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Monday, July 23, 2007

FOX: Rosenthal - Nats making a play for Dunn

It’s no secret that Nationals general manager Jim Bowden covets Reds left fielder Adam Dunn — and no surprise that the Nats are pursuing Dunn, according to major-league sources… While a trade does not appear close, the Reds have scouted the Nationals’ most talented minor-league club, Class A Potomac.
...
The Mets are interested in Nationals closer Chad Cordero and second baseman Ron Belliard, and two Nats scouts watched the Mets’ Class AA Binghamton affiliate over the weekend… However, the Mets — like many clubs — say that Bowden sets unrealistic targets in trade discussions, making it difficult to complete deals.
...
The Dodgers are the front-runners for Royals closer Octavio Dotel — and the team’s urgency could be increasing due to the uncertainty over closer Takashi Saito, who has missed the past four games with shoulder discomfort.

In return for Dotel, the Royals want a position player who is close to the majors. Dodgers Class AAA second baseman Tony Abreu likely is out of reach, but Class AAA shortstop Chin-Lung Hu could be a possibility.
...
The Diamondbacks are willing to move right-hander Livan Hernandez, rival executives say, but two contenders looking for starters — the Mets and Braves — aren’t interested.

Latest RoboRumors…

NTNgod Posted: July 23, 2007 at 01:03 AM | 44 comment(s)
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1. IronChef Chris Wok Posted: July 23, 2007 at 01:26 AM (#2451286)

Dodgers Class AAA second baseman Tony Abreu likely is out of reach, but Class AAA shortstop Chin-Lung Hu could be a possibility.

Hu as a possible replacement for Grudz next year? could work.

2. I Love LA (OFF) Posted: July 23, 2007 at 01:32 AM (#2451290)

After last year's trade, I'm not surprised Bowden wants to deal with the Reds again.

3. JJ1986 Posted: July 23, 2007 at 01:37 AM (#2451294)

So, Adam Dunn for Saul Rivera?

4. Gold Star for Robot Boy Posted: July 23, 2007 at 01:39 AM (#2451296)

The Dodgers are the front-runners for Royals closer Octavio Dotel — and the team’s urgency could be increasing due to the uncertainty over closer Takashi Saito, who has missed the past four games with shoulder discomfort.
IF the Dodgers were smart, they'd let Broxton close games. He would've had his second save in as many days today had Kemp not dropped a fly ball.

5. AJM Misses Brodeur Posted: July 23, 2007 at 01:44 AM (#2451300)

However, the Mets — like many clubs — say that Bowden sets unrealistic targets in trade discussions, making it difficult to complete deals.

Duquette is no longer the GM, Bowden.

Today I was thinking Dotel would look nice in the Mets bullpen, but I wouldn't give up much for him; he's 33 and this is the first time he's healthy since '04.

6. Hey, it's what Johan uses (Matt) Posted: July 23, 2007 at 01:45 AM (#2451302)

Cordero and Belliard would be nice. Price is probably too high.

7. Zach Posted: July 23, 2007 at 01:56 AM (#2451308)

Two light-hitting, middle infielders with good gloves? It might work in the short term, but in the long term, it seems like you'd want to get a bat at one position and move Pena to a utility role.

Class AA right-hander Alan Horne doesn't get nearly as much attention as other Yankees' pitching prospects, but one rival scout loves him. "He's Brian Bannister with more fastball," says the scout, referring to the Royals' right-hander "He pitches like him, acts like him on the mound. The difference is, he's up to 94 mph." Horne, 24, is 9-4 with a 2.45 ERA . . .

Bannister's having a nice little year, isn't he? Being compared to established players is one thing, but to have prospects compared to you is a real compliment.

8. Craig in MN Posted: July 23, 2007 at 09:24 AM (#2451339)

Hu as a possible replacement for Grudz next year? could work.

I hope not. Can you imagine how many times we'd hear various versions of "Who's on first? No, Hu's on second."

9. Pops Freshenmeyer Posted: July 23, 2007 at 09:36 AM (#2451347)

I remember Steve Phillips talking about Bowden's strangeness on an ESPN radio interview. Apparently Jim is/was known for leaving incredibly lopsided trade proposals on other GMs' voicemails at 3 and 4 in the morning.

10. Sam M. Posted: July 23, 2007 at 09:38 AM (#2451348)

However, the Mets — like many clubs — say that Bowden sets unrealistic targets in trade discussions, making it difficult to complete deals.

The Mets would not trade outfielder Lastings Milledge, whom they will control through at least 2012, for Cordero, who is eligible for free agency after the '09 season.

Well, I'm glad to see that, anyway. I would hope they wouldn't trade Milledge for Cordero even if they could control Cordero through the end of days . . . .

