Results tagged ‘ Denard Span ’

Reds still want leadoff help

The Reds – which entered Friday leading the National League Central by two games over the second-place Pirates — came into the Deadline silly season hoping to find a potential leadoff hitter, a cleanup hitter, a left-handed bat off of the bench and potential pitching depth. They very much remain buyers on the trade market, according to general manager Walt Jocketty.

As Cincinnati has hit a tear of late with wins of 14 of their previous 16 games, entering Friday, players like Ryan Ludwick and Brandon Phillips have stepped up well, especially during the absence of the injured Joey Votto. It’s made middle of the order help less of a need.

“It’s not as high a priority as the top of the order. We need to get guys on base,” said Jocketty, who skipped attending Friday’s game at Coors Field to huddle with his inner circle at the hotel and evaluate trade proposals.

Nothing is close to happening, however.

“Quite frankly, things haven’t changed much, but we continue to talk,” Jocketty said. “I get the sense from a couple of clubs that they’re not going to do anything until the deadline.”

The Reds have had high level scouts watching the Twins lately. Minnesota has a potentially available leadoff man in Denard Span, but is seeking a haul of talent that includes starting pitching. The Reds have also been linked in rumors to Shane Victorino and Juan Pierre of the Phillies.

– Mark Sheldon

Posted on July 27, 2012 at 7:42 pm
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Filed in: Dailies
Tags: Denard Span, Reds, Walt Jocketty

July 25 Late Night Roundup

Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez suffered a fractured left hand on Tuesday and could miss at least four weeks. That led to speculation the team would look to address the situation with a trade, but general manager Brian Cashman told ESPNNewYork.com that he isn’t targeting a deal for a third baseman. Eric Chavez and Jayson Nix will fill the hole instead.

Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports that the Brewers have “officially become sellers.” That increases the likelihood of a trade involving ace pitcher Zack Greinke, who has drawn serious interest from several teams but hasn’t shown any in signing an extension with Milwaukee. The Brewers also could deal third baseman Aramis Ramirez, reliever Francisco Rodriguez, catcher George Kottaras and starter Randy Wolf.

Not satisfied with pulling off a trade for Hanley Ramirez and Randy Choate late Tuesday night, Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti still will look for a starting pitcher and another bat, according to our own Ken Gurnick. The Cubs’ Ryan Dempster remains the team’s prime target.

Losing out on Ramirez didn’t end the A’s pursuit of an infielder, reported our own Jane Lee. The Blue Jays’ Yunel Escobar, the Padres’ Chase Headley and the D-backs’ Stephen Drew could be among the remaining possibilities.

The Reds have “kicked the tires” on Twins center fielder Denard Span but are more likely to end up with the Phillies’ Shane Victorino or Juan Pierre, according to Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com.

– Andrew Simon

Posted on July 26, 2012 at 1:40 am
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Filed in: Uncategorized
Tags: Alex Rodriguez, Athletics, Brewers, Denard Span, Dodgers, Marlins, New York Yankees, Reds, Ryan Dempster, Zack Greinke

7/29 Hot Stove Roundup: Who’s next to go?

That hasn’t really been decided yet.

Since Carlos Beltran officially joined the Giants on Thursday, no big moves have been made — at least not as of late afternoon on Friday. So, with the non-waiver Trade Deadline now less than two days away, and lots of big names remaining, we’re almost bracing for an avalanche of deals to be carved out just in time.

Before then, here are Friday’s biggest rumors …

* Ubaldo Jimenez is still the big ace that’s apparently being dangled, but nobody seems to have stepped up. Jon Heyman of SI.com and MLB Network said the Red Sox are aggressively pursuing Jimenez, the Yankees are “lurking,” and the Indians, Reds and Blue Jays are also in the mix. Jayson Stark of ESPN.com then stated that the Yankees’ interest has waned, and the Indians are the ones emerging.

* The Astros remain in “intense” trade talks for Hunter Pence, according to MLB.com’s Brian McTaggart. Pence was removed from Thursday’s lineup because of a potential trade, McTaggart added, and said a direct two-team deal remains general manager Ed Wade‘s preference. The Phillies have made Pence their top target, but how much are they willing to give up?

* The Tigers are a contending team, and they need starting pitching. That’s no secret. The question is who they can get — or better yet, who can they get without giving up top prospect Jacob Turner? One way or another, MLB.com’s Jason Beck wrote, the Tigers’ search for a starter is nearing a resolution.

* The Reds may be 6 1/2 games out of first place after losing four straight, but GM Walt Jocketty said this much: “We are not selling.”

* If you need a third baseman, don’t look to the Cubs. Aramis Ramirez and his no-trade clause are not on the market.

* The Mariners traded Ryan Langerhans to the Diamondbacks for cash considerations, in order to clear room on the roster for former D-backs outfielder Wily Mo Pena.

* The Rangers are pushing hard to get closer Heath Bell, MLB.com’s T.R. Sullivan writes. Whether or not that materializes, the Padres have a lot of interesting pieces, and things should pick up between now and the Deadline.

* Jason Marquis, Jeremy Guthrie, Koji Uehara, Hiroki Kuroda, Erik Bedard (who pitches tonight), Doug Fister, Mike Adams, Wandy Rodriguez, Grand Balfour and Kevin Slowey are some of the arms that can be had before 4 p.m. ET on Sunday. B.J. Upton, Denard Span, Michael Bourn, Jamey Carroll, Carlos Quentin, Jason Kubel, Delmon Young and Josh Willingham are some of the position players to be had. But no movement yet.