Uribe - Cora
Cora - Uribe
Whats the difference ?
Why is it that the Red Sox have always had trouble getting a top notch SS for years now ?
Jimbo
MLB Trade deadline/rumors thread
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Uribe - Cora
Cora - Uribe
Whats the difference ?
Why is it that the Red Sox have always had trouble getting a top notch SS for years now ?
Jimbo
Since 2001, the Red Sox have ended a season with six different starting shortstops. In that same time frame, they have ended a season with seven different starting second basemen. It's amazing the Red Sox have had the success they've had with the constant turnover at those two crucial positions. Here's the rundown of 2B and SS:
2001: 2B- Jose Offerman (or Awfulman) SS- Mike Lansing (Nomar missed the majority of the year with a wrist injury)
2002: 2B- Rey Sanchez SS- Garciaparra
2003: 2B- Todd Walker SS- Garciaparra
2004: 2B- Mark Bellhorn SS- Orlando Cabrera
2005: 2B- Tony Graffanino SS- Edgar Renteria
2006: 2B- Mark Loretta SS- Alex Gonzalez
2007: 2B- Dustin Pedroia SS- Julio Lugo
2008: SS- ?????
Not only that , but since 2001 the following have played supporting roles in the middle infield: Pokey Reese, Chris Stynes, Damian Jackson, Lou Merloni, Craig Grebeck, John Valentin, Carlos Baerga, Alex Cora, and two hot shot prospects later traded away..............Freddy Sanchez and Hanley Ramirez. Now they have highly touted prospect, Jed Lowrie, filling in for the injured Lugo.
The Sox are FINALLY settled at 2B with Pedroia (the kid is great), but shortstop is another story. I thought they never should have let Cabrera walk into free agency, and I never saw a better defensive SS in a Red Sox uniform then Gonzalez in '06. The man was a human vacuum cleaner.
I think Pedroia/Lowrie could be a great double play combo for years to come, I just question if Jed is ready now, in the middle of a pennant race.
George Sherrill Rumors
By Tim Dierkes [July 24 at 4:53pm CST]
4:50pm: The Baltimore Sun lists the Cardinals, Brewers, Dodgers, Cubs, Reds, Phillies, Marlins, and Tigers as teams represented at yesterday's Orioles-Blue Jays tilt. The article implies that those clubs were there hoping to scout Sherrill, though a few might have been eyeing A.J. Burnett or both pitchers.
Jeff Zrebiec says the O's want two or three prospects for Sherrill, who is under team control for a long time.
2:16pm: According to Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, the Brewers are not engaged in trade talks for Orioles closer George Sherrill. The O's are looking for a shortstop, and the Brewers aren't willing to part with J.J. Hardy or Alcides Escobar. Makes more sense to wait until Escobar forces their hand, anyway.
GM Doug Melvin told Haudricourt he doesn't expect to add a reliever this month.
Carroll's Latest: Duchscherer, Burnett, Ibanez, Cabrera
By Tim Dierkes [July 24 at 4:22pm CST]
Will Carroll of Baseball Prospectus has some rumors to consider this afternoon.
By Tim Dierkes [July 24 at 4:53pm CST]
4:50pm: The Baltimore Sun lists the Cardinals, Brewers, Dodgers, Cubs, Reds, Phillies, Marlins, and Tigers as teams represented at yesterday's Orioles-Blue Jays tilt. The article implies that those clubs were there hoping to scout Sherrill, though a few might have been eyeing A.J. Burnett or both pitchers.
Jeff Zrebiec says the O's want two or three prospects for Sherrill, who is under team control for a long time.
2:16pm: According to Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, the Brewers are not engaged in trade talks for Orioles closer George Sherrill. The O's are looking for a shortstop, and the Brewers aren't willing to part with J.J. Hardy or Alcides Escobar. Makes more sense to wait until Escobar forces their hand, anyway.
GM Doug Melvin told Haudricourt he doesn't expect to add a reliever this month.
Carroll's Latest: Duchscherer, Burnett, Ibanez, Cabrera
By Tim Dierkes [July 24 at 4:22pm CST]
Will Carroll of Baseball Prospectus has some rumors to consider this afternoon.
- The Tigers are 5.5 games out, but are still on the fence about buying or selling.
- Carroll says there's "much more substance to rumors of the White Sox going after Justin Duchscherer" as compared to the one about the A's pursuing Jason Bay.
- The Phillies could jump back in on A.J. Burnett if the price comes down. Also - could Burnett clear waivers in August?
- The Rockies' demands for Brian Fuentes might be holding up the relief market.
- Regarding Raul Ibanez, the Mariners either want to tack Jose Vidro on in a deal or get back premium prospects.
- The White Sox have become aggressive, and apparently had failed talks about Orlando Cabrera with the Red Sox. Josh Fields is not considered untouchable.
