It?s time for trade rumors

[IE]

White Sox acquire C Alomar from Dodgers



(Ticker) - Something about Sandy Alomar Jr. apparently intrigues the Chicago White Sox.

The reigning world champions brought back Alomar for a third tour of duty, acquiring the six-time All-Star catcher from the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday for righthander B.J. LaMura ...designating backup Chris Widger for assignment.

Alomar, who hit .323 (20-for-62) with nine RBI in 27 games for the Dodgers this season, signed with the White Sox as a free agent in December 2000 and was traded to the Colorado Rockies in July 2002 but returned to Chicago the following season. The 40-year-old spent last season with Texas before joining Los Angeles this year. "Our coaching staff has been after me for the last month to acquire Sandy Alomar," Chicago general manager Ken Williams said. "So it is my responsibility as general manager to add pieces to the puzzle that my coaches feel they need to win another championship."

A career .274 hitter who has made 12 trips to the disabled list, Alomar has 111 home runs and 580 RBI in 1,350 games over 19 years. Beginning his major league tenure with San Diego before being traded to Cleveland in December 1989, the Puerto Rican ranks sixth among active players with 1,301 games caught.

LaMura, 25, has appeared in 34 games with Class AA Birmingham of the Southern League this season, going 5-0 with three saves and a 1.99 ERA. A fifth-round pick in 2002, he owns a 25-25 record and 4.13 ERA in five minor league campaigns.

 

[IntenseOperator]

Maybe they think he'll help the starters improve.

 

[IE]

i don't think anyone could improve garcia + bueller.........

 

[Lee]

They AJ is a gem for that team. But he has really been bad since the break!!

 

[Pujo21]

White Sox get pitcher Mike MacDougal from The Royals.

 

[IE]

The White Sox are "extremely close" to trading for Nationals outfielder Alfonso Soriano, a source close to the situation told ESPN The Magazine's Tim Kurkjian. The Nationals have great interest in pitcher Brandon McCarthy.

 

[IE]

KW comments........


But fans on the South Side have no need to start buying up Alfonso Soriano White Sox jerseys quite yet. If the deal is contingent on Brandon McCarthy moving from Chicago to Washington, then Soriano will not be making the move into instant playoff contention.

"Brandon McCarthy needs to focus on his job at hand," said White Sox general manager Ken Williams, when asked during a 20-minute pregame conversation Monday about the national rumor that a deal sending McCarthy to the Nationals as part of a package for Soriano was imminent.

"I have no intention whatsoever of trading him in any sort of deal," Williams added forcefully. "He's very much a part of our future. To answer your question, Brandon is not going anywhere."

Williams made the same statement about Josh Fields, the team's first-round pick from the 2004 First-Year Player Draft, who currently leads the International League with 63 runs scored and ranks fifth with his .322 average. The Nationals wouldn't seem to need Fields, with Ryan Zimmerman at third, but Fields also has the potential and athletic ability to play the outfield.

One school of thought is that Williams simply is pushing for Soriano in an attempt to up the ante for the Tigers, who are one of the four finalists for the multi-faceted outfielder's services, according to weekend comments from a source close to the Nationals. Williams would not address that specific topic or assess his team's level of interest in Soriano.

"Those are pretty serious allegations," said Williams with a wry smile, when asked about his craftiness in regard to Soriano and the Tigers. "I don't want to talk about it. Next question.

"We are exploring any and every way to improve the club. That's part of the drill. We are involved in a lot of rumors out there because we like to have conversations. We ask about impact players. Our name gets lumped in a lot of things."
http://whitesox.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/..._id=1573184&vkey=trade2006&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb

 

[IE]

Dodgers trade disgruntled Perez to Kansas City

The Los Angeles Dodgers dealt pitcher Odalis Perez to the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday, nearly two weeks after saying they had no plans to trade the disgruntled left-hander.

