ESPN MLB Insider for July 24th

Simon

Founder/Admin

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Monday, July 24
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Alfonso Soriano Nationals	White Sox? Twins? Tigers? Mariners? Yankees? Angels? Dodgers?	Sori to the South Side? Jul 24 - A source told ESPN's Tim Kurkjian that a deal that would send Alfonso Soriano to the White Sox is "extremely close" to happening. The package is expected to include 23-year-old right-hander Brandon McCarthy. If the trade gets finalized, Mike MacDougal, who the White Sox acquired from the Royals on Monday, will replace McCarthy in the White Sox bullpen. According to ESPN.com's Jayson Stark, there were earlier rumblings that the Twins were involved in the Alfonso Soriano sweepstakes. Minnesota also made a run at Soriano before last year's deadline. Twins GM Terry Ryan couldn't be reached Friday. But one of his peers said: "Terry is a 'tools' guy, and Soriano is a 'tools' player. So if they're out there talking on him, that wouldn't surprise me at all." The Tigers also remain in the thick of the race to acquire Soriano from the Nationals. But the two teams aren't close to completing a trade, according to a report in the Detroit News. The paper reports that the Tigers turned down an offer that would've landed Soriano in Detroit. In the proposed deal, the Nationals asked for prospects Humberto Sanchez and Jair Jurrjens, both right-handed pitchers, and outfielder Cameron Maybin. The Nats, in turn, turned down a counteroffer from the Tigers. The paper also reports that the Mariners' interest in Soriano has faded due to Washington GM Jim Bowden's high asking price, which included 20-year-old center fielder Adam Jones. Seattle promoted Jones to the big club after the All-Star break and he has been the M's starting center fielder ever since.
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Bobby Abreu Phillies	Mets? Yankees? Tigers?	Phillies say no to Yanks' offer for Abreu Jul 24 - The Phillies turned down a trade offer the Yankees made to them for Bobby Abreu, according to a report in the New York Post. The report stated that the Yanks' offer for Abreu didn't include major league-ready talent or top pitching prospect Philip Hughes. The Phillies want to get "something significant back" for Abreu and may not trade him unless they get what they want. Abreu has a no-trade clause in his contract and it's believed he won't waive it unless a team that attempts to trade for him agrees to pick up the $16 million option on his contract for 2008. Abreu is also owed $15 million in 2007.
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Todd Walker Cubs	Rangers? Mariners?	So long, Chicago? Jul 24 - The Mariners, looking for a left-handed DH bat to complement the right-handed hitting Eduardo Perez, are scouting the Cubs' Todd Walker, a baseball source told ESPN Insider's Jerry Crasnick. Carl Everett, who began the season as Seattle's main designated hitter, is batting .172 (20 for 116) in June and July. Perez, acquired from Cleveland by trade earlier this month, has a .680 slugging percentage against left-handed pitching. The Mariners think Walker would give them a reliable veteran bat from the left side. While the Rangers also have interest in Walker, the Tigers do not. Detroit has been in the market for a big bat such as Alfonso Soriano or Bobby Abreu. If the Tigers fail to get either of them, they'll turn their attention to Philadelphia's David Dellucci rather than Walker.
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Miguel Tejada Orioles	Astros? White Sox? Tigers? Angels?	Astros pursuing Tejada? Jul 24 - The Astros haven't given up hope in trying to acquire Miguel Tejada from the Orioles. According to a report in the Houston Chronicle, the Astros haven't discussed top pitching prospect Jason Hirsh in any talks with the Orioles regarding Tejada. It's believed the Orioles are looking for three players, including some with major league experience. Orioles owner Peter Angelos, meanwhile, has little interest in trading his All-Star shortstop, according to a report in the Los Angeles Times. He told the Baltimore Sun he would have to be blown away by an offer. An executive told the Sun that the Orioles would want a top-of-the-rotation starter and high-level prospects for Tejada. The Angels apparently made a run at Tejada in June and hoped to move him to third base. But the Orioles reportedly wanted right-hander Ervin Santana, second baseman Howie Kendrick and reliever Scot Shields in return.
