Joba Chamberlain no longer is the Yankees’ primary eighth-inning setup reliever, the New York Post’s Joel Sherman reports, but Chamberlain’s spot on the roster is secure.
An unidentified Yankees official confirmed to Sherman that Chamberlain’s role has changed. "The first thing we felt we had to do was take him out of the eighth inning," the official said. Sherman’s sources also shot down speculation that Chamberlain would be sent to the minors to work out his problems.
David Robertson and Boone Logan preserved the Yankees’ 3-2 lead in the eighth Monday night in Cleveland. Afterward, manager Joe Girardi refused to say that Chamberlain had lost his setup job. Before Tuesday’s game, he told reporters, "We would like for him to pitch at the level he is capable of pitching at."
Chamberlain has a 5.95 ERA in 43 games (all in relief) this season. He is averaging better than a strikeout per inning, however, and Sherman reports the Yankees are pleased with Chamberlain’s attitude and work ethic.
Chamberlain’s struggles have led New York to explore outside replacements as the July 31 nonwaiver trading deadline nears. The club reportedly asked the Royals about closer Joakim Soria, but Kansas City said Soria wasn’t available. Besides, ESPN’s Andrew Marchand reports Soria can reject a trade to the Yankees, along with five other teams.
New York also is believed to be looking at Blue Jays left-hander Scott Downs, Nationals right-hander Matt Capps and Pittsburgh righties Octavio Dotel and Joel Hanrahan.
Last week, the Diamondbacks reportedly asked for Chamberlain as part of trade talks involving right-hander Dan Haren, only to have the Yankees say no.
Sporting News staff reports
Joba Chamberlain no longer is the Yankees’ primary eighth-inning setup reliever, the New York Post’s Joel Sherman reports, but Chamberlain’s spot on the roster is secure.
An unidentified Yankees official confirmed to Sherman that Chamberlain’s role has changed. "The first thing we felt we had to do was take him out of the eighth inning," the official said. Sherman’s sources also shot down speculation that Chamberlain would be sent to the minors to work out his problems.
David Robertson and Boone Logan preserved the Yankees’ 3-2 lead in the eighth Monday night in Cleveland. Afterward, manager Joe Girardi refused to say that Chamberlain had lost his setup job. Before Tuesday’s game, he told reporters, "We would like for him to pitch at the level he is capable of pitching at."
Chamberlain has a 5.95 ERA in 43 games (all in relief) this season. He is averaging better than a strikeout per inning, however, and Sherman reports the Yankees are pleased with Chamberlain’s attitude and work ethic.
Chamberlain’s struggles have led New York to explore outside replacements as the July 31 nonwaiver trading deadline nears. The club reportedly asked the Royals about closer Joakim Soria, but Kansas City said Soria wasn’t available. Besides, ESPN’s Andrew Marchand reports Soria can reject a trade to the Yankees, along with five other teams.
New York also is believed to be looking at Blue Jays left-hander Scott Downs, Nationals right-hander Matt Capps and Pittsburgh righties Octavio Dotel and Joel Hanrahan.
Last week, the Diamondbacks reportedly asked for Chamberlain as part of trade talks involving right-hander Dan Haren, only to have the Yankees say no.
Astros right-hander Roy Oswalt said Monday that "location doesn’t matter" when it comes to a potential new home.
Oswalt repeated to MLB.com’s Brian McTaggart what he has been saying since requesting a trade: He just wants to pitch for a contender, wherever it plays. Houston is buried deep in the NL Central.
There has been speculation Oswalt would prefer to be dealt to a team that is close to his Mississippi home.
The Phillies and Cardinals are considered the top two contenders for Oswalt, and he is willing to waive his no-trade rights to go to either club. Oswalt also has indicated he’d forgo his $16 million option for 2012 in the right deal.
Sporting News staff reports
Astros right-hander Roy Oswalt said Monday that "location doesn’t matter" when it comes to a potential new home.
Oswalt repeated to MLB.com’s Brian McTaggart what he has been saying since requesting a trade: He just wants to pitch for a contender, wherever it plays. Houston is buried deep in the NL Central.
There has been speculation Oswalt would prefer to be dealt to a team that is close to his Mississippi home.
The Phillies and Cardinals are considered the top two contenders for Oswalt, and he is willing to waive his no-trade rights to go to either club. Oswalt also has indicated he’d forgo his $16 million option for 2012 in the right deal.
Gilbert reports the club is looking to move backup catcher Chris Snyder and reliever Chad Qualls, and will consider offers for first baseman Adam LaRoche and right-hander Edwin Jackson.
"If we could get a player back that could help at the major league level immediately as well as help restock the farm system we would listen," Hall said in reference to possibly dealing Jackson.
The report also shoots down rumors that the D-backs, Nationals and White Sox were close to a three-way swap involving Jackson and Washington first baseman Adam Dunn.
Arizona traded Haren to the Angels on Sunday for left-hander Joe Saunders, two minor league pitchers and a player to be named.
Gilbert reports the club is looking to move backup catcher Chris Snyder and reliever Chad Qualls, and will consider offers for first baseman Adam LaRoche and right-hander Edwin Jackson.
"If we could get a player back that could help at the major league level immediately as well as help restock the farm system we would listen," Hall said in reference to possibly dealing Jackson.
