Some Baseball Rumors...

[GreenMachine]

Bensons Back to Big Apple?

There were an abnormal number of scouts on hand to watch Kris Benson face the Rangers at Camden Yards, including representatives from both New York teams. The pitching-starved Mets couldn't be thinking about bringing Anna and Kris back to the Big Apple could they?

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Cashman Plays the Field

The Yankees GM is calling every imaginable trading partner as he tries to find a viable corner outfielder to fill in until Gary Sheffield and Hideki Matsui return. The Bombers are in on Bobby Abreu, Jose Guillen, Soriano of course and Craig Wilson. Cashman has also talked to the A's about ex-Met and Red Sox Jay Payton, but one writer hints that the signing of Sidney Ponson might be the Yankees last move before the deadline.


GM Omar Minaya is expected to inquire about Oakland's Barry Zito, San Francisco's Jason Schmidt, Florida's Dontrelle Willis, Washington's Livan Hernandez and possibly Chicago's Greg Maddux before the trade deadline, says the Bergen Record. ... The New York Post says Minaya would be willing to trade Lastings Milledge or Mike Pelfrey to Florida if Willis became available.


The New York Times says the team's signing of Sidney Ponson may open the door for the Yankees to trade Shawn Chacon in a package for an outfielder. Among the names being mentioned: Philadelphia's David Dellucci, Pittsburgh's Jeromy Burnitz, Kansas City's Emil Brown or Cleveland's Todd Hollandsworth.

[Learn To Swim]

Steinbrenner *heart* Abreu (To view links in this forum your post count must be 10 or greater. Your post count is 0 momentarily.)

Asked whom general manager Brian Cashman should target on the trade market, Steinbrenner said, "He knows what he's doing. There's a guy I prefer, but I'm not going to talk about it now."

Asked if that guy is Abreu, the principal owner said, "Sure I like Bobby Abreu." Then he added, "Everybody likes Bobby Abreu."

[FITM]

Freddy Garcia or Javier Vazquez to the Mets for Duaner Sanchez or Aaron Heilman has been up in the air.

[statjeff22]

I have no problem with bringing back Benson for the right price.

If given a choice, I would give up Heilman before I give up Sanchez - both were lousy in a lot of May and June, but Sanchez has put together 5 or 6 good performances recently, while Heilman has had exactly two. Garcia has been consistently inconsistent all season - he'll have some very good games, and some very bad ones - but he hasn't been too awful since the beginning of May. On the other hand, Vazquez has been awful over the same time period - in his last 12 starts, 7.01 ERA, 1.85 WHIP. I would pass on him.

The rumor I've heard is that Philly is willing to trade Tom Gordon for either of these guys. Other than his age (which is an issue, certainly) I would say that Gordon fills the White Sox' needs better than Heilman for sure, and probably better than Sanchez, so it might be moot.

[AlioTheFool]

Barry Zito on the Mets would almost assure a ring this year for them. He's great in the American League, I can only imagine how good he would be in a rotation with Glavine, and Pedro. That would be sick. But it would tick me off so badly since I want him in pinstripes.

[FITM]

Barry Zito on the Mets would almost assure a ring this year for them. He's great in the American League, I can only imagine how good he would be in a rotation with Glavine, and Pedro. That would be sick. But it would tick me off so badly since I want him in pinstripes.

I don't want Zito. It will cost us Milledge and then some. Zito is a free agent at the end of the year, it's not worth it. Plus, Rosenthal said he is going to command $75 million over 5 years.

[FITM]

Yankees | Interest shown in Green
Sun, 16 Jul 2006 23:26:32 -0700

The New York Post reports the New York Yankees have inquired about Arizona Diamondbacks OF Shawn Green, and a person close to the situation said to play for a contender, Green might waive his no-trade clause. Green's no-trade clause prevents the Diamondbacks from trading him to any team other than the San Diego Padres, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and Oakland Athletics without his permission.

[ShadeTree#55]

Check the schedule and make sure there aren't any big games on any holy days.

[3rdAnd15Draw]

The New York Post says Minaya would be willing to trade Lastings Milledge or Mike Pelfrey to Florida if Willis became available.

Way to do your homework, Post.

On another note, why would the Mets need to send an army of scouts to watch Benson pitch? He's the same mediocre talent that was here for a year and a half.

[ShadeTree#55]

They want a younger more expensive Trachsel with a crazy big tittie wife.

[3rdAnd15Draw]

it all depends on the price. Benson would clearly slot in as the #3 starter, of course he's still not a guy you want starting a playoff game.

willis is the only guy to really get excited about that's been mentioned, but i doubt the marlins trade him in the division. a declining 1b with a big contract is one thing, a young lefty starter is another.

