Results tagged ‘ Mariners ’

Roundup: Rangers (not Yankees) end up with Lee

After a potential deal sending Cliff Lee to the Yankees stalled in the final stages, the Rangers ended up acquiring Lee from the Mariners, instead. First baseman Justin Smoak, pitcher Blake Beavan and two other players will be going to Seattle, according to MLB.com’s T.R. Sullivan. 

The Yankees went from dark horse to front-runner in the Lee sweepstakes on Thursday night, when The New York Post reported they were “on the brink” of acquiring the ace left-hander from the Mariners. Come Friday morning, ESPN.com wrote that a deal to bring Lee to New York and put him in a starting rotation that was already stellar was “just about done.” 
By mid-afternoon, however, the seemingly imminent deal was put off, according to the Post. The Yankees were ready to send top catching prospect Jesus Monetero, second baseman David Adams and right-hander Zach McAllister, according to reports. But Adams had been out with a high ankle sprain, and the Mariners were apprehensive about acquiring him. 
Here are more rumors from around the league … 
* Jayson Werth is being shopped by the Phillies, but a rumor that has Philadelphia sending Werth — a free agent after this season — to the Yankees for Javier Vazquez — also a free agent after this season — will not happen, MLB.com’s Todd Zolecki writes. The Phils, as Zolecki noted, want players they can control past this season, and besides, the Yankees may be more reluctant to keep Vazquez now that it seems they won’t get Lee. As for Werth, the Red Sox and Rays have also shown interest, according to The New York Post. Philadelphia likely seeks a proven starter in return. 
* The Mets will “turn strongly” towards Cubs left-hander Ted Lilly as a possible addition to their starting rotation, Joel Sherman of The New York Post — who reported the Lee-to-Yankees story — wrote via Twitter. 
* The way things shake out in the National League East could decide whether they’re buyers or sellers at the Trade Deadline. If they are buyers, though, FOXSports.com says they could look to help out the back end of their bullpen by acquiring Blue Jays lefty reliever Scott Downs. 
* The Rays released veteran Hank Blalock after he was designated for assignment and cleared waivers. 
* The Yankees signed 30-year-old, left-handed-hitting corner infielder Chad Tracy to a Minor League contract, according to The Boston Globe. 
* The Cubs are picking up efforts to shed “cumbersome salaries,” according to The Chicago Tribune. The newspaper added that the club will address the media soon to speak about the club’s direction, especially if they keep falling in the NL Central. 
– Alden Gonzalez

Lee to Yankees imminent?

While most of the New York population felt the disappointment of the Knicks and Nets not acquiring LeBron James, the Yankees made themselves a frontrunner to acquire another marquee player: Cliff Lee. The New York Post reported late Thursday night that the Yankees were “on the brink” of acquiring Lee from the Mariners in exchange for a package that would include top catching prospect Jesus Monetero. 

While the Rangers, Twins, Mets, Rays and others have also been in the running, the Post wrote that the Yankees were “making the strongest move last night, coming from seeming disinterest into the clear front-runner.” Seattle officials, according to the Post, now want to move quickly and would like to move Lee before the All-Star break. 
The Yankees are currently in Seattle, and Lee is scheduled to start against the Yankees on Friday night. 
ESPN.com reported Friday morning that Lee to the Yankees was “just about done,” though there is still no agreement in place. News that the Yankees are involved aggressively, however, could’ve spurned other teams to make more-lucrative bids to acquire the ace left-hander. Still, the Yankees are deemed the favorite. 
FOXSports.com agreed that the Yankees are the front-runner and that the deal “awaits only the Mariners’ final approval.” At about 11:15 a.m. ET, Kevin Davidoff of Newsday reported via Twitter that the Mariners “told many interested teams that they’re out of the Lee sweepstakes,” adding: “All signs point to [the] Yankees completing this deal.”
– Alden Gonzalez

Reds, Mariners not serious yet

It appears that discussions between the Reds and Mariners about pitcher Cliff Lee have yet to hit the serious stages.A baseball source told MLB.com Thursday that no formal proposals have been exchanged between the two teams.

“It’s just been the parameters and the types of players that they are looking for or not looking for,” the source said. “It’s been quiet lately.”