The report also shoots down rumors that the D-backs, Nationals and White Sox were close to a three-way swap involving Jackson and Washington first baseman Adam Dunn.
Arizona traded Haren to the Angels on Sunday for left-hander Joe Saunders, two minor league pitchers and a player to be named.
Matt Garza threw the first no-hitter in franchise history and the fifth in the major leagues this season, beating the Detroit Tigers 5-0 Monday night.
"We needed one. I don’t care who it came from. We just needed one for our own confidence," Garza said, mindful that the Rays have been held hitless four times in their 13-season history – three times in the past year. "The guys are just as excited as I am. It’s fun."
The 26-year-old right-hander faced the minimum 27 batters in his 106th career start, allowing only a second-inning walk to Brennan Boesch, for a team that’s often been on the wrong end of pitching gems lately.
Two of the no-hitters tossed against the Rays since July 2009 were perfect games. They didn’t manage a hit Monday off starter Max Scherzer until Matt Joyce’s sixth-inning grand slam.
"It was one of those days where everything lined up," Garza said. "The defense made great plays. I really can’t say enough about them."
Garza (11-5) was the latest to shine in the Year of the Pitcher. The last time there were at least five no-hitters in a season was 1991, when Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan threw one of seven in the big leagues that year, according to STATS LLC.
It’s only the third time in major league history that a team has been involved in three no-hitters during one season. The 1917 St. Louis Browns and Chicago White Sox were involved in three – all against each other.
It’s also the first time in 37 years that two no-hitters have occurred in the same AL ballpark in one season. After going 1,006 games without one at Tropicana Field, two have been tossed in the last 11 games at the hitter-friendly dome.
"The guy obviously made history for Tampa, congratulations to him," Detroit manager Jim Leyland said, adding that Garza dominated the Tigers with "high fastball after high fastball."
Garza, the 2008 AL championship series MVP, rebounded from one of his worst outings this season to win his fourth straight decision and tie a career best for victories. He retired pinch-hitter Ramon Santiago for the final out on an easy fly ball to right fielder Ben Zobrist, who made a terrific running catch in the third to rob Danny Worth.
Little did Ben Zobrist know that this third-inning play would be huge.
"That ninth inning," Garza said, "I kept telling myself, ‘Just finish it, just finish it, just battle, battle. If it’s meant to happen, it’s going to happen."’
Garza’s teammates mobbed him near the mound after a performance that left the New York Mets and San Diego Padres as the only big league teams without a no-hitter. The Rays began play in 1998 – the Padres in 1969 and the Mets in ’62.
The closest Detroit’s injury-depleted lineup came to a hit was Worth’s two-out liner, but Zobrist made a leaping grab above his head as he ran toward the wall.
"I was able to time it just right for my jump. Caught it right in the end of my glove," Zobrist said, smiling. "He pitched so great. It’s his day. I felt honored to be part of a game like that."
Tigers cleanup hitter Miguel Cabrera, who’s batting .347 with 24 homers and 88 RBIs, hit a hard liner to left leading off the eighth. Carl Crawford barely had to move to make the play.
The Tigers were no-hit for the first time since Randy Johnson shut them down at Seattle on June 2, 1990.
After Boesch walked, he was erased on a double play.
Garza said his teammates didn’t leave him off by himself in the dugout during the late innings. He noticed several of them standing in the same spot, however, adhering to superstition.
"I recognized it and didn’t want to look up. I was like, ‘Just keep looking down and stay focused and get ready for the next inning,"’ he said.
No batter, no batter
Through about four months of the season, five pitchers have completed no-hitters. Seven campaigns in the history of Major League Baseball have featured more. Here’s a look at who’s done it so far in 2010:
American League
July 26—Matt Garza, Tampa Bay vs. Detroit, 5-0
May 9—x-Dallas Braden, Oakland vs. Tampa Bay, 4-0
National League
June 26—Edwin Jackson, Arizona at Tampa Bay, 1-0
May 29—x-Roy Halladay, Philadelphia at Florida, 1-0
April 17—Ubaldo Jimenez, Colorado at Atlanta, 4-0
x-perfect game
Garza struck out six in Tampa Bay’s 2,039th game – and on a night when the Rays struggled to generate much offense themselves.
Joyce’s slam on a 3-2 pitch with two outs in the sixth was the first hit off Scherzer (7-8). The next batter, Jason Bartlett, singled for the only other hit of the night until Crawford homered in the eighth.
"I wanted to keep challenging. I didn’t want to walk him in that situation," Scherzer said. "I grooved it, and he hit it."
Garza, who tossed a one-hitter at Florida on June 26, 2008, retired Don Kelly on a routine grounder to second base in the ninth and struck out Gerald Laird before getting Santiago to end it on his 120th pitch before a crowd of 17,009.
In addition to the five no-hitters thrown this season was the perfect game Detroit right-hander Armando Galarraga was denied because of a missed call at first base by umpire Jim Joyce.
Oakland’s Dallas Braden tossed a perfect game against Tampa Bay on May 9, and Philadelphia’s Roy Halladay also was perfect at Florida on May 29.
Arizona right-hander Edwin Jackson threw 149 pitches for a no-hitter against the Rays, his former team, at Tropicana Field on June 26. Colorado ace Ubaldo Jimenez pitched a no-hitter April 17 at Atlanta.
