Results tagged ‘ trade deadline ’

7/21 It’s Dempster’s call

Ryan Dempster’s scoreless inning streak ended Friday while the countdown continued for how long he will remain with the Cubs. Dempster, who was being aggressively pursued by several teams prior to the July 31 Trade Deadline, served up four runs on seven hits and two walks over six innings in the Cubs’ 4-1 loss to the Cardinals. His ERA rose to 2.11, but it’s still best in the National League. He’s aware of the rumors.

“I’m not naive,” Dempster said. “I realize everything that’s going on. I’m well aware [a trade] can happen at any minute. I’m not going to walk on eggshells or worry about that. I can only focus on what I can focus on, and that’s going out there today and trying to pitch and do my job. Now my focus is to work hard tomorrow and get ready five days from now.”

Perhaps the reason he can be so calm is that Dempster is calling the shots. As a player with 10 years in the big leagues and five with the same team, he can veto any deal.

“It’s awesome being the hammer and not the nail,” Dempster said.

He didn’t take the mound at Busch Stadium thinking it might be his last start for the Cubs.

“Maybe that’s why I’m not so uneasy about it because at the end of the day, it’s my decision,” he said.

Was it his last start for the Cubs? Dempster most likely didn’t follow the rumors on Twitter on Friday, which ranged from him being dealt hours before his start, to talks dragging out for a few days.

“[The media] has a job to do and I understand that,” Dempster said of the rumors. “For me, it’s just business as usual and I have to do what I have to do. Nothing has changed for me. I have to go out and get ready for my next start. I’m sure if they have something of any substance to it, they’ll come up and ask me, but until then, I just worry about what I can do.”

He doesn’t hesitate when his phone rings.

“I’m hoping its Publisher’s Clearing House — Ed McMahon maybe,” he said.

Here’s the real shocker — despite all the rumors, Dempster could end up staying with the Cubs.

“If I’m going to go, I want to go win,” Dempster said. “For right now, I’m a member of this team and I want to do the best I can to be a good teammate and go out there and do my job when I’m asked to do my job.”

– Carrie Muskat

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.

So we wait.

– Alden

Astros remain in Pence talks

The Astros remain in intense trade talks regarding All-Star right fielder Hunter Pence on Friday afternoon, specifically with the Philadelphia Phillies.

MLB.com has confirmed Pence was briefly removed from the lineup prior to Thursday’s game in St. Louis because of potential trade, but wound up staying in the order and going 2-for-4 with a pair of doubles in the Astros’ win. Pence was in the lineup on Friday night for Houston’s series opener against the Brewers, batting fourth.

Although there are reports the Astros and Phillies have discussed a three-team deal, a person close to the situation told MLB.com Friday that a two-team swap remains Houston’s focus. The Astros are coveting several prospects for Pence, who’s the top name on the trade market in the wake of the Carlos Beltran trade.

The Atlanta Braves are also reportedly in the mix for Pence’s services, along with the Reds and a handful of other teams.

Astros general manager Ed Wade had no comment.

The Astros are also getting heavy interest about Gold Glove center fielder Michael Bourn, left-hander Wandy Rodriguez and, to a lesser extent, right-hander Brett Myers. The non-waiver Trade Deadline is 3 p.m. CT on Sunday.

– Brian McTaggart

Houston most likely spot for Pence

The closer we get to Sunday’s Trade Deadline, the more likely it appears that Astros All-Star outfielder Hunter Pence will remain in Houston.

Peter Gammons of MLB.com reported earlier this week that word spread around the general managers’ world on Monday that Pence was essentially off the market, and an industry insider believes he will stay with the Astros. If the Astros were to make a deal at this point, left-hander Wandy Rodriguez appears the most likely candidate.

The Braves and Phillies have reportedly shown interest in Pence, but he would come with a high price tag considering he’s the Astros best and most popular player. And he’s under club control for two more years after 2011.

