Baseball Rumor News

In a Cubs Press Release today the team announced that they have acquired two pitchers from the A’s, Rich Harden and Chad Gaudin. While many people will speculate that this is a direct response to the Brewers acquisition of CC Sabathia, but this move was something the Cubs have needed all season. It is true that the Brewers move may have forced Chicago GM Jim Hendry’s hand a bit, but another top of the line starter was something that the team had coveted for some time. With the depth that the two new pitchers bring to the rotation and bullpen, the Cubs pitching just received a huge shot in the arm.

It appears to me that the Cubs really come out on top with this deal, even though it is hard to second guess A’s GM Billy Beane and his eye for talent. I thought that the Cubs would have had to give up more for these two pitchers. The A’s will receive four players in return: SP Sean Gallagher, OF Matt Murton, 2B Eric Patterson, and C Josh Donaldson. Gallagher and Murton have shown their potential, so they are both very low risk and will probably benefit the A’s this year. Particularly Murton should benefit from increased at-bats. Patterson has speed, but hasn’t shown he can hit Major League pitching consistently and Donaldson was the Cubs 2nd round pick in 2007. Donaldson was also very expendable do to the success of rookie Geovany Soto. The one way the Cubs might get hurt by this trade is if Harden is unable to remain healthy, but they are still deep at the position, having not included lefty starter Sean Marshall in the deal. Only time will tell, but the Cubs have reaffirmed that they are shooting for the top in 2008.

At this ate, expect the Cardinals to make some decisions very soon about where they want to take this season.

Today, Steve Stone was on The Score 670 Chicago discussing what moves he expected the Cubs to make by the trade deadline. He said he is almost certain that the Cubs will try and acquire a top level starting pitcher. Cubs beat reporter Carrie Muskat also thinks the club is in the market for starting pitching due to the unexpected decline in performance of both Rich Hill and Sean Marshall. While no names have surfaced as to who they may be targeting, here are some possible candidates…keep in mind, I’m leaving out starters of lesser effectiveness because I believe what Lou wants is another starter come playoff time. That means that this guy has to be better than what the Cubs already have.

C.C. Sabathia: I see Sabathia as a strong possibility. He isn’t going to sign an extension with the Indians and if they slip further out of contention, which seems likely, they are going to trade him. By not sending a ton of players to Baltimore for Roberts, the Cubs have enough to get this done…especially with Sabathia’s shaky performance so far.

Rich Harden: If he stays healthy Harden could be a great asset to any team. He would fit in nicely at the top of the Cubs rotation. Another Oakland pitcher the cubs might be interested in is Joe Blanton, but Harden has pitched much better this season. Oakland is always looking to make a deal to get valuable young players in return for proven vets.

Erik Bedard: Most people don’t think that the M’s will part with Bedard, after they gave up so much to get him. With the reality setting in that they are a team much further from competing than they thought, Bedard could garner them the up and comers to rebuild quickly.

Ben Sheets: You would have to think that the Brewers wouldn’t want to trade him to a division rival, but if they find themselves out of the picture, it could happen. They would want to move him rather than lose him to free agency and I’m sure the Cubs wouldn’t mind having him around.

Derek Lowe: This is a veteran pitcher who has been dominant this season. An experienced playoff competitor, Lowe could be a great addition for the short term, as he will be a free agent after this year.

Jayson Stark of ESPN recently wrote an article about who he thinks has the potential to be traded as the deadline approaches. It was part of a much longer article, so I have pulled out the list of relievers that he sees as very available. Of course, this can’t be everybody available, but it gives you some names to think about as possibilities.

Closers:
Brian Fuentes - The Rockies appear out of it already, and they have signed Manny Corpas to a long-term deal. With that being said, Fuentes stands out as an expendable arm. He could seriously strengthen a bullpen somewhere either in the closer role or as a setup man.

Huston Street - The A’s are always out to get maximum value for there trades and should a competing team find themselves without a closer, Street would probably fetch the A’s a solid prospect or two. He has been shaky at times this season, but isn’t far removed from being one of the best closers in the game. Oakland is in the mix as of right now, but should the right offer present itself, Street will be on his way out of Oakland.

