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Rumor-Mill Rumblings

 

 

Despite massive talk that the Diamondbacks and Phillies have been zeroing in on a Steve Finley-for-Marlon Byrd package, indications now are that Arizona hasn't come off its insistence on Cole Hamels or Gavin Floyd. And the Phillies have consistently told everyone that neither is on the market.

 

 

 

Finley

 

 

 

Meanwhile, other clubs that have kicked the tires on Finley report that the Diamondbacks have told his three NL West suitors -- the Giants, Dodgers and Padres -- that it would have to "win the deal" to trade Finley within the division.

 

 

Also, because Arizona hopes to bring Finley back this winter as a free agent, it's apparently setting a higher price for teams it thinks he would be more likely to want to stay with (i.e., San Diego).

 

So that leaves Florida. Which would have to debate whether to deal someone like first-base prospect Jason Stokes, plus one of its pitching prospects (a la Double-A strikeout machine Bill Murphy), for Finley.

 

 

At least Finley is thought to have indicated that he would approve a trade to any contender. But if he can't go to San Diego or stay on the West Coast, it's believed he prefers the Phillies over the Marlins.

 

 

 

The Marlins, Dodgers, Braves and Red Sox have all kicked around the possibility of dealing for Admin Walker between now and the deadline. And while Walker has been publicly noncommittal about waiving his no-trade clause, people who know him say he is far more likely to approve a deal this time than he was when he pulled the plug on a trade that would have sent him to Arizona in 2002.

 

 

 

Walker

 

 

 

So now the questions are: How much of the $18 million or so left on Walker's contract would Colorado digest? And how attractive a player is he these days, given all his assorted maladies?

 

 

"If we knew he'd be a 145-game player, we'd have to really think about him," says an executive of one contender in the market for a bat. "But even if they'd pay, say, two-thirds of the contract, or more, if he's just going to be a guy who plays 50 or 60 games, is he worth the $4-5 million? We can't take that gamble."

 

 

But one scout who has followed Walker recently says: "He can still play. I know that. He keeps doing stuff that makes you go, 'Wow.' It's just getting him out there and keeping him out there that are the problem."

 

 

 

The Pirates aren't just trying to wangle a big payoff on Kris Benson. They're being almost as demanding for their 38-year-old closer, Jose Mesa.

 

 

 

Mesa

 

 

 

The Cubs, Cardinals, Giants, A's, Yankees and Braves (among others) have all inquired about Mesa. But Pirates GM Dave Littlefield has been telling them that Mesa works cheap ($800,000, plus another $465,000 in reachable incentives). And that the Pirates have no other prospective closers on the roster. And that they might just keep him and try to finish with a winning record.

 

 

So it's possible the Pirates won't trade Mesa this month at all. They're thinking about hanging onto him for a while to see how they play over the next few weeks. Then they'd mull pushing him through waivers and trading him in August.

 

 

"If this guy were making $4-5 million, they'd be ready to trade him tomorrow," said an official of one club. "But at under $1 million, they feel like there's no pressure to do it unless it's a hell of a deal."

 

 

 

The other closer whom teams keep calling on is Eddie Guardado. But there are no indications Seattle is interested in trading him.

 

 

 

We would still bet that the deal most likely to happen in the next week is Orlando Cabrera going to the Cubs. But Montreal appears to be in no rush to make any moves. So the Cubs wait patiently -- and even put in an occasional Nomar Garciaparra call in their spare time.

 

 

 

The Braves continue to shop for left-handed relievers. According to one scout that recently passed through Atlanta, they even tried recently to lure Graeme Lloyd out of retirement. But if they can't make a deal, they might promote prospect Dan Meyer, who rolled up 101 whiffs in his first 80 innings at Double-A and Triple-A.

 

 

 

The Phillies and Red Sox look like the main contenders for Blue Jays setup man Terry Adams. But Toronto has rejected offers of second-tier prospects from both. So stay tuned.

 

 

 

Besides shopping for a big bat and bullpen help, the Marlins are still searching for another catcher. One name it's believed they added to their list recently is Benito Santiago, if the Royals are willing to pick up a big chunk of the $2.15 million he has coming next year. Santiago is due back from a broken hand by mid-August.

