MLB Trade Rumors

"For his 45th birthday in 11 days, David Wells wants something pinstriped. The free-agent left-hander told The Post yesterday he has been working out near his home in San Diego and believes he could bolster a Yankees New York Yankees ' rotation suddenly besieged by question marks. Could Boomer III be in the cards? Consider that Wells has a huge fan monitoring the situation from Tampa. "

"Julian Tavarez remained with the Red Sox yesterday, which is fine with him. “Whatever I get, I’ll take it,” said the reliever, who pitched in his first game since April 24 last night against the Tigers. No advancements in trade talks regarding Tavarez were made yesterday between the Red Sox and Colorado Rockies. The Rockies remain interested in acquiring the 34-year-old to help their struggling rotation. “If you let me pick, I’ll say I want to start,” Tavarez said before allowing three runs on four hits in one inning of relief during the Sox’ 10-9 loss. “But to me, I’m the kind of guy who will do anything for my team."

"Chicago Cubs fans who love Wrigley Field's name and historic character will find their passions protected by the state if it swings a deal to buy the North Side ballpark from Tribune Co., former Gov. James Thompson said Wednesday. "We certainly would want the name to stay Wrigley," said Thompson, who is chairman of the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority, the state/city agency that is in negotiations to purchase the park. Asked whether the authority would sell partial naming rights so that the Wrigley Field name would be linked to another corporate moniker, he said, "I presume there are people out there who think so highly of Wrigley Field that they would want to be associated with it and therefore would be willing to pay for that privilege."

"Others teams have called the Pirates to inquire about trading for outfielders Jason Bay and Xavier Nady, but management is not prepared to move either -- or any primary contributor -- until it rules out contending in 2008. Management is known, however, to be looking at acquisitions through lower-profile trades or waiver claims, with three openings on the 40-man roster."

"After a USA Today article incited speculation about Ken Griffey Jr.'s desire to play in Seattle, both the player and his agent said the buzz was overblown. In the national publication's Tuesday editions, Griffey said it's "everybody's dream to go back to where they started." The Reds' foundering record has many wondering what sort of lineup shakeups could happen here - and the ninth-year Reds player is eligible to enter the market as a free agent after this season if the Reds don't pick up his $16 million option for 2009. The USA Today story said Griffey expects the Reds to approach him before the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline seeking his approval for a trade."

"Mariners officials downplayed a USA Today story on Tuesday that suggested Ken Griffey Jr. could join the team shortly. Mariners president Chuck Armstrong was quoted in the story saying: "I think everybody in Seattle would like to see him retire in a Mariners uniform. He was born a Mariner and I'd like to see him finish up as a Mariner."... But Armstrong did relay information through the team's media-relations director, Tim Hevly, stating categorically that he was not referring in the interview to any pending acquisition of the onetime Mariners superstar from the Cincinnati Reds."

"Apparently, the Marlins' front office was so overwhelmed with questions about Jacque Jones that it felt compelled to issue a blanket no-comment through the media relations staff. That was somewhat peculiar, because rarely do the Marlins confirm or deny interest in anybody. The Jones speculation is predictable, considering less than a year ago the Marlins had a deal in place to acquire the left-handed hitting outfielder from the Cubs. Jones later was traded to the Tigers, and Monday he was designated for assignment after starting the season 13 for 79 (.165) with a homer and five RBI."

"The descent for Ben Broussard has taken only five weeks. He's gone from everyday first baseman to a platoon and now to the bench. The only step left might be a ticket out of the Rangers organization. And it's possible that might not be far off. On Tuesday, manager Ron Washington moved Frank Catalanotto to first base, partly because there was no room in the outfield for Catalanotto and partly to try to spark some kind of production from first. The move leaves Broussard, hitting .159, a man without a position. "

"The Colorado Rockies are pursuing depth for their pitching rotation, and officials there have their eye on Josh Fogg, The Denver Post reported Monday. The Rockies are seeking a player to stabilize their rotation until next month, when Franklin Morales, Greg Reynolds and the hurt Jason Hirsh are prepared to contribute. The Post said Rockies GM Dan O'Dowd is looking for one pitcher "for six or seven starts." Fogg, who has about $1.2 million left on his deal, won 10 games last season for the Rockies and is well-liked there, The Post said. Reds fans aren't so enamored. Fogg is 1-2 with a 9.27 ERA in seven games."