I really hope the mets aren't buying into the absolute nonsense of el duque sprinkling himself with pixie dust because it's the post season and turning into a reliable starter again.

[Cakes]

If the Marlins trade Willis, then there's something wrong with him.

[3rdAnd15Draw]

the only thing i've seen wrong with willis this year is that girardi tries to have him pitch a CG every time out and he gets lit up in the late innings.

[Cakes]

If there is nothing wrong with him health-wise, then why Florida would trade him to the Mets is beyond me. Unless they think Milledge will be tremendous.

[wa2k99]

The Mets need a pitcher who can eat up innings. In contrast, the White Sox have 5 guys who can do that. Benson could do it which is why trading me hurt. Say he's mediocre if you want, but he was at worst the solid 3 that we need to have to win a series.

[GreenMachine]

Check the schedule and make sure there aren't any big games on any holy days.
Green took 1 Saturday off for Yom Kippur. But, I guess you knew that.:up:

[ButtleMan]

I dont like the thought of Green at all. I was never a big fan of his but he on the decline.
I know signing high priced elders has become the norm for the Yankees but he would be worse than Abreu.
Now if they want to try to get any of those high end prospects they have, I would be for that. :smile:

[ShadeTree#55]

Green took 1 Saturday off for Yom Kippur. But, I guess you knew that.:up:

If it was a "big game" would you be cool with that?

[ButtleMan]

If it was a "big game" would you be cool with that?

Hell no!
Since it usually falls in October that means that it would be during the playoffs or WS.
He gets paid to play. He can fast in the offseason if he wants to.

[FITM]

According to our old friend Jon Heyman, who pens a column entitled "The Daily Scoop" at SI.com, Bobby Abreu's friends say that if he is traded, he would prefer to stay in the National League. Heyman surmises that his preference would be the Mets. Abreu, who is supposedly coveted by the Yankees, also has a condo in Manhattan...

[FITM]

Hot Foot reports several items today on the trade front involving the Mets.

Jon Heyman reports on SI.com that the White Sox made an offer to the Mets for Freddy Garcia...

The White Sox asked the Mets for Duaner Sanchez and Mike Pelfrey for Freddy Garcia. No go. The Sox have spoken to several clubs about Garcia and Javier Vazquez but prefer to keep Vazquez since he's contractually tied to the team for three more years. Garcia has told people he wouldn't be devastated to go to New York.

The Mets were scouting the Baltimore Orioles this weekend, with an eye on Kris Benson and Rodrigo Lopez, reports The Daily News.

The Mets heavily scouted the Orioles-Rangers weekend series, reportedly with a special eye on Kris Benson, but prospects of any deal with Baltimore look dim. An insider suggested the Mets won't pursue reacquiring Benson, and that Erik Bedard isn't available. Reports had linked another member of Baltimore's rotation, Rodrigo Lopez, to Flushing, but a Mets source said the organization is shopping for a harder thrower.

Buster Olney on his ESPN chat, thinks the Mets will aquire Lopez.

Alon (Brooklyn): Who do the Mets target before the deadline?

Buster Olney: (2:12 PM ET ) Alon: My educated guess is that sometime between now and Friday, the Mets will make a deal for Rodrigo Lopez of the Orioles. And I think they'll check in on the cost of Barry Zito (probably Aaron Heilman and another prospect not named Milledge or Pelfrey) soon.

When asked what Lopez might cost, Olney responded...

Neal Kerouac (Brooklyn): Who do you see the Orioles getting back in a deal for Rodrigo?? Can't be much....How about other possible moves for the O's with Javy Lopez reportedly demanding to be traded for the good of the team and possible Miggy? (Although I don't see Miggy going anywhere)

Buster Olney: (2:20 PM ET ) Neal: Agree with you, can't be much in return for Rodrigo Lopez. Just one Grade B or B-minus prospect, maybe a Grade C flier.

[3rdAnd15Draw]

The White Sox asked the Mets for Duaner Sanchez and Mike Pelfrey for Freddy Garcia.

:rofl: How does this work? Does Omar promise that the Mets will TOTALLY trade Pelfrey to the White Sox when he's actually able to be traded?

[ShadeTree#55]

The White Sox asked the Mets for Duaner Sanchez and Mike Pelfrey for Freddy Garcia.

Keep dreaming Kenny, subtract Garcia, add Buehrle if you want those 2.

[ShadeTree#55]

:rofl: How does this work? Does Omar promise that the Mets will TOTALLY trade Pelfrey to the White Sox when he's actually able to be traded?

