Padres Trade Rumors

"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. "

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

"Towers and Red Sox GM Theo Epstein were in contact yesterday. Epstein has two center fielders, and one of them, Coco Crisp, could be available... Last year, the Padres asked the Brewers about reserve center fielder Tony Gwynn Jr. The Angels have a glut of outfielders, including two center fielders who are likely cheaply available: Nathan Haynes, who is out of minor league options; and Reggie Willits, who may not crack the 25-man roster."

"GM Kevin Towers said he will continue to explore trade options for a corner outfielder. The Padres have asked about three right-handed hitters: Pittsburgh's Xavier Nady and Jason Bay and the Chicago Cubs' Matt Murton. Triple-A catcher Nick Hundley could be a trade chip."

"So the greatest pitcher of this generation -- a fact that will be set in stone when Maddux passes Roger Clemens in victories, innings and starts in 2008 -- is about to put the finishing touches on a masterful career that began with an 8-18 record over 32 starts with the Cubs in 1986-87."

"The Rockies will reach contract agreements with Brad Hawpe and Garrett Atkins soon, while going to an arbitration hearing with Brian Fuentes. . . . Oakland's asking price for pitcher Joe Blanton is steep."

" Yet as the Padres continue to look for a left fielder, they have conspicuously averted their eyes from baseball's unemployed home run king. Despite their apparent need for a power bat/corner outfielder, and SI.com's recent speculation that Petco Park represents Bonds' likeliest landing spot, the Padres have narrowed their search to exclude indicted sociopaths."

"The most likely player to be traded is outfielder Xavier Nady. Management is eager to add prospects, and its best chip -- with Jason Bay out of the equation until his value increases -- is to move one of its many outfielders. San Diego still is seeking a corner outfielder and likes Nady, but the Padres and Pirates have found little common ground toward a trade so far."

"The Padres and Tony Clark's agent are deep into negotiations on a one-year contract – but there are still hurdles to clear. General Manager Kevin Towers said Clark's slugging talent as a switch-hitter would bolster the team's bench; Clark's agent, John Boggs, said “the Padres have the inside track” among interested clubs that include the Dodgers and Mariners."

"According to Towers, the Braves expressed interest in trading for Single-A pitcher Matt Bush, even after Bush had reconstructive elbow surgery that likely will sideline him for the 2008 season."

"Former Royals captain Mike Sweeney worked out Tuesday for the Padres at Petco Park near his home in San Diego. The Padres are also looking at free agent Tony Clark in the quest to sign a veteran first baseman/pinch hitter."

"Former Kansas City Royals first baseman Mike Sweeney is apparently interested in signing with the Padres."

"Xavier Nady is unfazed when he hears rumors that the Pirates might soon trade him. Pick up and move to another team on short notice? Nady can handle that. It's nothing compared to what he went through in late October, when Nady and his wife fled their home, knowing it might be a smoldering ruin when they returned. "

"Nady’s name has been consistently linked to San Diego all winter. The Padres drafted him in the second round in 2000 following his All-America career at the University of California then traded him to the New York Mets after the 2005 season."

"San Diego general manager Kevin Towers still is looking for a corner outfielder, as he made clear in two interviews Thursday, but there have been no fresh talks between the Padres and Pirates regarding Jason Bay or Xavier Nady."

"The Padres exchanged salary arbitration numbers with shortstop Khalil Greene yesterday after efforts to negotiate a long-term contract failed."

"Milwaukee Brewers general manager Doug Melvin confirmed Thursday that he has interest in free-agent centerfielder Mike Cameron. But Melvin was quick to point out that he wasn't narrowing his focus to Cameron exclusively. "We have two or three options we're thinking about," Melvin said. "We're considering any move we feel can improve the club.""

"The Milwaukee Brewers are showing strong interest in signing free-agent centerfielder Mike Cameron. Brewers general manager Doug Melvin did not return messages Wednesday evening seeking comment about his pursuit of Cameron. But a baseball source familiar with the situation said Milwaukee was engaged in "serious" talks with Cameron's agent, Mike Nicotera, including discussion of a multi-year deal."