The Dodgers also sent minor league right-handers Blake Johnson and Julio Pimental and cash considerations to the Royals for right-hander Elmer Dessens. Perez, a former 15-game winner who spent much of the season in the bullpen due to ineffectiveness, accused the Dodgers of treating him like "trash" on July 13 after he gave up a game-winning home run to Albert Pujols in St. Louis.

He said then he didn't know why he had been demoted to the bullpen, adding, "If I've done something wrong, let me know, tell me. I want to know. I've been treated like trash."

Perez is in the second year of a three-year, $24 million contract and in his sixth season with the Dodgers. He had made just one start since mid-May, had been used only twice since June 28 and is 4-4 with a 6.83 ERA.

"Moving him was something we really needed to do for all concerned, including him," Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti said on a conference call. "He lost his starting job, obviously. It's probably best to cut ties and move on. We were not getting much productivity out of that roster spot."

Colletti said the Royals wouldn't accept a straight-up trade for Perez, and demanded prospects and cash, too.

"It hasn't been easy," he said. "If it was easy, it would've happened a while ago."

Despite the team's recent public comments, Colletti had been in active discussions about trading Perez.

"I'd rather not say exactly how long, but I'll say quite a while," he said.

Perez won 15 games in 2002 and 12 in '03, but was 7-8 in an injury-plagued 2005.

The last-place Dodgers have lost 11 of 12 and were 5 1/2 games behind NL West-leading San Diego going into Tuesday night's game at home against the Padres.

Dessens returns for a second stint with the Dodgers, having appeared in 28 games for them last season, including seven starts. He had a 3.56 ERA in 65.2 innings.

In 2004, the 35-year-old pitcher was 1-0 with a 3.20 ERA in 12 games following an August trade to the Dodgers from Arizona.

This season, Dessens had a 4.50 ERA in 43 games for the Royals.

Colletti said Dessens will work out of the bullpen and could be an occasional starter.

 

[Chadman]

I remember when the young prospect talk for Soriano last season was Francisco Liriano and more for him up here. I don't think any of us knew what we had in Liriano at that time...and I am pretty glad they held firm at this point, despite how good Soriano would look shooting at the baggy in the Dome this season...lol.

 

[IE]

Mariners acquire 1B Broussard from Indians

(Ticker) - Just hours after getting rid of Carl Everett, the Seattle Mariners picked up Ben Broussard to provide some punch from the left side.

In the second trade between the Mariners and Cleveland Indians in four weeks, the Indians shipped their first baseman to the Pacific Northwest for outfielder Shin-Soo-Choo, a player to be named and cash.

On June 30, Seattle acquired designated hitter-first baseman Eduardo Perez from Cleveland for a minor leaguer. he Mariners entered Wednesday in fourth place in the American League West, three games behind both the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and the Oakland Athletics.

The lefthanded hitting Broussard, who is batting .322 with 13 homers and 46 RBI, probably will take Everett's spot as the designated hitter from the left side and team with Perez. The 29-year-old Broussard is batting .362 against righthanded pitchers.

"We think that Ben is a great fit for our ballclub," Seattle general manager Bill Bavasi said. "We've been looking for a proven lefthanded bat that can provide average and production and Ben has certainly done that this season.

"We feel like we're still a team in transition, but a team that has a chance to win this year. Ben not only helps us in 2006, we will control his contract for 2007 and 2008, so he will help us future seasons as well."

Everett, who was designated for assignment earlier on Wednesday, voiced his disapproval when the Mariners acquired Perez to split the DH role. But the temperamental switch-hitting Everett was batting just .227 with 11 homers and 33 RBI in 92 games. Against righthanders, he was batting .239 with nine homers in 238 at-bats.

Choo, who turned 24 on July 13, has been one of the Mariners' top prospects for several years. He was 1-for-11 in three games earlier this month with Seattle and is 2-for-29 in his major league career. At Class AAA Tacoma this season, Choo was batting .323 with 13 homers, 48 RBI and 26 stolen bases in 93 games.

"He has very good strike zone recognition and bat control," Cleveland GM Mark Shapiro said. "He has had good power in the minor leagues, which will translate to gap power up here. He won't steal 60 bases, but his total probably will be similar to Grady's (Sizemore). He has hit in every single place he's been.

