Pre-deadline Deals

Proposed Deals

The following deals have already been proposed to owners. Some have been shelved until the ratings arrive. Others are just awaiting response.

Bobby Abreu

I have offered the Tigers Coco Crisp and the first round selection for Bobby Abreu. He said he was intersted depending on the defensive ratings. I suspect Abreu should be FR or less in CF, and Crisp should be VG or EX. That bodes well for this deal. If completed, it would give us a dominant #3 hitter with unlimited plate apps who is in the prime of his career.

Looks like this deal is dead. Here was his offer: Your first round pick, Coco Crisp, and Scott Kazmir for Bobby Abreu, John Buck and Jarrod Washburn. That doesnt sound close to me.

Aubrey Huff

I believe this deal to be dead.

Manny Ramirez

I have offered Josh Beckett and choice of Milton Bradley or Luis Gonzalez for Manny Ramirez and John Smoltz. This deal is a potential blockbuster. Manny would be huge between Pujols and Hafner, and it would push the offense to the next level. Smoltz is better now, though nearing the end. The team gets much older but has greatly increased star power and a fearsome offense. He responded that he is considering it. He likes Beckett a lot and has made offers for him in the past.

He has not returned the last couple of emails. I think this deal is still possible, albeit at the draft. I think it becomes even more possible if Manny ends up away from the Sox, as is currently rumored.

He has decided against this deal. I am going to try the Torii Hunter angle.

Torii Hunter

Technically this belongs in the potential deals because it hasnt been offered, but it is related to this one here. If he decides against the Manny deal I would like to offer the same deal with Gonzalez on our side and Hunter instead of Manny. Its not the same kind of blockbuster, but Hunter is a great defensive player who is improving offensively and is younger. Its potentially even better for the team.

Chad Bradford

I offered Todd Linden and Mike Morse for Chad Bradford. I like Linden's talent but he would be hard to protect, and Bradford had a great year but is just a journeyman. This could help having another reliever in the fold.

Justin Verlander

Our best pitcher is Kazmir, who in many ways is similar to Verlander (age etc). Verlander has more starts, and will be an EX hold. He is also very stacked vs one side, which limits his playoff value. Kazmir is reasonable vs both sides, but even though he is left handed he will probably be FR or PR hold. He has a much better strikeout pitch, even though Verlander throws harder. The Mets park really favors lefties too, so this is in our favor. I prefer my best pitcher to be a right hander (and I question Kazmir's size), which is why I would offer one of the extra outfielders (Bradley or Gonzalez) and Kazmir for Verlander. If this doesnt work, Dave Bush could be another option.

Gary Matthews

The Mets are an outstanding young team with a lot of players on the rise, yet they arent quite there this season. I am thinking of offering Coco Crisp for Gary Matthews. Its a great upgrade this year, and I have liked Matthews for a long time.

He has responded in a positive way to this suggestion. If CF becomes a need, this is a better option than Patterson, but at a higher cost.

Dave Bush

I am now thinking of offering Coco Crisp and Scott Kazmir for Dave Bush and Gary Matthews.

Chipper Jones

I have had repeated conversations with Rob about Chipper Jones. Id like to get a real 3B.

Jake Westbrook

Rob and I have talked about a possible Maddux and Bradley for Westbrook and something deal. Depending on the something, it could be ok. Its a slight downgrade today, but a big upgrade in the future, unless Bradley really breaks out. I would like this something else to be Rich Aurilia or something of that comparable value to make this worthwhile.

Rob is no longer interested in Maddux. I have asked him what he thinks of a Kazmir and Penny for Westbrook and Lackey deal.

Rob has made this offer: Lackey, Westbrook, Clemens, Chipper, Aurilia, Benoit, Howry for Beckett, Kazmir, Hafner, STL #1 pick. I dont see any reason to do this deal.

Johnny Damon

This deal was declined.

Jason Schmidt

The team needs an ace, and Florida is probably a .500 team. A deal involving Kazmir for Schmidt could help us both, especially if Dave Roberts can somehow be in the deal too.

I no longer want to trade Kazmir unless its a really stellar deal. I would like to get Schmidt, but it would need to be similar to what I have offered for Pedro. He has responded that he would trade Schmidt for a package of young players. I am wondering if maybe Schmidt and D Roberts could be had for the first rounder.