Stark's Latest: Teixeira, Padilla, Sheffield, Beltre
By Tim Dierkes [July 24 at 2:50pm CST]
ESPN's Jayson Stark has a new Rumblings and Grumblings up. You may want to grab a glass of water or something, because this is a beast of a column.
By Tim Dierkes [July 24 at 2:50pm CST]
ESPN's Jayson Stark has a new Rumblings and Grumblings up. You may want to grab a glass of water or something, because this is a beast of a column.
- If the Braves have a bad weekend and decide to trade Mark Teixeira, a deal could come together quickly. Stark says the Braves have already touched base with the Rays, Red Sox, Dodgers, Angels and Yankees. Where Tex fits on the Rays, I'm not sure. Additionally, interest in Will Ohman is said to be "massive."
- A Jorge Posada move to first base could affect the Yankees' interest in Teixeira this winter.
- Though Brian Fuentes has many suitors, the Rockies have actually exchanged names with only the Marlins and Yankees. GM Dan O'Dowd has not dropped his price. By the way, Todd Helton's injury takes Garrett Atkins off the market. As for Matt Holliday, many execs believe the Rockies will never trade him.
- The Phillies are focused on a left-handed reliever, with Fuentes, Damaso Marte, George Sherrill, and Jack Taschner in the mix.
- The Phillies were scared off by the asking prices on Holliday and Xavier Nady, and never even made an offer. They still could acquire a lesser hitter.
- The Pirates are inspiring much grumbling with high asking prices for Jason Bay, Nady, Marte, John Grabow, and Jack Wilson.
- The Rangers are looking for young, controllable starting pitching. Vicente Padilla is available, with the Tigers and Yankees showing mild interest. Eddie Guardado and Jamey Wright are not available.
- In pursuing Jarrod Washburn, Bronson Arroyo, and Padilla, the Yankees are demonstrating their plan to reduce the prospect price for pitching by taking on a decent-sized contract.
- While A.J. Burnett is "eminently available," no trade talks are cooking. The Jays apparently won't deal him within the division. Other Jays veterans might be available, though Roy Halladay isn't among them.
- The Tigers are looking for pitching and a long-term shortstop. They'd be willing to move Gary Sheffield, though they'd have to eat salary.
- Top Rays prospects such as Wade Davis, David Price, and Jeremy Hellickson are off-limits. Rays Index recently ran through the more likely trade candidates.
- The Braves asked the Royals about Jose Guillen, but Dayton Moore is asking for a ton.
- Stark says the Twins' talks for Adrian Beltre are "far from dead." The Twins are zeroed in on a third base upgrade. Beltre, by the way, has the Dodgers on his no-trade list. Joe Christensen says the Twins have found the asking price prohibitive for various third basemen.
- The Rangers are looking for a young pitcher for Hank Blalock, who is drawing interest from the Twins, Giants, and Dodgers. The Dodgers also like Casey Blake, who is likely to be traded somewhere.
I was going to link the article Bill posted. It's very long but good. I'm a Mets fan and I don't know what they are going to do. I think the bloom is going to come off of Tatis, Easley and the bullpen. I hope not. I mean if a corner leftfielder is available, go get him. It's got to be better than Marlon Anderson.
Congrats on the Mets being in first place. :up Over the last month they've been one of the hottest teams in baseball. Mets82, in your opinion, what is the Mets biggest need?
Jimbo,
Here's a story that you might find interesting:
Dombrowski: Tigers not sellers at trade deadline
by Steve Kornacki Friday July 25, 2008, 12:15 AM
DETROIT -- Dave Dombrowski watched his Detroit Tigers take batting practice earlier this week from the dugout at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City. He was well aware that the first-place Chicago White Sox were coming to town this weekend, and that a sense of urgency had arrived.
"We're at crunch time now," the Detroit general manager said. "It's time for the last (61) games of the season. We dug a hole, got 12 under .500 and got back up to .500. Now, we have to do what we've been doing consistently.
"We have to grind it out or not be in the postseason."
The Tigers are 52-49 and 5 1/2 games behind Chicago, having gone 28-13 since June 7.
Detroit swept three games from the White Sox during the first week of that turnaround, and the $138 million team Dombrowski put together in the offseason finally looked like the formidable unit most envisioned.
With the non-waiver trade deadline approaching Thursday, Dombrowski said the Tigers definitely are not sellers. He would not acknowledge that the Florida Marlins approached him about reacquiring future Hall-of-Fame catcher Ivan Rodriguez, as the Miami Herald reported.
But he did say: "Pudge is our catcher and we're making a run and he's playing really well."
He also would not characterize his team as buyers -- yet.
"We'll just see what happens over the next week," Dombrowski said.