Mark Buehrle threw a perfect game for the Chicago White Sox against Tampa Bay on July 23, 2009.
In his previous start, Garza allowed seven runs and 10 hits in 6 1-3 innings against the Orioles. The Tigers lineup he faced was without Magglio Ordonez, Carlos Guillen and Brandon Inge because of injuries.
"They’re missing some really important people, there’s no doubt about that," Rays manager Joe Maddon said. "But they’re all major league players and it’s a no-hitter. They’re not going to make any excuses, I know that."
Leyland was ejected in the third for arguing with second base umpire Marty Foster after B.J. Upton’s stolen base.
NOTES: Scherzer walked four, struck out eight and left after giving up the sixth-inning single to Bartlett. … Tampa Bay began an 11-game homestand spanning 11 days, the club’s longest since August 2005. … Garza was acquired from Minnesota in a trade before the 2008 season.
Copyright 2010 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Rays celebrate with Matt Garza after he no-hits the Tigers.
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Rays finally wound up on the right side of a memorable pitching performance.
Matt Garza threw the first no-hitter in franchise history and the fifth in the major leagues this season, beating the Detroit Tigers 5-0 Monday night.
"We needed one. I don’t care who it came from. We just needed one for our own confidence," Garza said, mindful that the Rays have been held hitless four times in their 13-season history – three times in the past year. "The guys are just as excited as I am. It’s fun."
The 26-year-old right-hander faced the minimum 27 batters in his 106th career start, allowing only a second-inning walk to Brennan Boesch, for a team that’s often been on the wrong end of pitching gems lately.
Two of the no-hitters tossed against the Rays since July 2009 were perfect games. They didn’t manage a hit Monday off starter Max Scherzer until Matt Joyce’s sixth-inning grand slam.
"It was one of those days where everything lined up," Garza said. "The defense made great plays. I really can’t say enough about them."
Garza (11-5) was the latest to shine in the Year of the Pitcher. The last time there were at least five no-hitters in a season was 1991, when Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan threw one of seven in the big leagues that year, according to STATS LLC.
It’s only the third time in major league history that a team has been involved in three no-hitters during one season. The 1917 St. Louis Browns and Chicago White Sox were involved in three – all against each other.
It’s also the first time in 37 years that two no-hitters have occurred in the same AL ballpark in one season. After going 1,006 games without one at Tropicana Field, two have been tossed in the last 11 games at the hitter-friendly dome.
"The guy obviously made history for Tampa, congratulations to him," Detroit manager Jim Leyland said, adding that Garza dominated the Tigers with "high fastball after high fastball."
Garza, the 2008 AL championship series MVP, rebounded from one of his worst outings this season to win his fourth straight decision and tie a career best for victories. He retired pinch-hitter Ramon Santiago for the final out on an easy fly ball to right fielder Ben Zobrist, who made a terrific running catch in the third to rob Danny Worth.
Little did Ben Zobrist know that this third-inning play would be huge.
"That ninth inning," Garza said, "I kept telling myself, ‘Just finish it, just finish it, just battle, battle. If it’s meant to happen, it’s going to happen."’
Garza’s teammates mobbed him near the mound after a performance that left the New York Mets and San Diego Padres as the only big league teams without a no-hitter. The Rays began play in 1998 – the Padres in 1969 and the Mets in ’62.
The closest Detroit’s injury-depleted lineup came to a hit was Worth’s two-out liner, but Zobrist made a leaping grab above his head as he ran toward the wall.
"I was able to time it just right for my jump. Caught it right in the end of my glove," Zobrist said, smiling. "He pitched so great. It’s his day. I felt honored to be part of a game like that."
Tigers cleanup hitter Miguel Cabrera, who’s batting .347 with 24 homers and 88 RBIs, hit a hard liner to left leading off the eighth. Carl Crawford barely had to move to make the play.
The Tigers were no-hit for the first time since Randy Johnson shut them down at Seattle on June 2, 1990.
After Boesch walked, he was erased on a double play.
Garza said his teammates didn’t leave him off by himself in the dugout during the late innings. He noticed several of them standing in the same spot, however, adhering to superstition.
"I recognized it and didn’t want to look up. I was like, ‘Just keep looking down and stay focused and get ready for the next inning,"’ he said.
No batter, no batter
Through about four months of the season, five pitchers have completed no-hitters. Seven campaigns in the history of Major League Baseball have featured more. Here’s a look at who’s done it so far in 2010:
American League
July 26—Matt Garza, Tampa Bay vs. Detroit, 5-0
May 9—x-Dallas Braden, Oakland vs. Tampa Bay, 4-0
National League
June 26—Edwin Jackson, Arizona at Tampa Bay, 1-0
May 29—x-Roy Halladay, Philadelphia at Florida, 1-0
April 17—Ubaldo Jimenez, Colorado at Atlanta, 4-0
x-perfect game
Garza struck out six in Tampa Bay’s 2,039th game – and on a night when the Rays struggled to generate much offense themselves.
Joyce’s slam on a 3-2 pitch with two outs in the sixth was the first hit off Scherzer (7-8). The next batter, Jason Bartlett, singled for the only other hit of the night until Crawford homered in the eighth.
"I wanted to keep challenging. I didn’t want to walk him in that situation," Scherzer said. "I grooved it, and he hit it."