The first-place Reds are one of several teams in the hunt for the left-handed Lee, an ace-quality starting pitcher, who is earning $8 million this season with Seattle. He would essentially be a “rent-a-player” for Cincinnati since he can become a free agent at season’s end.

It’s been widely reported that the Mariners are seeking multiple big league ready prospects, which is an area where the Reds have some chips they could deal. Triple-A Louisville first baseman Yonder Alonso is blocked in the Majors by Joey Votto and Alonso’s teammate, third baseman Juan Francisco, is blocked by Scott Rolen.

The Reds also have young left-handed pitchers like Travis Wood and Matt Maloney, who have both recently been called up.

– Mark Sheldon 

Twins a front-runner for Lee?

The Twins have been linked to Mariners left-hander Cliff Lee quite often in early trade speculation. Various reports have even labeled the Twins as a front-runner for the ace pitcher. 

Twins general manager Bill Smith and other team officials have said they
will not comment on whether the team is in discussions for
Lee. Still indications are that the two clubs have been talking about a
possible swap for Lee, although there
appears to be nothing imminent in terms of a deal.

One report on Monday night said that the Twins had offered two of their top prospects — outfielder Aaron Hicks and catcher Wilson Ramos — for Lee. That seems like much more than the Twins would be willing to offer for a short-term rental. Lee, who is making $8 million this season, will be a free agent at the end of this year and he is expected to draw a big payday as one of the marquee players available.

Ramos certainly appears to be the prospect that the Mariners could be most interested in, since they don’t have a Major League catcher. And with Joe Mauer having signed an eight-year, $184 million contract extension that begins next season, the Twins could move Ramos if they feel it’s for the right piece.

– Kelly Thesier

Roundup: Twins reportedly make offer for Lee

The Twins, according to the Twitter account of AOL FanHouse’s Jeff Fletcher, have offered Minor League outfielder Aaron Hicks and Minor League catcher Wilson Ramos in exchange for Cliff Lee. Hicks and Ramos were ranked by Baseball America as the No. 1 and No. 2 prospects in the Twins’ system, respectively, heading into the season. No deal is imminent, however, according to FOXSports.com and the Minneapolis Star Tribune. But the revealing of names means things may be progressing. 

Lee, who has a 2.34 ERA, a 0.945 WHIP and a 14.83 strikeout-to-walk ratio, is also drawing interest from the Reds, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. The newspaper reported that the Reds and Mariners talked about Lee when the Reds were in Seattle a couple of weeks ago. The Mariners want an impact bat for Lee, and Reds prospect Yonder Alonso could provide that in exchange, but Seattle is probably looking for more, the Enquirer wrote. Alonso is currently blocked by Joey Votto. 
The Twins and Reds, of course, are not the only ones who’d be interested in adding a top-flight left-handed starter with big-game experience and a rather affordable pro-rated price tag. According to SI.com — which said talks between the Twins and Mariners for Lee are “interesting” and “have possibilities” — close to 15 teams are believed to be looking towards adding Lee. 
Here’s more from around the league … 
* Peter Gammons of MLB Network and MLB.com wrote via Twitter on Tuesday that “rumblings” around St. Petersburg had B.J. Upton going to Seattle in exchange for Lee — perhaps as part of a three-team deal. Whether or not that materializes, the Rays may be willing to trade their right-handed-hitting center fielder regardless. The Red Sox, Giants, Braves and several other teams could be a fit. 
* The Orioles and Buck Showalter have had “continuing conversations” regarding the managerial vacancy, which means the two sides may be closing in on an agreement, according to ESPN.com. FOXSports.com wrote Friday night that the O’s are “zeroing in” on Showalter. MLB.com’s Brittany Ghiroli heard through a source that the O’s are interested in adding Showalter, and Eric Wedge is believed to be the other leading candidate. 
* The 10-5 rights of Mark Buehrle have kicked in, meaning the White Sox left-hander essentially has a full no-trade clause now, according to MLBTradeRumors.com. Ten-year veterans who have been with an organization for five years earn the right to veto a trade, even if they don’t have a no-trade clause in their contract. 
* The Red Sox have not approached Victor Martinez about an extension, according to The Boston Globe. Martinez, currently on the disabled list, is a free agent after this season but has said he’d like to stay in Boston. 
– Alden Gonzalez

Reds, Mariners discuss Lee?