Zach Miner pitched six innings of three-hit, shutout ball in his first start of the season Monday in Kansas City, and his performance could dictate whether Detroit becomes a buyer for a fifth starter.
It has a number of young players who have shown potential while up with the Tigers this season and now are back in Toledo. They, along with other top prospects in the lower minors, should attract the attention of teams looking to move a veteran starting pitcher.
Former All-Star and free agent right-hander Freddy Garcia, who will throw for big league teams in early August to show his progress from shoulder surgery, is somebody Dombrowski will consider.
But he won't make a move just to make a move.
"Zach was impressive, no doubt about it," Dombrowski said. "Zach has big league stuff. We have to be careful not to just get names and do things. But we do have a lot more good players than people thought. I read before the season where there weren't any players left in our system."
But outfielder Clete Thomas, middle infielder Michael Hollimon (whom Dombrowski sees playing second) and corner infielder Jeff Larish have Detroit manager Jim Leyland excited about having them in the future.
Shortstop is the only other area in need of more production.
Edgar Renteria, obtained from Atlanta in the offseason for starting pitcher Jair Jurrjens, a National League Rookie of the Year candidate, and outfielder Gorkys Hernandez, who was invited to the recent Futures Game, has struggled while hitting .255.
But Renteria, who will be 33 on Aug. 7 and hit .332 last year, isn't being given up on by the Tigers. And he got a pair of hits in both of the last two games in Kansas City.
"Edgar is a better player than what we've seen and he still has a chance," Dombrowski said. "He's been in a slump, but I know he's a good player."
Renteria is making $9 this season, and the club has the choice of paying him $12 million next year or exercising a $3 million buyout option. Though, Dombrowski won't discuss next year at this point.
Rodriguez, Kenny Rogers and Todd Jones are the only key pieces able to leave as free agents who are not locked up for 2009.
If Dombrowski does decide to deal, he said it's best to do so by the deadline.
"It's the only time you have unilateral control," he said, noting that waiver deals after that can be blocked, particularly by division rivals.
Dombrowski sees one good reason to stand pat in terms of major moves.
"This is the first time all year we've been healthy," he said. "We have not had our team together."
Five starters or starting pitchers have been on the 15-day disabled list, and others have had to sit out a series or two.
"And you have to make sure that you have the right pieces on your team," said Dombrowki, weaving his fingers on both hands together. "You have a lot of stars and also need people who fit in.
"And we could not have gone out and gotten anybody who would have done better for us than (starting pitcher) Armando Galarraga and (outfielder) Matt Joyce."
During the horrid start, Dombrowski could do nothing but sit back and watch while patching together a roster constantly hit with injuries.
How difficult was that the deal with?
"You don't worry about things you don't control," Dombrowski said. "When the game starts, it's the manager's.
"Sometimes Jim will ask, 'Who would you play?' But the only time I've asked a manager to play someone is in spring training when a team's coming in to scout someone."
He said he discusses the team and players daily with Leyland, whom he first met while both were with the White Sox organization 25 years ago, and doesn't feel the need to be very visible on game days.
"I don't have to because we have a manager who is strong," Dombrowski said. "My job is to supply the talent."
See more in Tigers Stories
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MSN.com is reportong that the Rockies are all of a sudden BUYERS now with their recent winning ways.
Two things probably played into their thinking: the phenomenal run they went on last year, and the terrible division they play in.
They need a left fielder. Marlon Anderson isn't getting the job done. I've heard Raul Ibanez named being thrown around but they need to take Jose Vidro as well. Vidro is 34 and from what I've heard totally shot but he could be a role player and could be used for their bench. I don't know about Nady or Jason Bay coming to the Mets. The Yankees could get one of them and not Ibanez. They also have plenty of people on the bench, so they don't need Vidro.
Also, I think the Mets need another starting pitcher and another bullpen guy. Santana, Pelfrey and Perez have been good but Maine is shaky, Pedro isn't vintage Pedro and El Duque hasn't even pitched. The bullpen has been fine but how long do one or more of these guys bloom comes off the rose?
Nady, Marte Traded To Yankees
By Tim Dierkes [July 25 at 6:32pm CST]
6:57pm: Carroll says the Yankees acquired Nady and Marte. The Pirates confirmed that both players have been traded pending physicals, but haven't given details about the recipient or return.
6:46pm: MetsBlog relays an FSN Pittsburgh report that both Nady and Damaso Marte have been traded. Will Carroll says the same.
6:32pm: Xavier Nady was pulled from the Pirates' lineup tonight after one inning. No known injury.
Pirates will receive RHP Ross Ohlendorf and 3 minor leaguers, LHP Phil Coke, OF Jose Tabata and RHP George Kontos. Of the prospects Phil Coke is highly rated.
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080725&content_id=3193664&vkey=trade2008&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080725&content_id=3193664&vkey=trade2008&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb
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