chad Billingsley or Jonathan Broxton. Ned Colletti is looking for a starter or reliever, expecting Randy Wolf back around the deadline. A numer of teams, including Boston, have been trying to get in on Andy LaRoche.

- Yes, the Cubs are really enthused about Kerry Wood, expecially because he is so revered by teammates. Not only did Wood hit 95 Thursday in Arizona, but, in a better indicator of his health, he had exquisite command.

- But the Mets seem to be backing off their intrepid predictions on Pedro Martinez's return. Not a good sign.

- Two great GM trade deadline quotes: 1. "Hopefully, the names we're discussing on July 31 are different from the ones on July 20"; and 2. "Just because someone's available doesn't mean he's good."

Interesting that perpetually-injured Kerry Wood actually seems to be putting things together. I always enjoyed watching him pitch, he seemed like the next Roger Clemens. And that comment about the talent available is awesome.

[CaramonLS]

From yesterday, this notable thing: the Jays are apparently interested in Pittsburgh SS Jack Wilson. The article only notes that the trade would likely only happen after the non-waiver deadline passes because the Jays will want Pittsburgh to pick up the bulk of his remaining salary.


"We have no interest in Jack Wilson -- absolutely no interest," Ricciardi said emphatically. "None. I have Jack Wilson. I have John McDonald."

Link (http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070723&content_id=2104556&vkey=news_tor&fext=.jsp&c_id=tor)

I just have to say, thank god for that. Wilson simply isn't an upgrade, what an awful contract they gave him. 3 years, 20 million (starting next season I guess).

[RedHot25]

From yesterday, this notable thing: the Jays are apparently interested in Pittsburgh SS Jack Wilson. The article only notes that the trade would likely only happen after the non-waiver deadline passes because the Jays will want Pittsburgh to pick up the bulk of his remaining salary.

"We have no interest in Jack Wilson -- absolutely no interest," Ricciardi said emphatically. "None. I have Jack Wilson. I have John McDonald."

Link (http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070723&content_id=2104556&vkey=news_tor&fext=.jsp&c_id=tor)

I just have to say, thank god for that. Wilson simply isn't an upgrade, what an awful contract they gave him. 3 years, 20 million (starting next season I guess).

Huh, this is all interesting context wise. I heard a Riccardi comment last night...he was asked about the potential of trading Troy Glaus. His answer? "Well, I won't be trading Troy for Jack Wilson, I can tell you that much". I thought it was kind of an odd comment, but I didn't know about the Wilson rumours at that point in time.

[flambers]

Huh, this is all interesting context wise. I heard a Riccardi comment last night...he was asked about the potential of trading Troy Glaus. His answer? "Well, I won't be trading Troy for Jack Wilson, I can tell you that much". I thought it was kind of an odd comment, but I didn't know about the Wilson rumours at that point in time.

JP comment "I won't be trading Troy for Jack Wilson, I can tell you that much" was in regards to the article from Pittsburg rumouring the Jays inquired about Wilson the Pirates asked for Glaus. JP stomped on that rumour with his comments last night.

[Sylvanfan]

I suspect that next to nothing is going to happen. Sounds like MLB GM's are being pretty stubborn in not wanting to give up either decent players, or decent prospects to get a decent player. There might be a couple of mediocre middle relief guys moved for so so prospects but other than that I don't see much happening.

[flambers]

I suspect that next to nothing is going to happen. Sounds like MLB GM's are being pretty stubborn in not wanting to give up either decent players, or decent prospects to get a decent player. There might be a couple of mediocre middle relief guys moved for so so prospects but other than that I don't see much happening.

I agree, if a major trade does happen the buyer is going to pay a steep price....

[Flickered Flame]

Oh, and Mike, you might like or not like this: the As are looking to move Joe Kennedy. The teams interested include the Dodgers, Phillies, and Brewers.

No surprise at all and I hope he does get moved. Kennedy has had no luck with the A's this year. Until recently he was pitching very well but his w/l record sucked cuz he had no run support.

Other names from the A's that could move include Shannon Stewart who is hitting over .300, Mark Kotsay, my buddies in O-town mentioned to me the other night that Calero, Ellis-who I hope the A's hold on to because he is the best defensive 2nd baseman in the AL, and of course Dan Johnson's name keeps coming up, oh and I guess Piazza as well as he will be an UFA in the winter.