Trade Deadline speculation this summer continues to have the Reds as a possible destination for Mariners lefty Cliff Lee. Seattle is receiving offers for Lee and Reds general manager Walt Jocketty would not confirm or deny that the club is one of those teams in the hunt. A report in the Cincinnati Enquirer on Monday said the Reds and Mariners talked last month while the two teams played at Seattle.

“We’ll do whatever we can to improve the club,” Jocketty told MLB.com Monday. “It’s going to have to be a significant improvement to disrupt what we’ve got, the chemistry and so forth of the club.”

Lee, a free agent at season’s end, is making $8 million this season. The Mariners would likely want Major League-ready prospects and the Reds have several. The first name that comes to mind is Triple-A Louisville first baseman Yonder Alonso, who is blocked at his primary position by Joey Votto.

– Mark Sheldon

Roundup: Tigers looking in Drew’s direction?

In search of middle-infield depth and a stable shortstop, the Tigers are “in the market” for the D-backs’ Stephen Drew, according to FOXSports.com. In Drew, the Tigers could improve their offensive production at shortstop — where a revolving door has led to a team-wide .235 batting average heading into Monday — and get a stable presence there. Drew isn’t a free agent until 2012. 

MLB.com reporter Jason Beck believes the Tigers don’t see Ramon Santiago as a long-term solution at shortstop and added: “If they have a chance to add a young shortstop they could keep around for a few years, there’s a good chance they’ll look into it.”
It’s unknown just how closely the Tigers are monitoring the market for Drew — who, like many of his Arizona teammates, is expected to be made available before the non-waiver Trade Deadline — but they’ll also need help at catcher, starting pitching and possibly reliever at some point, and it’s impossible to think they can get all of that. So they’ll have to prioritize. 
Here’s more from around the league … 
* The Rangers, Twins, Yankees and Mets are among the teams most active in discussions for much-desired starter Cliff Lee, according to FOXSports.com. The Cardinals and Phillies all had scouts watching Lee’s Sunday start — when he gave up a run in eight innings to move his ERA to 2.34 — but aren’t considered to have as strong an interest. The Dodgers also had a scout there, and they’re interested, too. 
* The further the Marlins drop out of the race in the National League East, the more likely it is that they become sellers, MLB.com’s Joe Frisaro wrote. The most likely to be jettisoned is probably Jorge Cantu, who is a free agent after this season. So can Nate Robertson, Cody Ross, Dan Uggla and Ricky Nolasco. 
* The Braves signed veteran outfielder Willy Taveras to a Minor League contract recently and assigned him to Triple-A Gwinnett. Taveras was released last week by the Phillies, marking the third time he’s been released this year. 
– Alden Gonzalez

Alonso to get Lee?

In a tweet on Saturday, ESPN’s Buster Olney wrote: “SEA continues to look for big bat potential in a Lee deal, and 2 guys fit the description:Justin Smoak of TEX and Yonder Alonso of the Reds.”

Alonso is at Triple-A Louisville and is definitely blocked at first base by Joey Votto. Even with the experiment of trying him in left field in the Minors, Jonny Gomes has played well enough in the Majors to be the every day guy there.

However, one reason why the Reds wouldn’t be so quick to part with prospects to get Cliff Lee from the Mariners is Edinson Volquez.

Volquez, who is coming back from Tommy John surgery, has another rehab start with Triple-A Louisville on Sunday. After that, it’s possible he will re-join the rotation. And if he doesn’t, it will happen right after the All-Star break.

Both GM Walt Jocketty and manager Dusty Baker view the impending Volquez arrival as the equivilent of making a trade. The first-place Reds might be more willing to save their bullets to possibly shore up the bullpen, but really don’t have too many gaping holes to deal with.

— Mark Sheldon

Roundup: Yankees, Phillies going after Lee?

That’s what FoxSports.com’s Ken Rosenthal and ESPN.com’s Buster Olney are entertaining. Rosenthal heard through Major League sources that the Phillies want a top-of-the-rotation starter and that general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. has no qualms about trading for a pitcher he jettisoned in the offseason. Enter Cliff Lee, the best starting pitcher who will likely be available prior to the non-waiver Trade Deadline, and one who’s a free agent after this season. Meanwhile, Olney believes the Yankees and Mariners will at least talk about Lee before the Deadline. 