I opened discussions with Florida about possibly sending Penny and Bradley for Schmidt and Roberts. If this doesnt work there are two possibilities, Crisp and Penny (option #1), or Kazmir (option #2) for Schmidt and Roberts. I would much rather trade Penny and stuff than let Kazmir go, for one thing Schmidt-Kazmir-Maddux is a solid playoff 1-2-3. Fortifying with Pedro would make the rotation nice, and would allow Beckett to be left off the playoff roster.

I made the second offer, Kazmir for Schmidt and Roberts. I dont expect it to happen, but if it does it fills some holes. He responded that he is interested but doesnt like including Roberts as well in the deal. I said he can also have Todd Linden, which will improve his age situation. I look forward to this deal, I think we can make it happen.

This deal looks dead. The only remaining possibility is Penny and Crisp for Schmidt and Roberts. I just dont know how much that helps the team.

I just asked Florida if they would consider this post protected list deal: Kazmir, Crisp and a 10th rounder for Schmidt, Roberts and Helms. This deal helps even more, and I think Chip might like it.

Taps. This deal has died.

Corey Patterson

The Royals have agreed in priciple to a deal involving Bradley and a choice for Patterson and a choice a few rounds later. If CF turns out to be a problem, this is a makeable deal.

Pedro Martinez

I have begun discussions with Seattle about Pedro. He is most interested in draft picks. I am not willing to trade the #1 for Pedro unless significant other compensation is also included. I have told him I would give the first non-first round pick I have plus a good player or the first two non-first round picks for Pedro. He would be ace quality and has 5 playoff starts.

The Pedro discussion has resumed. He again asked about the 1st rounder, but I dont want to trade it for Pedro unless I get significant other compensation. Players I would consider as significant that could be included are Michael Barrett or Morgan Ensberg. Maybe Bradley can be traded for Pedro.

Steve's offer: I'll give you RH SP P Martinez, CF A Rowand, RH RP D Wheeler and LH RP B Fuentes for your choice of SP B Penny or SP A J Burnett and OF C Crisp or OF M Bradley.

This is a good offer that makes sense. I am going to amend it to this as a first pass: Penny, Bradley and Cabrera for Martinez, Rowand and Guillen. If that doesnt fly I will ask for his choice of Guillen or Peralta instead of Rowand.

Ivan Rodriguez

Dennis has posted another one of those ads like everyone else, and he is advertising Pudge and Millwood, if they could be had for Beckett, I think the value is right to make the deal. Dennis is not interested in Beckett. I have asked about getting Prior. He has responded that he wants Maddux and something for Prior. That doesnt make any sense for this team. Looks like this is a dead end.

I just made a new offer involving Kazmir, Linden and Lieberthal for Pudge and Millwood. Its a long shot, but worthwhile if accepted. Dennis indicated that he thought it was a fair offer but he likes Pudge too much still to do it.

Raul Ibanez

Steve wants a right handed OF with numbers, and Alou is certainly that. If I can trade Alou and a guy that is on the cutting block for Ibanez, that helps a lot. Its nice having Alou because he hits both sides well, but Ibanez has so many plate apps and is dominating vs right, which is more important. Lets see what he says.

Looks like his primary need is pitching so he is not going to make a deal until he gets a P.

Marcus Thames

Alou is a very similar player to Thames except much older. If a couple of holes could be filled for Atlanta, maybe such a swap makes sense. I can see sending either Jamie Walker or Mike Lieberthal plus Alou for Thames. Heck, worst case is send both. The only downside is that Lieberthal would then not be eligible to be called back, or in the draft at all for that matter.

He responded that he thought this was a fair deal but he wants to trade Thames for a CF.

Jorge Posada

I am considering offering the 1st rounder or Josh Beckett for Posada and Kenny Rogers. Both are very usable and old. The problem is I certainly dont want two left handed starters, and the trade of Kazmir has been much more difficult than anticipated. I guess if this is made I can send Kaz straight up for Schmidt, since I am pretty sure he would do that. Its a tough decision.

Juan Pierre

I have been talking to Sid today and it turns out he is discussing Brian Schneider with Chip. I told him if he can get Jason Schmidt, I would send him Kazmir (who he really likes) and Crisp for Schmidt and Pierre, and if its after protected lists are in I would include a mid round pick as well. That would help a lot.

I just told him I would give him Crisp and a 6th rounder for Pierre and an 11th rounder once the protected lists are in. He is interested.