[Flickered Flame]

More from mlb.com

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070724&content_id=2105789&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb

[Flickered Flame]

Lots more stuff from mlb.com today including Mark Teixeira possibly to the Braves.

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070725&content_id=2108280&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb

[socalwingfan]

Lots more stuff from mlb.com today including Mark Teixeira possibly to the Braves.

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070725&content_id=2108280&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb

Damn, I was hoping NY could somehow pry Saltalamacchia off of the Braves. If I'm Texas I do that deal in a minute

[Sylvanfan]

I didn't really think Texiera to the BoSox made a lot of sense. Youkilas isn't a power stick like Tex, but he's a good all around hitter. With J.D. Drew, Crisp, and Manny in the outfield and Ortiz at DH, they would have had a tough time finding playing time for all their guys.

What are the Twins going to do with Torii Hunter? They're currently only 1 game over 500 and even with the Jays. After Santana the Twins have almost no starting pitching. Hunter doesn't have a great track record of OBP, and Slg %. But he's having a career type year hitting around 300 has 20+ homers and 70+ RBI and is OBSP is a shade under .900 and he's the best defensive outfielder in Baseball. Can the Twins afford to give this guy his next contract? If they can't.....why hold onto him right now....you're down to 60 games left, have bad starting pitching and are a ways out of the playoffs. I think they have to look to ship him out if they can't sign him. They have two really good young core players in Morneau and Mauer, and than with Santana and a healthy Liriano would stand to still be able to compete next year.

[Antithesis]

Today's roundup from ESPN's Rumor Central:

The Angels are looking into acquiring Paul Konerko from the White Sox. He has a limited no-trade clause and apparently turned down a contract offer from the Angels the last time he was a free agent. Apparently he has a solid relationship with Mike Scocia, and the Sox are only really looking to trade one of Konerko or Jermaine Dye. Dye is a free agent after this season, while Konerko is signed through 2010.

The Braves are apparently the front runners to acquire Mark Teixeira from the Rangers. Other interested teams listed include the Red Sox, Yankees, and Angels though there is no mention of the Angels in the blurb. The Yanks are also said to be unlikely to acquire Teixeira as the price is too high for their liking. Seems that ESPN thinks it is down to the Sox and Braves at this point.

ESPN also discusses Saltalamacchia being made available by the Braves however it does state that they are looking for pitching in exchange for him.

Peter Gammons says that Livan Hernandez is not likely to be leaving Arizona now that news of Randy Johnson's injury woes has come. That takes one more pitcher out of the trade block!

Nothing particulary interesting regarding trades in the MLB Insider section today.

[Flickered Flame]

Brewers pickup reliever Scott Linebrink from the Padres for 3 prospects.

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070725&content_id=2108805&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb

[Flickered Flame]

Rangers deal Kenny Lofton to the Indians for a minor league catcher.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2951549

[Flickered Flame]

With Utley out for at least a month the Phillies picked up Iguchi from the WhiteSox.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2951844

[ricoFlame]

With Utley out for at least a month the Phillies picked up Iguchi from the WhiteSox.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2951844

had to fill that hole if they wanted to continue their push for the division. good move. tough one losing utley though.

[socalwingfan]

Tampa busy today:

Trade 2B Jorge Cantu to Cincinatti for RHP Calvin Medlock, LHP Brian Shackelford
Ty Wigginton to the Astros for reliever Dan Wheeler.

Good trades for TB - they have a prety nice team but their pitching is atrocious.

[Flickered Flame]

I am surprised that Wigginton ends up in Houston. Ensberg, Lamb, and or Loretta must all be available from the Astros now.

[moon]

I don't really understand that trade from Houstons stand point.

Wigginton doesn't seem to fit in with their team and although Wheeler isn't great he was their closer for a time this year. I am not sure I would trust the Lidge is back enough to have him as their closer without any back-up.

[Flickered Flame]

Pending physicals Teixeira to the Braves.

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070730&content_id=2118521&vkey=trade2007&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb

[dionfan]

Tampa busy today:

Trade 2B Jorge Cantu to Cincinatti for RHP Calvin Medlock, LHP Brian Shackelford
Ty Wigginton to the Astros for reliever Dan Wheeler.