Garza, who tossed a one-hitter at Florida on June 26, 2008, retired Don Kelly on a routine grounder to second base in the ninth and struck out Gerald Laird before getting Santiago to end it on his 120th pitch before a crowd of 17,009.
In addition to the five no-hitters thrown this season was the perfect game Detroit right-hander Armando Galarraga was denied because of a missed call at first base by umpire Jim Joyce.
Oakland’s Dallas Braden tossed a perfect game against Tampa Bay on May 9, and Philadelphia’s Roy Halladay also was perfect at Florida on May 29.
Arizona right-hander Edwin Jackson threw 149 pitches for a no-hitter against the Rays, his former team, at Tropicana Field on June 26. Colorado ace Ubaldo Jimenez pitched a no-hitter April 17 at Atlanta.
Mark Buehrle threw a perfect game for the Chicago White Sox against Tampa Bay on July 23, 2009.
In his previous start, Garza allowed seven runs and 10 hits in 6 1-3 innings against the Orioles. The Tigers lineup he faced was without Magglio Ordonez, Carlos Guillen and Brandon Inge because of injuries.
"They’re missing some really important people, there’s no doubt about that," Rays manager Joe Maddon said. "But they’re all major league players and it’s a no-hitter. They’re not going to make any excuses, I know that."
Leyland was ejected in the third for arguing with second base umpire Marty Foster after B.J. Upton’s stolen base.
NOTES: Scherzer walked four, struck out eight and left after giving up the sixth-inning single to Bartlett. … Tampa Bay began an 11-game homestand spanning 11 days, the club’s longest since August 2005. … Garza was acquired from Minnesota in a trade before the 2008 season.
Copyright 2010 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The decision was made during an organizational conference call Monday. On Sunday, general manager Omar Minaya refused to stop speculation that hitting coach Howard Johnson would be let go in an attempt to shake up the slumping club.
New York scored 23 runs in the 11 games and was shut out four times, one less than the club record for a single trip.
The decision was made during an organizational conference call Monday. On Sunday, general manager Omar Minaya refused to stop speculation that hitting coach Howard Johnson would be let go in an attempt to shake up the slumping club.
New York scored 23 runs in the 11 games and was shut out four times, one less than the club record for a single trip.
ESPN’s Jayson Stark reports the Royals have "no interest" in making a multiplayer trade with the Mets.
Stark quotes an unnamed source who shot down reports the teams were contemplating a swap of bad contracts before Saturday’s nonwaiver deadline. Players such as Jeff Francoeur, Oliver Perez, Luis Castillo, Gil Meche, Jose Guillen and Kyle Farnsworth were mentioned in the reports.
Kansas City, though, has expressed interest in acquiring Francoeur, who was drafted by the Braves when current Royals general manager Dayton Moore was in charge of Atlanta’s farm system.
Sporting News staff reports
ESPN’s Jayson Stark reports the Royals have "no interest" in making a multiplayer trade with the Mets.
Stark quotes an unnamed source who shot down reports the teams were contemplating a swap of bad contracts before Saturday’s nonwaiver deadline. Players such as Jeff Francoeur, Oliver Perez, Luis Castillo, Gil Meche, Jose Guillen and Kyle Farnsworth were mentioned in the reports.
Kansas City, though, has expressed interest in acquiring Francoeur, who was drafted by the Braves when current Royals general manager Dayton Moore was in charge of Atlanta’s farm system.
Have you ever walked down a city street and seen a guy wearing pants with one leg up around the knee? Drive a few blocks away and you see another guy with almost the exact same look, only this time it’s the other pant leg that’s up. I found out — thanks to a wife in criminal justice — that’s more than just a fashion statement. The pant leg in the air is code: one short pant leg means you’re buying; the other short pant leg means you’re selling.
Will Roy Oswalt end up in a Phillies uniform?
Don’t be surprised if you see Phillies GM Ruben Amaro walking around in a pair of clam-diggers this week. The Phillies are one of a few teams who are buying and selling.
Go ahead, let the visual of Amaro patrolling the streets with pants rolled up to both knees marinate for a few minutes. "Who’s got pitchers? Anybody got pitchers? You got pitchers? You need outfield? I got great deals on outfield."
With the MLB trade deadline looming, the Phillies are in a rather unusual position of being buyers and sellers at the same time. Of the six divisions in baseball, there are four in which the lead — heading into Monday’s games — is less than five games. But it’s the other two divisions that seem to be making most of the trade headlines.
First, to clean up the goings on in the AL West, the Rangers traded for Cliff Lee a few weeks ago and have extended their division lead over the Angels since the All-Star break. The Halos answered yesterday, despite being seven games out of first place and nine out of the wild card. That didn’t stop them from trading for Dan Haren from the Diamondbacks to try and make a late-season run to get back to the playoffs.
The other division making noise without a close race is the NL East. Phillies are just 5-5 in their last ten, but that includes four-straight wins after a moribund start to the second half. All the talk around who the Phillies might trade for — especially with Haren now dealt to the Angels — is Roy Oswalt, while all the talk of who they might trade away starts and ends with Jayson Werth.