11. Guapo Posted: July 23, 2007 at 09:43 AM (#2451355)

Apparently Jim is/was known for leaving incredibly lopsided trade proposals on other GMs' voicemails at 3 and 4 in the morning.

Depending on whether last call was at 2 or 3 AM, I assume.

I used to do the same thing with my ex-girlfriends.

12. Josh Posted: July 23, 2007 at 09:51 AM (#2451360)

I used to do the same thing with my ex-girlfriends.

I wonder who the PTBNL would be?

13. Sam M. Posted: July 23, 2007 at 09:52 AM (#2451362)

I used to do the same thing with my ex-girlfriends.

That could explain why they are EX-girlfriends, Guapo . . . .

14. Grumbledook Posted: July 23, 2007 at 10:07 AM (#2451381)

If Dunn is available, perhaps the Mets should make a play. He could play right field (displacing Green) or first base if Delgado continues to struggle. His bat would undoubtedly help lift a team that has been a mediocre offensive unit. And Krivsky seems more of a pushover than Bowden.

15. Sean McNally Posted: July 23, 2007 at 10:14 AM (#2451390)

So, Adam Dunn for Saul Rivera?

I can't explain it, but I really like Saul Rivera as a reliever. Unimpressive stuff. Unimposing stature. He just takes the ball, all the time it seems, and performs pretty well.

I'd be sad if they traded him, though they probably should.

The Nats previewed their Aug. 1 lineup yesterday - Tony Batista at first, D'Angelo Jiminez at second, Robert Fick in the outfield and Jesus Flores behind the plate.

It'd be nice if Bowden would, you know, stop asking for the Lindbergh baby and made a move or two... so long as he doesn't f*ck it up.

16. Red Juice Posted: July 23, 2007 at 10:15 AM (#2451391)

Apparently Jim is/was known for leaving incredibly lopsided trade proposals on other GMs' voicemails at 3 and 4 in the morning

I do that in my roto league.
I like to think of it as leaving subliminal messages.

hey, what ever works :)

17. Red Juice Posted: July 23, 2007 at 10:16 AM (#2451392)

Am I a masochist for wanting Dunn in a Padres uniform? :)

18. CrosbyBird Posted: July 23, 2007 at 10:45 AM (#2451428)

The Mets are interested in Nationals closer Chad Cordero and second baseman Ron Belliard, and two Nats scouts watched the Mets’ Class AA Binghamton affiliate over the weekend… However, the Mets — like many clubs — say that Bowden sets unrealistic targets in trade discussions, making it difficult to complete deals.

I don't see how Belliard is enough of an upgrade over Gotay to give up anything of substance.

I don't see how Cordero is at all an upgrade over Heilman, Feliciano, or Smith. Worse, Randolph probably will think Cordero is better than these guys because he is a Proven Closer™.

Belliard could help the team but will almost certainly cost too much; a Cordero trade probably hurts the Mets.

19. CrosbyBird Posted: July 23, 2007 at 10:47 AM (#2451431)

If Dunn is available, perhaps the Mets should make a play. He could play right field (displacing Green) or first base if Delgado continues to struggle.

I have difficulty thinking of a trade for Dunn that I am comfortable with. I would trade Pelfrey straight up for him but I doubt that's enough to make it happen. I wouldn't trade Pelfrey+Milledge.

20. Rear Admiral Piazza Posted: July 23, 2007 at 11:50 AM (#2451495)

If they are going to do this trade, do it on September 11. Let Jim Bowden drive the plane into the building, if that's what he wants to do.

21. Craig Calcaterra Posted: July 23, 2007 at 11:58 AM (#2451499)

I dunno. Bowden could probably get Dunn to agree to a below-market extension if it meant reuniting him with his buddy Kearns.

22. Grumbledook Posted: July 23, 2007 at 12:14 PM (#2451514)

I have difficulty thinking of a trade for Dunn that I am comfortable with. I would trade Pelfrey straight up for him but I doubt that's enough to make it happen. I wouldn't trade Pelfrey+Milledge.

One first-round draft pick should be enough, and IMO it would be a reasonable trade of the future for the present (not to mention a reasonable shot at salvaging this season, which is eminently salvagable in spite of their offensive woes). I wonder what they would have had to give up to get Oswalt last year, assuming the deal had been consummated? I had heard a straight-up trade of Oswalt for Milledge, but I could be wrong.

23. Sam M. Posted: July 23, 2007 at 12:24 PM (#2451526)

One first-round draft pick should be enough, and IMO it would be a reasonable trade of the future for the present (not to mention a reasonable shot at salvaging this season, which is eminently salvagable in spite of their offensive woes).