"He's an athletic, versatile, speedy outfielder who will come to the big leagues immediately. He's a lefthanded hitter who can be an important piece for us."

According to Shapiro, Choo will play right field against righthanded pitching. Regular right fielder Casey Blake will play first base and Victor Martinez will catch. Against lefthanders, Blake will go back to right, Martinez will play first and Kelly Shoppach will catch. Choo will not play against lefthanders.

Choo will join the Indians on Friday night when they start a three-game series with the Mariners in Cleveland.

The player to be named is a minor leaguer, who the Indians will receive by the end of the minor league season. According to Shapiro, the player "is an important component of the trade."

The Indians are sending cash to the Mariners to offset a portion of Broussard's $2.48 million salary this season.

 

[IntenseOperator]

IE

anything new on Sorianno?

 

[IE]

twins deal might be in the works for him for 2 off this list of pitching prospects -Matt Garza, Glen Perkins, Kevin Slowey and Boof Bonser-,and non-pitching current roster player.

 

[THE KOD]

Braves and Yanks discussing Betemit trade
By David O'Brien | Wednesday, July 26, 2006, 03:03 PM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Wilson Betemit?s power surge couldn?t have come at a better time for the Braves, who might further bolster their bullpen by trading him before Monday?s non-waiver trade deadline.

Someone very familiar with the discussions confirmed to me today that the Braves and Yankees are discussing a deal that would bring reliever Scott Proctor to Atlanta for Betemit, first reported this morning by the New York Post.

While my first reaction was ? who will play third base if Chipper is hurt? ? the more I looked at this potential deal, the more I liked it. First off, let me tell you that Martin Prado would probably be brought up to back Chipper unless and until the Braves acquire another who can fill the role, which they?re also pursuing right now.

Proctor is 29, throws hard, and would go a long way toward solidifying the bridge between the starters and newly acquired closer Bob Wickman, who threw two perfect innings in his first two games since arriving from Cleveland.

Proctor is 3-2 with a 3.94 ERA in 50 appearances this season, with 60 strikeouts, 23 walks and a .226 opponents? average. He?s 0-for-5 in saves, but that?s not really pertinent because he?s a setup guy and hasn?t been used in traditional save opportunities.

What?s most attractive is the shut-down stuff he?s had lately. He?s been devastating on hitters since the All-Star break, allowing just three hits and no walks with 12 strikeouts in nine scoreless innings over seven games. Opponents have hit .103 against him since the break.

The Yankees are looking for someone to fill in and provide some power at second base while Robinson Cano continues to recover from a pulled hamstring, which already kept him out a month and will probably sideline him another two weeks.

Three others who?ve played second base for the Yankees have produced just one homer and 19 RBIs in 110 at-bats this season.

Betemit, who turns 26 on Friday, has hit .284 with nine homers and 29 RBIs in 197 at-bats this season, including .310 with three homers and 11 RBIs in 10 games since the break. He?s split time between second base, third base and shortstop this season, and the former top-rated prospect has handled himself well at each position.

They wouldn?t just give up Betemit for anyone, but for an experienced reliever to add to a ?pen that desperately needs one more, they probably would. But the move probably hinges on the Braves landing another third baseman, either before the deadline or in a waiver deal after the deadline.

But in the interim, they believe they can get by at third base, even if Chipper misses a few more days with his strained oblique. The Braves have two very good prospects ? Prado at Richmond and Yunel Escobar at Mississippi ? who?ve played some third base this season, and this is a big reason why they have.

Prado seems the more likely choice, since he?s already gotten his feet wet in the majors this season and impressed Bobby Cox and the Braves during his brief time with them. He?s hit .304 with eight doubles, no homers and 13 RBIs in 33 games at Richmond, after batting .278 with nine extra-base hits (one homer) and 15 RBIs in 43 games at Mississippi.

Prado has played 50 games at second base and 26 at third base this season.