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Sean Casey Pirates	Athletics?	One down, another surfaces Jul 24 - Now that the Giants are out of the mix for a first baseman after acquiring Shea Hillenbrand, the A's could be the team that most likely pursues Sean Casey, according to a report in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Casey, who is making $8.5 million this season, will be a free agent at the end of the year.
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Ray King Rockies	Red Sox? Braves?	Rockies say no dice Jul 24 - According to a report in the Boston Globe, it appears the Rockies will not agree to trade Ray King to the Red Sox for Julian Tavarez. The Rockies remain unwilling to take on the $3.1 million salary Tavarez will be owed in 2007. King will be a free agent at the end of this season.
Saturday, July 22
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Barry Zito Athletics	Mets?	A New York story? Jul 22 - The Mets could dangle Lastings Milledge for Barry Zito, ESPN.com's Jayson Stark reports. Oakland GM Billy Beane is the west-coast president of the Lastings Milledge Fan Club, and Beane has gone so far as to shoot off flares recently that indicate Zito isn't as untouchable as most teams think he is. Dating back to last winter, the Mets have shown more interest in Zito than any other club. But in the past, it was the price (Milledge and Aaron Heilman) that was prohibitive. Now, according to baseball men who have spoken with Beane, he isn't even asking for Heilman anymore. With Rich Harden out until September, the A's would need to get a pitcher back -- but "not necessarily in that deal," said one AL executive.
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Julio Lugo Devil Rays	Blue Jays?	Lugo flying north? Jul 22 - The Blue Jays and Devil Rays have line danced around Julio Lugo for months now, but that action appears to be picking up again, ESPN.com's Jayson Stark reports. There are indications that Tampa Bay has been asking around about Toronto's young players -- especially pitchers Brandon League, Dustin McGowan and Shaun Marcum.
Thursday, July 20
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Mike Lowell Red Sox	Padres?	Westerly Winds? Jul 20 - San Diego is in conversations with the Red Sox over 3B Mike Lowell, reports ESPN's Buster Olney. In the deal, Lowell would go to the Padres and the Red Sox would likely then move Kevin Youkilis from first to third and put somebody like Hee-seop Choi at first. The Padres released 3B Vinny Castilla on Wednesday, so they're desperate. The Red Sox will be looking for pitching in return.
Wednesday, July 19
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Reggie Sanders Royals	Yankees?	Yankees still eyeing Sanders Jul 19 - The more the Yankees have to wait on Bobby Abreu, the more interested they become in Sanders, reports ESPN.com's Jayson Stark. Sanders, 38, isn't nearly as costly as Abreu (one year left at $5 million), and it appears Royals GM Dayton Moore is willing to take only a second-tier prospect for Sanders. But a groin strain is going to make it more difficult for the Royals and Yankees to consummate a deal. "It's no better today," Sanders told the Kansas City Star before Tuesday's game. "Hopefully, a few days of treatment will help." Sanders suffered the groin injury Monday while taking batting practice.
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Rodrigo Lopez Orioles	Phillies? Yankees? Rangers? Cardinals? Padres? Diamondbacks?	Philly-bound? Jul 19 - The Orioles have discussed trading Lopez to the Phillies for one of their outfielders, either Bobby Abreu or Pat Burrell, according to the Baltimore Sun. Sources told the Sun that the Phillies would be willing to take Lopez and a mid-level prospect if the O's would pay a large portion of the contract for Burrell or Abreu. One official, though, called the deal "unlikely." Meanwhile, the Orioles are talking to other teams about Lopez, including Arizona, St. Louis, San Diego, Texas and the Yankees.
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Roberto Hernandez Pirates	Yankees?	Back to the Big Apple? Jul 19 - According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the Yankees and the Pirates have had discussions about a trade that would send Hernandez to New York. Although the asking price of Pirates GM Dave Littlefield is unknown, it's possible he could ask the Yankees to absorb the contract of Jeromy Burnitz as part of the deal. Hernandez, 41, pitched well for the Mets last year.