" The Colorado Rockies, searching for some help for their starting rotation, were reportedly told by the A's that Joe Blanton isn't going anywhere right now. Colorado has inquired about a number of starting pitchers recently, including Oakland right-handers Blanton and Rich Harden, Texas' Kevin Millwood, Cincinnati's Josh Fogg and Boston's Julian Tavarez. The Denver Post reported that the Rockies were told by Oakland that Blanton, their preferred A's pitcher, is currently not available."

"The Indians will try to trade outfielder Jason Michaels, who was officially designated for assignment Tuesday to make room for Ben Francisco, in the next 10 days. If they can't trade him - he still has $1.7 million left on his $2.15 million contract - the Indians can release him or put him on waivers. If Michaels clears waivers, and the Indians offer him an assignment to Class AAA Buffalo"

"While they wait for internal options to heal their wounds and fix their mechanics, the Rockies are actively pursuing depth for their rotation, discussing trades with the Reds for Josh Fogg and the Red Sox for Julian Tavarez. The Rockies also have kicked the tires on Oakland's Rich Harden and Joe Blanton and Texas' Kevin Millwood. Harden is hurt, limiting interest; Blanton is currently not available. And while the Rangers will listen on Millwood, they want the right players in return, not salary relief. The Rockies' motivation is shaped by their need."

"Glance at the important numbers -- the record (1-4), the ERA (7.43) and the age (37) -- and what to do with Orioles starter Steve Trachsel seems obvious. Dump him. Cut him and your losses and give his rotation spot to a young pitcher who might be part of this team's future. But it's just not that easy. In fact, it's a surprisingly tough call. Because a team such as the 2008 Orioles needs Trachsel -- or a guy like him -- to get through this season. The bullpen, which has been one of the Orioles' strengths so far, needs a consistent Trachsel so it can stay relatively fresh."

"Indications are that the Twins will be extremely cautious with righthander Scott Baker and place him on the 15-day disabled list so he can fully heal from a mild right groin muscle strain. That means the Twins will need a starter for Saturday's game vs. the Red Sox. Baker, who initially was scheduled to start Thursday, underwent a MRI exam Monday that didn't show anything seriously wrong."

"The Pirates are not necessarily through with reliever Evan Meek. Although there are plenty of unusual circumstances related to Rule 5 draft picks, there is a palpable feeling among management that he could remain in the system, provided a few elements play out. When a Rule 5 claim is designated for assignment, as Meek was yesterday morning, he must clear 48-hour waivers. If that happens in this case, the Pirates can offer Meek back to Tampa Bay for half the original claiming price of $50,000 or work out a trade to keep him. The latter scenario sounded most likely yesterday."

"The Rays may get RHP Evan Meek back in their system after the Pirates designated him for assignment Sunday. Pittsburgh selected Meek, who turns 25 next week, from Tampa Bay in the Rule 5 draft in December. He made nine appearances for the Pirates, posting a 6.92 ERA in 13 innings as he walked 12 and struck out seven. Another team could claim Meek off waivers and would have to keep him in the majors the rest of the season or offer him back to the Rays, or the Pirates could work out a trade with the Rays that would allow them to retain Meek and send him to the minors."

"Mets pitching coach Rick Peterson has been under fire and mostly out of touch this season. Willie Randolph defended Peterson yesterday while giving the manager's version of why the usually talkative Peterson has been so unavailable to reporters since the end of spring training. Peterson has been criticized for his handling of the staff so far, specifically the Mets' porous collection of middle relievers and inconsistent young starters, Oliver Perez and Mike Pelfrey. Randolph, though, gave the embattled Peterson a vote of confidence before yesterday's 5-2 win here over the NL-leading Diamondbacks."

"Cashman is in the final year of his contract and missing the playoffs could surely result in a change of GMs. That would make Cashman a free agent. And that would put him in play in Philadelphia, where there will be a job opening when Pat Gillick retires in the fall. Cashman was between contracts when Gillick got the job in the fall of 2005. The Yankees GM was thinking about where he might end up if he was not renewed, and the Phillies job appealed to him. He admitted that in this space in 2005."

