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• An early look at the Jarrod Saltalamacchia market

  November 10, 2012 by JonPaulMorosi

  The Boston Red Sox weren’t expected to sign a catcher this offseason but reached agreement Saturday on a two-year, $6.2 million contract with David Ross, as first reported by Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com.

  Now that they’ve done it, the logic is apparent: The Red Sox can trade their most experienced (and most expensive) catcher, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, possibly to obtain the first baseman they covet.

  In fact, an official with another club said Saturday that the Red Sox are willing to consider offers for Saltalamacchia, who hit a career-high 25 home runs last season but batted only .222 in part because of a high strikeout rate. If Boston general manager Ben Cherington trades Saltalamacchia, the Red Sox will use a combination of Ross and 25-year-old Ryan Lavarnway behind the plate.

  The signing of Ross was a savvy move at a time when free-agent catchers are in short supply, particularly relative to the number of clubs looking to upgrade at the position. In Saltalamacchia, the Red Sox now have a highly-marketable trade chip. The Seattle Mariners, Pittsburgh Pirates, New York Mets, Chicago White Sox, New York Yankees, Tampa Bay Rays and Houston Astros are known to be in the catching marketplace. (Of course, it’s doubtful the Red Sox would send Saltalamacchia to a division rival like the Yankees or Rays.)

  The Chicago Cubs, led by the executive (Theo Epstein) who brought Saltalamacchia to Boston, are looking for a long-term catcher. But it is not clear if they have interest in a veteran like Saltalamacchia, given how early they are in a lengthy rebuild.

  The Red Sox have incentive to look for a first baseman via trade, because options via free agency are limited after Adam LaRoche. Or if they trade Saltalamacchia, the Red Sox could sign Mike Napoli — who is primarily a catcher — with the idea that he would play a lot of games at first base.

  — Jon Paul Morosi

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• Indians remain mum on Manny Acta’s status

  September 27, 2012 by JonPaulMorosi

  The Los Angeles Angels and Pittsburgh Pirates have said publicly in recent days that their managers will return next season.

  The Cleveland Indians haven’t made the same pronouncement about manager Manny Acta.

  Asked this week if he had any update concerning Acta’s status with the club, Indians general manager Chris Antonetti said, “We all remained focused on trying to get the most out of the last few days of the season.”

  The Indians actually have done a decent job of that lately, knocking the White Sox out of first place in the American League Central with a series win in Chicago this week.

  Acta is under contract for next season, but the Indians have faded after the All-Star break for a second straight year. Their 21-50 record in the second half is the worst in the American League.

  — Jon Paul Morosi

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• Royals sending mixed signals on Francoeur

  June 23, 2012 by JonPaulMorosi

  The Kansas City Royals' willingness to trade Jeff Francoeur has waxed and waned in recent weeks, according to major league sources.

  "Back and forth, every other week," said an official with another club.

  Francoeur's status will be of particular interest once the Boston Red Sox trade Kevin Youkilis. Four teams — the Pittsburgh Pirates, Chicago White Sox, Cleveland Indians and Los Angeles Dodgers — were known to have interest in Youkilis as of Saturday. Clubs in need of right-handed hitting could turn to Francoeur after Youkilis is off the board.

  It might be difficult for the Royals to move Francoeur in the immediate future, because they opened Saturday only 5-1/2 games out in the American League Central. But the apparent readiness of stud hitting prospect Wil Myers could push Francoeur to the trading block closer to the July 31 nonwaiver trade deadline.

  Francoeur is an elite defender in right field and has World Series experience, having joined the Texas Rangers before their 2010 postseason run. He's known for leadership and an ability to hit left-handed pitching.

  Francoeur is more available than Royals designated hitter Billy Butler, who is on a longer-term contract. One source said Kansas City general manager Dayton Moore would need to receive a "(Zack) Greinke-type" offer in order to move Butler.

  — Jon Paul Morosi

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• Yankees, Pirates still talking A.J.

  February 12, 2012 by KenRosenthal

   

  The Pittsburgh Pirates continue to talk with the New York Yankees about right-hander A.J. Burnett, with most signs pointing to a trade. But as of early Sunday, the two sides were still haggling about the money and players in the deal.