Putting aside the merits of a Dunn trade . . . "salvaging this season"??? They are in first place by 3.5 games! They are tied for the best record in the National League. You talk about salvaging a season when the team is fading and is on the verge of falling out of the race and you roll the dice and hope for the best. Salvage the season? WTF???

Now, as for Dunn . . . it's a reasonable proposal, but I wouldn't do it. The Mets have a fly ball staff, and his defensive limitations wouldn't be a good thing. As a guy whose offensive value is heavily tilted towards his home runs, that wouldn't translate particularly well to Shea Stadium. They definitely need another bat, but Alou's returning tomorrow, and lord knows Alou can hit. Granted, it's anybody's guess how many games he's got in his old bones, but if Randolph has learned not to try and play him more than four times a week, we might be able to nurse him down the stretch and get decent value out of him (particularly if Chavez can get back to spell him in LF while Milledge and Green split time in right). Like I say, it's a reasonable idea -- it wouldn't get me mad -- but I'd rather stand pat than make that trade.

24. HowardMegdal Posted: July 23, 2007 at 12:39 PM (#2451541)

Wait a minute... Hu's on second?

25. Grumbledook Posted: July 23, 2007 at 12:40 PM (#2451544)

Putting aside the merits of a Dunn trade . . . "salvaging this season"??? They are in first place by 3.5 games! They are tied for the best record in the National League. You talk about salvaging a season when the team is fading and is on the verge of falling out of the race and you roll the dice and hope for the best. Salvage the season? WTF???

They are in first place, but currently, they're a middle-of-the-pack team offensively, and my feeling is that they probably won't make the playoffs if they continue this trend. Didn't Marchman say that on this pace, they'll be an 83-79 team? But you are right; it's not all doom and gloom, and they're operating from a position of strength. In spite of all their problems, they're tied with the Brewers for the best record in the NL. And there's always the chance that the return of the injured will spark an offensive revival. Even Delgado, who has really struggled this year (wrist problems? age-related decline?), finally got his OBP over .300.

26. Jimmy P Posted: July 23, 2007 at 12:50 PM (#2451556)

I remember Steve Phillips talking about Bowden's strangeness on an ESPN radio interview

I love it when Phillips analyzes GMs. Yeah, take it from a guy who can't get another job and who signed Mo Vaughn to one of the worst deals in the world.

All that being said, if Bowden can't move Dmitri Young by the trade deadline, he should be fired.

27. CrosbyBird Posted: July 23, 2007 at 12:58 PM (#2451558)

I had heard a straight-up trade of Oswalt for Milledge, but I could be wrong.

I heard Milledge plus Pelfrey and Houston said no (I think they wanted Milledge, Pelfrey, and Heilman).

Didn't Marchman say that on this pace, they'll be an 83-79 team?

That was a really goofy position. It was basically "if this team keeps up the pace of their last 40-something games (out of around 90) all season, they'll only win 83 games."

currently, they're a middle-of-the-pack team offensively

While it's accurate as a "look at the full-season numbers" picture, things are moving in the right direction (as you've indicated). Delgado is a different player right now, and he's been struggling to overcome that hideous first month of the season for a while. Even in a slumping June, he still hit 10 doubles and 5 HR, and he's been great for July.

When Alou returns, the entire complexion of the lineup is going to change, especially against lefties.

28. CrosbyBird Posted: July 23, 2007 at 01:03 PM (#2451562)

I love it when Phillips analyzes GMs. Yeah, take it from a guy who can't get another job and who signed Mo Vaughn to one of the worst deals in the world.

Phillips traded for Vaughn, but he's still a lousy GM.

29. Jimmy P Posted: July 23, 2007 at 01:07 PM (#2451567)

Phillips traded for Vaughn, but he's still a lousy GM.

Thanks. Even better, he saw the albatross deal and still took it.

30. zonk Posted: July 23, 2007 at 01:18 PM (#2451576)

I think Oswalt is a buyer beware issue... The K rate has slipped for the third straight year, HRs are up, K/BB rate is nowhere near in line with the rest of his career, OOBP and OSLG are up. He's just not the same pitcher he was the previous few years.

Don't get me wrong - he's still one of the NL's best - but before I'd spend the farm on him and that 5/80 deal, I'd be concerned this season isn't the start/acceleration of a trend rather than an abberation.

I think whoever/if a contender acquires him -- Mets, Brewers, Padres, BoSox, Yanks, whoever -- their rotation instantly enters into the "best in baseball discussion", but I just don't like the trends.

Maybe I'm crazy, but there just some trends in Oswalt's line that would worry me... I'm not saying he'll be Dustin Hermansen by 2008 or 2009, but everything seems to be going in the wrong direction.

I cannot see the Nats' interest in Dunn... I know they're thinking new ballpark next year and want to make a splash, but I just think they should be looking at pitching, not a corner OF bat.

