Results tagged ‘ Phillies ’

Oswalt-to-Phillies reportedly in place

The Astros have a deal in place to trade right-hander Roy Oswalt to the Phillies if the ace pitcher agrees to waive his no-trade clause, Houston television station KRIV reported late Wednesday.

The report, citing league sources, said the Astros have approached Oswalt about the trade and are awaiting his response. The story also says the teams have agreed upon the amount of money the Astros will absorb to help offset some of Oswalt’s contract, as well as the players going to Houston.

The Astros have scouted Phillies left-hander J.A. Happ’s most recent starts, and he likely would be included in the deal.

Astros general manager Ed Wade also personally scouted Philadelphia’s Class A Lakewood affiliate earlier this month. First baseman Jonathan Singleton, an eighth-round pick in the 2009 First-Year Player Draft, could be included in the deal. Singleton, 18, is hitting .319 with 12 home runs, 57 RBIs and a .962 on-base-plus-slugging percentage in 248 at-bats.

Oswalt is owed about $5 million more this year and is due to make $16 million next season in the last year of his contract, but there’s a club option for 2012 that would pay him another $16 million. He said last week the option wouldn’t be an issue when it came to approving a trade.
When contacted late Wednesday, Wade declined comment on trade discussions, and Oswalt could not be reached for comment.

The Astros have been fielding calls about Oswalt since he informed the team in May he wanted to be traded to a contender. The Dodgers and Cardinals were among the teams interested in acquiring the three-time All-Star, along with the Phillies.

Astros owner Drayton McLane told MLB.com earlier on Wednesday the club has been involved in a lot of discussions about Oswalt.

Oswalt said Wednesday he would like to have some time to decide prior to Saturday’s 3 p.m. CT Trade Deadline if he’d be willing to waive his no-trade clause to accommodate any deals the Astros put on the table. He said before Houston’s 8-1 win over the Cubs that he has yet to be approached by the club about any proposals.

“I’m hoping it’s not going to be dropped on me an hour before the Deadline,” he said. “Give me a little bit of time to think about.”

Oswalt is scheduled to pitch Friday in an attempt to tie the club’s all-time win record, a start that appears more and more unlikely to happen. The game will come will come less than 24 hours before the Deadline.

“You do need a little bit of time,” Oswalt said. “I don’t want it to be two hours before the Deadline and have to make a quick decision. I would rather have a little bit of time to think about it.”

The two-time defending National League champion Phillies are 54-46 and trail the Braves by 3 1/2 in the NL East. They are looking to bolster a pitching staff that’s ranked seventh in the NL with a 3.99 ERA, and adding Oswalt to the top of a rotation that includes Roy Halladay would certainly accomplish that.

Oswalt is 6-12 with a 3.42 ERA, but has received some of the worst run support in the league.

– Brian McTaggart

Roundup: Rangers seemingly not done yet

The Rangers already nabbed the big prize of the trade market by snagging Cliff Lee recently, and they’ve reportedly been hot after an infielder, with Jorge Cantu being their primary focus. 
But that may not be all. 
Texas is also keeping its eye on the seemingly depleted market for Roy Oswalt, SI.com and FOXSports.com wrote. Oswalt to the Rangers, however, is still considered a longshot. Oswalt, who has a full no-trade clause, insisted location doesn’t matter, as long as he goes to a contender. The Phillies are still hopeful of obtaining the pricey right-hander, but reports have indicated that the Cardinals — in the same division as the Astros — are pretty much out of the race. 
With Saturday’s 4 p.m. ET Trade Deadline fast-approaching, here’s more from around the league … 
* The Yankees and Red Sox are the favorites to acquire Scott Downs, the most sought-after lefty reliever in the trade market, according to FOXSports.com. 
* According to ESPNChicago.com, six teams are in the running for Adam Dunn: The White Sox, Tigers, Angels, Rangers and two unidentified National League clubs — with one of those likely being the Giants. In order for the White Sox to get him, the Nationals require top pitching prospect Daniel Hudson, plus one of outfielder Jordan Danks, catcher Tyler Flowers and infielder Brent Morel. 

* Cody Ross really wanted to stay with the Marlins. Now, after Chris Coghlan tore his MCL while celebrating on Sunday, Ross may seemingly get his wish, which would deprive the trade market of a valuable outfielder. 