" Dear Billy: You've done it again. Turned the A's into winners. Sure it's only May, but every month counts. Congratulations. Just one more thing. Sign Barry Bonds. Yes, that Barry Bonds, the one you talked to back in the fall of '06, or at least that was the story. Didn't your assistant David Forst say, "Barry is one of the guys out there who we're considering ... he's probably the best player in the game the last 15 years. I think anybody would be interested in having his bat in the lineup." So, get that bat. It comes with a lot of baggage, but it also comes with a lot of benefits. The shock value alone is worth the deal. "

"Q: What would you say the odds are that you will not pitch beyond the end of next season? A: I would say somewhere around 99 percent. Q: Why? A: I'm ready to go see my kids play. It's made me enjoy being that dad and feeling the pressure for them instead of going out there having that pressure on me the whole time saying, "Geez, I've got millions of people watching me" . . . Now I can sit back and watch them and explain to them why they don't have to worry about it."

"Rays scouting director R.J. Harrison spent Thursday night at his home in Phoenix, and that in itself was somewhat newsworthy. By Harrison's count, he might spend only two more nights in his own bed before baseball's first-year player draft, which is June 5-6 at Disney's Wide World of Sports. This is the stretch run for Harrison and his staff of area scouts and national cross-checkers, as lists are narrowed and evaluations get more pointed in the final weeks before the Rays make someone a very rich man."

"As the White Sox's batting average chills, e-mail and electronic chats about Greg Walker's status heat up. But so does manager Ozzie Guillen's defense of his hitting coach. "That's not going to happen," Guillen said of suggestions that Walker should be replaced. "To be honest with you, I don't think we need coaches. Look at the lineup. Everyone is a veteran, everyone knows what they're doing, everyone has experience, everyone went through it. I think you can ask the players. "I'm not going to blame Walker about it. Greg is not a babysitter. Greg gives the best information and works hard, works harder than anybody."

"The final word in any -- and all -- coaching changes, however, belongs to manager Ozzie Guillen. And the fifth-year skipper made it very clear that the villagers should put down the torches and go back to their homes because hitting coach Greg Walker's job is safe. ''That's not going to happen,'' Guillen said of a possible coaching change to try to remedy the slumping offense. ''To be honest with you, I don't think we need coaches. Look at the lineup. Everyone is a veteran, everyone knows what they're doing, everyone has experience, everyone went through it."

"The Juan Castro sweepstakes kicked into high gear Thursday as the veteran utility infielder with the commanding clubhouse presence officially became a free agent eight days after he was designated for assignment by Cincinnati. But while Castro was said to still be leaning toward the Dodgers, the fact Colorado shortstop Troy Tulowitzki suffered a quadriceps injury earlier this week that is expected to sideline him for two to three months suddenly changed the landscape. The Rockies quickly joined a mix of clubs that included the Dodgers, San Diego and Baltimore. "

"Looking to add depth following Troy Tulowitzki's left quad injury, the Rockies are pursuing free agent Juan Castro. The Cincinnati Reds recently designated Castro, 35, for assignment. He is considered a terrific fielder with great hands, but hasn't hit much. Castro did bat .284 for the Reds in 2006 in 54 games. "We have talked to the Rockies," agent Oscar Suarez confirmed to The Denver Post late Thursday night. "

"News flash: Mark Cuban didn't want to talk during his visit to Wrigley Field on Wednesday. Talk about trying to win over Major League Baseball. ''I'm here as a Cubs fan,'' Cuban said, waving off a group of reporters as he took his front-row seat -- one chair from the Cubs' dugout -- before their game against the Milwaukee Brewers. ''How can I enjoy my beer if you guys are around?''... t's no secret Cuban is among the six to 10 groups ready to make a formal bid for the Cubs, who have been put on the block by Tribune chairman and CEO Sam Zell. "

"May Day will not spell the end of Bartolo Colon’s Red Sox career. The 2005 AL Cy Young winner, who signed a minor league deal with the Sox in February, had an opt-out clause in his contract that permitted him to become a free agent if he wasn’t on the big league roster by today. But a source indicated Colon will not exercise his right to leave the Sox at this time. Colon and the Sox reached an informal understanding that the opt-out date would be delayed until June 1."

"Sox chief operating officer Mike Dee doesn't want to make too much of his discussions just yet, but he confirmed yesterday, after the story broke on ballparkdigest.com, that he met with Sarasota officials last Friday after they called the team earlier in the month to ask about their interest once they learned the Reds were accepting a deal to relocate to Goodyear, Ariz. There were all sorts of ideas floating around last night. There was even talk of making a new spring home a mini replica of Fenway Park."