  The Yankees likely will pay $19 million to $23 million of the $33 million remaining on Burnett’s contract and receive multiple minor leaguers in return, according to one source with knowledge of the discussions. Those minor leaguers would not be players on the Pirates’ 40-man roster, the source said.

  For clubs that trade high-salaried players such as Burnett, the more money they include, the better the quality of the players they receive. The sliding scale makes the discussions fluid and capable of changing at any time.

  The Pirates are one of four clubs pursuing Burnett, but one of those clubs is on his 10-team no-trade list, sources say. The Yankees are exploring all possibilities, as are the Pirates. But the Yankees view the Pirates as the partner that “makes the most sense" for Burnett, a source said.

  Burnett, 35, went 11-11 with a 5.15 ERA last season, but his strikeout rate of 8.18 per nine innings would have been the best in the Pirates’ rotation. He also had the 13^th-best groundball rate in the American League – and in a typical Burnett paradox, the second-highest home-run rate.

  -Ken Rosenthal

   

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• Could Pirates land A.J.?

  February 08, 2012 by KenRosenthal

  Hear ye, hear ye: The Pittsburgh Pirates are one team that actually might want to trade for New York Yankees right-hander A.J. Burnett.

  The Pirates clearly want another starting pitcher — they made one-year and three-year offers to Edwin Jackson before the free-agent right-hander signed with the Washington Nationals last week.

  The Pirates also have spoken with the Yankees about Burnett, though those conversations failed to progress and perhaps qualified only as due diligence, major-league sources said.

  Burnett, 35, wants to stay with the Yankees and be their fifth starter, according to a source with knowledge of his thinking. But the Yankees have spent the entire offseason trying to move him, and might be even more motivated to complete a trade as spring training nears.

  The Yankees, according to the New York Post, want to clear money so they can re-sign both free agent infielder Eric Chavez and add a left-handed designated hitter such as Raul Ibanez, Johnny Damon or Hideki Matsui.

  Even a minimal savings on the $33 million left on the final two years of Burnett’s contract would help achieve the team achieve that goal. The Pirates would want the Yankees to pay a significant chunk of Burnett’s remaining salary.

  Burnett’s contract allows him to block trades to 10 clubs, but the Yankees can send him to the Pirates without restriction; Pittsburgh is not one of the teams on his no-trade list, a source said.

  Like most pitchers, Burnett likely would benefit from a move to the NL. He could join a Pirates rotation that already includes right-handers Charlie Morton and James McDonald and lefty Erik Bedard — a rotation that could be reasonably competitive in a division weakened by the defections of Albert Pujols from St. Louis and Prince Fielder from Milwaukee, and the possible suspension of the Brewers’ Ryan Braun for the first 50 games.

  — Ken Rosenthal

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• DeRosa looking for opportunity

  December 02, 2011 by KenRosenthal

  Free-agent infielder Mark DeRosa spoke with Nationals manager Davey Johnson on Thursday night and said he came away encouraged by the conversation.

  The Nationals are one of several teams interested in DeRosa, who missed significant time with the Giants the past two seasons due to a left-wrist injury that required two surgeries.

  DeRosa, 36, said that the Nationals, Rangers, Indians, Pirates all have spoken with his surgeon. He also said that the Giants have expressed interest in bringing him back, even though he did not give them the expected return on a two-year, $12 million free-agent contract.

  He just wants another chance.

  “It’s not like I’m looking for an everyday job, even though (playing) will be my goal going to the yard every day,” DeRosa said Friday.

  “I just think I can be a difference-maker on a team, not only on the field, but in the clubhouse. I’ve been on a lot of winning clubs in my 13 years.

  “I definitely understand the concerns. If it wasn’t for my wrist getting banged up two years ago, I wouldn’t be in this position.”

  DeRosa hit effectively after coming off the disabled list last Aug. 5, batting .367/.439/.388 in 57 plate appearances. He is aware of the large number of modestly skilled infielders that have signed two-year contracts. He believes he still has something to offer.

  “I battled back. I had a great September. I would like the opportunity for my career to continue,” DeRosa said.

  “I just think the story is not finished yet.”