I thought there were some interesting points here. Good to see Finley to the Phillies talk has died down. I still wouldn't be surprised if he ends up here. Walker, in my eyes, is not worth the risk, especially since he has another year left on his contract, We would have to give up way too much also, for the Rockies to eat a lot of the contract.

 

I don't like that we are talking to the Royals about Santiago, again, not worth the risk and by mid-August it may be too late anyway we need help now.

 

Overall, it's good to see that we're involved in a lot of trade talks.

Keep hoping the Astros lose & decide to deal away Beltran.

 

(They're losing again at the moment.)

 

I'm still holding out hope for Carlos, as far-fetched as it sounds...

Astros losing again at the moment.

 

I'm still holding out hope for Beltran, as far-fetched as it sounds...

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yeah that would be nice. We've gotta do something, the wait is killing me. Enduring these 1-run games isn't helping either.

Too much to give up for Finley. Too much money to take the risk for Walker. Neither seem to be a viable option.

 

I also am somewhat uncertain which is the best approach for us - should we acquire a guy who can spell an OFer on occasion and help our offense when it struggles - like Bautista? Or should we find a guy who will definetly send Conine to the bench? The former option would cost us less in prospects, the latter would cost us a lot and that option seems less likely. But the latter option also gives us a better chance at taking over the division for good.

Too much to give up for Finley. Too much money to take the risk for Walker. Neither seem to be a viable option.

 

I also am somewhat uncertain which is the best approach for us - should we acquire a guy who can spell an OFer on occasion and help our offense when it struggles - like Bautista? Or should we find a guy who will definetly send Conine to the bench? The former option would cost us less in prospects, the latter would cost us a lot and that option seems less likely. But the latter option also gives us a better chance at taking over the division for good.

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I disagree on Finley. If you can get Finley for Stokes(who I think is 50/50 to even make to the majors at this point) and one of our pitching prospects(Murphy, Olsen, or Bazardo) you have to do it. Bautista would not be sitting on our bench, and would cost way more than Finley if he's even available.

I hope this doesn't turn into a "we miss Pudge" thread and my comments are construed that way.

 

More than any other position we need a freakin' offensive catcher. I don't mean a guy who hits well out of the eight hole, I mean a top to mid lineup guys who will share the rbi chores.

 

You guys can argue among yourselves about who we should acquire, Finley, Walker, Bautista. For me the number one priority is catcher.

 

I'd be a liar if I said I remember much about Benito's play last season or in the playoffs. My memory is he was pretty damn aggressive at the plate and behind it. I hate to have to trim payroll to acquire him and the fact he's on the DL certain makes his acquisition iffy but if there isn't a better choice, I would say he's got be worth a good look.

 

I have my own pet trade, Penny and Willingham for Lopez and Bedard, a trade that was suggested on orioleshangout.com.

 

Anyone think Schneider showed us anything tonight? I didn't think so.

 

Who else? Any suggestions besides Jason Kendall who would bankrupt this franchise?

Javy is more than likey not on the market, not sure why you keep going back to his name

........

Who else? Any suggestions besides Jason Kendall who would bankrupt this franchise?

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Well teams that are still in the race aren't likely to deal a starting catcher... So you're stuck with teams that are already falling out of the race. Schneider? meh... Brent Mayne? bleah... Brandon Inge is trying to prove this year that he's not a bust.... but I've heard Detroit says he's not available. He's not much of a bat either.

 

Notwithstanding your Javy Lopez idea, there's just not much out there at the catching position that is both available and affordable.

 

 

 

 

Not to rustle feathers, but I wonder if Ramon Castro was healthy if there's a chance he'd be getting any starts up here? I imagine his days as a Marlin are probably over, but the toe can't be still hurting, & would the coaches allow him another shot?

 

hmmm....