"Just in case Jason Giambi Jason Giambi , Shelley Duncan Shelley Duncan and Wilson Betemit Wilson Betemit aren't enough at first base heading to spring training, the Yankees have interest in adding free agent Jason Lane, according to a source. Lane, 31, was not tendered a contract by the Padres after hitting .178 with eight homers and 27 RBIs last season. He began last year with Houston and went to San Diego in a September trade. "

"Creating competition will be a common thread as the Rockies iron out their final roster wrinkles before the start of spring training. Free agent Marcus Giles is emerging as a strong possibility to push rookie Jayson Nix for the second base job. Josh Towers and, to a lesser degree, Victor Zambrano are targets to provide pitching depth. Giles' preference is to sign with the Rockies. "

"ESPN's stable of baseball reporters linked 14 teams to the pursuit of Mark Prior, but that list drops when teams check out his medical reports. Texas was the latest to back out. San Diego makes the most sense, but the Padres ended trade talks with the Cubs after looking at the medical file."

"Mark Prior's agent gives the Astros high marks in their pursuit of the righthander, but it's clear Houston will have to overcome some serious geography issues to beat out the San Diego Padres."

"Otsuka is available as a free agent since not being offered a contract by the Rangers. The Padres are interested in the former set-up man, although there are concerns about his health."

"The Seattle Mariners, who might have shopped Adrian Beltre in a deal for pitching, would have less need with the impeding signing of free- agent starter Carlos Silva. The White Sox might deal Joe Crede, who is coming off back surgery (but not first baseman Paul Konerko, whom the Sox plan to keep). Third baseman Morgan Ensberg became a free agent when the Padres declined to offer him a contract last week."

"Free-agent righthander Kris Benson has intrigued the Phillies for a while, so yesterday they watched him throw in Phoenix... The Phillies still are pursuing free-agent outfielder Geoff Jenkins, who is believed to be deciding between the Phillies and San Diego Padres. The San Diego Union-Tribune reported yesterday that the Padres likely won't match any offer from the Phillies."

"The earth shifted beneath Busch Stadium on Friday night. The Jim Edmonds era is over in St. Louis. The Cardinals have reached agreement on a trade sending the former All-Star center fielder and cash to the San Diego Padres for a minor-league prospect believed to be 24-year-old third baseman and Lafayette High alum David Freese, multiple sources confirmed."

"The Phillies confirmed yesterday they have interest in free-agent outfielder Geoff Jenkins, who is believed to be mulling offers from them and the San Diego Padres."

" A person who has spoken to Minnesota management and asked not to be named because he is not authorized to speak for the team said the Yankees told the Twins they would get back into the Santana talks if they can shed the contract of left fielder Hideki Matsui. The San Francisco Giants had interest in Matsui -- who has two years and $26 million left on his contract but also a full no-trade clause -- but instead signed free-agent center fielder Aaron Rowand. Philadelphia and San Diego might still be looking for outfield help. "

"The Padres, who have been known to fan trade rumors, are still in the competition for free-agent outfielders Mike Cameron and Geoff Jenkins, Alderson said. Alderson predicted that the overall trade market will heat up now that the free-agent crop is dwindling. One potential trade partner for the Padres is the Pirates. “They've got a couple of players we like,” Alderson said of a group that includes corner outfielders Jason Bay and Xavier Nady and versatile Nate McLouth. "

"The Padres lost out in their bid for Japanese outfielder Kosuke Fukudome, who last night accepted a four-year offer from the Cubs worth close to $50 million. The Padres did land a starting player from Japan: Second baseman Tadahito Iguchi agreed to a one-year pact worth nearly $4 million."

"The Rockies are out of the Tadahito Iguchi sweepstakes. Agent Rocky Hall confirmed late Tuesday night that the second baseman will sign a one-year deal with the San Diego Padres. The Rockies were interested in Iguchi, believing he would be a good fit to fill the hole left by the departure of free agent Kazuo Matsui."

"Now the Padres will resume the search for at least two outfielders. Two who interest them are center fielder Mike Cameron and corner outfielder Geoff Jenkins, each a free agent. Cameron will sit out the season's first 25 games because he tested positive for a stimulant a second time. If the Padres sign him, they may also shop for an extra outfielder to fill the job in April."

