Staying Pat : Is August an option?

Toronto : Yes. Many players, like Towers, Burnett, Clayton and Stairs may clear waivers and the Jays could get some decent prospects back from all of them.

Orioles : Dunno. Traschel and Payton might clear waivers but it might not be enough to risk them.

Angels : No. Virtually, no one from the Angels roster is save from waivers.

Marlins : Yes. Scott Olsen, Armando Benitez and Byung-Hyun Kim won’t do much for GM’s in the waiver line.

Nationals : Yes. If they still want Wily Mo Pena then a deal can get made in August.

D-Backs : Why? It seems like the D-Backs have a quality team and a chance of making the playoffs.

Rockies : Sure. If they want. They could trade Helton or some prospects without problems in the waiver line.

Cubs :

Second chance : Mark Redman

The Blue Jays signed southpaw Mark Redman to a minor league deal. Even though he was horrible in Atlanta, he may get a second chance in AAA and earn a rotation spot in August or next year.

Quick News : Trades

• The Pirates aquired Matt Morris for Rajaji Davis and a player to be named later. Pure salary dump for the Giants.
• The Braves aquired Royce Ring for Wil Ledezma and Wil Startup.
• The Phillies aquired Julio Mateo for Jesus Merchan.

John Gibbons and JP Ricciardi should be fired!

Why do you ask? Well. You can’t blame JP for the Jays losing but you can blame Gibbons. The Jays are a quality team that has the talent to go to the playoffs. So why aren’t they winning. No team moral! They should have done something about the A-Rod thing to fire the team up. But did they do anything? No! And John Gibbons is the one to blame.

So if the Jays are quality then why fire JP? Well. He needs to decide if they are buyers or sellers. Standing pat is just something to say “We have no plan.” If your a buyer, your improving your team to go to the playoffs. If your a seller, you improve your team for the future. If you stand pat, your a chicken. We need a new GM. Someone who can be aggressive or JP needs to learn to be aggressive.

Quick News

• The Cardinals have aquired Joel Piniero and cash from the Boston Red Sox for a player to be named later. Maybe they’ll use him out of the rotation?
• The Dodgers almost reached a deal to aquire Joe Blanton for two major league position players and one pitcher. But I think the A’s think they can make the playoffs and aren’t interested in re-building, although they should be.

Padres acquire Ensberg.

They apparently are close to a deal for Lamb and Loretta. How will they fit in Mackowiak, Ensberg, Lamb, Loretta and Hairston plus Shea Hillenbrand?

Dye to get extension?

Ken Rosenthal said that the Jermaine Dye to Boston rumors is completely dead but a two year extension may be in the works. But Kenny Williams might see if he can get more than Pena and Hansen out of Boston.

Adam Dunn to DC?

According to MLB Trade Rumors, Adam Dunn’s most likely place to go is Washington. I think the rumor is complete bull. He’d be reunited with friend Austin Kearns but I still think there’s bad blood over the Gary Majewski thing. There in 99% no way he’ll end up in Washington until 2008.

Yankees aquire A-Rod’s future replacement.

The New York Yankees aquired Wilson Betemit from the Dodgers for Scott Proctor. Betemit will play first base for the rest of the year and will replace A-Rod when he opts-out of his contract.

Boston close to trading for Gagne.

Apparently, Boston and Texas have aggeered to a deal that would send Eric Gagne to Texas for Kason Gabbard, David Murphy and Engel Beltre. I think Boston is destroying their farm system on a setup man they’ll get for 2 months. Ken Rosenthal send he wouldn’t be surprised to see Johnathon Papelbon in a setup-role for the rest of the year.

New player in Teixeira deal.

The Braves annonuced the Teixeira deal today and a new minor leaguer was added to the deal, southpaw Beau Jones. Now the trade is Mark Teixeira and Ron Mahay for Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Elvis Andrus, Neftalti Feliz, Matt Hairston and Beau Jones. The Rangers are doing a very good job at rebuilding their club.

