MLB Trade Rumors

[nashtymavsfan13]

Major League Baseball trade rumors

By Yahoo! Sports
July 16, 2006

Monday, July 17

2:34 p.m. ET

Though there's not much supporting evidence presented, The St. Paul Pioneer Press reports that the Detroit Tigers are close to acquiring Bobby Abreu from the Philadelphia Phillies. The story also says that the Los Angeles Dodgers are talking with the Cleveland Indians about third baseman Aaron Boone. More

Yahoo! Sports' Take: The Tigers have denied having interest in Abreu for the last month, probably because they would have to assume Abreu's monster contract. He is owed $13 million in 2006 and $15 million in 2007, plus a $16 million club option for 2008. Because of Abreu's full no-trade clause, Abreu controls his future. He would almostl surely demand that option be picked up in order to move to Detroit or anywhere else, meaning he would be owed about $38 million over the next 2½ seasons. That severely limits his trade value.

As for the Dodgers, Cesar Izturis is the best defensive third baseman in the league, but the club knows it must give him an occasional break. If L.A. is chasing Boone, Bill Mueller's knee injury must be really bad. Olmedo Saenz can play third, but is most valuable as a late-inning pinch-hitter.

2:01 p.m. ET

Kevin Mench is seeing less playing time with the Texas Rangers, and that could mean a trade, reports the Dallas Morning News. More

Yahoo! Sports' Take: The 28-year-old Mench, who makes $2.8 million, will be a free agent after the season. The St. Louis Cardinals – with their less-than-inspiring left-field platoon of Chris Duncan and So Taguchi – could be interested.

1:34 p.m. ET

The Washington Post reports that Baltimore Orioles pitcher Rodrigo Lopez shut out the Rangers in what could be his last start with the team. More

Yahoo! Sports' Take: Several teams (the Mets, Yankees, Rangers and Blue Jays among them) would like to add a starting pitcher, but Lopez's numbers (6.44 ERA, 1.57 WHIP and .305 average against) are nothing to get excited about. After a shutout, the time is right for the Orioles to deal him.

2:30 a.m. ET

Shortstop Julio Lugo could be the next veteran to be dealt by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, the Tampa Tribune reports. Many believe Lugo will be traded because negotiations on a new contract have stalled. He is believed to be seeking a five-year deal worth $40 million. More

Sunday, July 16

8:33 p.m. ET

The Associated Press reports that the Pittsburgh Pirates have not reached a contract extension with Sean Casey and may be looking to deal the first baseman before the July 31 deadline. The Pirates are on pace for the 14th consecutive losing season, but they do have players who might be attractive in a trade, including the power-hitting Craig Wilson, right-handed relievers Roberto Hernandez and Salomon Torres, catcher Humberto Cota, outfielder Jeromy Burnitz and third baseman Joe Randa. Burnitz's name has also come up in conversations with the New York Yankees. More

Yahoo! Sports' take: The San Francisco Giants, who demoted Lance Niekro Sunday, have a hole at first base but would be unlikely to move any of their young pitchers for Casey, who lacks power but hits for consistent average and is a positive clubhouse influence. The Pirates may be willing to take mid-level prospects just to get Casey ($8.5 million in 2006, one more year left on deal) off the payroll.

Saturday, July 15

8:45 p.m. ET

According to the Dallas Morning News, the New York Mets had three scouts watching the Orioles' Kris Benson four-hit the Rangers. More

Yahoo! Sports' take: The Mets would like to add a starting pitcher, but can you imagine Anna Benson's reaction to the trade? Omar Minaya would rather pose nude in Stuff magazine than admit defeat to Mrs. Benson.

6:35 p.m. ET

The Los Angeles Angels could be big players before the trade deadline. The Angels are loaded with prospects and are in the thick of the AL West race. According to the Los Angeles Times, the Angels have inquired about Miguel Tejada of Baltimore, Alfonso Soriano of Washington, Vernon Wells of Toronto, Andruw Jones of Atlanta and Torii Hunter of Minnesota. They are believed to be willing to discuss any player besides Vladimir Guerrero. More

Yahoo! Sports' take: The Angels need to kick-start their anemic offense, which ranks 12th out of 14 AL teams in both home runs and batting average, 13th in on-base percentage and last in slugging percentage.

3:21 p.m. ET

The Toronto Star reports that Vernon Wells, who has one more year left on his contract, could be moved by Toronto Blue Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi. Ricciardi has locked up Roy Halladay, A.J. Burnett and B.J. Ryan, and also has Troy Glaus signed through 2009, perhaps leaving Wells out of the team's budgetary plans. More

Yahoo! Sports' take: Wells, the AL's starting center fielder in the All-Star game, would be a huge coup for a contending team looking to shore up center field. It seems unlikely the Blue Jays would deal their young star while in the midst of a pennant race, but perhaps they could be swayed with an offer that includes starting pitching. Just a guess here, but doesn't Wells seem like the kind of guy who would look good in a White Sox uniform? Chicago GM Kenny Williams will not hesitate to make a blockbuster deal if he thinks it could result in another World Series crown.

12:47 p.m. ET

With Gary Sheffield and Hideki Matsui both missing significant time with wrist injuries, the New York Yankees are in the market for a corner outfielder. The New York Daily News reports that Bobby Abreu and Jose Guillen are on the Yankees' wish list. Also targeted were Pittsburgh's Craig Wilson and Jeromy Burnitz, but the conversations ended when the Pirates asked for Melky Cabrera.

[Five-ofan]

I know this would sound bad and it might be suicide for daniels this young in his career, but dont you have to consider being a seller with the market the way it will be this year?

[jthig32]

You consider being a seller if you're down 4 or 5 games after the next week and a half. Otherwise, you have to take advantage of being in a position to compete for the division this year.

If we do slide a bit, players like DeRosa, GMJ, and even maybe Barajas might bring some nice returns. Especially GMJ.

[Five-ofan]

Thats my point. Say we are down 3 games and the yankees come to you offering a package centered around phillip hughes? Personally i think he is vastly overrated so i would probably turn it down. What if the Red sox come offering lester? What if the angels( i know it sounds weird) come offering a package of any of there plethora of prospects for gmj and or derosa and or cordero? I think you have to be open to trading for the future if a huge deal becomes available. You have to be willing to think outside the box and i would prefer a great future to getting trounced in the first round anyway.

Im not saying shop our guys but if someone calls with a sweetheart deal i dont think i could turn it down.

[sike]

you only move GMJ if you don't think he's the real thing....

[jthig32]

Originally Posted by sike

you only move GMJ if you don't think he's the real thing....

I disagree. As long as you make it clear that you're interested in talking to him about a contract after the season, I see no problem with sending him away at the deadline if you think you're out of contention.

GMJ could really fetch you something nice this year.

[nashtymavsfan13]

I think if you are down 3 games or so, and it doesn't look like you'll win the division, or go far into the playoffs you should accept an offer like that if it will help you in the future.