  — Ken Rosenthal

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• Sources: Pirates like Santiago at shortstop

  November 11, 2011 by JonPaulMorosi

  The Pittsburgh Pirates have interest in free-agent Ramon Santiago as a potential everyday shortstop in 2012, major-league sources told FOXSports.com.

  Santiago maintained a .685 OPS for the Detroit Tigers over the past three seasons while averaging roughly 100 games played per year. He’s regarded as a sure-handed defender at second base and shortstop. The 32-year-old has become immensely popular with his teammates in Detroit because of his leadership and confident, easygoing demeanor.

  Santiago became Detroit’s regular second baseman during the postseason this year, batting .289 with two RBI in 10 games.

  The Tigers have a considerable amount of uncertainty with their infield this offseason; the only sure things seem to be that Miguel Cabrera will start at first base and Jhonny Peralta will play shortstop or third.

  — Jon Paul Morosi

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• Sources: At least 5 teams “in play” for Upton

  July 26, 2011 by JonPaulMorosi

  At least five teams are “in play” for Rays outfielder B.J. Upton, major-league sources told FOXSports.com.

  The Indians, Giants, Braves and Pirates are among the suitors, sources say.

  The Royals aren’t seriously pursuing Upton, a source said, because they have prospect Lorenzo Cain in the minor leagues as their likely center fielder of the future. The Pirates and Reds are also looking for outfield bats, but their level of interest in Upton is unclear.

  Meanwhile, the Brewers, Rangers, and Phillies — all of whom are seeking outfielders — aren’t in talks with the Rays about Upton.

  — Jon Paul Morosi and Ken Rosenthal

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• Worth repeating: Beltran must approve any trade

  July 21, 2011 by KenRosenthal

   Here’s one thing to remember about the Carlos Beltran trade discussions — and maybe the most important thing.

  Beltran has the final say.

  Specifically, Beltran and his agent, Scott Boras, can wield the outfielder’s full no-trade clause to effectively choose his next team.

  If Beltran doesn’t want to go to the American League, as some in baseball suspect, he won’t go to the American League.

  Beltran, 34, hasn’t played in the AL since 2004, a season that he started with the Royals and ended with the Astros.

  

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  If he went to an AL team such as the Red Sox and struggled with the change in leagues, he would lose momentum entering free agency.

  On the other hand, Beltran’s value would soar if he went to a team such as the Phillies and continued mashing the more familiar pitching of the NL.

  Other considerations could come into play for Beltran as well.

  If he doesn’t want to play for a low-revenue, mid-market team, he won’t go to the Indians or Pirates.

  And if he would rather play in a hitter-friendly park than a pitching-friendly environment, he might veto the Giants.

  Beltran has not made his intentions known, other than to say that he wants to continue playing the outfield. He could do that with certain AL clubs; the Red Sox, for example, would want him to play in right field.

  The Mets are not concerned about obtaining Beltran’s permission for a deal, sources say; GM Sandy Alderson has had at least one conversation with Boras on the subject.

  It is not known whether Beltran has given the Mets a formal list of teams he would approve. It also is not known whether he will require compensation — a bonus, contract extension or some other inducement — to waive his no-trade protection.

  The bottom line: He can impose any stipulations he wants.

  Remember after the 2009 season, when the Blue Jays traded right-hander Roy Halladay to the Phillies? Halladay had a no-trade clause. He wanted to go to Philadelphia. In the end, the Blue Jays made the best deal they could.

  Maybe Beltran will be more flexible. Maybe he won’t.

  Either way, it’s his call.

  — Ken Rosenthal

   

   

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• Grilli: Coming soon to a team near you

  July 19, 2011 by KenRosenthal

   

  Phillies Triple A right-hander Jason Grilli will be in the majors within the next few days.

   

  Maybe it will be with the Phillies. Maybe it will be with the Pirates or another club.

   

  Grilli, 34, has received at least one major-league offer, and the Pirates are among the teams interested in him, according to major-league sources.

   

  The Phillies, who must decide within three days of a rival offer whether to promote Grilli or allow him to depart as a free agent, are “on the clock,” one source said.

   

  The Pirates are seeking to add an established eighth-inning reliever. Grilli does not fit that description, but would give the team additional bullpen depth.

