Trade Rumor - Baseball Wiretap
Cubs Deny Bradley-For-Wells Talks
The Cubs are strongly denying that they have discussed trading Milton Bradley to the Blue Jays for Vernon Wells.
However, Chicago has admitted to discussing potential trades with Toronto.
Bradley had two years left on his contract at $21.5 million.
Wells has five years left at $98 million, including $23 million each in the last two years of the contract.
Wells To Cubs?
A possible trade between the Blue Jays and Cubs involving Vernon Wells and Milton Bradley reportedly "has legs."
"It's early on, but we think this one has some legs," a Cubs official told the Toronto Sun. "But they aren't the only team we are talking with."
Bradley, who was suspended by the Cubs near the end of the season, has two years and $21 million left on his contract.
Wells has an unsightly six years and $107 million remaining on his deal, including the final $8.5 million portion of his signing bonus.
Padres Pump Season Tickets Without Gonzalez
The Padres sent out a season ticket brochure for 2010 recently that doesn't have a single picture of first baseman Adrian Gonzalez.
619Sports.net wondered on Friday whether the absence of Gonzalez in the literature was intentional as his name continues to come up in trade rumors.
Trade Market For Hermedia Materializes
The Marlins are hoping to trade Jeremy Hermedia this winter.
Some teams believed to be interested in Hermida are the Mariners, Rays, Mets and Blue Jays, with the Cubs also being a possibility depending on what happens with Milton Bradley.
Matthews Wants To Be Traded Or Released
Gary Matthews Jr. wants the Angels to either trade or release him this winter.
Matthews, who has two years and $23 million left on his contract, wants to go where he will play everyday.
"I don't expect to be back; it's time to move on," Matthews told the Los Angeles Times. "I'm ready to play for an organization that wants me to play every day. This organization has other plans, and that's OK."
Matthews requested a trade last March and again around the All-Star break but did not make his demands public.
"There were things bigger than my situation," he said, "and that was this team trying to win a championship."
Source: Mets Won't Consider Dealing Beltran
The Mets will not entertain the idea of trading center fielder Carlos Beltran this winter, according to sources.
Instead, the team is expected to add pieces to their roster as they look to turnaround following a few disappointing seasons.
A story in the Boston Herald recently suggested that the Mets might deal Beltran to the Red Sox if Boston isn't able to re-sign Jason Bay.
Beltran has two years, each at $18.5 million left on his contract.
Ash: Fielder Won't Be Shopped
Brewers assistant general manager Gordon Ash said in a chat on Wednesday that the team isn't going to trade Prince Fielder.
"[General manager] Doug Melvin has already gone on record that Prince Fielder will not be marketed this offseason," Ash said on MLB.com.
"Many, many analysts believe trading a middle-of-the-order bat for pitching is too one-sided a proposition, given the high risk of pitching."
Rockies Aren't Looking To Deal Hawpe
The Rockies are not looking to trade Brad Hawpe, who struggled in the second half of the season.
Hawpe was an All-Star in July.
"The Rockies understand the value of Brad Hawpe on the field and off," said general manager Dan O'Dowd. "We have no desire to move him at all. He has leadership ability and a commitment to the approach we feel is important for a team's success."
Hawpe hit .284 with 23 home runs and 86 RBI in 2009.
Boston Could Go After Stephen Drew
The Diamondbacks are expected to shop shortstop Stephen Drew this winter.
The Red Sox, who have been looking for a long-term option at shortstop for many years, will likely inquire about Drew this offseason.
Drew hit .261 with 12 homers and 65 RBIs this season. He also made only 11 errors.
Stephen's brother J.D. plays right field for Boston.
Rays Would Have To Be Overwhelmed By Offer To Deal Upton
The Rays aren't expected to trade center fielder B.J. Upton with his value low after a disappointing season.
If a team was to approach Tampa Bay about Upton, they'd likely have to overwhelm the Rays with an impressive offer to get Upton.
Sources: Cubs, Rays Could Swap Bradley, Burrell
The Cubs have been pushing the Rays for a quick trade involving outfielders Milton Bradley and Pat Burrell.
Brewers Almost Certain To Keep Fielder, Braun
The Milwaukee Brewers will likely trade some of their offense to improve their pitching staff.
Sources: Zambrano Staying With Cubs
Carlos Zambrano will stay with the Cubs, sources told the Chicago Sun-Times.
Braves Could Deal Lowe To Fill Holes
The Braves have an extremely deep pitching staff, which could lead them to deal Derek Lowe to fill holes on the roster.
Halladay: Future Mostly Out Of My Hands
Roy Halladay may have pitched his final game in a Jays' uniform on Wednesday.