Rumor Mill Roundup: July 27

With the trade deadline right around the corner, our MLB editor brings you the top five rumors every day until July 31.

- The elephant in the room four days from the trade deadline is Manny Ramirez, who once again is on shaky ground in Boston. In a perfect world, the Red Sox would love to rid themselves of the near-constant headache that Ramirez provides. In practice, they are still very much in the hunt for their third World Series in five years and would need to replace his production in step with any deal. That makes the completion of any trade unlikely in the next few days.

Joel Sherman and Mike Puma of the New York Post run down the potential list of suitors for Ramirez, and because of Boston's desire to ship him out of the American League, it is a very short one. The Dodgers, Diamondbacks, Mets and Phillies are the teams with both the need and the financial wherewithal to pick up the tab for Ramirez's $20 million deal. Because the left fielder has 10-5 rights (10 years in the league, five with the same team) he can veto any deal the Red Sox put together. That leads Sherman and Puma to conclude that Ramirez would only accept a deal to Philadelphia, where he would be reunited with manager Charlie Manuel, who was his hitting coach in Cleveland.

- And what of the Rays? The Yankees have gotten stronger already, and could add Jarrod Washburn or another pitcher at any moment. The Red Sox are embroiled in the latest Manny drama, but are more likely to improve from within. Tampa Bay has been pretty quiet, but they are out there looking for upgrades in the form of a right-handed outfield bat and bullpen depth. With Xavier Nady and Casey Blake off the market, the team may look internally for a right-handed bat, with the rehabbing Rocco Baldelli a possibility. That leaves the club looking to trade for a left-handed reliever with Brian Fuentes at the top of the Rays' list, with Arthur Rhodes, Jack Taschner, Will Ohman and Ron Mahay as backup options.

- The Braves are inching closer to moving Mark Teixeira, and, according to Carroll Rogers of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, are looking to acquire an immediate replacement for him at first base. Rogers lists Kevin Youkilis of the Red Sox, Casey Kotchman of the Angels, James Loney of the Dodgers and Conor Jackson of the Diamondbacks as potential targets, but unlike Teixeira, none of those players will be free agents after the season. Atlanta will probably need to aim lower -- for top prospects -- if it truly wants to get a trade done before July 31.

- The Twins and Cardinals are two of the biggest surprise contenders in 2008, but that doesn't mean either team is going to get a significant upgrade. Both clubs have the farm systems to improve, but are reluctant to sacrifice their long-term visions for a short-term boost. Minnesota is looking for offensive help at third base, which has been a problem position for them for multiple seasons, but is balking at the cost in dollars and prospects for someone like Hank Blalock or Adrian Beltre. St. Louis could use pitching help, but believes the return of Adam Wainwright and Chris Carpenter will be a bigger boost than any trade it could make right now.

- The Yankees are expected to add Jarrod Washburn at any moment, but if that deal were to fall through for some reason, and it is fragile because of the big money involved, they could go after Kansas City's Brian Bannister as a fallback option.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

7-27-2008 @ 4:38PM

Orange Chuck said...

As a Mets fan, I know I would be more then happy to see him in a Mets uniform. He is genuinely worth a top prospect and a player if we have one Boston would want. I would hate to trade Tatis as good as he has been but for Manny, I would or maybe Boston wants Pedro back.

7-27-2008 @ 5:24PM

zinn757 said...

Enough already about this clown,all he does is show the wroung side of baseball. Maybe he just needs to be knocked-out,but someone will pick him up,Manny would have never made it,in the days of Gibson,Dresdale's and other pithers who didn't like the showboat gang.Yes,he would fit right in with the Mets n Reyes,there wouldn't be enough mustard in the park to keep these guys covered.

7-27-2008 @ 7:26PM

Rob said...

