Results tagged ‘ Octavio Dotel ’

Roundup: Buzz says Oswalt in, Werth out in Philly

In need of a starter for Saturday’s game, Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. cryptically said Tuesday: “I think we we know exactly what we’re going to do.” Perhaps a starter, like Ben Sheets, Dan Haren, Jeremy Guthrie or Roy Oswalt is headed to Philadelphia? The club optioned Kyle Kendrick to the Minor Leagues that same day, and later that night, veteran Jamie Moyer sustained an injury that will likely put him on the disabled list, so starting pitching is needed in Philly. 

ESPN.com wrote about “indications” that the Phillies were in the midst of a “major deal” to acquire a starting pitcher in hopes of salvaging their season on Tuesday night. But on Wednesday afternoon, they followed-up by reporting that Oswalt “could be on the verge of blowing up a potential deal,” since he wants any team that acquires him to guarantee his $16 million option for 2012. For now, the Phillies are balking at that offer. ESPN.com added that it’d probably be J.A. Happ moving in an Oswalt deal, and the club is also looking to move struggling outfielder Jayson Werth (a free agent after this season). 
Astros owner Drayton McLane told MLB.com’s Brian McTaggart that no deal involving Oswalt appeared imminent as of Wednesday morning. Meanwhile, Oswalt — owner of a full no-trade clause — told reporters he hasn’t been approached about any possible trades. 
With less than two weeks remaining until the July 31 non-waiver Trade Deadline, here’s more buzz from around the league … 
* The White Sox, according to FOXSports.com’s Ken Rosenthal, are “trying to accelerate talks” with the Brewers for slugging first baseman Prince Fielder. The problem, Rosenthal notes, is Milwaukee wants a starting pitcher, and they view trade candidate Daniel Hudson as only a middle-of-the-rotation starter. White Sox GM Ken Williams said recently that the market was not to his benefit. 
* The Mets reportedly signed Chad Cordero to a Minor League contract on Wednesday, but they apparently want even more relief help. FOXSports.com wrote that the Mets are currently focused on the relief-pitching market and are eyeing the Pirates’ Octavio Dotel and the Blue Jays’ Scott Downs. 
* Seeking bench strength, the Yankees are looking into the Indians’ Jhonny Peralta and the Marlins’ Wes Helms, according to Rosenthal, who added that the price for Jose Bautista and Ty Wigginton were too high. 
* Pedro Martinez will not pitch in 2010, his agent, Fernando Cuza, told ESPNDeportes.com. But he has not officially retired. 
* The Giants, Tigers, White Sox and Braves have inquired about Blue Jays slugger Jose Bautista, Yahoo! Sports’ Jeff Passan reported via Twitter. 
– Alden Gonzalez

Bucs listening, but without urgency

General manager Neal Huntington hasn’t promised that the Pirates will be entirely inactive on the trade front through the end of the month, but it’s obvious that the urgency to deal away players for prospects is not like it has been in each of the past two seasons.

“This year, we’ve got some guys that we’re not real motivated to move,” Huntington said. “If we get a good baseball trade, then we’ll make it. But we’re beyond the prospect collection mode, and we’re trying to move forward with this group.”

Veterans Paul Maholm, Zach Duke and Ryan Doumit have garnered interest in the past, and all three could be asked about again over the next 11 days. Doumit and Duke haven’t had particularly strong seasons, though, which could affect their value. And without the need to have to make deals, don’t expect the Pirates to sell low.

Relievers Brendan Donnelly and D.J. Carrasco are other potential trade pieces given how valuable reliable veteran relievers are for clubs looking to make a postseason push. And then there is closer Octavio Dotel, who perhaps has as much value as anyone that the Pirates would be willing to part with midseason. 

Dotel’s name has already surfaced as a potential fit on a number of clubs, though there have been no indications that it has fostered into anything more than speculation at this point. So why does Dotel seem as likely to go as anyone else in the Pirates’ clubhouse?

To begin with, he comes at a reasonable price given his experience, which has spanned 12 seasons. Dotel’s $3.5 million salary is plenty affordable, and his $4.5 million club option for 2011 becomes a mutual option if he is dealt.

Furthermore, the Pirates might not need the 36-year-old right-hander beyond this season. They seem to have a closer-in-waiting with Evan Meek, and if the club is planning to hand that job to Meek next year, this would be the time to try and get something for Dotel.

– Jenifer Langosch

Marlins eyeing relief help

Solidifying their bullpen is a top priority for the Marlins. So it isn’t surprising that word leaked out that the team has interest in Pirates veteran Octavio Dotel.

According to FanHouse.com, the Marlins have asked the Pirates about Dotel’s availability. This is true. But that doesn’t mean the team has more interest in Dotel than a high number of other relievers who might be available.

The Marlins feel they are in the same boat as 20 other teams all looking for the same thing. Their interest in Dotel is considered on par with any number of possibilities.

With the Marlins sinking more out of the race, their chances of mortgaging a prospect for a quick fix is remote.

Several teams have informed the Marlins that they are seeking prospect Logan Morrison in return on any possible trade. Morrison, who is playing first base and outfield at Triple-A New Orleans, is close to being untouchable. Morrison, the team feels, will be a lefty bat similiar to Mets rookie Ike Davis.

While Morrison doesn’t have Davis’ power, the club believes he will hit for a higher average.

The team has some internal relief candidates they are likely to consider promoting in the next few weeks or months. A hard-throwing reliever who is close to being big league ready is right-hander Jhan Marinez, a 21-year-old from the Dominican Republic. Marinez is at Double-A Jacksonville. 

Marinez throws in the upper 90s and he has a power slider.

Jose Ceda, who was acquired after the 2008 season from the Cubs for Kevin Gregg, is another internal reliever the Marlins feel is getting closer to being ready. Ceda missed all of last season with a shoulder injury.

– Joe Frisaro

 

Bucs willing to listen

Management has promised Pirates fans that this Trade Deadline period will not be like the last two, which featured an exodus of veteran players and an influx of young talent. That talent accumulation period is mostly over, which means the organization doesn’t feel like it has to pull the trigger on any proposed deal. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean nothing will happen.

Pittsburgh will listen to anyone who comes with a proposal, and the likeliest candidates to go are the players under one-year contracts. That’s a group that includes outfielder Ryan Church, infielder Bobby Crosby and relievers Brendan Donnelly and D.J. Carrasco. Octavio Dotel can be added to that list if the Pirates aren’t planning to exercise his $4.5 million option for 2011. With these guys likely to be playing elsewhere next season, Pittsburgh can get something back if they trade them away now.

Catcher Ryan Doumit and left-handers Zach Duke and Paul Maholm have been asked about in the past and again, the Pirates will listen to any offers brought their way. Maholm would be able to net the biggest return at this point, but the Pirates would need to be overwhelmed by an offer to agree to part with the team’s most (and often, only) reliable starter. Maholm is also under the team’s control for two more seasons and at quite a reasonable price tag.

– Jenifer Langosch

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