The Astros are positioning themselves to unload some payroll, and Rodriguez is owed the remainder of his $7 million salary this year, $10 million next year and $13 million in 2013. He has an option for 2014 with $13 million, with a $2.5 million buyout.

It’s unknown if the Astros would be prepared to take on some of that money to get a deal done. Houston is still paying $10 million of Roy Oswalt’s contract this year.

– Brian McTaggart

Astros willing to listen

The Astros are engaged in numerous trade conversations, but general manager Ed Wade has a policy not to discuss trade specifics.

What’s known is outfielders Hunter Pence and Michael Bourn – their two best offensive players – have been attracting considerable attention, but they will come with a steep price. Houston is more likely to deal pitchers Wandy Rodriguez and Brett Myers, despite their multi-year contracts.

“As I’ve indicated before, at the very least we have to be good listeners,” Wade said. “We can always say ‘no’ to anything that we don’t think improves us in the short term or long term. It’s important for us to be proactive on a couple of different fronts as we were with Jeff Keppinger, and at the same time be receptive and responsive to any other inquiries or opportunities that may present themselves.”

– Brian McTaggart

Pence to stay in Houston?

Houston All-Star right fielder Hunter Pence is one of the summer’s biggest trade commodities, but SI.com’s Jon Heyman reported via Twitter on Sunday the team was going to keep Pence. The team has not confirmed that rumor.

Astros general manager Ed Wade has said multiple times in the last few weeks that he plans to be a good listener and would be willing to consider to any offers, but the team isn’t going to part with Pence without getting plenty of talent in return.

The Astros may be more likely at this point to deal pitchers Brett Myers and Wandy Rodriguez, who wouldn’t bring as much in return as Pence. Myers and Rodriguez both recently signed contract extensions, and the Astros might have to take on some of that money like they did last year when they deal Roy Oswalt and Lance Berkman.

– Brian McTaggart

D-backs close to dealing Snyder

NEW YORK — The D-backs have agreed on a trade late Friday night that would send catcher Chris Snyder to the Pirates pending approval by the commissioner’s office according to a baseball source.

It is not clear what the D-backs would get in return or how much money is changing hands in the deal, but that is what would have to be approved by Major League Baseball.

Snyder is due $5.75 million next year with a club option worth $6.75 million for 2012 with a $750,000 buyout.

Snyder is hitting .231 with 10 homers and 32 RBIs in 65 games this year.

It’s been quite a change of direction for the club with regards to Snyder. Following the 2008 season, the club inked him to a contract extension and he looked like their catcher going forward.

A back injury, though, sidelined him two months into the 2009 season and Miguel Montero filled in for him and was so impressive with the bat that Snyder was relegated to a backup role.

– Steve Gilbert

Where will Oswalt wind up?

Astros pitcher Roy Oswalt figures to be the center of a lot of trade discussion in the month of July. Oswalt has said publicly and the Astros have acknowledged that he has requested to be traded to a contender, and there should be no shortage of teams calling about his services.

Oswalt has 10 losses this year, but has given the Astros 13 quality starts and has been the victim of poor run support. He has a no-trade clause and would have to approve any trade the Astros make, so essentially he would have his pick of teams if the Astros choose to trade him.

But finding a team willing to take on the remainder of Oswalt’s $15 million salary this year and his $16 million salary next year, a team willing to give up top prospects in return and a team that’s in contention that Oswalt would approve a trade to will be very challenging.

The Astros would be willing to pay a portion of Oswalt’ s remaining salary if they get premier prospects they are seeking. Of course, the club isn’t obligated to trade the three-time All-Star. As general manager Ed Wade said in May: “He has a no-trade clause, not a trade-me clause.”

Oswalt is two wins shy of tying the club record of 144, so the month of July should be very interesting.

– Brian McTaggart

| back to blog home |
Theme: MLB “pro” | Get a free blog at WordPress.com
Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.

Join 412 other followers