   

  Pirates manager Clint Hurdle had Grilli with the Rockies in 2008 and ’09 – and Grilli was especially effective in ’08, producing a 2.93 ERA in 51 games.

   

  Grilli missed all of ‘10 recovering from right knee surgery. He signed a minor-league deal with the Phillies that gave him the right to leave for another team on June 1, but was on the disabled list with a right lat strain at that time.

   

  A scout who saw Grilli recently said he was throwing 93 to 95 mph with a power slider.

   

  Grilli is 4-1 with a 1.93 ERA and three saves in 28 games at Triple A.

   

  -Ken Rosenthal

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• Pirates, Rockies interested in Twins’ Slowey

  July 15, 2011 by JonPaulMorosi

  Kevin Slowey’s future with the Minnesota Twins was in question from the moment he failed to make the major-league rotation coming out of spring training.

  Now, it’s looking more likely that he will be dealt prior to the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline.

  The Rockies and Pirates are among the teams showing continued interest in Slowey as he nears the conclusion of a minor-league rehabilitation assignment at Class AAA Rochester, major-league sources told FOXSports.com. Slowey has no record and a 2.45 ERA in two starts for Rochester, with his third outing set for Friday night in Buffalo.

  

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  Slowey, 27, is currently on the disabled list with an abdominal strain, but a source said he is healthy now. He also missed a month earlier this season because of bursitis in his throwing shoulder.

  Slowey is earning $2.7 million this season but hasn’t found a role on the Twins’ big-league roster. He has a smaller build than most right-handed pitchers, and it doesn’t appear that he’s well-suited for relief pitching, which involves throwing back-to-back days.

  The Twins are willing to trade him to a club that would use him as a starter, as long as they receive fair value in return. If they don’t deal him soon, it’s possible that Slowey will simply be kept in the minors on an optional assignment.

  The Blue Jays have had interest in the past, but Slowey’s strike-throwing style is probably a better fit for the National League than the American League, where he has spent his entire career.

  Slowey would probably welcome a trade to Pittsburgh, since he grew up in the area. The right-hander would be a good fit for the Pirates’ near-term and long-term plans, since he’s not due to become a free agent until after the 2013 season.

  Slowey is 39-21 with a 4.43 ERA in 92 career big-league games, all but 10 as a starter.

  — Jon Paul Morosi

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• Sources: Angels were serious about Garrett Jones

  July 11, 2011 by JonPaulMorosi

  The Pirates and Angels engaged in serious talks earlier this season about a trade that would have sent outfielder/first baseman Garrett Jones to Anaheim and catcher Jeff Mathis to Pittsburgh, major league sources told FOXSports.com.

  The discussions fell apart after Pirates officials decided they couldn’t part with Jones’ power bat. Jones hit nine home runs in the first half, second on the team behind All-Star center fielder Andrew McCutchen.

  Although they didn’t come to fruition, the talks reflect how seriously each team is pursuing improvements for a primary area of need.

  The Pirates, with Ryan Doumit and Chris Snyder on the disabled list, would like to upgrade their catching. They’re currently using a tandem of Michael McKenry and Eric Fryer, neither of whom is considered a big league starter. But as the San Francisco Giants have learned following Buster Posey’s season-ending injury, quality catching is hard to find on the midseason trade market. (Mathis, for example, has a career batting average of .199.)

  The Angels, meanwhile, are interested in a left-handed power hitter who could complement rookie Mark Trumbo at first base and fill in at designated hitter and the outfield. The Angels hoped veteran Russell Branyan could fill that role, but he has a meager .522 OPS in 21 games with the team.

  The Angels have the worst OPS against right-handed pitching (.705) of any American League club with a winning record, which highlights their need for increased production from the left side. Vernon Wells, the former All-Star outfielder, batted below .200 against right-handers during the first half.

  — Jon Paul Morosi and Ken Rosenthal

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• Pirates not eager to move Snyder

  April 27, 2011 by KenRosenthal

  One would think the Pirates would be eager to move Chris Snyder, a part-time catcher earning $5.75 million.

  Think again.

