Baseball Guru
07-26-2001, 08:42 PM
Rumor Mill
SportsLine.com staff
Updated July 26, 2001
With baseball's non-waiver deadline awaiting Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET, the trade talk is the hottest of the year. Here's the latest:
Sanchez going nowhere
Braves GM John Schuerholz threw cold water on the Rey Sanchez talks in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "The way [Mark DeRosa] is playing? No way," he said. "I don't know what people are seeing that makes them think we have to address it." The Royals originally wanted promising starter Jason Marquis from the Braves. The Dodgers are also talking with the Royals about Sanchez, but the Kansas City Star quotes Royals GM Allard Baird as saying he hasn't received any interest.
Escobar heads list of relievers
The Blue Jays will showcase Kelvim Escobar as a starter Saturday against Roger Clemens and the Yankees. The Jays have suddenly turned their need to catcher and are talking with the Cardinals about trading Escobar for Eli Marrero, according to the Toronto Sun. ... Most teams view Escobar as a future closer. The A's are so interested in him as Jason Isringhausen's successor that they offered catcher Ramon Hernandez. That deal dissolved when Oakland couldn't reach a deal for another catcher, but the A's would still love to have him. The Phillies have an offer of Bruce Chen for Escobar on the table, though the Jays aren't biting. They're not alone; the Phillies are also believed to have offered Chen for Isringhausen as well as Pittsburgh's Mike Williams and Cincinnati's Danny Graves. Bowden countered with Graves for top pitching prospect Brandon Duckworth along with second baseman Chase Utley, Philly's first-round pick last year. Philadelphia turned down that offer. Remember when Chen was considered good? ... The Bergen Record reports that the Phillies have cooled on the idea of acquiring Mets reliever Turk Wendell but might be interested in his teammate, lefty Dennis Cook. The Marlins are like the less expensive Rick White, according to the New York Post.
M's, Blue Jays out of OF talks
The Seattle Times reports that the Mariners have backed off of talks with the Blue Jays, whom sources say are more inclined to trade Shannon Stewart than Jose Cruz Jr. The Jays asked for a top starter and a catcher for Stewart, whom the M's like but not enough for that. Speculation is that Brett Tomko, Joel Pineiro and Robert Ramsay wasn't enough. They're expected to turn their attention back to Detroit's Juan Encarnacion or Kansas City's Mark Quinn, though Quinn will be more difficult to acquire now that the Royals have unloaded Jermaine Dye. ... The Jays also offered Cruz or Stewart to the Indians for catcher Einar Diaz but were turned down, according to the Toronto Sun.
Indians look at Reds' Sullivan
The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports that the Indians have had a scout watching the Reds play the Braves the past couple days. He's believed to be looking at Cincinnati reliever Scott Sullivan, one of the most durable long men in the league. His availability on the market is debatable since he's signed to a multiyear contract at a decent rate. If the Indians don't obtain another reliever, GM John Hart said they'll need more innings out of their starters. That might be construed as taking the kid gloves off of C.C. Sabathia, whom Hart said appears to be getting stronger as the season wears on.
McGriff denies second thoughts on Cubs trade
Forget that McGriff jersey, Cubs fans. The Crime Dog denies telling teammates he's reconsidering Tampa Bay's trade with Chicago. "No truth," McGriff told the St. Petersburg Times Tuesday night. "That's a new one on me. Every day it's something new." McGriff added that he's planning on playing the next two months wherever he is, a sign that he might retire. The Cubs are moving on, sending a scout to New York to watch the Tigers' Tony Clark. ... The Cubs haven't found much to like in their pursuit of Clark, Pittsburgh's John Vander Wal and Toronto's Brad Fullmer. ... The New York Post reports that the Yankees are also interested in McGriff for use as a DH. They're hoping the fact that the Yankees train in Tampa would alleviate McGriff's concerns about moving his family.
Diamondbacks on fence about SS
The Diamondbacks might mount a pursuit for Mets shortstop Rey Ordonez now that Neifi Perez is off the market and Tony Womack is injured. The problem is that with Womack out and other prospects gone in the Albie Lopez trade, the D-Backs don't have much that would entice the Mets.
Reds' Reese: "I really want out"
Pokey Reese's days in Cincinnati should be just about done. Reese fumed when he was removed in the late innings Monday at Atlanta and sat out Tuesday's game. His feud with Reds GM Jim Bowden, meanwhile, intensified after Bowden said he's having an "underachieving year." Said Reese: "If he feels that way, I hope he trades me and trades me soon. Now I really want out of here." The Dodgers and Diamondbacks are lukewarm about acquiring him. ... Now that Alex Ochoa and Michael Tucker are gone, don't expect Reds GM Jim Bowden to ship off Dmitri Young unless his love for the trade becomes a terminal disease. "We want to keep the Dmitri Youngs, Sean Caseys and Aaron Boones and try to get more offense," Bowden said. ... That said, Bowden still aims to make another trade at the deadline, especially if he can get some pitching in return.