George Sherrill - I have heard people refer to Sherrill as the ‘centerpiece’ in the Erik Bedard trade. That just wasn’t the case, it was all about Adam Jones. Sherrill came to Baltimore as a dominant left-handed specialist. Now, he is being regarded as a top-level closer. His value is probably maxed out, and the Orioles can expect to get a lot in return for him as they move forward in their rebuilding process.

Chad Cordero - While he is currently dealing with injury issues, Cordero has been one of the best relievers in baseball for the past few seasons. If he comes back healthy and has a chance to show he’s still got it, he will be traded. The Nat’s have no reson to keep him around and should try to get something for him while they still can. His name has been out there as a in trade speculations for a while, it all just hinges on his health.

Jon Rauch - Another Nat’s reliever that could draw interest is the guy that’s been filling in at closer for the injured Cordero. He’s been solid and at the deadline could fetch more than he is worth from a team in need.

Eric Gagne - The further the Cubs pull ahead, the closer the Brewers get to becoming sellers. If they could move Gagne, I’m sure the would love it. He has been anything but a guy you would want to give the ball to in a save situation. I’m not sure why anybody would want to pick him up, especially if the Brewers want somebody to take on part of his $10 million salary. What a bad signing…but at least it was only a one-year deal.

Set-up:
Juan Rincon, Jesse Crain, Chad Bradford, Jamie Walker, David Weathers, Matt Herges, Guillermo Mota, Tyler Yates, Vinnie Chulk, Jesus Colome, Frankie Francisco, Joaquin Benoit, Alan Embree, Ron Mahay, Jimmy Gobble, and Damaso Marte.

Jonathan Mayo now has his predictions for the upcoming draft for picks 1-30. Some have changed, but for those of you that haven’t been keeping up with the predictions here is a list:

1. Tampa Bay Rays: Tim Beckham, SS, Griffin HS, Griffin, Ga.
2. Pittsburgh Pirates: Pedro Alvarez, 3B, Vanderbilt
3. Kansas City Royals: Eric Hosmer, 1B, American Heritage HS, Plantation, Fla.
4. Baltimore Orioles: Aaron Crow, RHP, University of Missouri
5. San Francisco Giants: Buster Posey, C, Florida State
6. Florida Marlins: Brian Matusz, LHP, University of San Diego
7. Cincinnati Reds: Yonder Alonso, 1B, University of Miami
8. Chicago White Sox: Gordon Beckham, SS, University of Georgia
9. Washington Nationals: Kyle Skipworth, C, Patriot HS, Riverside, Calif.
10. Houston Astros: Justin Smoak, 1B, University of South Carolina
11. Texas Rangers: Andrew Cashner, RHP, Texas Christian
12. Oakland A’s: Aaron Hicks, OF/RHP, Woodrow Wilson HS, Long Beach, Calif.
13. St. Louis Cardinals: Ryan Perry, RHP, University of Arizona
14. Minnesota Twins: Christian Friedrich, LHP, Eastern Kentucky
15. Los Angeles Dodgers: Zach Collier, OF, Chino Hills HS, Calif.
16. Milwaukee Brewers: Brett Lawrie, C/3B, Brookswood SS, Langley, B.C.
17. Toronto Blue Jays: Brett Wallace, 1B/3B, Arizona State
18. New York Mets: Ike Davis, OF, Arizona State
19. Chicago Cubs: Casey Kelly, SS, Sarasota HS, Fla.
20. Seattle Mariners: Shooter Hunt, RHP, Tulane
21. Detroit Tigers: Ethan Martin, RHP, Stephens County HS, Toccoa, Ga.
22. New York Mets: Jason Castro, C, Stanford
23. San Diego Padres: Daniel Schlereth, LHP, University of Arizona
24. Philadelphia Phillies: Anthony Hewitt, SS, Salisbury School, Conn
25. Colorado Rockies: Jake Odorizzi, RHP, Highland HS, Ill.
26. Arizona Diamondbacks: Josh Fields, RHP, University of Georgia
27. Minnesota Twins: Brett DeVall, LHP, Niceville HS, Fla.
28. New York Yankees: Brett Hunter, RHP, Pepperdine University
29. Cleveland Indians: Jemile Weeks, 2B, University of Miami
30. Boston Red Sox: Lance Lynn, RHP, University of Mississippi

Those are the predictions, but we’ll find out for sure in two days.