Trading Manny just because he's a jerk? Interesting concept, but with the Yankees making a move to buy another World Series, trading an otherwise productive player seems kind of foolish. I think it's time to get rid of Wakefield and Varitek. Yeah, I know Wakefield's a knuckleballer, but face it: he's old, and doesn't have command, speed, or movement like he used to. Varitek has been an outstanding asset for the Sox, but the years of catching have finally taken their toll. Tek should start looking around MLB for a coaching role. I'm sure there will be plenty of teams (hopefully, one of which being the Sox) happy to have him aboard. I think we can put up with Manny for a few more years, providing he helps to keep the Yankees out of the post-season.

7-27-2008 @ 8:15PM

Ny Tony said...

I see when the Yanks get a player because a starer is out for the season. It's buying another Series Huh. Only a Beaner would see it that way. Least we don't spend 50 Mill. just to talk
for player. D-K real smart move.

7-27-2008 @ 8:29PM

Gail said...

I can understand why Mannys upset. If he says his knee hurts then I'd say it hurts. To heck with MRI's. Can't count how many times, personally, tests showed nothing. Take him for his word. Manny is a superb player and I think he's extremely likeable. Not everyone agrees. So what. Like a master painter, he's emotional. He delivers and people like him. They really, really like him.

8-15-2008 @ 3:54PM

Tom said...

Hey # 4 that 50 mil also was incorporated into his salary. They didnt spend that money just to talk to him

7-28-2008 @ 12:17AM

George B Vieto said...

If I were the Red Sox I would trade Manny Ramirez to another team in the National League so he can practice his circus clown skills out of Boston and don't disgrace the Red Sox leagcy of left fielders like Carl Yastrzemski and the late Ted Williams. His time is Boston is running short.

7-28-2008 @ 12:52AM

kevin said...

Manny needs to come home to the pinstripes in the Bronx , where i can guarantee you he will not be a problem. cause when your home you always feel good about your self & your life . also i can almost say he will agree with the rules of the clubhouse without hesitation. Manny love's the Yankees & they love to have him play for them .

7-28-2008 @ 5:28AM

MIKE said...

"TAMPA BAY RAYS, WINNING THE AL EAST, WITH "OLD SCHOOL" BASEBALL" The Rays are the surprise of the Major League Baseball Season, to date, but how they are leading one of (if not) the toughest division, is riddled in past history. The Rays bring on a style, comparable to the World Series Champs and Playoff Teams, with defensive prowess and speed from the mid-1970's to mid-80's.

"Speed kills" and it is also the ultimate weapon, in major league baseball. Some teams are not built for the "chicks dig the long ball," way to win. Yet, they still win with speed, team play, and "small ball." Going into the MLB season, this year (in the AL East), the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees were to do battle until the death. Then possibly the other would be the "wild card" team (with just a small shot at the Blue Jays, in the East, being any kind of problem). However, the Tampa Bay Rays are the best team in the East, and the Red Sox and Yankees are playing catch up.

The last team to look like this and go to the playoffs (and ultimately lose in the World Series) was the St. Louis Cardinals (1985). They were a team of pieces to a puzzle, solid pitching (not a staff full of aces), dominate defense, and HUGE amounts of speed. Through the whole 1985 regular season, here is a map of the Cardinals way of winning. Focusing on steals, batting average and on base percentage (as only Jack Clark (22) hit more than 20 home runs, for the whole year).

1985 St. Louis Cardinals
Pos. Players Stolen Bases Avg. OB%

2B Tom Herr 31 .309 .379

3B Terry Pendleton 17 .240 .289

SS Ozzie Smith 31 .276 .355

LF Vince Coleman 110 .267 .320
CF Willie McGee 56 .353 .384
RF Andy Van Slyke 34 .259 .335
OF Lonnie Smith 12 .260 .377

2008 Tampa Bay Rays (1/2 way thru the season)
Pos.--Players-- Stolen Bases-- Avg.-- OB%

3B Evan Longoria 6 .276 .353
INF Akinori Iwamura 5 .275 .351
SS Jason Bartlett 18 .258 .302
OF Carl Crawford 23 .267 .308
OF B. J. Upton 30 .269 .378
INF Eric Hinske 7 .254 .344
OF Johnny Gomes 8 .195 .308