First, let’s look at the Phillies prospects as buyers. Oswalt said he wanted to go to St. Louis, but the Astros threw a giant price tag on his front window, a clear indication that they did not anticipate giving their divisional rival any sort of discount. So now that Oswalt has already said he’d be willing to restructure the $16-million he wants guaranteed in 2012 for one team, would he be willing to do it for another? And, as news broke that St. Louis is apparently pulling themselves out of the running for Oswalt’s services – coupled with the fact that the Astros have yet to lower their price despite the fact that Haren was traded for far less than the Astros are looking to deal their ace – are the Phillies suddenly the only team left dealing with Houston?
Jayson Werth has struggled with runners in scoring position.
Does that Help Amaro find an equitable price to bring a second ace with a giant price tag, less than a year after he traded Lee to Seattle for 60 cents on the dollar in a clear salary dump? Is Amaro looking to buy just to make up for his seller’s remorse?
Of course, we mustn’t forget about the other pant leg up around the knee. If Werth is dealt, it opens the door for rising star Domonic Brown, rated the top prospect in all of baseball – now that half the minor leagues has been called up this season – by more than one reputable source. The Phillies didn’t trade Brown last year and clearly won’t now, as he’s been pegged as the future of the franchise in the outfield. The Phillies would love to dump Raul Ibanez’s albatross of a contract but there’s no GM in the league dumb enough to take that on at this point.
So, even if they’re only five games out of the division that they’ve won three years in a row and they’re suddenly playing solid baseball, now may, in fact, be the best time for the Phillies to part ways with Werth. The alternative, of course, is letting him walk after the season when they’ll get nothing in return. So can Werth get enough value back for the Phillies to make trading him, ahem, worth it?
Every team in the league knows that Werth wants to test the free-agent market, so trading for him would be nothing more than a playoff rental with a theoretical chance to have first dibs on signing him after the season. No team is going to mortgage their future on a three-month rental player, let alone a guy who has been as streaky as Werth. It’s important for Amaro to shop Werth – keep that pant leg rolled as high as it goes, Rube – but that doesn’t mean he has to sell. Todd Zolecki of MLB.com thinks the Phillies can still go after Oswalt and keep Werth for the rest of this season:
There have been numerous reports the Phillies would have to trade Jayson Werth to clear salary and gain prospects for Oswalt. But I have heard recently that is not the case. While the Phillies are exploring trade partners for Werth, they could acquire Oswalt and keep Werth. And if I’m the Phillies, that’s exactly what I do, unless I get an incredible offer for Werth. I know fans would love to see Domonic Brown up here, but I think it would be unfair to expect him to do what Werth has done the past couple seasons. Plus, as I have written many, many times before, Werth is an incredibly streaky hitter. He is hitting .387 (12-for-31) with five doubles and three RBIs in his last nine games.
Werth has been dreadful this season with RISP, but can Phillies fans expect a player who started the season in Double-A to slot right into a power-production spot in the lineup and not struggle in his own right? Zolecki is right in thinking the Phillies should hold out for a great offer and if that doesn’t come, keep Werth, bring up Brown in September and let him play left field while Ibanez becomes the most expensive pinch-hitter in baseball history for a month. Then, when (if?) Chase Utley eventually comes back into the lineup, there’s another productive bat that gives you an offensive boost to justify going after Oswalt to get stronger on the mound.
The Phillies have been as injured as any team in the league, outside of maybe the Red Sox. But unlike the Red Sox who are eight games out and in third place in their division, the Phillies are still in striking distance to win the NL East, or the wild card. The next few days can clearly change the entire trade-deadline landscape, and for the Phillies, determine which pant leg Amaro pulls down first. Everyone in Philadelphia hopes it’s just not both.
You can read/listen to more from Dan Levy at OntheDLpodcast.com and follow him on Twitter @onthedlpodcast
Have you ever walked down a city street and seen a guy wearing pants with one leg up around the knee? Drive a few blocks away and you see another guy with almost the exact same look, only this time it’s the other pant leg that’s up. I found out — thanks to a wife in criminal justice — that’s more than just a fashion statement. The pant leg in the air is code: one short pant leg means you’re buying; the other short pant leg means you’re selling.
Will Roy Oswalt end up in a Phillies uniform?
Don’t be surprised if you see Phillies GM Ruben Amaro walking around in a pair of clam-diggers this week. The Phillies are one of a few teams who are buying and selling.
Go ahead, let the visual of Amaro patrolling the streets with pants rolled up to both knees marinate for a few minutes. "Who’s got pitchers? Anybody got pitchers? You got pitchers? You need outfield? I got great deals on outfield."
With the MLB trade deadline looming, the Phillies are in a rather unusual position of being buyers and sellers at the same time. Of the six divisions in baseball, there are four in which the lead — heading into Monday’s games — is less than five games. But it’s the other two divisions that seem to be making most of the trade headlines.
First, to clean up the goings on in the AL West, the Rangers traded for Cliff Lee a few weeks ago and have extended their division lead over the Angels since the All-Star break. The Halos answered yesterday, despite being seven games out of first place and nine out of the wild card. That didn’t stop them from trading for Dan Haren from the Diamondbacks to try and make a late-season run to get back to the playoffs.
The other division making noise without a close race is the NL East. Phillies are just 5-5 in their last ten, but that includes four-straight wins after a moribund start to the second half. All the talk around who the Phillies might trade for — especially with Haren now dealt to the Angels — is Roy Oswalt, while all the talk of who they might trade away starts and ends with Jayson Werth.