- The Royals have claimed Brayan Peña off waivers from the Atlanta Braves. The 26 year old switch hitting catcher defected from Cuba in 2000.

- Daisuke Matsuzaka is headed to the DL, according to MLB.com. He has been diagnosed with a strained right rotator cuff, but it doesn’t look to be that big of a deal as there is no structural damage.

- The A’s have DFA’d Jeff Fiorentino, Lenny DiNardo and Kevin Melillo today. These were just a few of the moves that the Oakland club made in a crazy day of call ups, send downs, and placing guys on the DL. DiNardo was really underperforming, so the move isn’t surprising. Melillo and Fiorentino were not really making any impact at all.

-Mark Mulder has told St. Louis Today that further surgery will not be an option. If surgery is needed once again to repair his throwing arm, he will opt for retirement. Mulder has only made three starts since 2006 and has been in a perpetual state of rehabilitation for a twice repaired left shoulder. While many critics pointed out that the Cardinals couldn’t work without Mulder or Chris Carpenter, their rotation so far this season has been nothing short of spectacular. If it turns out to be the case that Mulder does not return, I think that the other guys that have stepped up in the St. Louis rotation can tow the rope.

Mike Piazza has officially retired. After a 19-season career, the 10-time All Star is hanging it up. He was unable to find work this season, after spending ‘06 and ‘07 with the Oakland A’s. It was rumored that the Cincinnati Reds had some interest in Piazza this year, but it never amounted to anything. Instead, one of the greatest catchers of all time will call it a career.

Just like the NL picks, consider these standouts through about 5/10/08, not just April.

According to The Denver Post, the Rockies are currently in discussions with several teams to try and add another starting pitcher.
“It’s early in the year, and there a lot of clubs sorting through issues, and when they get through them that’s about the same time that Hirsh, Morales and Reynolds should be ready to help us. So I am trying to find one guy for six or seven starts,” Rockies general manager Dan O’Dowd said.
Here are some of the pitchers that they are considering:

Josh Fogg: The Reds are willing to move Fogg, who has struggled greatly in Cincinnati, and the Rockies might want to bring him back into a situation where he excelled last season. Fogg is possibly close to being cut, so the Rockies might be hesitant to give up anything of value for him.

Julian Tavarez: Here is another former Rockies pitcher that might be a good option to fill in. The Red Sox have been shopping Tavarez forever so they probably wouldn’t be asking for much in return. They also have the depth to allow for a trade.

Rich Harden and Joe Blanton: The Rockies have expressed interest in both Oakland pitchers, but neither seems likely at this point. Harden is injured (once again) and Blanton is off the market for now. Colorado is looking for something immediate, so they probably won’t have any interest in waiting around for these guys.

Kevin Millwood: The Rangers have no problem dealing Millwood, but not as a salary dump. Texas is more interested in getting valuable players in return, which probably makes Millwood a little too expensive for a fill-in player.

Expect the Rockies to pick up either Fogg or Tavarez over the other candidates. They both have history in Colorado and should demand very little in trade value.

Just a little update, The Tampa Tribune reports that Dan Johnson has cleared waivers and is now going down to Triple-A Durham. Its been a crazy couple of days for Johnson and it didn’t work out well for him. From the A’s, to the Rays, back down to Triple-A.

According to a team press release, Frank Thomas has signed with the Oakland A’s. It was rumored that Thomas was weighing offers from two different clubs, but apparently the A’s had what he was looking for. To make room for Thomas on the roster, the A’s placed outfielder Travis Buck on the 15-day disabled list.

The fact that Thomas was picked up so quickly makes a definitive statement to me about the future of Barry Bonds. Thomas got picked up right away, while Bonds still sits without a single job offer. Bonds probably brings more to the table offensively than Thomas at this point, so the only possible reason for him being out of work is the circus that follows him. After all this time that has passed, adding Bonds to a team now would completely throw off any sense of identity for a team. Thomas can show up and start hitting with relatively no drama. If Bonds joined a team, questions about steroids and home run king illegitimacy would come with him. For all these reasons, Thomas has a team to play for and Bonds does not.