Now that the long-rumored Mark Teixeira to the Braves deal is finally done (well, almost), we can look at the other possible blockbuster deals looming on the horizon. Huge names like Mark Loretta, Octavio Dotel, Al Reyes and Mike Lamb could move by tomorrow's 4 p.m. deadline. Those are names that could change the landscape of not only this season, not only your team, but of baseball as a whole! OK, so I'm kind of overselling this. There's probably not a whole lot left to happen, but here are the latest rumors circulating.
Dye to the Red Sox now off?
The Red Sox apparently made a very aggressive offer to the White Sox for Jermaine Dye, but got rejected, according to Buster Olney. Unless the White Sox change their mind, the deal won't happen. The Angels are no longer interested in Dye either, so for now, unless something big happens, Dye will stay in Chicago.
The White Sox may have dropped the ball on this one. They are going to lose Dye in the offseason, since they have been unwilling to extend his contract and he will be a free agent. He'll get money from someone and apparently Chicago isn't willing to keep him long term, so why not get rid of him for something in return? Doesn't make sense to me but maybe they've got something up their collective sleeves.
Dotel will move, but where?
The Mariners and Braves are locked in a battle to gain the services of Octavio Dotel. The Royals like Mariners prospect Wladimir Balentien but Royals GM Dayton Moore was formerly the Braves' scouting director, so he might want one of his former finds in Atlanta's farm system.
My question is, will Dotel add much to either team? I guess he's another arm, but he's been shaky as of late and doesn't have the greatest track record. Would you give up a great prospect for a middle reliever/set-up guy who has a history of melting down and getting injured? Personally, I'd keep my prospects and stick with my 'pen.
Gagne a hot commodity as the deadline looms
The Mets, Yankees and Red Sox are all trying to take Eric Gagne off the Rangers' hands. Gagne can block a trade to all but 12 teams, two of whom are the Mets and Yanks, he can block a move to Boston. Jason Stark is reporting that all three teams would bring him in as a set-up guy but don't want to overpay, and the Rangers are motivated sellers. The Yankees always seem to add a guy like Gagne at the deadline, so I'd put them out front in this one.
Betemit going or staying?
The Yankees continue to pursue Dodgers infielder Wilson Betemit and are trying to convince the Dodgers to accept reliever Scott Proctor in return. Betemit would likely play first base for the Yankees, giving them another option there, and would be insurance at third base if A-Rod decides to opt-out after the season. Proctor would give the Dodgers another middle reliever, which is one of their weakest areas.
This deal would fill a hole for both teams, but the Dodgers just are not sold on Proctor and they like Betemit's versatility, especially when you consider Nomar is about due for a muscle pull of some type. The Yankees want Betemit badly, and have been after him since last season when he was still with the Braves, but they'll probably have to add something to the deal to get him.
Piazza moving South?
The San Francisco Chronicle is reporting that the Angels are a realistic possibility for the A's if they want to move Mike Piazza. Piazza is currently on fire, going 14-for-35 since coming back from the DL. The Angels likely wouldn't have to part with any prospects to get the deal done, though they would have to absorb the remainder of Piazza's $2.7 million contract. I don't think this gets done, even though Artie Moreno is worth more than Guatemala and can definitely afford the salary hit.
Loretta to Seattle?
The Astros really want to move Mark Loretta but the destination remains unclear. The Padres aren't as high on him as they were less than a week ago and the Mets were on him for a while, but have backed off because they have a deal in place for the Twins' Luis Castillo. Meanwhile, the Mariners have decided they want him, and look to be poised to obtain him, if the deal can get done. They really like him and would love to have him coming off the bench, but the Astros still feel they can get more for him.
The Padres have actually shifted their focus from Loretta to Mike Lamb, and if the Astros can get a deal done, they would prefer to keep Loretta. One of the two will almost certainly be moved, it will depend on which team (Mariners or Padres) comes up with the better offer.
Mariners in another rumor
Apparently the Mariners are not satisfied with their roster, as they are now trying to get Al Reyes from the Devil Rays to be a setup option in front of J.J. Putz. Reyes is 1-1 with a 4.50 ERA and 17 saves in 18 chances so far this season, but the Rays want to keep both him and the recently acquired Dan Wheeler. The Mariners will have to throw a ton at the Rays to move him, but they really want him to strengthen their bullpen, which could use some help.