Playing out the final half of the season, aside from Vince Coleman's 110 (massive amount) of steals, there will be a very close comparison, to the Cardinals of 1985. Scott Kazmir is a solid and sometimes dominate pitcher, but aside from him, there is not a set of three starters, needed for playoffs wins. There is not a huge presence in the middle of the lineup, that is going to bring 3-4-5 hitters, that strikes fear in pitchers, changing a game with three swings, either. Yet, the Rays are the best team, in maybe the best division in baseball. Only certain fans and real hard-core fantasy players may see a big correlation to the '85 Cardinals. However, play out the rest of the season (according to first half stats, for the Rays). There will be three players stealing over 36 bases and another set (4 players) stealing close to 20+ bases.

The 1985 Cardinals (like the Rays) also had defense, just in the outfield, Willie McGee (CF and batting champ), Coleman (LF), Slyke (RF had a hose, and in his prime was a five tool player). Ozzie Smith, a hall of famer and "The Wizard" at shortstop, Tommy Herr (.993 fielding percentage) and Pendleton at third was a very solid player, defensively (having a 15+ year career). Looking at the Rays defense, they are in the exact same position. The team's outfielders can flat out fly and get any ball hit. Bartlett at short, is not an Ozzie Smith (but who is), makes every routine play and sometimes the spectacular. Evan Longoria and Iwamura are rookies, but field their respective positions and play above their rookie status, day in and day out.

It is way to early to see what the Rays will do, having a one game lead, going into this week and playing in the division they do. However, they are in good company, with some of the older teams in baseball's great past, like the '85 Cards, '82 Cards, 75 Reds, 85 Royals (even). Where they go from here, will mainly be decided by picking up some pitching, getting a little luck, but mainly stealing bases, playing fundamentally sound baseball and using their speed, speed, speed!

From DMAN, at TheThoughtSpigot.com
http://thethoughtspigot.com/
"Where the news, sports, politics, and public opinion collide in one site"

7-28-2008 @ 9:33AM

Wilson said...

The Rays are doing great, and i really love the team, their chances are great in winning the AL East. Sometimes they make me angry at them for the way they lose some games they could have won with ease, and i have stated some raw things about them, but they are my team. It will be one battle for the rest of the season, but the Rays chances are just as good or better than Boston, or the Yanks. RAYS O8.

7-28-2008 @ 10:01AM

david said...

I have the solution. Trade Manny for Bret Favre.

7-28-2008 @ 12:12PM

Jerry said...

I say let manny be manny for the sox's were he continues to be a self centered player who loves himself and nobody else. We don't need him in NY we have enough fat heads on the team already who decide when they really want to play the game we all love! But time is moving fast and its time to put up or shut up! Go Yankees!!!!!!!!!!!

7-28-2008 @ 12:57PM

matt said...

Manny's received 20 million dollars a year for 8 years and HE'S trashing them??????? Just like Pedro going out the door.........EGO over common sense and appreciation, How about the sox management holding their tongue when he looked at three Mariano fastballs without the slightest hint of swinging. Thanks for the 2 World Series victories. You gave us your best years........Adios Amigo!!!!!!!!

7-28-2008 @ 1:33PM

jimbo said...

We dont want a crybaby like him in St.Louis. Nothing but a cancer in the clubhouse. I'm pretty sure LaRussa would want him, he's lobbyed to get Bonds. But the fans here wouldn't put up with his pouting ways.At least I hope they wouldn't. Let him stay on the East coast, those fans will tolerate his childish ways.

7-28-2008 @ 5:21PM

Tim said...

Hey, I'll take Manny with his 12 year old head and ego on my team any day.

7-31-2008 @ 10:23AM

dave said...

the red sox will be a bettter team with out manny insteed of putting up with every year with manny being manny they have a young outfielder ellsbury that will fit right in to leftfield plus he has speed unlike manny who is a dirt train but manny has a good bat and arm got to give credit the way he plays that wall but enough is enough time to ship him out