First, let’s look at the Phillies prospects as buyers. Oswalt said he wanted to go to St. Louis, but the Astros threw a giant price tag on his front window, a clear indication that they did not anticipate giving their divisional rival any sort of discount. So now that Oswalt has already said he’d be willing to restructure the $16-million he wants guaranteed in 2012 for one team, would he be willing to do it for another? And, as news broke that St. Louis is apparently pulling themselves out of the running for Oswalt’s services – coupled with the fact that the Astros have yet to lower their price despite the fact that Haren was traded for far less than the Astros are looking to deal their ace – are the Phillies suddenly the only team left dealing with Houston?
Jayson Werth has struggled with runners in scoring position.
Does that Help Amaro find an equitable price to bring a second ace with a giant price tag, less than a year after he traded Lee to Seattle for 60 cents on the dollar in a clear salary dump? Is Amaro looking to buy just to make up for his seller’s remorse?
Of course, we mustn’t forget about the other pant leg up around the knee. If Werth is dealt, it opens the door for rising star Domonic Brown, rated the top prospect in all of baseball – now that half the minor leagues has been called up this season – by more than one reputable source. The Phillies didn’t trade Brown last year and clearly won’t now, as he’s been pegged as the future of the franchise in the outfield. The Phillies would love to dump Raul Ibanez’s albatross of a contract but there’s no GM in the league dumb enough to take that on at this point.
So, even if they’re only five games out of the division that they’ve won three years in a row and they’re suddenly playing solid baseball, now may, in fact, be the best time for the Phillies to part ways with Werth. The alternative, of course, is letting him walk after the season when they’ll get nothing in return. So can Werth get enough value back for the Phillies to make trading him, ahem, worth it?
Every team in the league knows that Werth wants to test the free-agent market, so trading for him would be nothing more than a playoff rental with a theoretical chance to have first dibs on signing him after the season. No team is going to mortgage their future on a three-month rental player, let alone a guy who has been as streaky as Werth. It’s important for Amaro to shop Werth – keep that pant leg rolled as high as it goes, Rube – but that doesn’t mean he has to sell. Todd Zolecki of MLB.com thinks the Phillies can still go after Oswalt and keep Werth for the rest of this season:
There have been numerous reports the Phillies would have to trade Jayson Werth to clear salary and gain prospects for Oswalt. But I have heard recently that is not the case. While the Phillies are exploring trade partners for Werth, they could acquire Oswalt and keep Werth. And if I’m the Phillies, that’s exactly what I do, unless I get an incredible offer for Werth. I know fans would love to see Domonic Brown up here, but I think it would be unfair to expect him to do what Werth has done the past couple seasons. Plus, as I have written many, many times before, Werth is an incredibly streaky hitter. He is hitting .387 (12-for-31) with five doubles and three RBIs in his last nine games.
Werth has been dreadful this season with RISP, but can Phillies fans expect a player who started the season in Double-A to slot right into a power-production spot in the lineup and not struggle in his own right? Zolecki is right in thinking the Phillies should hold out for a great offer and if that doesn’t come, keep Werth, bring up Brown in September and let him play left field while Ibanez becomes the most expensive pinch-hitter in baseball history for a month. Then, when (if?) Chase Utley eventually comes back into the lineup, there’s another productive bat that gives you an offensive boost to justify going after Oswalt to get stronger on the mound.
The Phillies have been as injured as any team in the league, outside of maybe the Red Sox. But unlike the Red Sox who are eight games out and in third place in their division, the Phillies are still in striking distance to win the NL East, or the wild card. The next few days can clearly change the entire trade-deadline landscape, and for the Phillies, determine which pant leg Amaro pulls down first. Everyone in Philadelphia hopes it’s just not both.
You can read/listen to more from Dan Levy at OntheDLpodcast.com and follow him on Twitter @onthedlpodcast
Rays manager Joe Maddon says the club could use top prospect Jeremy Hellickson in the bullpen down the stretch, not the rotation, much like it did David Price in 2008. Hellickson is 12-3 with a 2.51 ERA for Triple-A Durham. His future is as a starter but he could have an immediate impact on the bullpen.
"You saw he had a little taste of it in spring training; he came out with guys all over the place and he got out of it (against the Yankees)," Maddon told the St. Petersburg Times. "Very casually in a sense, he was not offended by the moment or overwhelmed by the moment. You’re going to see the same kind of approach from him.
"Out of the bullpen, that’s a possibility, and I would not be opposed to that at all. But eventually he’s going to be one of the starters, there is no doubt. To get a taste, I think he could do it, and it would serve him well, and us."
Sporting News staff reports
Rays manager Joe Maddon says the club could use top prospect Jeremy Hellickson in the bullpen down the stretch, not the rotation, much like it did David Price in 2008. Hellickson is 12-3 with a 2.51 ERA for Triple-A Durham. His future is as a starter but he could have an immediate impact on the bullpen.
"You saw he had a little taste of it in spring training; he came out with guys all over the place and he got out of it (against the Yankees)," Maddon told the St. Petersburg Times. "Very casually in a sense, he was not offended by the moment or overwhelmed by the moment. You’re going to see the same kind of approach from him.
"Out of the bullpen, that’s a possibility, and I would not be opposed to that at all. But eventually he’s going to be one of the starters, there is no doubt. To get a taste, I think he could do it, and it would serve him well, and us."