"The Padres are facing determined competition from the Cubs for Japanese outfielder Kosuke Fukudome. Growing indications yesterday had the Cubs willing to guarantee Fukudome close to $50 million. The Padres have offered more than $10 million per year, perhaps well above that amount, over at least three years."

"The Cubs’ off-season game plan is centered around the acquisition of one player, making Japanese outfielder Kosuke Fukudome a must-have item on general manager Jim Hendry’s wish list... A bidding war between the Cubs and San Diego is likely, with the White Sox on the periphery. "

" The Cubs could find out as early as this morning that Japanese free agent Kosuke Fukudome will play in the United States in 2008, and a multiyear deal could follow within 24 hours if the team maintains its front-runner status in the four-team pursuit of the star outfielder.... The Cubs and San Diego Padres appear to be the two likeliest destinations among the four U.S. finalists submitting bids last week. The White Sox and Texas Rangers also are in the running. "

" The Giants are interested in making a late push for outfielder Kosuke Fukudome, who was expected to announce his intentions to leave Japan for the major leagues late Monday night. A Giants official said the club remains in the running for the Japanese free agent, whom the Chicago Cubs and San Diego Padres have aggressively courted. Fukudome is expected to receive a contract exceeding four years and $44 million."

"Another Japanese player, second baseman Tadahito Iguchi, formerly of the White Sox and Phillies, remains a Padres target. The Rockies also are interested in Iguchi. The Phillies like him at third base, but unless they get a waiver from the commissioner's office wouldn't be able to play him before May 15."

"When the Pirates arrived at Major League Baseball's Winter Meetings last week, they did so with plenty of bids from other teams for Torres, Grabow and Marte. Is Huntington now going to hang onto Grabow and Marte? ... The Pirates could be interested in trading for San Diego catcher Michael Barrett, even though he is coming off a down season -- .244, nine home runs -- and could make more than $4 million next season."

"Japanese outfielder Kosuke Fukudome remains the central figure in this Padres offseason, certainly no less so now that former Padres outfielder Milton Bradley has agreed to terms with the Texas Rangers."

" Three sources confirmed Sunday morning that the team had agreed with outfielder Milton Bradley on a one-year deal worth $5 million. The deal, however, is pending a physical exam later this week."

"The Rangers made their first significant addition of the off-season Sunday when they struck a one-year deal with Milton Bradley, major-league sources confirmed."

" After two months of searching, the Rangers have finally landed a potential upgrade for their outfield. Three sources confirmed Sunday morning that the team had agreed with outfielder Milton Bradley on a one-year deal worth $5 million. The deal, however, is pending a physical exam later this week. That is more than just a routine rubber-stamp since Bradley is recovering from surgery to repair a pair of torn ligaments in his right knee. "

"In other developments, the Padres were still waiting to learn the outcome of their bids for outfielders Milton Bradley and Kosuke Fukudome. Fukudome reportedly has decided not to play for the Yomiuri Giants and has narrowed his choice to the Padres, Cubs and White Sox. Center fielder Mike Cameron, a potential fallback if Fukudome goes elsewhere, would bring the Padres a compensatory draft pick if he signed with another club. "

"La Russa's bluntness caught off-guard those who had walked into the session expecting the typical tablespoons of optimism fed to the media two months before the start of spring training. His comments also blindsided the team's new general manager, John Mozeliak, who arrived in Nashville, Tenn., last Sunday thinking a deal for Rolen possible before re-evaluating the matter when talks broke down Tuesday with the Milwaukee Brewers... The situation has yet to become bleak enough for La Russa or Mozeliak to suggest Anthony Reyes' possible return as a No. 5 starter, perhaps because Reyes is being shopped widely to teams such as the San Diego Padres and Philadelphia Phillies. Club sources indicated by week's end that Rasmus could lose his "untouchable" label in a potential deal for Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Erik Bedard."

"The Padres are close to hiring several scouts, a first base coach and minor league staff. The club has targeted Bill Masse, a longtime manager in the Yankees farm system, for its upper farm system. Rick Renteria, manager of Triple-A Portland, has the inside track to replace Bobby Meacham as the first base coach. "