* Cubs third baseman Aramis Ramirez is leaning towards exercising his $14.6 million player option for 2011, according to The Chicago Sun-Times. The news comes as no surprise, considering he likely wouldn’t get anything close to that in the open market at this point. Ramirez, who also has a $16 million club option for 2012, has a pretty good perspective on the Trade Deadline. 
* The Braves reached agreement on a two-year contract extension with backup catcher David Ross, a club source confirmed to MLB.com’s Mark Bowman. Ross, making $1.6 million while in the final year of his contract, will now stay on through 2012. First-string catcher Brian McCann is also signed through 2012, with a club option for 2013. 
* In need of more punch in their lineup, the Giants have been “heavily” scouting Royals outfielder Jose Guillen, Jon Heyman of SI.com and MLB Network wrote via Twitter. Meanwhile, Guillen’s teammate, Scott Podsednik, is also drawing intrigue. FOXSports.com’s Ken Rosenthal wrote via Twitter that Kansas City is being “bombarded” by National League West teams interested in the speedy left fielder. 
* Not only may Ross be staying, but the Marlins are also strongly considering a long-term deal with Dan Uggla, MLB.com’s Joe Frisaro writes. The Diamondbacks, meanwhile, will continue selling, according to MLB.com’s Steve Gilbert. 
– Alden Gonzalez

Roundup: Oswalt deal unlikely?

The Roy Oswalt saga continued on Monday as multiple media reports emerged suggesting that both the Cardinals and Phillies looked to be moving away from acquiring the Astros’ ace. The Astros are reportedly looking for a big return, which makes the possibility he’ll be dealt before Saturday’s deadline far from certain.

ESPN.com’s Jayson Stark suggests on Monday that the Astros are understandably hesitant to deal Oswalt to a divisional contender, but even so, Stark isn’t sure they have the prospects to land the ace anyway. 
 
More reports from FoxSports.com emerged on Monday afternoon reporting from an unamed source that Oswalt may not approve a trade to the Phillies. As a result, the report suggested, Oswalt could choose to wait until the offseason and select the highest bidder.

The Dodgers, seen as another viable option for Oswalt, reportedly bristled at the idea of giving up James Loney or Matt Kemp.

But Oswalt is far from being the only key valuable commodity out there. Here’s a look at some other news from Monday.

-With their strong week, the Marlins have reached a point where they are unsure about how they will move forward at the Trade Deadline. One Florida-area beat writer reported on Monday on Twitter, though, that teams are inquiring about Chris Volstad. There was already talk of multiple teams, including the Rangers, interested in Jorge Cantu. So it will be interesting to see where the Marlins land on their decisions.

- Amidst media reports that the Mets and Royals were discussing a possible trade for Jeff Francoeur, MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo reported that the Mets are wary of losing Francoeur and needing another outfielder again if Carlos Beltran should go down. Stark also reported on Twitter on Monday that Kansas City has no interest in Francoeur, Ollie Perez or Jose Guillen or whoever.

- Aside from Ted Lilly, the Cubs have a few other valuable trade chips in Derrek Lee or Kosuke Fukudome. FoxSports.com’s Ken Rosenthal reported on Twitter on Monday that the Cubs would pay part of his $4 million salary and “quite a bit” of $13.5 million salary next year. A source told Stark that it’s unlikely that Lee would OK full-no-trade clause at this point.

Keep checking MLB.com’s Hot Stove Blog for the latest trade rumors heading into Saturday’s 4 p.m. ET deadline!

 

– Bailey Stephens

Haren Out, Phillies Focus on Oswalt

Dan Haren is headed to Anaheim, which means only Roy Oswalt remains for the Phillies.

The Houston Astros have scouted J.A. Happ‘s latest starts, which indicates he would be packaged in a deal for Oswalt. There have been numerous reports the Phillies would have to trade Jayson Werth to clear salary and gain prospects for Oswalt. MLB.com has heard that is not the case. While the Phillies are exploring trade partners for Werth, they could acquire Oswalt and keep Werth.

If the Phillies cannot get Oswalt, they will try to bolster the bullpen and possibly add an infielder like Ty Wigginton or Miguel Tejada to add some punch to a lineup that is without Chase Utley for four more weeks.

- Todd Zolecki

O’s MacPhail on “slow developing” trade market

Orioles president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail has been fielding calls on the team’s veterans, and said on Sunday that he doesn’t believe Ty Wigginton -believed to be the team’s best trade chip – will lose value based on his pending three-game suspension.

 ”I don’t think that’s going to be impactful for that,” said MacPhail, who called the trade market a slow development that is “prodding along”.

“Everybody is being a little coy right now, myself included,” MacPhail said when asked if he expected the team to make at least one trade before the deadline.

“My own impression is that we have some of these big-target starting pitchers out there who probably have a lot of teams focused on whether they are in or out of that picture or not before they move on to other targets. I think that might be slowing down our market a little.”