More trade candidates were injured than dealt during the past few days but don’t fret. The moves are coming.
The Angels made a big one Sunday afternoon by dealing for Diamondbacks right-hander Dan Haren. As Saturday’s nonwaiver deadline approaches, look for more clubs to get busy. As White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen says, "The closer it gets, the more talks there will be, the more intense they will be."
Three players rumored to be available could be off the market after being hurt. Royals outfielder David DeJesus broke his right thumb and is out for the season, A’s starter Ben Sheet reinjured his right elbow and missed his scheduled start (and figures to miss more), and Brewers slugger Corey Hart injured his right wrist running into a wall and did not play over the weekend.
One reason for the slow shopping: The asking price for impact players has remained high. Put another way, by the ever-blunt Guillen: "All those general managers out there are crazy for what they’re asking." Count on that to change, too.
Sizing up possibilities for four potential difference-makers:
Roy Oswalt, RHP, Astros
With Cliff Lee landing in Texas and Haren now in Anaheim, Oswalt is the best starting pitcher available. He says he wants to be traded to a contender. Easier said than done: The 32-year-old’s contract, his no-trade protection and the Astros’ demands are proving to be stumbling blocks. Oswalt has told reporters he wants his $16 million option for 2012 guaranteed if he is traded, but has since softened that stance.
The Astros are looking for a starting pitcher to put in their rotation and a young, right-handed hitting first baseman. Oswalt’s No. 1 choice, the Cardinals, might not be able or willing to meet that price. A trade for Oswalt’s teammate, Brett Myers, makes more sense in many ways because Myers is on a one-year contract and has pitched well.
Prediction: The Phillies, hot on Oswalt’s trail last week, end up getting him. The deal, however, will mean the end of Jayson Werth’s time in Philadelphia.
Jayson Werth, OF, Phillies
A scout says Werth has let his impending payday as a free agent affect his play, which has resulted in an up-and-down season in which he often has pressed. Werth is not sure about his future. "I haven’t heard anything," he said the other day. His hitting, meanwhile, has warmed up. He has 10 hits in his past seven games, putting his season numbers at .286/.379/.506.
The Phillies could move the 31-year-old Werth because they are unlikely to meet his asking price next winter (which figures to be more than the $66 million for four years Jason Bay got from the Mets). Prospect Domonic Brown is hitting in Triple-A and playing like he’s ready to assume Werth’s spot in right field.
Prediction: The Phillies move Werth to the Rays, then send the players they receive from Tampa Bay to the Astros for Oswalt.
Adam Dunn, 1B, Nationals
Dunn, one of the game’s premier sluggers, is in the last year of his contract. The Nationals have said they want to keep him but they have not extended his deal, making him a hot name in trade speculation.
The Nationals’ asking price has remained high — they reportedly want the White Sox to include highly regarded infielder Gordon Beckham in a deal.
Prediction: The Nationals won’t come down enough on their asking price and Dunn stays in Washington, and eventually re-signs.
Prince Fielder, 1B, Brewers
He’s a 26-year-old, lefty-hitting slugger who has Scott Boras as his agent and does not figure to be in Milwaukee when he becomes a free agent after the 2011 season. When Boras goes looking for that megadeal for Fielder, the uber-agent can sell his client’s power — Fielder already has seasons of 50, 46 and 34 homers — but will have to convince clubs that Fielder’s size will not hurt his future. Listed at 5-11 and 270 pounds, Fielder probably is closer to 300, and he never has been a good fielding first baseman.
Prediction: The Brewers hang onto Fielder, for now.
More trade candidates were injured than dealt during the past few days but don’t fret. The moves are coming.
The Angels made a big one Sunday afternoon by dealing for Diamondbacks right-hander Dan Haren. As Saturday’s nonwaiver deadline approaches, look for more clubs to get busy. As White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen says, "The closer it gets, the more talks there will be, the more intense they will be."
Three players rumored to be available could be off the market after being hurt. Royals outfielder David DeJesus broke his right thumb and is out for the season, A’s starter Ben Sheet reinjured his right elbow and missed his scheduled start (and figures to miss more), and Brewers slugger Corey Hart injured his right wrist running into a wall and did not play over the weekend.
One reason for the slow shopping: The asking price for impact players has remained high. Put another way, by the ever-blunt Guillen: "All those general managers out there are crazy for what they’re asking." Count on that to change, too.
Sizing up possibilities for four potential difference-makers:
Roy Oswalt, RHP, Astros
With Cliff Lee landing in Texas and Haren now in Anaheim, Oswalt is the best starting pitcher available. He says he wants to be traded to a contender. Easier said than done: The 32-year-old’s contract, his no-trade protection and the Astros’ demands are proving to be stumbling blocks. Oswalt has told reporters he wants his $16 million option for 2012 guaranteed if he is traded, but has since softened that stance.
The Astros are looking for a starting pitcher to put in their rotation and a young, right-handed hitting first baseman. Oswalt’s No. 1 choice, the Cardinals, might not be able or willing to meet that price. A trade for Oswalt’s teammate, Brett Myers, makes more sense in many ways because Myers is on a one-year contract and has pitched well.
