Tagged: Adrian Gonzalez
No movement on Gonzalez and Bell for Padres …
With less than an hour before the 4 p.m. ET trade deadline it’s looking more and more like San Diego first baseman Adrian Gonzalez might be staying put.
The Red Sox have moved on, trading for Cleveland catcher Victor Martinez for some players who might have been in the Gonzalez deal had their been one.
FOXSports is reporting the Dodgers might have interest in Gonzalez and/or Bell, though Bell might be the easier piece to move.
The Angels, who have some players who intrigue the Padres — possibly second baseman Howie Kendrick — could be another fit for Bell.
A week ago, Padres general manager Kevin Towers said that if nothing got done this week he would have a better idea of what he might get in return for Gonzalez and Bell if the team should decide to move either player in the off-season.
From all the reports out there, it sounds like Towers asked for the moon for Gonzalez and Bell, two players he doesn’t have to move by any means.
We’ll know more in less than an hour, but don’t be surprised if Gonzalez stays put. The same could be said for Bell, though the team could move the All-Star closer a lot easier.
— Corey Brock
Marlins targeting lefty bat
Speculation among players inside the Marlins’ clubhouse on Thursday had Adrian Gonzalez possibly coming to Florida as part of a blockbuster trade.
By early evening, reports surfaced that the Marlins were pursuing Nick Johnson.
The common theme in both possible trade scenarios is the Marlins are looking for a left-handed hitting, strong fielding first baseman. It also didn’t go unnoticed that Jorge Cantu was taking ground balls at third base before the Marlins played the Braves on Thursday night.
Cantu, who was Florida’s third baseman last year, has played exclusively at first base this season.
As of Friday morning, it appears the Marlins no longer are in the bidding for Padres closer Heath Bell. MLB.com’s Jonathan Mayo has learned the Marlins are out of the bidding for the hard-throwing right-hander.
The Marlins are inquiring about a number of possible trades before Friday’s 4 p.m. ET non-waiver trade deadline. Chances are about 50/50 that something gets done.
Johnson appears to be the most realistic option. The Marlins are believed to be willing to trade either Ryan Tucker or Aaron Thompson to the Nationals. Both pitchers were first round picks in 2005.
It’s a matter of whether the Nationals would agree on the players in return to complete the deal.
Tucker, a hard-throwing right-hander, is at Triple-A New Orleans. Thompson, a lefty, is at Double-A Jacksonville.
The asking price for Gonzalez is higher. San Diego reportedly is seeking top prospect Mike Stanton and Cameron Maybin. Another rumored trade on Thursday had the Padres seeking Stanton, Maybin and pitcher Andrew Miller for Gonzalez and Bell.
Stanton, 19, is a 6-foot-5 right fielder regarded as one of the top overall prospects in baseball. A National League scout on Thursday said Stanton is another Dave Winfield, and he regards him as one of the top five prospects in all of baseball.
That scout added he wouldn’t trade Stanton. The Marlins don’t seem to be interested in moving Stanton at any cost. His name also came up in an inquiry for Toronto ace Roy Halladay.
— Joe Frisaro
Buchholz is the bait
If the Red Sox are going to pull off a blockbuster trade by Friday’s deadline to land one of the marquee players they have targeted — Roy Halladay, Victor Martinez, Adrian Gonzalez or Cliff Lee — it stands to reason that Clay Buchholz is probably going to have to be included.
Knowing this, Buchholz took the hill for the Sox on Tuesday night for the last time before the deadline and seemed unfazed by the circumstances. He allowed nine hits over 5 2/3 innings, but just two runs. Buchholz would have gotten the win if not for the implosion of the bullpen.
After the game, he seemed unfazed by his name continually churning in the rumor mill. Perhaps this is because Buchholz has been the subject of rumors at this time of year for three seasons in a row.
“Those are things that you can’t control and I’m a firm believer in doing the things that you can do to help a team win and not really think about anything else,” Buchholz said. “It doesn’t matter what I want or what I say, it’s what the organization needs. So i just let it go in one ear and out the other until somebody in here tells me something about it. I really don’t pay any attention to it.”
Yahoo Sports! reported Tuesday that the Red Sox made a couple of proposals to the Jays for Halladay that included Buchholz. However, Blue Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi told the Web site that he is still not close to a deal.
“Nothing is close,” Ricciardi said. “Nothing is happening.”
In the meantime, enticing highly-touted prospects around the league like Buchholz will have to wait another few days before being sure of their fate.
— Ian Browne
Padres holding onto Gonzalez, Bell … for now
Here’s a story that will be up live on MLB.com and Padres.com today.
WASHINGTON – Padres general manager Kevin Towers said he is getting a “ton of calls” from other teams regarding the availability of Adrian Gonzalez and Heath Bell, though he’s still opposed to making a deal involving either player.
Towers is a never-say-never kind of guy, which means he won’t come out and simply state that the Padres won’t deal Gonzalez or Bell, but at this point he’s not inclined to move his first baseman and closer as the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline nears.
“You’re always need to listen, but it would have to be the right deal,” Towers said.
Towers wouldn’t go into specifics but stated that he’s held conversations with several opposing general managers in recent weeks about the two All-Stars. Unless Towers is floored by a proposal, Gonzalez and Bell aren’t going anywhere.
“I’m actually getting more calls on Heath than Adrian,” Towers said. “That’s because most clubs are looking for strength in the bullpen.”
Towers said the conversations he’s had with other teams could prove valuable if during the offseason the Padres reconsider moving Gonzalez or Bell.
“If nothing happens, it’s useful in the offseason,” Towers said.
The Padres, who have already traded outfielder Scott Hairston and reliever Cla Meredith this month, might still make a deal or two before July 31.
“I could see a couple of smaller deals,” Towers said.
— Corey Brock
Trade Talk 