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Ryan Shealy Rockies	Pirates? Royals? Orioles? Blue Jays? Giants?	Shealy drawing interest Jul 19 - The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that the Pirates are among five teams pursuing the Rockies' young first baseman, who was playing at Triple-A Colorado Springs until being recalled Monday. A 6-foot-5 right-handed hitter, 26, batted .284 with 15 home runs and 55 RBIs in 58 games in the minors, but his ascension to the majors has been blocked by the formidable presence of Todd Helton. Other teams talking to Colorado about Shealy include San Francisco, Baltimore, Toronto and Kansas City.
Tuesday, July 18
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Kevin Mench Rangers	Yankees?	Texas-sized bargaining chip Jul 18 - The Rangers are looking to move outfielder Kevin Mench, according to a report in the New York Daily News. Mench, who is making $2.8 million this year and will be a free agent at the end of the season, could be a fit for the Yankees as they look to fill a void in right field. Shawn Chacon, who has compiled a 6.71 ERA in 13 appearances for the Yankees this season and has been dropped from their rotation, could be used as potential trade bait.
Monday, July 17
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Shawn Green Diamondbacks	Yankees?	Yanks like a shade of Green? Jul 17 - The Yankees have expressed some interest in acquiring Diamondbacks right fielder Shawn Green, according to a report in the Newark Star-Ledger. Green, 33, is set to make $9.5 million next season and has a $10 million option for 2008, with a $2M buyout. He can veto a trade to any team other than the Padres, Dodgers and Angels. It's believed the Diamondbacks may want not much in return for Green as they are trying to open spots for prospects.
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Jose Guillen Nationals	Yankees?	A Bronx tale? Jul 17 - The Yankees have an interest in Washington outfielder Jose Guillen, who has become expendable with the team's acquisition of Austin Kearns from Cincinnati, reports ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick. The Yankees could use an outfield bat with Hideki Matsui out until August and Gary Sheffield sidelined until September because of injury. But they would have to part with top pitching prospect Philip Hughes to acquire Alfonso Soriano from the Nationals. Guillen, eligible for free agency in November, could be obtained without New York having to raid its farm system. Guillen is hitting a disappointing .210 with nine homers and 34 RBI this season. He spent time on the disabled list in late May and early June with a strained hamstring. Guillen averaged 27 homers and 88 RBI per season from 2003-2005 while playing for Cincinnati, Oakland, the Angels and Washington.
Wednesday, July 12
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Manny Ramirez Red Sox		Manny torn about All-Star decision? Jul 12 - Was missing Tuesday's All-Star Game a case of "Manny Being Manny" or is the Red Sox slugger legitimately ailing? According to a report from Baseball Prospectus, Ramirez has a small tear in the medial meniscus of his right knee. It's believed to be an injury Ramirez can play with but one that can be painful. One Boston Globe source said there is some degree of accuracy to the Baseball Prospectus report while a different source told The Globe that neither the Red Sox nor anyone outside the organization has given the slugger an MRI. Without an MRI, the source said, the Sox would only be guessing there is a tear. A source familiar with Ramirez's medical condition told ESPN.com's Jayson Stark that would be "an exaggeration" to call it a small tear, and said Ramirez has "continual soreness" in his knee. A spokesperson for the Red Sox told ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney that the team expects Ramirez to be available for the rest of the season.

Blitzkrieg

Administrator

Thanks for posting this

I really don't think Tejada is going anywhere.. but I do think Abreu and Soriano will borh leave with Soriano ending up in Detroit or Chicago.. Lets face it, the Yanks just don't have enough prospects to get a Soriano deal done..

I'd be excited to see Soriano go to the central. Also, I think Abreu might still wind up in New York, who else would be dumb enough to pay Bobby $16M next season and give him a contract extension?

IMO Abreu went from being underrated to now being highly overrated. Look at his numbers, he's not nearly worth what he makes..

Necro

VIP Room Moderator

Sweet thanks man good read...