Prediction: The Phillies, hot on Oswalt’s trail last week, end up getting him. The deal, however, will mean the end of Jayson Werth’s time in Philadelphia.
Jayson Werth, OF, Phillies
A scout says Werth has let his impending payday as a free agent affect his play, which has resulted in an up-and-down season in which he often has pressed. Werth is not sure about his future. "I haven’t heard anything," he said the other day. His hitting, meanwhile, has warmed up. He has 10 hits in his past seven games, putting his season numbers at .286/.379/.506.
The Phillies could move the 31-year-old Werth because they are unlikely to meet his asking price next winter (which figures to be more than the $66 million for four years Jason Bay got from the Mets). Prospect Domonic Brown is hitting in Triple-A and playing like he’s ready to assume Werth’s spot in right field.
Prediction: The Phillies move Werth to the Rays, then send the players they receive from Tampa Bay to the Astros for Oswalt.
Adam Dunn, 1B, Nationals
Dunn, one of the game’s premier sluggers, is in the last year of his contract. The Nationals have said they want to keep him but they have not extended his deal, making him a hot name in trade speculation.
The Nationals’ asking price has remained high — they reportedly want the White Sox to include highly regarded infielder Gordon Beckham in a deal.
Prediction: The Nationals won’t come down enough on their asking price and Dunn stays in Washington, and eventually re-signs.
Prince Fielder, 1B, Brewers
He’s a 26-year-old, lefty-hitting slugger who has Scott Boras as his agent and does not figure to be in Milwaukee when he becomes a free agent after the 2011 season. When Boras goes looking for that megadeal for Fielder, the uber-agent can sell his client’s power — Fielder already has seasons of 50, 46 and 34 homers — but will have to convince clubs that Fielder’s size will not hurt his future. Listed at 5-11 and 270 pounds, Fielder probably is closer to 300, and he never has been a good fielding first baseman.
Prediction: The Brewers hang onto Fielder, for now.
A 2-9 West Coast road trip may cost at least one Mets coach his job Monday, and it may also result in a roster shakeup.
New York general manager Omar Minaya on Sunday would not guarantee the coaching staff would be intact when the Mets resume play Tuesday.
"I don’t want to talk about that," Minaya told reporters after Sunday’s 1-0 loss to the Dodgers in Los Angeles. "I feel everybody here is trying hard. I could tell you the staff is trying hard. If you ask me [about] the overall performance that has happened, of course I’m not happy. Nobody is happy.
"Guys are doing the best they can. But we’re going to continue to sit down with Jerry and continue to evaluate how we can get better."
Media speculation is growing that hitting coach Howard Johnson could be on his way out. The Mets were shut out four times during the trip and scored 23 runs in the 11 games.
"We’re going to get back on the plane, me and [manager] Jerry [Manuel], and talk some," Minaya said. "Everything is fair when you have a trip like this. You have to sit down and assess how you’re going to get it right and what needs to be done to get it right. We’re just not going to sit back. All of us are going to work hard, and we are working hard to find a way how to get it straight."
As for who will be playing at Citi Field on Tuesday, FOXSports.com and SI.com report the Mets and Royals may be discussing a multiplayer swap of bad contracts. Both sites report the Royals have interest in right fielder Jeff Francoeur, and that he could be packaged with left-hander Oliver Perez and second baseman Luis Castillo for right-handers Gil Meche and Kyle Farnsworth and right fielder Jose Guillen.
FOX adds the deal might not be a straight 3-for-3 swap and not all of the players being mentioned may be included in the deal. In fact, the New York Daily News reports Kansas City might be interested in Francoeur only if it ships out Guillen in a separate trade to another team.
Sporting News staff reports
A 2-9 West Coast road trip may cost at least one Mets coach his job Monday, and it may also result in a roster shakeup.
New York general manager Omar Minaya on Sunday would not guarantee the coaching staff would be intact when the Mets resume play Tuesday.
"I don’t want to talk about that," Minaya told reporters after Sunday’s 1-0 loss to the Dodgers in Los Angeles. "I feel everybody here is trying hard. I could tell you the staff is trying hard. If you ask me [about] the overall performance that has happened, of course I’m not happy. Nobody is happy.
"Guys are doing the best they can. But we’re going to continue to sit down with Jerry and continue to evaluate how we can get better."
Media speculation is growing that hitting coach Howard Johnson could be on his way out. The Mets were shut out four times during the trip and scored 23 runs in the 11 games.
"We’re going to get back on the plane, me and [manager] Jerry [Manuel], and talk some," Minaya said. "Everything is fair when you have a trip like this. You have to sit down and assess how you’re going to get it right and what needs to be done to get it right. We’re just not going to sit back. All of us are going to work hard, and we are working hard to find a way how to get it straight."
As for who will be playing at Citi Field on Tuesday, FOXSports.com and SI.com report the Mets and Royals may be discussing a multiplayer swap of bad contracts. Both sites report the Royals have interest in right fielder Jeff Francoeur, and that he could be packaged with left-hander Oliver Perez and second baseman Luis Castillo for right-handers Gil Meche and Kyle Farnsworth and right fielder Jose Guillen.
FOX adds the deal might not be a straight 3-for-3 swap and not all of the players being mentioned may be included in the deal. In fact, the New York Daily News reports Kansas City might be interested in Francoeur only if it ships out Guillen in a separate trade to another team.