Braves offer for Arroyo

The Braves have offered lefty Jo-Jo Reyes and second baseman Yunel Escobar for Bronson Arroyo. The Reds would be crazy to turn this offer down. Arroyo has struggled this season and no team would even think of offering two players for him. This trade would allow Kelly Johnson to play everyday at second.

Padres acquire Mackowaik, interested in 3.

The Padres acquired Rob Mackowiak from the Chicago White Sox for an unknown minor leaguer. But the Padres are targeting three other players. Yankees’ Kei Igawa, Houston’s Mike Lamb and Mark Loretta. Lamb and Loretta are on the market while the Yankees aren’t shopping Igawa.

Offers for Cordero.

There have been two recent offers for Wasington’s Chad Cordero.

The Mets offered Philip Humber for Chad Cordero. But the Padres offered prospect Carlos Gomez for Cordero. Gomez would become Wasington’s number 1 prospect.

Dotel for Davies complete!

I guess the Royals accepted the offer. Now all the rumors are put to rest.

Jermaine Dye is Staying

Jermaine Dye traveling with the White Sox to New York to play the Yankees. This shoots down all other rumors that he’ll be traded.

Clubs interested in Silva

Many clubs, including the Cubs, Braves, D’Backs and Mets are interested in the Twins starter Carlos Silva. Silva doesn’t have many K’s but he could post an ERA under 4.50 in the NL. I think the Cardinals and Royals couls show interest aswell. I think Silva could be traded in August.

David Eckstein : The new Mr. Popular

After former Mr. Popular, Mark Teixeira was traded, now many teams are inquiring about David Eckstein. The Red Sox have known to have interest and even sent a scout to see him. And recently, the Padres inquired. But the Cardinals (like JP Ricciardi) thinks the team they have now can go all they way. But you’d think the Cards would be sellers after the way they’ve been playing.

BoSox have interest in Cordero, again.

This off-season Boston was looking to aquire Washington closer Chad Cordero, and now they want him, again. Like every other team, they want him as a setup man. Wily Mo Pena will be part of any deal, but Jim Bowden wants a top prospect aswell.

August : Who’s To Be Had?

• Bronson Arroyo : He hasn’t done too well and I don’t think many teams want his contract on the waiver line.
• Javier Vazquez : Even though many teams want him, what team will pick up his hefty contract on waivers.
• Joe Kennedy : Same as Arroyo except the salary.
• AJ Burnett : No one wants to eat all of Burnett’s contract if he’s not healthy all the time. A trade could come to a contender though.
• Josh Towers : The Phillies want him and if they can get a trade done then, you all know why he can clear waivers.
• Jay Payton : Exclusively to the Mets.
• Rich Harden : If their are any takers.
• Mike Piazza : I don’t think many teams want $8.5 million dumped on them.
• Jeff Weaver : Check Rich Harden.
• Armando Benitez : Any salary excuse I made.
• Kip Wells : Check Josh Towers.
• Barry Zito : Lol.

Rays willing to trade Gomes

Why?!? According to Jayson Stark of ESPN, the Rays are willing to trade powerful youngster Jonny Gomes. I love Gomes! Why trade him!?! He had an awesome 11 HR April, followed by 5 HR Junes, and Julys. But more teams are calling about Elijah Dukes over him. I think they need to trade both by the end of the day. Neither can clear waivers.

Rangers keeping Gagne?

According to The Boston Globe, the Rangers might hang on to Eric Gagne and try to sign him to an extension. I think the extension is a horrible idea. He’s been great this year and bla bla bla. But he has loads of injury problems. He’s too much a risk in a 2-3 year extension.

If they did decide to trade him though, the Brewers (new name), Mets, Yankees, Red Sox and Cubs are all in the hunt with the BoSox leading. Apparently they made a solid offer not including Buchholz, Ellsbury, or Masterson. Some reports are saying they offered David Murphy and Kason Gabbard.

