Baseball Guru
07-23-2001, 10:12 AM
SportsLine.com staff
Updated July 23, 2001
With baseball's non-waiver deadline less than two weeks away, the trade talk is the hottest of the year. Here's the latest:
Dodgers like Pokey, but need pitching
The Dayton Daily News quoted a Dodgers source as saying the club remains interested in Reds infielder Pokey Reese and that they could be willing to give up Eric Gagne or Luke Prokopec in return. The Los Angeles Times reports that the Dodgers will only trade Prokopec or Gagne for a No. 1 starter. They'll have to settle for San Diego's Woody Williams or Sterling Hitchcock or White Sox hurler James Baldwin. A surprise factor in the Dodgers' pitching search is Detroit's Chris Holt, who at $1.85 million will make far less than the other pitchers on the market, according to the Ann Arbor News. The Dodgers had Claude Osteen scouting Holt during his start on Friday.
Reds to keep Young, but Graves might go
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. The Dayton Daily News reports that Bowden declined an offer from Philadelphia that would have sent closer Danny Graves to the Phillies for Bruce Chen and a prospect. 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.
Yanks want a Crime Dog
The Crime Dog turned down the Cubs, but can he turn down The Boss? The New York Post reports that the Yankees are interested in Devil Rays first baseman Fred 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.
Bowa likes Turk
The Phillies struck out in their quest to get relief help from Toronto, but manager Larry Bowa has another target: Mets reliever Turk Wendell. Bowa expressed his interest in the quirky right-hander to GM Ed Wade, according to the Bergen Record, at least to see what the Mets want for him.
The A's sale is over
The winning ways of the A's so far in the second half means they're more likely to be buying than selling at the deadline. GM Billy Beane would certainly like some hitting help, even though the A's scored double-digit runs in three straight games. That help might include the Royals' Jermaine Dye, but not likely. The Sacramento Bee reports that the talks stalled when Kansas City asked for Barry Zito or Mark Mulder in return. End of discussions. The Yankees, Mets, Mariners and Cubs have also made inquiries and received similar rebuff.
O's might send Conine on the move
The Orioles aren't likely to overhaul their roster at the upcoming deadline, but they could unload Jeff Conine on a market desperate for first basemen. The Cubs, Braves and Twins are interested, according to the Baltimore Sun.
Red Sox need a starter
The Red Sox quest to add more unspectacular starters to their staff has extended to Tampa Bay's Albie Lopez. Boston had a scout in Tampa on Friday to watch Lopez start.
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.
Giants join Astacio talks
The Giants have joined the Pedro Astacio sweepstakes, according to the Contra Costa Times. The Rockies are interested in outfielder Armando Rios, though that might have passed now that Colorado has Alex Ochoa. ... Talks with the Blue Jays have heated up with Shannon Stewart wanted as part of the return. ... Cards GM Walt Jocketty denied a report that he made the Rockies an offer for Pedro Astacio that included infielder Placido Polanco, Gene Stechschulte and Bud Smith. In fact, Jocketty said he's not close to any deal for a pitcher. ... The Rockies rejected a 10-player offer from the Mets that would have sent Astacio to New York along with Neifi Perez, Jeff Cirillo, Juan Pierre and Juan Acevedo for Rusch, Robin Ventura, Jay Payton, Rey Ordonez and Rick White. The offer was made within the last 10 days, according to Newsday. Mets GM Steve Phillips denied the exact offer but not the big-name player discussions. ... When the Astros asked about Astacio, the Rockies made a less realistic request for Scott Elarton, Tim Redding, Daryle Ward and prospects, according the Denver Post. ... Other teams interested in Astacio include Minnesota, Arizona, Cleveland, Seattle, Philadelphia, Boston, both New York teams and -- surprise! -- Oakland.