"Mayor Rick Baker is recommending that the city open negotiations with two of three developers that submitted bids to remake Tropicana Field into a massive mixed-use community. On Thursday, Baker will ask the city council to authorize talks with Archstone-Madison of Arlington, Va., and Houston-based Hines Interests. The council would select the winning developer at a meeting June 5. That also is when council members are expected to decide whether to give initial approval for a November voter referendum on a new downtown ballpark."

"Leyland has great respect for Bonds and his abilities. Would Leyland be amenable to having Bonds with the Tigers if Sheffield finds the bat does not return?"

"Keep in mind, he's 38, has put on weight, has a tendency to get hurt, and isn't what he used to be, but he's still Junior Griffey, hit 30 homers last year, and you stick him in the middle of the lineup on either side of Chicago and he's going to be a postseason presence."

"The Texas Rangers' roster shuffling Tuesday brought to an end Jason Botts' fourth stint in the majors with Texas. He said he wants to leave the organization."

"The ending Jason Botts expected to receive in spring training unfolded a month later when the Texas Rangers designated him for assignment Tuesday."

"Former Reds general manager Wayne Krivsky has kept busy making phone calls and thanking people he worked with as GM. When he is through with that, he's not sure."

"Church has excelled, but Nady has been the topic of trade speculation for months. Both Mets General Manager Omar Minaya and Pirates General Manager Neal Huntington declined to comment on the possibility of a trade."

"Well, take an early look at the five players known to have been most discussed around the time of Major League Baseball's Winter Meetings in December: • Xavier Nady, shopped all winter, is batting .327 with four home runs and 23 RBIs, ranking second in the National League in the latter."

"General manager Ken Williams silenced any thought of trading Paul Konerko last January, and now the White Sox first baseman has complete power to reject any trade."

"There has been enough discouragement to have prompted a couple loose references to retirement. Sheffield was brushing aside those words during this past weekend's series against the Angels."

"Scott Hatteberg is not one to demand a trade or even complain. But you get the impression he's miserable in his current role of pinch-hitter/occasional starter... ESPN's Peter Gammons floated the idea of the Mets trying to obtain Hatteberg to platoon with Carlos Delgado."

"Hatteberg is mostly sitting while Joey Votto plays first base and Hatteberg doesn't like the wait. He isn't demanding a trade, but he hopes if the team has no plans for him other than to be a Geico Man (an insurance policy) that they'll trade him... Baker told Bay Area writers Sunday that he and Barry Bonds conversed via phone two weeks ago and when Baker was later asked if Bonds had mentioned playing for Baker in Cincinnati, Baker said, "No, not all. The subject didn't come up from him or me.""

" Brian Roberts finally made it to Chicago, only it was to the South Side, not the North, and it was as Baltimore's second baseman, not the Cubs'."

"Pat Gillick said the Phillies are still hoping to add a lefthander to the bullpen, despite acquiring veteran Steve Kline a couple of weeks ago. Gillick said that Kline, currently pitching at Triple A Lehigh Valley, is "possibly" the answer."

" When the Giants spent $126 million on Barry Zito, they touted his ability to take the ball every fifth day. But now, barely more than one season into a seven-year deal, they aren't sure they want to keep giving it to him. After another erratic and utterly hittable start in a 10-1 loss to the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday at AT&T Park, Giants Manager Bruce Bochy all but declared he would skip Zito or demote him to the bullpen. "We've got to do something," said Bochy, after Zito allowed a six-run first inning. "We can't keep doing what we're doing and getting what we're getting.""

"LHP Scott Kazmir will be limited to 85 pitches tonight at Durham in his final rehab start, according to Maddon. The Rays apparently are planning to announce on Tuesday which day Kazmir will start. It is expected to be Sunday, to better keep the rest of the rotation in line."

"We start our report this week with a few questions for agent Scott Boras regarding the change in Manny Ramírez's personality, his conditioning, his desire to play at least four more years - all of which occurred since Boras began representing Ramírez this winter..."

"Should an outstanding young player sign a long-term deal early or wait for his big payday in or just prior to free agency? Jonathan Papelbon: "I'm going year to year right now and that's fine with me. "

"General Manager Mark Shapiro is not blowing smoke when he says he has the leverage to sign other young players to long-term deals (Ryan Garko might be next), and that he is not pessimistic about re-signing C.C. Sabathia, despite his high standing among the next class of free agents."

