RockRaines Posted December 8, 2005 Share Posted December 8, 2005 Arms for Blalock? Dec 8 - The Twins spent parts of Tuesday and Wednesday talking with the Rangers about a deal for third baseman Hank Blalock, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. The Twins likely would give up pitching, possibly left-handed reliever J.C. Romero. The newspaper also dangles right-hander Scott Baker's name as possible trade bait, but says the team would like to keep starter Kyle Lohse. The deal could be expanded to include Kevin Mench. WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY Kris Benson Kris Benson Mets Rangers Royals From K.C to Texas Dec 8 - The Mets moved closer Wednesday to trading starter Kris Benson to Texas after talks broke down with Kansas City, Newsday reports. According to the newspaper, the Mets would send Benson to the Rangers for outfielder Laynce Nix and righthander Juan Dominguez. The Mets reportedly would like to clear Benson's salary (he's owed $15 million over the next two seasons) to make a run at Oakland's Barry Zito or Arizona's Javier Vazquez, who has requested a trade. WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY Bernie Williams Bernie Williams Yankees Yankees? Stars and pinstripes Dec 8 - The Yankees are moving closer toward bringing Williams back next year as an extra outfielder, ESPN.com's Jayson Stark reports. Williams is expected to get a one-year contract, believed to be in the neighborhood of $2 million, plus incentives. Because the negotiations did not finish by the end of Wednesday night, the Yankees offered Williams arbitration, with the understanding he won't accept it. WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY Manny Ramirez Manny Ramirez Red Sox Phillies? Mariners? Mets? Angels? Manny scenarios Dec 8 - There was talk of a three-way deal that would have sent Manny Ramirez to the Dodgers, but it fell apart, ESPN's Peter Gammons reports. Ramirez would have gone to Los Angeles for J.D. Drew, Derek Lowe and a pitching prospect. Lowe, Trot Nixon and a prospect would have gone to Philadelphia for Bobby Abreu. The Red Sox earlier told Gammons that Ramirez will not be traded this week because such a deal would be too complicated and take too much time to sort out. The Mets have talked to the Red Sox about Ramirez and asked Boston to take second baseman Kaz Matsui in a deal along with Lastings Milledge, Aaron Heilman and other prospects. According to The Boston Globe, there was substance to the rumor that the Red Sox were working on a three-way deal with the Angels and Diamondbacks. The Angels would get Ramirez, the D-Backs would get prospects from the Angels and the Red Sox would receive a package of players that includes third baseman Troy Glaus. WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY Julio Lugo Julio Lugo Devil Rays Red Sox Braves Cubs No three-way calling Dec 8 - The Red Sox, Braves and Devil Rays continue to talk about a variety of two-team and three-team combinations revolving around the usual suspects -- Edgar Renteria, Julio Lugo and Braves third-base prospect Andy Marte. But thanks to disagreements between the Red Sox and Devil Rays on Lugo's trade value, it's possible that Boston and Atlanta might pull off a simple two-team swap of Renteria for Marte. It's believed the Red Sox then would see if they could spin Marte to Tampa Bay for Lugo or elsewhere for another shortstop. Or they could keep Marte for a while and decide later whether to deal him or find a place for him to play. WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY Bobby Abreu Bobby Abreu Phillies Dodgers Cubs Astros Red Sox Blue Jays Why me? Dec 8 - There is little chance of Bobby Abreu being traded, because the Phillies can't get enough pitching back to justify it, ESPN.com's Jayson Stark reports. Nevertheless, Abreu has been puzzled by all the trade rumors, according to his agent, Peter Greenberg. The latest proposed deal involved the Dodgers, with Abreu and possibly third baseman David Bell going to L.A. for Derek Lowe or Brad Penny, The Philadelphia Inquirer reports. The Red Sox (possibly for Matt Clement and Trot Nixon) and Astros (potentially for Brandon Backe and Chad Qualls) have also shown interest in Abreu. WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY Milton Bradley Milton Bradley Dodgers Cubs Pirates Athletics Cubs game for Bradley Dec 8 - The Cubs and Dodgers haven't finalized a deal that would send outfielder Milton Bradley to the Cubs. But it seems clear that Bradley will be traded in the next few days, and no team is more interested in Bradley than the Cubs, ESPN.com's Jayson Stark reports. Dusty Baker came away from a meeting with Bradley last month convinced that Bradley could fit. And Bradley's .350-plus on-base percentage the last three years also would fit. Only two Cubs regulars -- Derrek Lee and Aramirs Ramirez -- had an on-base percentage over .350 