he Devil Rays' Ty Wigginton seems to be in more trade rumors than any other player. One wonders whether the price paid by the Brewers for reliever Scott Linebrink (three lefty pitching prospects ranked in Baseball America's Top 30) has made Wigginton inadequate compensation in exchange for a reliever. Could a Scott Procter be worth more than Wigginton?
Major league sources also have confirmed the Sox have interest in Texas first baseman Mark Teixeira; White Sox right fielder Jermaine Dye; Oakland outfielder Bobby Kielty, who was recently designated for assignment; and Dodgers third base prospect Andy LaRoche, who has been hot in Triple A Las Vegas, a team the Red Sox' Allard Baird has been scouting.
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Interesting, previously unmentioned players come to light courtesy of the St. Louis Dispatch - OF Juan Encarnacion and closer Jason Isringhausen. I'm not sure Encarnacion will draw much interest thanks to his non-existent on-base skills and the remaining two years and $10MM on his contract, but Isringhausen would immediately become to best reliever on the market. With a 2008 club option for $8MM, he may be worth the everyday postion player the Royals believe they can/should get for Octavio Dotel.
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The Pirates beat writers at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette have provided another doozy. After reporting the Pirates asked for Troy Glaus from the Blue Jays for Jack Wilson, today they tie Damaso Marte to Dodgers 3B prospect Andy LaRoche. While I wouldn't do it, you have to wonder whether Giants-itis will bite Dodgers' GM Ned Colletti and "compel" him to accept two of the three players mentioned for LaRoche.
Los Angeles has a wealth of young players it is open to discussing, among them third baseman Andy LaRoche, brother of the Pirates' Adam LaRoche.
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The Denver Post mentions the Tigers were looking at Rockies' AAA corners, 1B Josh Koshansky and 3B Ian Stewart. Given the Rockies reaction the the White Sox request for Stewart and LP Franklin Morales for Jose Contreras, one has to wonder what the Tigers would offer for either player. Given the high regard of both Rockies' prospects, the Tigers would have to be offering a key piece off their World Series-contendot club. That seems unlikely.
Reports continue to surface in Boston that the Red Sox are still interested in Todd Helton. However, Helton, who has a no-trade clause in his contract, told The Denver Post during the offseason that he probably would reject any midseason trade. With the Rockies still in the hunt in the NL West, a Helton trade seems highly unlikely.
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To wrap-up with the point-of-view of the Atlanta papers to the Mark Teixeira rumor reported by the Dallas one last night, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution guesses Jo jo Reyes is unlikely to be the pitching prospect mentioned. It does report the Braves would prefer closer Eric Gange or lefty C.J. Wilson (Chipper speaks and Braves management listens!) while the Texas would rahter part with 36-year-old lefty Ron Mahay. No kidding.
The Rangers also could demand shortstop prospect Elvis Andrus in an expanded trade that might bring back a relief pitcher from the Rangers' well-stocked bullpen. The Braves would like to land left-hander C.J. Wilson or closer Eric Gagne, but Texas would rather part with lefty Ron Mahay, 36.Jarrod Saltalamacchia and a pitching prospect to the Rangers, though it seems unlikely they would part with top prospect Jo-Jo Reyes.
The Rangers also could demand shortstop prospect Elvis Andrus in an expanded trade that might bring back a relief pitcher from the Rangers' well-stocked bullpen. The Braves would like to land left-hander C.J. Wilson or closer Eric Gagne, but Texas would rather part with lefty Ron Mahay, 36.