The Orioles don’t have any big name pitchers, but Wigginton’s name has been listed in conjunction with at least 10 teams, including the Rangers, Phillies, Twins and Yankees.  He is appealing the suspension handed down after Friday’s ejection, and the punishment could be lessened to a game or two. Wigginton could also drop the appeal and serve the three-game suspension prior to being traded, although the team would prefer to let the process drag out given the O’s short bench.

Third baseman Miguel Tejada has also garnered interest from several teams and reliever Will Ohman, outfielder Corey Patterson and designated hitter Luke Scott all have a chance to be donning another uniform in August.

Starter Jeremy Guthrie’s name has been mentioned in several trade rumors, but it’s believed the Orioles would have to get a significant return to move him. Guthrie is under team control through 2012 and given his recent resurgence he helps stabilize a young and inconsistent O’s rotation.

–Brittany Ghiroli  

Roundup: Haren, Oswalt chatter continues

Many contending clubs are looking for reliable starting pitching (who isn’t really?), and so the attainable Roy Oswalt and Dan Haren are hot topics of discussion with the July 31 non-waiver Trade Deadline now just eight days away. 

Regarding Oswalt, the Dodgers, Cardinals and Phillies have reportedly all reached out to the Astros to try and work something out. The Cardinals seem like Oswalt’s most desired destination. The 32-year-old right-hander, who has a full no-trade clause, grew up in nearby Mississippii and has said he would not force the Cardinals to pick up his 2012 option for $16 million — something he would reportedly demand of a team like the Phillies. 
The Dodgers, according to ESPN’s Jayson Stark, are also looking into Oswalt and have discussed names with Houston. The Astros, Stark added, would prefer not to trade Oswalt to a divisional opponent. According to The St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the Astros seek two top prospects, a third Minor Leaguer and a young player who’s Major League ready for Oswalt. Perhaps those demands come down as the Deadline approaches. 
Regarding Haren, D-backs CEO Derrick Hall said he has no urgency to move the right-hander and would need “an A-plus deal” to ship him out. As MLB.com’s Steve Gilbert wrote, the D-backs are hesitant to move both Haren and Edwin Jackson. The Tigers, Yankees, Phillies, Cardinals and Twins have all been linked to Haren. According to FOXSports.com, Haren would have to approve a deal to the Twins and Tigers. 
Here’s more from around the league … 
* The Athletics signed catcher Kurt Suzuki to a four-year extension. The deal runs through 2013, Suzuki’s arbitration years, and includes a club option for 2014. 
* The Giants, according to ESPN’s Buster Olney, scouted Jose Guillen on Thursday night. 
* With Carlos Beltran back in the lineup and Jeff Francoeur‘s playing time dwindling, the Mets are looking to trade Francoeur, according to The New York Post. 
* David DeJesus, the subject of much speculation, will miss the rest of the season after suffering a complete ligament tear in his right thumb on Thursday, according to The Kansas City Star. His surgery is set for Monday. 
* The Rays do not expect to acquire Jayson Werth, Yahoo! Sports’ Tim Brown reported via Twitter. 
– Alden Gonzalez

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

No trade appears imminent for Astros

Despite reports right-hander Roy Oswalt could be the target of a deal involving the pitching-thirsty Philadelphia Phillies, no deal with the Astros ace appeared imminent Tuesday night. Oswalt, who is scheduled to start Saturday in an attempt to tie the club’s all-time wins record, has been the center of trade rumors since he made it public he had requested a trade to a contender.

The Phillies, who sent Kyle Kendrick to the Minors on Monday and are in need of a starting pitcher for Saturday, are involved in talks to acquire a starting pitcher, according to an ESPN.com report.

Astros general manager Ed Wade, who spent several years as GM in Philadelphia and while in Houston pulled off the blockbuster deal that sent Brad Lidge to Philly, has a policy not to comment on trades.

Oswalt had left the visiting clubhouse at Wrigley Field before reporters entered Tuesday night, and he didn’t return a message from MLB.com.

Oswalt, who is 6-11 with a 3.12 ERA, is owed more than $7 million for the rest of this year and will make $16 million next year, which makes dealing him difficult. He also has a no-trade clause and would have to approve any potential deals, but he has said several times recently he wants to play for a contender.

– Brian McTaggart

Roundup: A Lowell-to-Rangers revival?