this season. WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY Brad Wilkerson Brad Wilkerson Rangers Blue Jays Wilkerson on the move again? Dec 8 - The Blue Jays are expected to keep pursuing a deal for outfielder Brad Wilkerson, who was traded Wednesday from the Nationals to the Rangers in the Alfonso Soriano deal, the Toronto Star reports. Toronto may offer a package of pitchers and possibly second baseman Orlando Hudson. WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY Roger Clemens Roger Clemens Astros Yankees? Red Sox? Rocket saga Dec 8 - With Roger Clemens uncertain whether he will pitch again or retire, the Astros declined to offer salary arbitration . The move means the seven-time Cy Young Award winner can't re-sign with the NL champions before May 1. Houston's decision could lead to other teams trying to lure Clemens, such as the Yankees and Red Sox, two of his former clubs. "If anybody calls, we'll listen," said agent Randy Hendricks. WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY Edgar Renteria Edgar Renteria Red Sox Braves Sticking point: M-O-N-E-Y Dec 8 - While the three-way deal between Atlanta, Boston and Tampa Bay is dead, there is life to the proposed swap of Edgar Renteria for Braves third baseman Andy Marte, ESPN's Peter Gammons reports. Boston would play Alex Cora at short and go out and get someone else. According to the Boston Herald, the Braves were asking the Red Sox to pay as much as half of the $29 million remaining on Renteria's contract. A compromise, however, might be in the works, with the Braves possibly agreeing to pay $7.5M to $8M per season for the last three years of the deal. WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY Todd Jones Todd Jones Marlins Tigers Save situation Dec 8 - The Tigers have tentatively agreed with closer Todd Jones on a two-year, $11 million contract, the Detroit Free Press reports. WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY Joey Gathright Joey Gathright Devil Rays Marlins? Dodgers? Cubs? Intra-state trade? Dec 8 - With the trade of Juan Pierre to the Cubs now complete, the Marlins figure to pursue Joey Gathright as his successor in center field, the Tampa Tribune reports. Florida, the newspaper suggests, could offer some young pitching prospects. WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY Nomar Garciaparra Nomar Garciaparra Cubs Blue Jays? Yankees? Padres? Dodgers? Orioles Indians? Utility connection Dec 8 - Nomar Garciaparra has seven interested teams (including the Yankees) in him at five different positions, but he likely will wait another 10-14 days before he signs, ESPN's Peter Gammons reports. The Orioles have made an initial offer of one-year, $4 million to Garciaparra, who would likely play first base and possibly left field with Baltimore. According to The Cleveland Plain Dealer, if Garciaparra signs with the Indians, they'll give him a regular position. "Asking a guy to change positions is tough," Indians manager Eric Wedge told the newspaper. "We'd keep Nomar in one spot." WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY Trot Nixon Trot Nixon Red Sox Mariners Phillies Pirates Hot to Trot? Dec 8 - The Mariners are contemplating outfielder Trot Nixon as a fall-back plan, The Boston Globe reports. WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY Aubrey Huff Aubrey Huff Devil Rays Mariners Angels Orioles Red Sox Cubs? Headed to Wrigley? Dec 8 - The Cubs, looking for a right fielder to join Matt Murton and the newly-acquired Juan Pierre in the outfield, will try to fill the need through a trade rather than the free-agent market, according to ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick. Aubrey Huff and Texas' Kevin Mench are among the names at the top of the Cubs' wish list. One potential stumbling block is that it could be tougher for Chicago GM Jim Hendry to put together an attractive package now that the team has dealt Sergio Mitre and minor leaguers Ricky Nolasco and Renyel Pinto to Florida for Pierre. According to the Tampa Tribune, the Devil Rays continued talks Wednesday with the Cubs, Mariners, Red Sox, Angels and Orioles. WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY Jose Valentin Jose Valentin Dodgers Mets Valentin to join Mets Dec 8 - Jose Valentin has agreed to a one-year deal with the Mets, the New York Daily News reports. The 36-year-old infielder/outfielder took a physical Wednesday. WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY Chicago Cubs Chicago No arms deals Dec 8 - Cubs GM Jim Hendry has no plans to part with pitchers Mark Prior, Carlos Zambrano or Kerry Wood, the Daily Southtown reports. "The Cubs will not be trading Mark Prior or Carlos Zambrano," Hendry told the newspaper. There was some speculation Wood, who is coming off right shoulder surgery, would be part of a multiplayer deal with Texas. But Wood has a no-trade clause in his contract and