Results tagged ‘ Royals ’

Francoeur: “I want to be here”

Dogged in late 2008 by a series of rumors intimating that he did not enjoy playing in Queens, Mets outfielder Ryan Church reported to Spring Training the next year sporting an “I Love New York” t-shirt.

Jeff Francoeur, the man for whom the Mets traded Church last season, is heading down a similar path.

Mere days after telling both the Daily News and the Post that he would welcome a trade elsewhere — read: Kansas City — if it would result in increased playing time, Francoeur nixed that talk following Tuesday’s victory at Citi Field.

“I want to be here,” Francoeur said. “I’ve said it from Day 1, I like it here. I enjoy playing. It’s a fun place to play. It’s a crazy place to play, but it’s a fun place to play.”

And it should remain Francoeur’s home for a while, as it appears increasingly unlikely that the Mets will deal Francoeur prior to Saturday’s non-waiver Trade Deadline. Even before this week, the Mets were worried that trading Francoeur would make them vulnerable in the event that Carlos Beltran re-injured his surgically repaired right knee. Now, Jason Bay is out indefinitely with a mild concussion, providing the Mets with a clear reminder of why Francoeur remains valuable to them.

“You like to have good players, and Jeff is definitely a good player,” Mets manager Jerry Manuel said.

In other words, don’t expect him to go anywhere.

–Anthony DiComo

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

Mets talking Frenchy, nothing imminent

The Mets have had conversations with the Royals regarding Jeff Francoeur, but it’s doubtful that anything will come of that before Saturday’s non-waiver Trade Deadline.

Multiple published reports this weekend claimed that the Mets were interested in dealing Francoeur, who is making $5 million this season, for Royals reliever Kyle Farnsworth, who is making $4.5 million. On paper that matches up, considering the Mets’ desperate need for bullpen help. But the Mets are wary of trading Francoeur and then watching Carlos Beltran suffer a setback in his recovery from right knee surgery. Though Francoeur is nothing more than a fourth outfielder for the Mets at the moment, he is also an important source of depth.

That said, Francoeur told multiple news outlets this weekend that he would be receptive to any trade that would net him more playing time. The Royals could certainly offer that sort of situation.

–Anthony DiComo

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

Guillen, not DeJesus, could be SF’s target

Thursday, July 15

SAN FRANCISCO — The Giants have long been linked to Kansas City right fielder David DeJesus in trade speculation, but the Royals hitter they might have a better chance of acquiring is Jose Guillen, according to industry sources.

Guillen doesn’t fit the profile of the type of player that San Francisco is trying to obtain. He’s 34 and eligible for free agency after this season. The Giants would prefer to acquire somebody who might fit in with their future plans.

But that also drops Guillen’s “price.” Since he’s a potential free agent, the Royals can’t expect to get top-level prospects or a starting pitcher like Jonathan Sanchez for him. That, in turn, might make him more attractive to the Giants, though DeJesus is batting .324 to Guillen’s .279, is only 30 years old and has an extremely affordable $6 million club option on his 2011 contract.

Guillen also has 15 home runs and 54 RBIs, compared to five and 36 for DeJesus. Guillen has spent most of this season as Kansas City’s designated hitter, occupying that role in 67 games while playing 19 games in the outfield. But Guillen is well-acquainted with playing outfield, where he has logged 1,408 of his 1,588 career games. At one time his throwing arm was considered one of the strongest in the National League.

– Chris Haft 

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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