One of the biggest surprises of the offseason came when the Rangers nixed a proposed deal to acquire Mike Lowell, which led to one of the more uncomfortable situations in baseball, considering Lowell knew the Red Sox were looking to deal him and just couldn’t find a match. Well, according to a report by WEEI.com, we may have Lowell to Texas Part II. The Web site attributed an unnamed Major League source that the Rangers “continue to monitor” the status of Lowell — currently on the DL with soreness in his surgically repaired hip — and could have “increased interest” in a deal. 
The Red Sox and Rangers have continued to talk throughout the season about the possibility of bringing the previously vetoed deal back to life, according to the site. Texas would be interested because it just dealt Justin Smoak to the Rangers to acquire Cliff Lee, and current first baseman Chris Davis (.203 batting average, zero home runs in 19 games) is struggling. Still, the Rangers, according to WEEI.com, will continue to look for other trade options before pulling the trigger on another Lowell deal. 
Here’s more from around the league … 
* The Mets, as a surprise to no one, are in the market for starting pitching. ESPN’s Buster Olney named Jake Westbrook, Ted Lilly and — wait for it — Brett Myers as rotation candidates they’ve kept tabs on. 
* The Marlins could be on the verge of making a move, considering manager Edwin Rodriguez said Thursday that he’s thinking about plugging Emilio Bonifacio into the leadoff spot, even though there’s seemingly no position for him at the moment. Can that mean Cody Ross, Jorge Cantu or Dan Uggla are moved relatively soon? As MLB.com’s Joe Frisaro writes, this homestand could decide what course of action Florida takes in regards to the non-waiver Trade Deadline. 
* Struggling left-hander Dontrelle Willis was prepared to sit out the rest of the 2010 season, but the Giants gave him another shot with a Minor League contract, and the Alameda, Calif., product accepted. 
* A couple of rather notable bullpen moves were made late Thursday afternoon. The Reds signed 41-year-old right-hander Russ Springer, and the Phillies designated 36-year-old righty Nelson Figueroa for assignment. Meanwhile, GM Walt Jocketty may not be done tweaking the Reds’ bullpen just yet, writes MLB.com’s Mark Sheldon. 
* Could Joba Chamberlain be next? That’s a question being posed by ESPNNewYork.com’s Andrew Marchand, who believes Chamberlain’s struggles (a 5.79 ERA in 37 1/3 innings) could lead to him being replaced before the Trade Deadline. 
* The Mariners signed three international prospects on Friday, according to Baseball America — Dominican outfielder Phillips Castillo ($2.2 million), Colombian right-hander Jose Torres ($851,000) and Venezuelan third baseman Yordyn Calderon ($477,500). 
* The Giants have long been linked to Royals outfielder David DeJesus. But it might be his teammate, Jose Guillen, who they end up acquiring, writes MLB.com’s Chris Haft. 
– Alden Gonzalez

Roundup: Blue Jays, Braves swap shortstops

In a rather surprising All-Star break move, the Blue Jays in essence acquired young shortstop Yunel Escobar from the Braves in exchange for veteran shortstop Alex Gonzalez. Left-hander Jo-Jo Reyes also is going to Toronto, with Minor League lefty Tim Collins and Minor League infielder Tyler Pastornicky migrating to Atlanta’s organization. 

Escobar, still considered one of the more talented shortstops in the National League despite his off-year (.238 batting average, .618 OPS, zero homers), will be heading into his first of three arbitration years this offseason, while Gonzalez (batting .259 with 17 homers) has a $2.5 million club option. 
Both are very good defensive players, but right now, it’s Gonzalez who seemingly gives the Braves their best chance to maintain their NL East division lead, while Escobar could — if a change of scenery serves as a big beneficiary — give the Blue Jays a young, talented shortstop for years to come. 
Here’s more from around the league … 
* The Brewers are reportedly shopping All-Star and Home Run Derby participant Corey Hart, with the Giants, Rays, Padres and Braves rumored to be interested. According to The San Francisco Chronicle, the Brewers asked the Giants for Jonathan Sanchez and Madison Bumgarner in exchange for Hart. Giants general Brian Sabean, however, is reluctant to part with those two. 
* Torii Hunter is playing GM a little bit. Hunter, the Angels center fielder signed through 2012, told MLB.com’s Bill Ladson he’d like to have Adam Dunn in Anaheim, and according to The Los Angeles Times, he’s been working on speedster Carl Crawford, too. 
* Don’t expect a 2010 reunion between Pedro Martinez and the Phillies, writes MLB.com’s Todd Zolecki. Martinez hasn’t even thrown off the mound yet. 
* The injury-ravaged Red Sox have spoken to the Royals about outfielder David DeJesus, according to FOXSports.com. The Web site said the two clubs talked less than two weeks ago and said they’d remain in touch. The Royals have been scouting the Red Sox’s farm system, but names haven’t been exchanged, FOXSports.com added. 
* The Braves, seeking a right-handed-hitting outfielder, have shown interest in the Marlins’ Cody Ross. Florida finds itself 10 games back in the NL East heading into the second half of the season and could be sellers before the Trade Deadline. 
– Alden Gonzalez
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