March 2009 Rumors Archive

Ken Rosenthal has a new column up.  Let's take a look:

• The Rangers realize that Frank Catalanotto is going to be difficult to trade unless the eat a good portion of the $6M he's owed for 2009 or take a similar contract back.  The point of trading Catalanotto would be to make room for Andruw Jones.
• Rosenthal points out that Jeff Baker's availability is due to Ian Stewart's progress.
• Justin Duchscherer will require surgery that will force him to miss at least six weeks, but don't expect the As to sign a free agent, such as Mark Mulder, to fill his void.  Rosenthal suggests trading for the Rays Jason Hammel or Jeff Niemann because neither player has an option left.  Even if the As can't work out a deal, they'd rather try out a youngster than sign a player.
• Giants righty Merkin Valdez, Cubs righty Angel Guzman and Rockies righty Juan Morillo are all likely to be available before the start of the season.  The Padres are one of a number of teams searching for pitching.

Let's take a look at the rumors going around today:

• Despite speculation that the White Sox could be interested in the Yankees Melky Cabrera or the Angels Gary Matthews Jr., manager Ozzie Guillen said today that the team plans to fill its void at centerfield from within the organization.
• Peter Gammons discusses the dearth of pitching on most teams right now.  One GM told Gammons, "Other than the Yankees, Rays, Red Sox, Reds, Marlins and Twins everyone is looking for pitching, at least affordable pitching."
• Former agent Jeff Moorad has taken over daily operations of the Padres.
• Lee Jenkins of Sports Illustrated did a profile of Stephen Strasburg, largely considered the unanimous #1 pick of the 2009 draft.
• The Blue Jays traded catcher Curtis Thigpen to the As for a player to be named later or cash considerations.  
• The Mets released Ron Villone.

Ken Rosenthal keeps pumping out rumors and we're not going to argue.

• The Yankees are willing to trade Melky Cabrera and Rosenthal thinks that the White Sox are a good fit. 
• Another option for the White Sox is Gary Matthews Jr. who is still owed $33M on the remaining 3 years of his contract.  If the teams were to work out a deal, expect the Angels to pay the majority of what's remained on Matthews' deal.  Matthews Jr., is looking to play every day.
• Before the Royals signed Sidney Ponson, Pedro Martinez inquired if Kansas City had any interest, but Pedro's $5M asking price was too high.  Martinez is being told that his $5M asking price is too high and Rosenthal believes that if he came down to $1-2M, he'll likely find a taker.
• The Marlins are interested in Will Ohman, but are not interested in paying him $2M.
• Before Joe Beimel signed for $2M with the Nationals, the As thought they had an agreement with him on $1.7M.
• Since acquiring catcher Ronny Paulino from the Pirates in December, they are now interested in moving him and Rosenthal thinks the Marlins could be a suitor.

Let's take a look at the latest from Ken Rosenthal:

• Although the White Sox situation at centerfielder is less than desirable, they are not interested in trading for a higher priced veteran like Juan Pierre or Gary Matthews Jr.
• Rosenthal believes that David Aardsma will win the Mariners closer job.
• Pedro Martinez is looking for a $5M contract and that is getting no traction with the Dodgers.
• The Phillies, Astros and Pirates are interested in Jeff Baker.  Baker is out of options to be sent to the minors and the Rockies are looking to move the utility player.  If the Phillies can find somewhere to put or trade Geoff Jenkins or Matt Stairs they would be free to trade someone like Kyle Kendrick in exchange for Baker. 
• The Blue Jays remain interested in Chin-Lung Hu, Juan Castro and other options at shortstop as insurance. 
• Rosenthal reports that rival team executives do not like that Willy Taveras is not a good fit for the Reds.