PTBNL:shit:

[3rdAnd15Draw]

PTBNL:shit:

When exactly was Pelfrey's contract signed? A PTBNL deal has to be completed within 6 months

[Rextasy]

And I think they'll check in on the cost of Barry Zito (probably Aaron Heilman and another prospect not named Milledge or Pelfrey) soon.


Sign me up, I'd make that trade yesterday..

[jdjets]

lopez? did i miss something? they can't be snerious.

[ShadeTree#55]

When exactly was Pelfrey's contract signed? A PTBNL deal has to be completed within 6 months


Sometime in January.

[GreenMachine]

Mets unlikely to reacquire Benson
July 17
New York Daily News (scroll down): "The Mets heavily scouted the Orioles-Rangers weekend series, reportedly with a special eye on Kris Benson, but prospects of any deal with Baltimore look dim. An insider suggested the Mets won't pursue reacquiring Benson, and that Erik Bedard isn't available."

[jdjets]

i'm happy , i don't want benson.

[GreenMachine]

Until now, the Yanks were expected to be the lone New York club pursuing Bobby Abreu. However, two sources confirmed to The Post that the Mets recently contacted Phillies GM Pat Gillick to say that if Abreu, closer Tom Gordon or starter Jon Lieber are made available before the July 31 non-waiver deadline, to count the Mets in.

[jdjets]

abreu, no way. gorden,no. leiber, maybe.

[statjeff22]

Now that Floyd is hitting, why would the Mets go for Abreu? Their clear need is starting pitching.

Zito for Heilman and someone not named Milledge or Pelfrey is something I would consider, and I am definitely not a big Zito fan. I would think the A's could do better, however, even for a 3 month rental.

And that's all the Mets should be thinking anyway, since there is no way I would consider 5 years and $75 million for Zito, the reported asking price.

[jdjets]

Now that Floyd is hitting, why would the Mets go for Abreu? Their clear need is starting pitching.

Zito for Heilman and someone not named Milledge or Pelfrey is something I would consider, and I am definitely not a big Zito fan. I would think the A's could do better, however, even for a 3 month rental.

And that's all the Mets should be thinking anyway, since there is no way I would consider 5 years and $75 million for Zito, the reported asking price.
yes sir, also 75 million for zito? no way in hell. too much money for a non power pitcher

[ButtleMan]

Bobby Abreu would consider waiving his no-trade clause to join the Yankees, but a friend said he'd want an extension through 2011 to do so.
That seems unlikely to happen. All along, it's been assumed that Abreu would at least want his $16 million option for 2008 picked up, which is fair enough. A contract through his age 37 season would be pretty steep, though. The Yankees, Mets, Red Sox and Tigers are believed to have varying degrees of interest in Abreu. It's a long shot, but there's a brief report in the St. Paul Pioneer Press indicating that the Detroit is close to a deal for him. Jul. 17 - 2:06 pm et
Source: Newark Star-Ledger


Fuck that.

[3rdAnd15Draw]

abreu is only 32? i thought he was 35 or 36 now.

while he would certainly be a luxury for the mets, depending what the asking price is i think you have to at least look into him. slot abreu in at rf(his wall related antics notwithstanding) and put him in the 2 hole and the mets have the best top of the lineup in baseball.

[Cakes]

Yep, he's 32.

[ScotsJet]

Cubs will probably look to trade Todd Walker given his contract status. I'll give you Neifi for some swept up sunflower seeds? No takers?

[deviljets7]

Cubs will probably look to trade Todd Walker given his contract status. I'll give you Neifi for some swept up sunflower seeds? No takers?

I'm a better defensive 2B than Todd Walker, but he'd be a nice bat off the bench come October. The problem is that with the length Met starters go, they can't really afford to go to 11 pitchers which would be needed to make room for Walker.

[AMJets]

Bobby Abreu would consider waiving his no-trade clause to join the Yankees, but a friend said he'd want an extension through 2011 to do so.

Is he out of his mind?

[MSUJet85]

Mets To Trade Jeff Keppinger?

Astute Mets fans may have noticed that second baseman Jeff Keppinger of the team's Triple A club is not in tonight's lineup. He also didn't play in Sunday's game. From the folks I have spoken to close to the Norfolk Tides, Keppinger is not known to have an injury.

A source informs me that Norfolk Tides manager Ken Oberkfell has informed Keppinger that he is part of a deal with the Pirates. Keppinger, a 26 year-old, hit .337 for Norfolk last year. He's known for his superb bat control, regularly making contact more than 90% of the time. Baseball America considers him a future utility man with a possibility of more.

A separate source of mine indicates that something is indeed going on with Keppinger. While Keppinger for Roberto Hernandez is feasible, he says the deal may be expanded to include Oliver Perez, among others.

From mlbtraderumors.com

[28rogerblaze51]

i also think ponson is the last thing they do.