The Yankees won’t give up Joba Chamberlin, Phil Hughes or Ian Kennedy to get Gagne, but Tyler Clippard, Matt DeSalvo, Jeff Marquez, Chase Wright, and Scott Proctor are available . The Mets won’t trade Carlos Gomez to get him. The Yankees may consider Dan Wheeler or Al Reyes as back ups.

Quick News

• The White Sox are getting many calls for Javier Vazquez and Jon Garland, mainly by the Dodgers, Mets and D-Backs. But the Yankees and Mariners has interest earlier this month.
• The Detroit Tigers are likely it aquire Jack Wilson. The Tigers aren’t going to eat all of the $16.3 million salary, but they would eat more if they through in Damaso Marte, Salamon Torres or Shawn Chacon. They’ll use him as a defensive replacement this year. But next year they’ll move Carlos Guillen to first base and Wilson to short.
• The Dodgers are tracking Jon Rauch and Chad Cordero and happily offering shortstop Chin-Jung Hu.
• The Mariners like the Rays’ closer Al Reyes, who want a young closer in return. The U.S.S. Mariners noted prospect Jeff Clement and says the deal has legs.

Dotel trade just an offer?

According to a radio station in KC, the Dotel for Davies trade is just an offer and that Dotel was shagging flyballs before today’s game. But I think that it’s because the Teixeira trade isn’t final ’til Tuesday.

 Update : It is just an offer but the Royals are considering it as a major option.

Got a domain

Now it’s just www.drbaseball.tk

Chacin back on the DL

The Toronto Blue Jays have voided Gustavo Chacin’s option. Either he had a setback or the union made them re-instate him to the DL. The Blue Jays tried to squeeze pennies by activating him and sending him to AAA.

As Pedro make progress, others are sidelined

The Mets ace pitcher Pedro Martinez is supposed to throw a 45-pitch game for the Mets Single-A affiliate. “I don’t know how I’m going to be,” Martinez said. “I just know I feel better than the last two years or so. … Every time I throw I bounce back really quickly. Right now, I’m 100 percent healthy.” The Mets are going to give him 5-6 more starts and he should re-join the team on August 26-28. But Kenny Rogers, Aaron Harang and Chris Young have been put on the 15-day DL with shoulder sorness, back sorness and oblique problems respectively.

Dye, BoSox not a mix

According to the Boston Globe, the price tag was too high for Jermaine Dye. The Red Sox didn’t want to give up Manny Delcarmen or Justin Masterson for Dye. They didn’t want to give up prospects for a rent-a-player. But they would get at least one high draft pick if they let Dye go as a free agent.

Underrated players : Tomohiro Nioka

I know what you’re all saying. How the hell is Tomohiro Nioka? Well. Nioka is a shortstop from the Japanese team the Yomiuri Giants. He has good defence and offense to match. I think his numbers are comparable to those of Michael Young and Edgar Renteria. Here is his 2006 numbers:

G/HR/RBI/2B/H/AVG/SLG/OBP/ER
146 /25/79/26/159/.289/.472/.329/8

Here are some downsides to Nioka. He’s 32 in 2008, his speed has gone down and his OBP isn’t too good. But he ranked 2nd in the league in errors and can also play the outfield and third base. He becomes a free agent after the season.

The teams that need a shortstop are the Blue Jays, White Sox, Cardinals, and Giants.

Quick News

• The Braves are having discussions with the Reds about Bronson Arroyo. This is the first time the Braves have had interest in Arroyo.
• Even though many thought Felix Pie would be traded, the Cubs have said that Felix is not available.
• The Dodgers may target Joaquin Benoit now that Octavio Dotel is traded.
• The Mets, Yankees and Red Sox have said they are in on the Eric Gagne sweepstakes. I still think it’s better for the Rangers to keep Gagne, unless they get a good offer.
• The Rays have been contacted by several teams about Dan Wheeler and Al Reyes, but it seems the Rays will keep them since they both can be kept through 2008.
• It seems the Diamondbacks could call up ultraprospect Justin Upton soon.
• The Astros are likely going to keep relievers Qualls and Lidge.