Betemit, who turns 26 on Friday, is having a strong season, but is blocked behind Jones at third base and Giles at second, at least for this season. Giles? recent thumb injury and subpar production this season kept trade interest in the veteran second baseman to a minimum.

The Braves don?t see Betemit as a natural fit at second base ? he?s a bit oversized for the position ? especially when they have Prado at the ready. The powerful Escobar is a shortstop or third baseman, not a second baseman.

In Proctor, the Braves would get a reliever who appears to be a late bloomer just now coming into his own, at 29. The former Florida State standout is only in his second full season in the majors and wouldn?t be eligible for arbitration until after the 2007 season, which makes him that much more attractive to a Braves organization that has never liked lavishing too much money on its ?pen.

He was a fifth-round draft pick from the Dodgers in 1998 and spent six seasons in the minors with the Dodgers and Yankees, who got him in a 2003 trade along with outfield Bubba Crosby in exchange for Robin Ventura.

Proctor?s recent surge followed a rough stretch in the month before the break, when he allowed 23 hits, 14 runs, five homers and seven walks in 18-2/3 innings over 17 appearances.

A few days? rest at the break apparently rejuvenated the right-hander, who has been a key part of the Yankeees? bullpen, rated fifth in the AL.

Proctor has good numbers in areas the Braves need them, including a .194 opponents? average by first batters (18-for-93), a .224 average with runners in scoring position, and a .210 mark (22-for-105) in late-and-close situations.

If the Braves get him, their bullpen will have been transformed in one week from one of the worst in the NL to potentially one of the best five or so for the stretch drive.
....................................................................

 

[Spalding]

twins deal might be in the works for him for 2 off this list of pitching prospects -Matt Garza, Glen Perkins, Kevin Slowey and Boof Bonser-,and non-pitching current roster player.

If Terry Ryan puts Garza in on any trade, I will be very very surprised. The Twins absolutely covet pitching talent and he was there #1 pick and they also need 2 righties to fill out the rotation cause Silva and Baker are having bad years.

Any other pitchers except Garza I could see. If they give up Garza, they better get a hell of alot more than Soriano.

 

[IE]

The Milwaukee Brewers are trading slugger Carlos Lee to the Texas Rangers as part of a multi-player deal, ESPN.com learned Friday.

The Brewers are sending Lee, minor-league outfield prospect Nelson Cruz and a player to be named later to the Rangers for relief pitcher Francisco Cordero and outfielders Kevin Mench and Laynce Nix.

Both teams are checking for any medical issues before consummating the deal.

 

[IE]

Phillies send 3B Bell to Brewers
July 28, 2006

PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- The Philadelphia Phillies traded third baseman David Bell to the Milwaukee Brewers for a minor league pitcher Friday night.

Bell, who will be a free agent after this season, was hitting .278 with six home runs and 34 RBIs in 91 games. The Phillies got Class A right-hander Wilfrido Laureano. He was 3-2 with a 3.96 ERA in 29 relief appearances for West Virginia of the South Atlantic League.

The disappointing Phillies (46-54) are expected to make more significant moves before Monday's trade deadline. Milwaukee, one of several losing teams in the NL wild-card race, already made a big deal, sending All-Star slugger Carlos Lee to Texas earlier in the day.

 

[IE]

Dodgers acquired infielder Wilson Betemit from the Braves for RHP Danys Baez and infielder Willy Aybar.


The upgrade from Aybar to Betemit is well worth two months of Baez, especially for a Dodgers team that seems further from contention with each passing day. Betemit will likely take over as the regular third baseman for the rest of the season. Cesar Izturis can move to second base as a replacement for Jeff Kent for now or become trade bait.

 

[kcwolf]

Saturday, July 29, noon ET:

The Astros and Angels have made their final offers on Miguel Tejada. The Orioles now have to decide if it's enough to give up their star shortstop. The Astros have a backup plan in Julio Lugo, but need to act quickly because Toronto is also in on the Devil Rays shortstop. Tejada is more likely to move if the O's are willing to absorb a bit of salary in return for him. One other team took a look at Tejada and decided to pass. "There's some questions there. The Palmeiro thing and he's checked out on the O's. I don't know if going to a contender changes him if it's not the right manager," I was told.