Still, FoxSports.com calls a reunion between Lee and the Phills “a longshot” and “perhaps unrealistic.” Philadelphia already gave up a bevy of prospects to acquire Roy Halladay this past offseason, and their focus right now is on acquiring infield help, since second baseman Chase Utley and third baseman Placido Polanco are on the disabled list. As for the Yankees, Olney states that the club has a recent history of reluctance to lose top prospects in gaining starting pitching, and he noted that the Yanks and M’s don’t have a very good trade history. 
The Rangers have been looked on as a team that has a strong chance at landing Lee. The Mets and Dodgers are also in need of starting-pitching help and could look in Lee’s direction. 
Here’s more from around the league … 
* Lee and the Yankees may be in the back burner, but the Yankees’ priority right now is improving their bench, general manager Brian Cashman told The Newark Star Ledger. Ty Wigginton, according to the Star Ledger, is someone in particular the Yankees have shown interest in. 
* Given a choice, Mets manager Jerry Manuel would prefer the club acquired a starting pitcher, though another option in the back end of the bullpen would be a nice consolation prize. 
* The Nationals signed Orlando “El Duque” Hernandez to a Minor League contract on Friday. Orlando, half-brother of Nats starter Livan Hernandez, is 44 years old and hasn’t pitched in the big leagues since 2007. He’ll start a throwing program in Viera, Fla., then work his way up to the Minors and hopefully join the Nats as a reliever. 
* Jermaine Dye, who hasn’t played this season but hasn’t retired, has been getting interest from the Rockies, Rangers and Padres, according to FoxSports.com. 
– Alden Gonzalez

Roundup: A’s kick off int’l signing with 3B

The international signing period began Friday, 29 days before the non-waiver Trade Deadline, and the Athletics were the first to make an imprint by signing Venezuelan third baseman Renato Nunez to a $2.2 million contract, according to Baseball America.

Nunez, 16, was deemed the top hitter available out of Venezuela this year by several international scouts, Baseball America wrote. The international signing period is for players born outside of the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico and are thus ineligible for the First-Year Player Draft. Players must be 16 years old when they sign and turn 17 by either Sept. 1 or the end of their first pro season, whichever comes later. 
Here’s more from around the league … 
* With Chase Utley out about eight weeks after surgery on his right thumb, the Phillies suddenly need help at second base. And though assistant general manager Scott Proefrock told MLB.com’s Todd Zolecki, “I don’t think it’s necessarily a situation where we have to go get somebody,” names like Ty Wigginton, Miguel Tejada and Kelly Johnson have been mentioned. The Orioles recently promoted third baseman Josh Bell, which could make Wigginton and Tejada available. But O’s president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail told MLB.com’s Brittany Ghiroli that’s not necessarily the case. 
* Because he’s a free agent after this season, he’ll come rather affordable at a pro-rated share of $8 million, the Mariners are currently not in contention and, well, he has a track record for making an impact on a new team after the Trade Deadline (see: 2009 Phillies), Cliff Lee will likely be the most sought-after player this month. But a source with knowledge of Seattle’s thinking told The New York Daily News the Mariners have not yet made Lee available. A host of teams — most notably the Mets and Dodgers — will undoubtedly be interested when he is. 
* Lee is Plan A for many teams seeking starting pitching, and Roy Oswalt may be Plan B. But Oswalt — making $15 million this season, $16 million next season and with a full no-trade clause in his contract — will be more difficult to acquire. MLB.com’s Brian McTaggart wrote recently that the Astros would be willing to pay a portion of Oswalt’s remaining salary if they get premier prospects in return. 
* The Giants traded Bengie Molina to the Rangers on Thursday. And according to MLB.com’s Chris Haft, that deal could open the door for San Francisco to add a badly needed productive hitter, particularly a corner infielder. 
* The Pirates and Blue Jays, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, are bidding on Mexican pitching prospect Luis Heredia. A source told the Post-Gazette the Blue Jays offered the 15-year-old right-hander $2.8 million, while the Pirates offered $2.5 million. Heredia can’t sign until Aug. 16, when he turns 16. 

– Alden Gonzalez
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