Good trades for TB - they have a prety nice team but their pitching is atrocious.

That's what i've thought for a couple years now, the D-Rays are a solid young team in the offensive department, they have speed, power, and can put up runs. Their pitching outside of Kasmir is terrible. Get some help there and they might be competitive.

But anyways, back to the wheelings and dealings.....

[Cowboy89]

Pending physicals Teixeira to the Braves.

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070730&content_id=2118521&vkey=trade2007&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb

That's quite a price to pay for the Braves considering he's not signed beyond 2008 and could garner much more money than his current 9 Mil a season.

But then agian this is baseball, to hell with prospects just buy whatever you need whenever you need it for whatever money should you be one of those teams blessed with a market in which supports such spending. I'm sick of watching the Atlanta Braves, Yankees, and Red Sox in the playoffs every year. I long for a season in which all three of them finish well below .500 and have to watch teams like the Kansas City Royals and the Pittsburgh Pirates battle for the World Series.

[Flickered Flame]

Twins send Castillo to the Mets for 2 minor leaguers.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2954901

Reds send Lohse to the Phillies.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2954811

[Gugstanley]

I'm sick of watching the Atlanta Braves, Yankees, and Red Sox in the playoffs every year. I long for a season in which all three of them finish well below .500 and have to watch teams like the Kansas City Royals and the Pittsburgh Pirates battle for the World Series.

I am with you on that. Baseball needs a hard salary cap. This luxury tax doesn't work at all.

Still pissed I can't watch the Jays because MLB signed an exlusive Extra innings deal with Directv.

[Sylvanfan]

Still pissed I can't watch the Jays because MLB signed an exlusive Extra innings deal with Directv.

Well.....you're not missing out on much they're about as mediocre a team as there could be.


That deal for the Mets to get Castilla seems like a good move. Good defensive guy with speed and pretty much an ideal #2 hitter for them to add to their lineup. Surprised the Braves would give as much as they did to land Texiera considering they are like 4 games back of the Mets and further back for the Wild Card.

[socalwingfan]

I am with you on that. Baseball needs a hard salary cap. This luxury tax doesn't work at all.

Still pissed I can't watch the Jays because MLB signed an exlusive Extra innings deal with Directv.

Actually MLB signed a deal with InDemand as well as DirectTV for Extra Innings so the package is available to cable as well as satellite users

[socalwingfan]

Yanks send RP Scott 'Sparky' Proctor to the Dodgers for Wilson Betemit. I was hoping Farnsworth was going to be shipped out - looks like nobody wanted him though
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2955753

[Caged Great]

It's really pathetic when 1 team has almost 10X the payroll of some of the other teams. Even if the MLB made the cap 100 Million, it would still be low enough to shave off 150 million dollars off the yankees payroll....

[Antithesis]

TSN reporting that the Red Sox and Rangers have agreed on a trade sending Eric Gagne to Boston, pending his waiving a no-trade clause.

http://tsn.ca/mlb/news_story/?ID=215160&hubname=

[Sylvanfan]

http://www.tsn.ca/mlb/news_story/?ID=215167&hubname=

Octavio Dotel goes to the Braves.

Padres aquire Morgan Ensberg and cash from the Astros for a player to be named later, utility man Rob Mackowiak from the White Sox for a minor league pitcher, and reliver Wilfredo Ledezma and a minor league pitcher for Royce Ring from the Braves.

[ricoFlame]

TSN reporting that the Red Sox and Rangers have agreed on a trade sending Eric Gagne to Boston, pending his waiving a no-trade clause.

http://tsn.ca/mlb/news_story/?ID=215160&hubname=

Wow...added a great arm, and more importantly for them, kept him away from the yanks. jeez, great pickup.

[JiriHrdina]

http://www.tsn.ca/mlb/news_story/?ID=215167&hubname=

Octavio Dotel goes to the Braves.

Padres aquire Morgan Ensberg and cash from the Astros for a player to be named later, utility man Rob Mackowiak from the White Sox for a minor league pitcher, and reliver Wilfredo Ledezma and a minor league pitcher for Royce Ring from the Braves.

Ensberg is interesting. I'm not entirely familiar with all the rules re. player movement but if they had waited they could've had him for the league minimum after yes?