Is Bobby Abreu back in play? According to two sources, Pat Gillick is making the rounds via phone, asking for final offers on Abreu. In some cases, he's tying Jon Lieber's contract to the deal. This makes some sense for the Yankees, but not much sense for other, more price-conscious shoppers. The Phillies moved David Bell to the Brewers for a low-A pitcher, a move that helps both teams in the very short-term. The Phillies seem ready to make a series of moves that re-boots the franchise.

The Padres missed on Wilson Betemit, putting more pressure on them to make a big deal. Aramis Ramirez remains a possibility, though no one seems to have heard a credible offer there. The division is up for grabs and so are many of its players. Jason Schmidt is off the table, the Dodgers are still working, and the Rockies are standing pat but "willing to listen." The Cardinals are in on Shawn Green, but nothing is matching up right now.

Aside from Lugo, could the Rays trade some of their disgruntled minor league studs? The organization seems to be at the end of their rope with B.J. Upton, Delmon Young and Elijah Dukes. Young won't be traded--the Albert Belle comparisons are ringing more true, but remember Belle's bat. Upton likely won't be moved either, but Dukes could be sent out despite not getting value back just to send a message to the more talented pair.

Everyone's still watching the Red Sox, an organization that's plugged most of their former leaks. Whispers of Coco Crisp and Mark Loretta being shopped are coming from other organizations. The chattering masses (myself included) are trying to connect the dots here without much luck so far. Some of this--but not all--is smart use of misdirection. We'll know soon, I'm told. One of my best sources says the first of the Red Sox deals will happen this afternoon.

 

[kcwolf]

Sunday 4 p.m. ET: The Cardinals, in an effort to upgrade their second base position, are about to acquire 2B Ron Belliard from the Cleveland Indians for Hector Luna.

Buster Olney is reporting that the Yankees' deal for Bobby Abreu is complete. Abreu and Cory Lidle come to the Yankees for C.J. Henry, Matt Smith, and a PTBNL. Sources indicate that Brian Cashman kept pushing the Phillies to make the deal at his price, not theirs. Keeping all their top prospects while adding a bat and an arm has to be a real feather in Cashman's cap. The only holdup now is Abreu's approval, which may be tied to his 2008 option. Now we wait to see if the Red Sox and Blue Jays will answer.

The Rangers are still hard at work. Rumors of a deal for Miguel Tejada have been downplayed by sources, though Jon Lieber, another Phillie arm, is still a target. Hank Blalock is the lead name in both whispers, his platoon splits the reason he could be moved. Neither side had comment, but other teams think any deal is "50/50 at best." The Rangers could slide back to a pitcher like Mark Redman or Livan Hernandez. One thing to note with the Rangers--reports from a team source have Michael Young volunteering to shift to third if that's what it takes to get Tejada.

Sources in Anaheim tell me that owner Arte Moreno has become more involved in negotiations on several deals. GM Bill Stoneman has been very reluctant to include his top prospects in any deal, something Moreno may push for if he thinks his team can win now. Two teams think that Casey Kotchman and Nick Adenhart may be in play.

John Schuerholz is still working despite his flurry of recent deals. News that John Thomson may be done for the season has the Braves looking for another arm. They'll likely look to one of the lesser arms, such as Redman or Kip Wells.

One Assistant GM told me today that he wished one team was more active. "I don't blame them, but I'd love for Dan O'Dowd to take a stupid pill today. Their system is as stacked as the Angels or Diamondbacks."

 

[BleedDodgerBlue]

as if the addition of Elmer Dessens wasn't ready to catapult the dodgers to immediate championship contender, they add 100 year old Greg Maddux for lil caesar and to make sure they win the world series in a sweep add julio lugo for two minor leaguers. unfortunately, to my knowledge, the dodgers passed on david ortiz for derek lowe to reunite him with the boston faithful.


gl