Tagged: Nick Johnson
Marlins not expected to deal
Barring some last-minute wheeling and dealing, the Marlins are not expected to swing a trade by the 4 p.m. ET deadline.
A source told MLB.com that the Marlins were not expected to complete a trade by the non-waiver deadline.
Florida had been talking with the Nationals about first baseman Nick Johnson. A possible deal would have included Triple-A right-hander Ryan Tucker. When the Nationals also sought Double-A Jacksonville lefty Aaron Thompson, the deal fell through.
Earlier on Friday, the Marlins ended their pursuit of Padres closer Heath Bell. The asking price was either Sean West or Andrew Miller.
— Joe Frisaro
Rockies hanging onto prospects
Rockies GM Dan O’Dowd said yesterday he doubts the team will make a deal, even though it could use one more bullpen lefty. Sometimes, a GM saying nothing will happen is a guarantee something will. Then again, sometimes he says it because, well, nothing will happen.
ESPN’s Jayson Stark reported today that the Rockies have thus far refused the Orioles’ requests for two prospects — first speedy second baseman Eric Young Jr., then left-hander Matt Reynolds. Young seems useful as a baserunning threat in September. Some have speculated that Reynolds, who has been dominant at Class A Modesto and Double-A Tulsa, could help the Rockies this year.
But Stark reports that the teams continue to talk.
One report had the Rockies interested in Nationals first baseman Nick Johnson as a lefty bat off the bench, but ESPN’s Peter Gammons is reporting the Marlins are moving closer to acquiring him.
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
O’Dowd thinks nothing will happen, but he’s tryng
Talked with Rockies general manager Dan O’Dowd who said he doesn’t expect to land a lefty reliever or make any other deals before Friday afternoon’s deadline. But FoxSports.com’s Tracy Ringolsby is reporting that the Rockies, in addition to continuing their pursuit of Orioles lefty reliever Mark Hendrickson, are attempting to get Nick Johnson from the Natoinals as a lefty bat off the bench.
Trade Talk 