  The Pirates like Snyder’s presence, game-calling and receiving ability. Snyder is off to a better offensive start thanks to a dramatic increase in his batting average on balls in play. And the Diamondbacks paid $3 million of the $8.19 remaining on Snyder’s contract when they traded him to the Pirates last July 31.

  Put it all together, and the Pirates’ asking price will be higher than what most teams will be willing to meet for a backup catcher, according to major-league sources.

  Snyder, 30, is among the names on the Red Sox’s potential wish list, along with free agent Bengie Molina and Nationals catcher Ivan Rodriguez, sources say. But the Sox’s interest almost certainly would diminish if the Pirates wanted a significant return.

  The Nats could pose a similar problem with their demands for Rodriguez, who is rapidly losing time to Wilson Ramos. But the Red Sox eventually figure to act on their catching needs. Jarrod Saltalamacchia has struggled both offensively and defensively. Jason Varitek, who has started six of the last 10 games, is only 3-for-30 on the season.

  Snyder batted just .169/.268/.298 in 142 plate appearances after joining the Pirates last season, but his .186 BABIP was a strong indicator that he hit into poor luck.

  His much-improved numbers this season — .333/.387/.407 in 32 plate appearances — reflect, in part, a spike in his BABIP. Of course, Snyder’s current .474 mark will be almost impossible for him to sustain.

  — Ken Rosenthal

   

   

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• Twins make Slowey available, but where will he go?

  March 23, 2011 by JonPaulMorosi

  The Minnesota Twins have chosen Scott Baker over Kevin Slowey as their No. 5 starter, and sources say they are willing to trade Slowey for a late-inning reliever.

  But even with Slowey’s success last season — 13-6 with a 4.45 ERA — the Twins don’t appear to have an abundance of trade options.

  

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  The ideal trade partner would (a) need a right-handed starter and (b) be able to deal from a surplus of major league-caliber relievers. Right now, few (if any) teams match that description.

  Two clubs that are looking for a starting pitcher — the Milwaukee Brewers and Seattle Mariners — are also short on relievers.

  Teams that could or will be without starters on Opening Day — the Cardinals (Adam Wainwright), Dodgers (Jon Garland), Blue Jays (Brandon Morrow) and White Sox (Jake Peavy) — seem inclined to go with internal options.

  Slowey, who has a career 4.41 ERA in the American League, should be an appealing target for National League teams with young rotations. But officials from the Arizona Diamondbacks and Pittsburgh Pirates say they aren’t actively looking for major-league starters via trade.

  The Toronto Blue Jays have been mentioned this spring as a possible trade partner for the Twins, but the teams don’t have an easy fit right now. The Blue Jays aren’t in position to part with relievers, with Frank Francisco and Octavio Dotel possibly starting the season on the disabled list.

  The Twins are looking to fortify their middle relief after a number of off-season departures, including Jesse Crain, Matt Guerrier, Jon Rauch and Brian Fuentes. Team officials have been impressed by Carlos Gutierrez and Kyle Waldrop in camp this spring, but neither has pitched in the majors.

  Slowey became more expendable with the rapid rise of right-hander Kyle Gibson, who was ranked among the top 40 prospects in the game by Baseball America this spring.

  When asked this week about the likelihood of using Gibson, 23, in the majors this year, Twins general manager Bill Smith said, “We’ll see how things go. He’s only pitched one year in the minor leagues. He was very successful. He was our minor-league pitcher of the year. He needs to get stretched out. He’s going to start in the minor leagues. When we need help, we try and go get the best guy.”

  — Jon Paul Morosi and Ken Rosenthal

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• Blue Jays, Pirates, Rays interested in Dotel

  December 22, 2010 by JonPaulMorosi

  The Toronto Blue Jays are still in pursuit of free-agent right-hander Octavio Dotel, and the Pittsburgh Pirates and Tampa Bay Rays are also involved, a major league source told FOXSports.com.

  Dotel pitched for the Pirates, Colorado Rockies and Los Angeles Dodgers this year and made 68 relief appearances – his second-highest total since 2004. So, it’s not surprising that Pittsburgh is interested in bringing him back.

  Meanwhile, the Rays and Blue Jays have seen their respective bullpens depleted by free agency. Neither team has an established closer. That could explain why Dotel, who recorded 22 saves this year, is appealing to them.

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