Original Story:
http://sportsyenta.blogspot.com/2007/07/....
Dye to the Red Sox now off?
The Red Sox apparently made a very aggressive offer to the White Sox for Jermaine Dye, but got rejected, according to Buster Olney. Unless the White Sox change their mind, the deal won't happen. The Angels are no longer interested in Dye either, so for now, unless something big happens, Dye will stay in Chicago.
The White Sox may have dropped the ball on this one. They are going to lose Dye in the offseason, since they have been unwilling to extend his contract and he will be a free agent. He'll get money from someone and apparently Chicago isn't willing to keep him long term, so why not get rid of him for something in return? Doesn't make sense to me but maybe they've got something up their collective sleeves.
Dotel will move, but where?
The Mariners and Braves are locked in a battle to gain the services of Octavio Dotel. The Royals like Mariners prospect Wladimir Balentien but Royals GM Dayton Moore was formerly the Braves' scouting director, so he might want one of his former finds in Atlanta's farm system.
My question is, will Dotel add much to either team? I guess he's another arm, but he's been shaky as of late and doesn't have the greatest track record. Would you give up a great prospect for a middle reliever/set-up guy who has a history of melting down and getting injured? Personally, I'd keep my prospects and stick with my 'pen.
Gagne a hot commodity as the deadline looms
The Mets, Yankees and Red Sox are all trying to take Eric Gagne off the Rangers' hands. Gagne can block a trade to all but 12 teams, two of whom are the Mets and Yanks, he can block a move to Boston. Jason Stark is reporting that all three teams would bring him in as a set-up guy but don't want to overpay, and the Rangers are motivated sellers. The Yankees always seem to add a guy like Gagne at the deadline, so I'd put them out front in this one.
Betemit going or staying?
The Yankees continue to pursue Dodgers infielder Wilson Betemit and are trying to convince the Dodgers to accept reliever Scott Proctor in return. Betemit would likely play first base for the Yankees, giving them another option there, and would be insurance at third base if A-Rod decides to opt-out after the season. Proctor would give the Dodgers another middle reliever, which is one of their weakest areas.
This deal would fill a hole for both teams, but the Dodgers just are not sold on Proctor and they like Betemit's versatility, especially when you consider Nomar is about due for a muscle pull of some type. The Yankees want Betemit badly, and have been after him since last season when he was still with the Braves, but they'll probably have to add something to the deal to get him.
Piazza moving South?
The San Francisco Chronicle is reporting that the Angels are a realistic possibility for the A's if they want to move Mike Piazza. Piazza is currently on fire, going 14-for-35 since coming back from the DL. The Angels likely wouldn't have to part with any prospects to get the deal done, though they would have to absorb the remainder of Piazza's $2.7 million contract. I don't think this gets done, even though Artie Moreno is worth more than Guatemala and can definitely afford the salary hit.
Loretta to Seattle?
The Astros really want to move Mark Loretta but the destination remains unclear. The Padres aren't as high on him as they were less than a week ago and the Mets were on him for a while, but have backed off because they have a deal in place for the Twins' Luis Castillo. Meanwhile, the Mariners have decided they want him, and look to be poised to obtain him, if the deal can get done. They really like him and would love to have him coming off the bench, but the Astros still feel they can get more for him.
The Padres have actually shifted their focus from Loretta to Mike Lamb, and if the Astros can get a deal done, they would prefer to keep Loretta. One of the two will almost certainly be moved, it will depend on which team (Mariners or Padres) comes up with the better offer.
Mariners in another rumor
Apparently the Mariners are not satisfied with their roster, as they are now trying to get Al Reyes from the Devil Rays to be a setup option in front of J.J. Putz. Reyes is 1-1 with a 4.50 ERA and 17 saves in 18 chances so far this season, but the Rays want to keep both him and the recently acquired Dan Wheeler. The Mariners will have to throw a ton at the Rays to move him, but they really want him to strengthen their bullpen, which could use some help.
Original Story:
http://sportsyenta.blogspot.com/2007/07/....