 

*smacks self*

well....i think we need to keep the farm

 

so our only other option is to deal from our obvious strength

 

if anyone (murphy, wayne) were to show that they can start at the major league level and give us an ERA of a high 3 at the most then I would say we should trade Penny once Beckett is back

 

but obviously we arent going to make it to the playoffs with a black hole starting every fifth day

 

trading penny would be our best bet right now....doesn't houston want some starting pitching? (im probably wrong)

 

if they did we could swap Beltran for Penny

they have plenty of starting pitching, but they could use a 1st base prospect

they have plenty of starting pitching, but they could use a 1st base prospect

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:shifty

they have plenty of starting pitching, but they could use a 1st base prospect

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:shifty

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mua ha ha ha

if we swap beltran for penny...who is our fifth starter ?????/

Beckett has injury problems and DTrain is inconsistent. We need BP

I would never do Strokes and Murphy for Finley.

i say our first priority is bullpen and then hitting

If we'd be willing to take on Kendall's contract or even two-thirds of it Pittsburgh would probably give us Mackowiak and Mesa for cheap. They desperately want to get rid of that contract. Taking on an extra $8-10 million next year though is as big of a risk as trading for Walker, and we have a stockpile of league-average or above catchers on the roster.

Benito Santiago....hmm.

 

Loved him when he was a Marlin...dont know about now...

Santiago is unfortunately (for several obvious reasons) on the 60 day DL with a broken left hand and won't be eligible to come off until mid-August.

 

Because of he won't be traded before July 31st, that means he'd have to clear waivers to be traded in August.

I agree that our best move would be to find a catcher that can hit and field - but we let Fudge go because of his contract. We cant go out and get one who has a similar contract - that makes no sense. And the options just are not available.

 

Our best option at this point is to upgrade the offense in the OF - and I think that it should be a SIGNIFICANT upgrade in order to make any headway. In other words, if you cant easily push Conine to the bench, then a deal doesnt make sense. Cordero will be back next month and we already have Easely. We have enough trouble finding PT for those guys.

 

I think Lopez would be a huge mistake. He has said he doesnt want to catch everyday and I dont think he can physically do it and be a productive bat. And again, why didnt we just sign Fudge? Same goes for Kendall - his deal is just like having Fudge around. That would be another mistake.

I agree that our best move would be to find a catcher that can hit and field - but we let Fudge go because of his contract.? We cant go out and get one who has a similar contract - that makes no sense.? And the options just are not available.

 

Our best option at this point is to upgrade the offense in the OF - and I think that it should be a SIGNIFICANT upgrade in order to make any headway.? In other words, if you cant easily push Conine to the bench, then a deal doesnt make sense.? Cordero will be back next month and we already have Easely.? We have enough trouble finding PT for those guys.

 

I think Lopez would be a huge mistake.? He has said he doesnt want to catch everyday and I dont think he can physically do it and be a productive bat.? And again, why didnt we just sign Fudge?? Same goes for Kendall - his deal is just like having Fudge around.? That would be another mistake.

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Everyone here knows I'd like us to make a run at Javy and guess what I agree with you, he can't catch everyday.

 

But he doesn't need to. Redmond is the perfect backup C for Lopez.

 

With Redmond here Javy can come off the bench two nights a week and Redmond can pick those games up plus spell him in the later innings of games in the bag or out of hand. The consensus on the O'd board is they would trade Lopez and their 3/4/5 starter for Penny and Willingham, and try to make a deal with Kendall to bring him back to Baltimore.

 

The one plus is Lopez is about half the cost of Kendall.

We'd be losing more valuable players and be paying about the same amount for Javy as we would Kendall.

We'd be losing more valuable players and be paying about the same amount for Javy as we would Kendall.

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I don't get it?

We'd be losing more valuable players and be paying about the same amount for Javy as we would Kendall.

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Yeah, I agree, we'd have to "convince" the Orioles to trade Lopez, while it's no secret the Pirates want out from under Kendall's contract. Honestly, the most effective move may be Santiago, but I don't think that's a significant upgrade over what we have.

 

Just a random thought in the risk/reward category...why not Juan Gonzalez? If we're talking Santiago who's injured, why not go with Juan Gone too? He'd come cheaper than Finley or Walker, and he may outproduce Finley if he's healthy...