"Rangers president Nolan Ryan said Saturday that he and general manager Jon Daniels are looking at all aspects of the organization, including manager Ron Washington, but that no decisions have been made."

"Neither president Nolan Ryan nor general manager Jon Daniels sounded Saturday like team executives eager to make a change with their on-field leadership. The Texas Rangers' struggles the past 10 days aren't the fault of manager Ron Washington, and no member of the club's brain trust is seeking a quick fix -- such as firing the second-year manager -- to inspire improved play."

"Ultimately, when a team's season goes sour, somebody has to answer for the losing. Manager Ron Washington, adrift in the bitter milk of the Texas Rangers' April, probably knows this as well as anyone. Wash's professional baseball career began in Sarasota, Fla., 37 years ago."

"It seems baseball's firing season has come early this year. Last week, Cincinnati Reds owner Bob Castellini, who is starting to bear a striking resemblance to the old George Steinbrenner with his manic operating style, fired his general manager of barely two years, Wayne Krivsky, after a 9-12 start. Next up on the firing line is Ron Washington, manager of the 8-16 Texas Rangers."

"Management met shortly after Morris' latest implosion, six runs over 1 2/3 innings that led to an 8-4 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies at PNC Park, and two options were believed to have been laid out: 1. Move Morris to the bullpen and replace him in the rotation with reliever Phil Dumatrait. 2. Release Morris, even though it would mean eating the remainder of his $10,037,283 salary, as well as the $1 million buyout of his 2009 option, all of it guaranteed. That would be slightly more than $10 million."

"After five straight disastrous outings, Morris (0-4) is forcing management to make a hard decision. The Pirates have three options, none very palatable. They could hang tough with Morris in the rotation, and hope he soon finds a solution to his troubles. They could release Morris and eat $11,037,283 in salary, including a $1 million buyout for 2009. "

"It was another loss, a hard-to-watch 2-1 verdict to the Kansas City Royals. When it was over, John Gibbons made a statement instead of answering reporters' questions... If Gibbons is fired, it would come down to the law of the jungle in professional sports: when a team with high expectations goes sour, it's the manager or coach who pays the price, not the players."

"We know how this ends for Carlos Delgado with the Mets. We might not know the exact date or the exact term, be it designated for assignment or outright release, but we see the bread crumbs now heading toward the exit."

"Jake Peavy's next start is Sunday, but the Padres' ace made an unscheduled pitch on behalf of Kenny Lofton yesterday."

"The Cubs still figure to pursue Roberts if the Orioles shop him before the July trade deadline, but their needs may change. And if Cedeno, Marshall and Gallagher continue to perform as they have, the Cubs could make them untouchables."

"Zimmerman's agent, Brodie Van Wagenen, declined to discuss his client's contract situation specifically but said that contracts like Longoria's can often make great sense for the team, but not necessarily the player."

" Hicks, general manager Jon Daniels and club president Nolan Ryan met for more than two hours over a hastily-arranged meal to discuss the club's awful start and, more specifically, the future of manager Ron Washington."

"Nolan Ryan, Jon Daniels and Tom Hicks discussed the state of the Texas Rangers over lunch Friday in Dallas, and manager Ron Washington went about business as usual without hearing from either the president, general manager or owner. An obvious resolution that came from the two-hour meeting is that the Rangers must find a way to improve quickly. Daniels said the trio discussed how to make that happen, but he didn't say if switching managers was discussed."

"The Diamondbacks have not yet approached Upton about a long-term deal, and Upton has said he is in no rush to sign. General Manager Josh Byrnes won't comment on the subject, but the team is bound to try to sign him - and it figures to be a unique negotiation, considering Upton's talent is unanimously heralded in the industry. Unlike someone such as Scott Boras, Upton's representative, Larry Reynolds, figures to be open-minded about a deal."

"Saying their bullpen is in greater need of a long reliever than a situational left-hander, the Washington Nationals optioned pitcher Ray King to Class AAA Columbus yesterday and called up Mike O'Connor."

" Frank Thomas, who helped lead the A's to the 2006 American League Championship Series, has been a free agent since Sunday, and Oakland is reportedly showing interest in the veteran slugger. ESPN's Buster Olney, citing anonymous sources, reported the A's had discussions with Thomas' agents Wednesday. The A's maintained their silence on the issue. General manager Billy Beane was unavailable for comment, and assistant GM David Forst did not return a voice mail."