Twins, Pirates close to Schmidt deal
The Twins and Pirates are close to a deal that would send Jason Schmidt to Minnesota for right-handed starter Kyle Lohse. The Yankees are also interested in Schmidt and are able to offer the Pirates the left-handed starter they need in either Randy Keisler or Ted Lilly.
Astacio talks in retreat
The Jays aren't quite so enamored with Pedro Astacio after that debacle over the weekend, but they're still talking with the Rockies. According to the Toronto Sun, Colorado wants Shannon Stewart in return, a possibility that becomes more palatable as long as Jose Cruz Jr. remains untraded and keeps hitting at his current pace. However, Jays scouts are divided on Astacio's worth. They might attract a better pitcher in return -- say, Barry Zito -- if they trade Stewart at season's end. ... The Houston Chronicle reports that the Astros denied having received an offer from the Rockies -- Pedro Astacio for Scott Elarton, Tim Redding and Daryle Ward. If such an offer was made, Colorado would probably deny it out of shame. Every Astros player asked Tuesday said they wouldn't give more than one major leaguer and one prospect for Astacio. Another GM accused the Rockies of fabricating a bidding war for their beleaguered right-hander. ... The Twins denied a report that the club would part with top prospect Michael Cuddyer to acquire Astacio.
Giants look at Todd Jones
The Giants have expressed interest in the Tigers' Todd Jones and have conducted trade talks, according to the Ann Arbor News. Detroit would love to acquire Shawn Estes, but that seems unlikely unless it could send better players in San Francisco's direction, such as Juan Encarnacion.
O's could be buying and selling
The O's would like to acquire Montreal closer Ugueth Urbina but are looking to ship out Jose Mercedes and Jeff Conine to whoever wants them, according to the Baltimore Sun. They could also end up trading Sidney Ponson, whom the Reds scouted on Tuesday. ... Speaking of Urbina, the Red Sox are also interested in him, according to the Boston Globe.
No Rusch to deal
Mets GM Steve Phillips tried to throw cold water onto the numerous Glendon Rusch trade rumors, saying "We're not dangling him, shopping him, or bringing his name up to clubs." The same goes for lefty Al Leiter, despite some definite interest from the Red Sox.
SportsLine.com staff
Updated July 26, 2001
With baseball's non-waiver deadline awaiting Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET, the trade talk is the hottest of the year. Here's the latest:
Sanchez going nowhere
Braves GM John Schuerholz threw cold water on the Rey Sanchez talks in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "The way [Mark DeRosa] is playing? No way," he said. "I don't know what people are seeing that makes them think we have to address it." The Royals originally wanted promising starter Jason Marquis from the Braves. The Dodgers are also talking with the Royals about Sanchez, but the Kansas City Star quotes Royals GM Allard Baird as saying he hasn't received any interest.
Escobar heads list of relievers
The Blue Jays will showcase Kelvim Escobar as a starter Saturday against Roger Clemens and the Yankees. The Jays have suddenly turned their need to catcher and are talking with the Cardinals about trading Escobar for Eli Marrero, according to the Toronto Sun. ... Most teams view Escobar as a future closer. The A's are so interested in him as Jason Isringhausen's successor that they offered catcher Ramon Hernandez. That deal dissolved when Oakland couldn't reach a deal for another catcher, but the A's would still love to have him. The Phillies have an offer of Bruce Chen for Escobar on the table, though the Jays aren't biting. They're not alone; the Phillies are also believed to have offered Chen for Isringhausen as well as Pittsburgh's Mike Williams and Cincinnati's Danny Graves. Bowden countered with Graves for top pitching prospect Brandon Duckworth along with second baseman Chase Utley, Philly's first-round pick last year. Philadelphia turned down that offer. Remember when Chen was considered good? ... The Bergen Record reports that the Phillies have cooled on the idea of acquiring Mets reliever Turk Wendell but might be interested in his teammate, lefty Dennis Cook. The Marlins are like the less expensive Rick White, according to the New York Post.
M's, Blue Jays out of OF talks
The Seattle Times reports that the Mariners have backed off of talks with the Blue Jays, whom sources say are more inclined to trade Shannon Stewart than Jose Cruz Jr. The Jays asked for a top starter and a catcher for Stewart, whom the M's like but not enough for that. Speculation is that Brett Tomko, Joel Pineiro and Robert Ramsay wasn't enough. They're expected to turn their attention back to Detroit's Juan Encarnacion or Kansas City's Mark Quinn, though Quinn will be more difficult to acquire now that the Royals have unloaded Jermaine Dye. ... The Jays also offered Cruz or Stewart to the Indians for catcher Einar Diaz but were turned down, according to the Toronto Sun.