Rox don't find much interest in Neifi
The Denver Post reports that the Reds and Royals are the only clubs so far to show serious interest in Rockies shortstop Neifi Perez. Colorado wants a blue-chip infielder in return, which has left them looking for a three-way deal with Oakland that would land them Jose Ortiz. He started the season as Oakland's starting second baseman.
Braves can't keep up with Jones
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that the Braves are already dreading the negotiations that lie ahead with Andruw Jones, who was awarded a record $8.2 million in arbitration last winter and will be a free agent after next season. His agent, Scott Boras, didn't earn many friends in Atlanta with the courtship of Alex Rodriguez. The talk is that the Braves might attempt to trade Jones this winter while they can still find value and avoid the whole mess.
Mariners close to Cruz control
According to weekend reports, the Blue Jays want Brett Tomko and right-hander Joel Pineiro for Jose Cruz Jr. The Seattle Times reports that a deal might be close. ... Elsewhere in the Toronto fire sale, the National Post reported last week that the Braves turned down an Alex Gonzalez-for-Odalis Perez offer.
Cubs move on after McGriff's rejection
Spurned by Fred McGriff, the Cubs are exploring their options for more help with the bat. They're interested in Toronto's Brad Fullmer, who hasn't played regularly at first base -- or any defensive position -- since he was an Expo in 1999. The Rangers' Andres Galarraga is another possibility. They could also re-enter talks for Jason Giambi (see below). Rondell White's injury will likely turn the Cubs' attention more towards outfield help as well. Pittsburgh's John Vander Wal, who can play left field and first base, looks more appetizing. So does Detroit's Tony Clark.
Twins have buying power
The Twins have entered the trade market -- as buyers, for a change -- in the quest to shore up their starting rotation. Possible late entrants on the Cinderella ride to October include San Diego's Sterling Hitchcock, Pittsburgh's Jason Schmidt, Baltimore's Jose Mercedes and White Sox hurler James Baldwin. All are mid-priced veterans. ... The Twins also might be looking for a DH with David Ortiz out for the foreseeable future. They sent two scouts to look at Andres Galarraga.
Updated July 23, 2001
With baseball's non-waiver deadline less than two weeks away, the trade talk is the hottest of the year. Here's the latest:
Dodgers like Pokey, but need pitching
The Dayton Daily News quoted a Dodgers source as saying the club remains interested in Reds infielder Pokey Reese and that they could be willing to give up Eric Gagne or Luke Prokopec in return. The Los Angeles Times reports that the Dodgers will only trade Prokopec or Gagne for a No. 1 starter. They'll have to settle for San Diego's Woody Williams or Sterling Hitchcock or White Sox hurler James Baldwin. A surprise factor in the Dodgers' pitching search is Detroit's Chris Holt, who at $1.85 million will make far less than the other pitchers on the market, according to the Ann Arbor News. The Dodgers had Claude Osteen scouting Holt during his start on Friday.
Reds to keep Young, but Graves might go
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. The Dayton Daily News reports that Bowden declined an offer from Philadelphia that would have sent closer Danny Graves to the Phillies for Bruce Chen and a prospect. 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.
Yanks want a Crime Dog
The Crime Dog turned down the Cubs, but can he turn down The Boss? The New York Post reports that the Yankees are interested in Devil Rays first baseman Fred 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.
Bowa likes Turk
The Phillies struck out in their quest to get relief help from Toronto, but manager Larry Bowa has another target: Mets reliever Turk Wendell. Bowa expressed his interest in the quirky right-hander to GM Ed Wade, according to the Bergen Record, at least to see what the Mets want for him.
The A's sale is over
The winning ways of the A's so far in the second half means they're more likely to be buying than selling at the deadline. GM Billy Beane would certainly like some hitting help, even though the A's scored double-digit runs in three straight games. That help might include the Royals' Jermaine Dye, but not likely. The Sacramento Bee reports that the talks stalled when Kansas City asked for Barry Zito or Mark Mulder in return. End of discussions. The Yankees, Mets, Mariners and Cubs have also made inquiries and received similar rebuff.