31. Chris Needham Posted: July 23, 2007 at 01:30 PM (#2451586)

All that being said, if Bowden can't move Dmitri Young by the trade deadline, he should be fired.

I used to be the captain of that ship. I took a look at it last week, and Dmitri's likely going to be a Type B FA. If that's the case, maybe holding on to him is the way to go? I haven't heard about toooo many teams being interested in a .340-hitting, mistress-smacking DH.

32. Ignatius J. Reilly Posted: July 23, 2007 at 01:31 PM (#2451589)

The Nats won't get any draft picks for Dmitri Young, right? Bowden would be a fool not to extract some long-term value from that lotto ticket. I know a team in Atlanta that could use a 1st baseman...

33. Chris Needham Posted: July 23, 2007 at 01:32 PM (#2451590)

I cannot see the Nats' interest in Dunn... I know they're thinking new ballpark next year and want to make a splash, but I just think they should be looking at pitching, not a corner OF bat.

The Nats pitching isn't bad. They're 10th in the league in ERA. Sure, some of that's the park. But if Hill comes back healthy, he'll bump out one of the stiffs at the back end with a 6+ ERA.

They have the worst offense BY FAR, and zero power. that's not a function of their park. It's an entire team of line drive guys who'd be hard-pressed to hit 25 homers in the LA Coliseum.

I hope the Nats don't TRADE for Dunn, since he'll be a FA, but I do hope they make a play for him, or someone with a bit of power.

34. Ignatius J. Reilly Posted: July 23, 2007 at 01:32 PM (#2451591)

Oh. Young is worth a comp pick? That changes things I guess.

35. Chris Needham Posted: July 23, 2007 at 01:36 PM (#2451596)

He's pretty close. The team seems to think that both he and Belliard (who was a type a!? last year) are going to give compensation.

I can't see them offering Belliard arbitration bc of how many 2B always seem to be floating around for cheap towards spring training, but the team also seems inclined to re-sign him, since he's been a solid player, who's scooted all over the infield.

36. Brian White Posted: July 23, 2007 at 01:48 PM (#2451607)

If they are going to do this trade, do it on September 11. Let Jim Bowden drive the plane into the building, if that's what he wants to do.

Okay, someone remind me again what this is a reference to.

37. Chris Needham Posted: July 23, 2007 at 01:51 PM (#2451610)

36: Here ya go.

38. Jimmy P Posted: July 23, 2007 at 02:39 PM (#2451671)

Oh. Young is worth a comp pick? That changes things I guess.

Well, kind of. Well, someone has to sign him. Then, whatever formula they use to determine pick compensation has to determine that he's valued between 20-40% of the 1B market. I'm not sure I'd take that. If someone offered me a halfway decent prospect, it may be more valuable.

39. Ignatius J. Reilly Posted: July 23, 2007 at 05:28 PM (#2451850)

I'd say it changes the market because it gives the Nats some leverage in any trade discussions for Young. Now they don't "have" to deal him.

40. TerpNats Posted: July 23, 2007 at 09:48 PM (#2452333)

All that being said, if Bowden can't move Dmitri Young by the trade deadline, he should be fired.

Naw...keep Young, but fire Bowden.

41. Walt Davis Posted: July 24, 2007 at 05:27 AM (#2452769)

Even better, he saw the albatross deal and still took it.

He dumped the "albatross" deal of Kevin Appier (who did go on to have one pretty good season for the Angels before his arm fell off ... again) just as Mo had one pretty good season for the Mets. And if memory serves, Mo's contract was insured* so it didn't really hurt the Mets all that much. I recall it as being recognized as a "my decent but disappointing overpriced vet for your decent but disappointing overpriced vet" trade at the time.

* in fact my memory is that it was one of the deals that brought the insurance folks to their senses.

42. Mister High Standards Posted: July 24, 2007 at 07:40 AM (#2452777)

If they are going to do this trade, do it on September 11. Let Jim Bowden drive the plane into the building, if that's what he wants to do.

nice. very nice.

43. Darren Posted: July 24, 2007 at 08:00 AM (#2452781)

I can't see them offering Belliard arbitration bc of how many 2B always seem to be floating around for cheap towards spring training, but the team also seems inclined to re-sign him, since he's been a solid player, who's scooted all over the infield.

Didn't they just sign him to a 2-year deal?

44. retro-shiite Posted: July 24, 2007 at 08:24 AM (#2452791)

Didn't they just sign him to a 2-year deal?

Yes.

Then again, the Tigers traded for Neifi Perez last year when he still had another year on his contract, so I suppose anything's possible.

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FOX: Rosenthal - Nats making a play for Dunn

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