is scheduled to earn $11 million in 2006. So it would be a huge gamble for another team to take a chance on him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Punch and Judy Garland Posted December 8, 2005 Share Posted December 8, 2005 Lowe, Drew, and a prospect for Manny? Sounds like Boston is trying to take a mulligan on THeo's 04 offseason between this and the Cabrera deal. Hey, think Pedro Martinez is available while they are at it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RockRaines Posted December 8, 2005 Author Share Posted December 8, 2005 I hope to god that the Twins dont get Blalock Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WHarris1 Posted December 8, 2005 Share Posted December 8, 2005 QUOTE(RockRaines @ Dec 8, 2005 -> 11:07 AM) I hope to god that the Twins dont get Blalock I hope they do deplete their farm for a way overrated player. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Punch and Judy Garland Posted December 8, 2005 Share Posted December 8, 2005 QUOTE(WHarris1 @ Dec 8, 2005 -> 11:14 AM) I hope they do deplete their farm for a way overrated player. I htink Blalock is a very good player and is at a great buy-low time. In fact, I'd love it if we looked into him-although we only have one minor leaguer they want and we won't be trading him Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RockRaines Posted December 8, 2005 Author Share Posted December 8, 2005 QUOTE(WHarris1 @ Dec 8, 2005 -> 11:14 AM) I hope they do deplete their farm for a way overrated player. Explain to me how he is overrated? Good hitter, Great fielder. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Punch and Judy Garland Posted December 8, 2005 Share Posted December 8, 2005 QUOTE(RockRaines @ Dec 8, 2005 -> 11:37 AM) Explain to me how he is overrated? Good hitter, Great fielder. His critics don't like his road splits but the truth is that he's young and headstrong right now but his talent is still amazing and he will be an Eric Chavez-type player for a long time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benchwarmerjim Posted December 9, 2005 Share Posted December 9, 2005 QUOTE(Punch and Judy Garland @ Dec 8, 2005 -> 12:44 PM) His critics don't like his road splits but the truth is that he's young and headstrong right now but his talent is still amazing and he will be an Eric Chavez-type player for a long time Hank Blaylock or Terry Tiffee/Mike Cuddyer/Juan Castro/whoever else they can dig up from the grave I'll take my chances with Blaylock Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
witesoxfan Posted December 9, 2005 Share Posted December 9, 2005 QUOTE(Benchwarmerjim @ Dec 8, 2005 -> 07:42 PM) Hank Blaylock or Terry Tiffee/Mike Cuddyer/Juan Castro/whoever else they can dig up from the grave GLENN WILLIAMS alert! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
qwerty Posted December 9, 2005 Share Posted December 9, 2005 QUOTE(Punch and Judy Garland @ Dec 8, 2005 -> 11:44 AM) His critics don't like his road splits but the truth is that he's young and headstrong right now but his talent is still amazing and he will be an Eric Chavez-type player for a long time I am not a big fan of his now that he is on a two year decline ( hard decline last year). His splits do indeed suck once he is away from a great hitters park, why is that not a concern with you? He has not just been like this last year or the year before... but also in hsi rookie year, which happened to be his best year. I know fathom has some insight about blalock and his personality i believe ( something of that sort). You put this guy in a park in the lower half ( hitters parks) he would be lucky to crack a .700 ops. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kalapse Posted December 9, 2005 Share Posted December 9, 2005 QUOTE(RockRaines @ Dec 8, 2005 -> 11:37 AM) Explain to me how he is overrated? Good hitter, Great fielder. Blalock had a .749 OPS last year, Crede had a .756. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benchwarmerjim Posted December 9, 2005 Share Posted December 9, 2005 QUOTE(witesoxfan @ Dec 8, 2005 -> 09:53 PM) GLENN WILLIAMS alert! HAHAH yes how could I forget about he has reached base in all his games started in his career or something like that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Punch and Judy Garland Posted December 9, 2005 Share Posted December 9, 2005 I am not that concerned because I don't think its a question of ability. I think he's gotten messed up because of that home park trying to play long ball and its affected his swing overall-amplified on the road. I think he's a batting title caliber hitter that should hit 25 homers but he seems to want to be more like Teixera. Thats why I'm not worried, I think he can turn it around very quickly if he gets his head on straight Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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