O's might send Conine on the move
The Orioles aren't likely to overhaul their roster at the upcoming deadline, but they could unload Jeff Conine on a market desperate for first basemen. The Cubs, Braves and Twins are interested, according to the Baltimore Sun.
Red Sox need a starter
The Red Sox quest to add more unspectacular starters to their staff has extended to Tampa Bay's Albie Lopez. Boston had a scout in Tampa on Friday to watch Lopez start.
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.
Giants join Astacio talks
The Giants have joined the Pedro Astacio sweepstakes, according to the Contra Costa Times. The Rockies are interested in outfielder Armando Rios, though that might have passed now that Colorado has Alex Ochoa. ... Talks with the Blue Jays have heated up with Shannon Stewart wanted as part of the return. ... Cards GM Walt Jocketty denied a report that he made the Rockies an offer for Pedro Astacio that included infielder Placido Polanco, Gene Stechschulte and Bud Smith. In fact, Jocketty said he's not close to any deal for a pitcher. ... The Rockies rejected a 10-player offer from the Mets that would have sent Astacio to New York along with Neifi Perez, Jeff Cirillo, Juan Pierre and Juan Acevedo for Rusch, Robin Ventura, Jay Payton, Rey Ordonez and Rick White. The offer was made within the last 10 days, according to Newsday. Mets GM Steve Phillips denied the exact offer but not the big-name player discussions. ... When the Astros asked about Astacio, the Rockies made a less realistic request for Scott Elarton, Tim Redding, Daryle Ward and prospects, according the Denver Post. ... Other teams interested in Astacio include Minnesota, Arizona, Cleveland, Seattle, Philadelphia, Boston, both New York teams and -- surprise! -- Oakland.
Rox don't find much interest in Neifi
The Denver Post reports that the Reds and Royals are the only clubs so far to show serious interest in Rockies shortstop Neifi Perez. Colorado wants a blue-chip infielder in return, which has left them looking for a three-way deal with Oakland that would land them Jose Ortiz. He started the season as Oakland's starting second baseman.
Braves can't keep up with Jones
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that the Braves are already dreading the negotiations that lie ahead with Andruw Jones, who was awarded a record $8.2 million in arbitration last winter and will be a free agent after next season. His agent, Scott Boras, didn't earn many friends in Atlanta with the courtship of Alex Rodriguez. The talk is that the Braves might attempt to trade Jones this winter while they can still find value and avoid the whole mess.
Mariners close to Cruz control
According to weekend reports, the Blue Jays want Brett Tomko and right-hander Joel Pineiro for Jose Cruz Jr. The Seattle Times reports that a deal might be close. ... Elsewhere in the Toronto fire sale, the National Post reported last week that the Braves turned down an Alex Gonzalez-for-Odalis Perez offer.
Cubs move on after McGriff's rejection
Spurned by Fred McGriff, the Cubs are exploring their options for more help with the bat. They're interested in Toronto's Brad Fullmer, who hasn't played regularly at first base -- or any defensive position -- since he was an Expo in 1999. The Rangers' Andres Galarraga is another possibility. They could also re-enter talks for Jason Giambi (see below). Rondell White's injury will likely turn the Cubs' attention more towards outfield help as well. Pittsburgh's John Vander Wal, who can play left field and first base, looks more appetizing. So does Detroit's Tony Clark.
Twins have buying power
The Twins have entered the trade market -- as buyers, for a change -- in the quest to shore up their starting rotation. Possible late entrants on the Cinderella ride to October include San Diego's Sterling Hitchcock, Pittsburgh's Jason Schmidt, Baltimore's Jose Mercedes and White Sox hurler James Baldwin. All are mid-priced veterans. ... The Twins also might be looking for a DH with David Ortiz out for the foreseeable future. They sent two scouts to look at Andres Galarraga.