Indians look at Reds' Sullivan
The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports that the Indians have had a scout watching the Reds play the Braves the past couple days. He's believed to be looking at Cincinnati reliever Scott Sullivan, one of the most durable long men in the league. His availability on the market is debatable since he's signed to a multiyear contract at a decent rate. If the Indians don't obtain another reliever, GM John Hart said they'll need more innings out of their starters. That might be construed as taking the kid gloves off of C.C. Sabathia, whom Hart said appears to be getting stronger as the season wears on.
McGriff denies second thoughts on Cubs trade
Forget that McGriff jersey, Cubs fans. The Crime Dog denies telling teammates he's reconsidering Tampa Bay's trade with Chicago. "No truth," McGriff told the St. Petersburg Times Tuesday night. "That's a new one on me. Every day it's something new." McGriff added that he's planning on playing the next two months wherever he is, a sign that he might retire. The Cubs are moving on, sending a scout to New York to watch the Tigers' Tony Clark. ... The Cubs haven't found much to like in their pursuit of Clark, Pittsburgh's John Vander Wal and Toronto's Brad Fullmer. ... The New York Post reports that the Yankees are also interested in McGriff for use as a DH. They're hoping the fact that the Yankees train in Tampa would alleviate McGriff's concerns about moving his family.
Diamondbacks on fence about SS
The Diamondbacks might mount a pursuit for Mets shortstop Rey Ordonez now that Neifi Perez is off the market and Tony Womack is injured. The problem is that with Womack out and other prospects gone in the Albie Lopez trade, the D-Backs don't have much that would entice the Mets.
Reds' Reese: "I really want out"
Pokey Reese's days in Cincinnati should be just about done. Reese fumed when he was removed in the late innings Monday at Atlanta and sat out Tuesday's game. His feud with Reds GM Jim Bowden, meanwhile, intensified after Bowden said he's having an "underachieving year." Said Reese: "If he feels that way, I hope he trades me and trades me soon. Now I really want out of here." The Dodgers and Diamondbacks are lukewarm about acquiring him. ... Now that Alex Ochoa and Michael Tucker are gone, don't expect Reds GM Jim Bowden to ship off Dmitri Young unless his love for the trade becomes a terminal disease. "We want to keep the Dmitri Youngs, Sean Caseys and Aaron Boones and try to get more offense," Bowden said. ... That said, Bowden still aims to make another trade at the deadline, especially if he can get some pitching in return.
Twins, Pirates close to Schmidt deal
The Twins and Pirates are close to a deal that would send Jason Schmidt to Minnesota for right-handed starter Kyle Lohse. The Yankees are also interested in Schmidt and are able to offer the Pirates the left-handed starter they need in either Randy Keisler or Ted Lilly.
Astacio talks in retreat
The Jays aren't quite so enamored with Pedro Astacio after that debacle over the weekend, but they're still talking with the Rockies. According to the Toronto Sun, Colorado wants Shannon Stewart in return, a possibility that becomes more palatable as long as Jose Cruz Jr. remains untraded and keeps hitting at his current pace. However, Jays scouts are divided on Astacio's worth. They might attract a better pitcher in return -- say, Barry Zito -- if they trade Stewart at season's end. ... The Houston Chronicle reports that the Astros denied having received an offer from the Rockies -- Pedro Astacio for Scott Elarton, Tim Redding and Daryle Ward. If such an offer was made, Colorado would probably deny it out of shame. Every Astros player asked Tuesday said they wouldn't give more than one major leaguer and one prospect for Astacio. Another GM accused the Rockies of fabricating a bidding war for their beleaguered right-hander. ... The Twins denied a report that the club would part with top prospect Michael Cuddyer to acquire Astacio.
Giants look at Todd Jones
The Giants have expressed interest in the Tigers' Todd Jones and have conducted trade talks, according to the Ann Arbor News. Detroit would love to acquire Shawn Estes, but that seems unlikely unless it could send better players in San Francisco's direction, such as Juan Encarnacion.
O's could be buying and selling
The O's would like to acquire Montreal closer Ugueth Urbina but are looking to ship out Jose Mercedes and Jeff Conine to whoever wants them, according to the Baltimore Sun. They could also end up trading Sidney Ponson, whom the Reds scouted on Tuesday. ... Speaking of Urbina, the Red Sox are also interested in him, according to the Boston Globe.
No Rusch to deal
Mets GM Steve Phillips tried to throw cold water onto the numerous Glendon Rusch trade rumors, saying "We're not dangling him, shopping him, or bringing his name up to clubs." The same goes for lefty Al Leiter, despite some definite interest from the Red Sox.