The Mets aquire Castillo

The New York Mets have aquired Twins second baseman Luis Castillo for minor leaguers Drew Brutera and Dustin Martin. This is a very good trade for the Twins. They get rid of a offensively challenged player and get 2 prospects in the process. They also get rid of some salary. The Twins have always grown their team from their farm system so it won;t be too long before there in the bigs. Castillo will replaced the injured Jose Valentin. Alexi Casilla and Luis Rodriguez will see time at second base because of the trade.

New! Impact page and Trade Analysis page!

The impact page is where I evaluate trade candidates and tell you how many wins they’re worth. The next page speaks for itself.

New! Picks of the Night page!

On this page I will pick a winner from each game that starts at 7 pm or later. Hope you like it!

Braves get Dotel for Davies

The Royals traded closer Octavio Dotel to the Atlanta Braves for southpaw Kyle Davies. I think the Royals could have done better than Davies. But this gives them some rotation depth. Joaquin Soria or David Riske will most likely be the new closer for KC. The Braves are making some great deals this July!

Phillies aquire Lohse

The Phillies aquires righty Kyle Lohse from the Reds for minor leaguer Matt Malony. I knew he would be traded in July. I guess Josh Towers is definitely not going to Philly.

What was the Phillies offer for…

 Josh Towers? What could the Phillies have offered the Jays that they didn’t like? It seems like Towers is very inconsistent and it’s unrealistic to say that he has a roster spot in 2008. So why not trade Towers for a pitching prospect or two? Or maybe they offered a position player that they Jays didn’t need. But who.

Leave a comment to answer my questions.

Should the Rangers trade Gagne or re-sign him?

My answer : neither.

Why shouldn’t they trade him : With Akinori Otsuka gone ’til late August, they Rangers need an experinced closer and it doesn’t seem like CJ Wilson, Joaquin Benoit or Scott Feldman fit the bill.

 Why shouldn’t they re-sign him : With his health issues, it doesn’t seem like Gagne is worth the risk to re-sign. Leave the job to Otsuka in 2008.

Dye could be traded to BoSox.

There is a “pretty good” chance that Jermaine Dye will be traded to the Red Sox, according to the Boston Globe. The White Sox would receive Wily Mo Pena (boy there are trying to get rid of him) and a pitching prospect, other than Jon Lester or Clay Buchholz. The Boston Globe names Manny Delcarmen or Justin Masterson as the pitching prospect in the deal.

August Trades

• It’s a possiblility that the Blue Jays could trade AJ Burnett and/or Josh Towers in August. It seems with Burnett’s contract he could clear waivers. And no other team other than the Phillies have expressed interest in Towers.
• Some are saying that Kyle Loshe, Jose Contreras and/or Steve Traschel could be traded in August. I agree with Contreras, but Lohse and Traschel could be traded today or tommorow.
• I’ll name some who probably wouldn’t clear waivers. Al Reyes, Morgan Ensberg, Dontrelle Willis and Octavio Dotel need to be traded today or tommorow or else stay with there teams.
• Yankees relivers like Kyle Farnsworth and Scott Proctor have a chance of clearing waivers in August.

Teix to Atlanta is done!

Finally the trade is done!!! The Texas Rangers have traded Mark Teixeira to the Atlanta Braves, with Ron Mahay, for Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Elvis Andrus and two other pitching prospects. ESPN is reporting that Neftali Feliz is one pitching prospect but the other is unknown. Many thought it would be Matt Harrison but it seems like he is having health problems.

Update : Yahoo’s Jeff Passan is reporting that righty prospect Tommy Hanson will replace Matt Harrison in the trade.

 

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