Official Trade Rumor Thread 2007

[KC Royals Nation]

Here's a link to Jayson Stark's column over at ESPN.com (only available to those who have ESPN Insider).

insider.espn.go.com/mlb/insider/columns/story?columnist=stark_jayson&id=2949546&campaign=rss&source=MLBHeadlines&univLogin02=stateChanged&action=upsell&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2finsider.espn.go.com%2fmlb%2finsider%2fcolumns%2fstory%3fcolumnist%3dstark_jayson%26id%3d2949546%26campaign%3drss%26source%3dMLBHeadlines%26univLogin02%3dstateChanged

Stark indicates that Octavio Dotel is almost a lock to be traded, and Chin-Lung Hu remains a possibility. Stark adds that Dodgers GM Ned Colletti scouted reliever John Malone, which I think means Jonathan Meloan. The 23 year-old Meloan throws in the low 90s with a hard slider; he commands his fastball well but carries some health concerns.

[mtroyals]

Is that a suggestion of a Dotel/Meloan and Hu trade? Or a one or the other?

[KC Royals Nation]

www.mlbtraderumors.com/kansas_city_royals/index.html

Dotel Would Like Contract Extension

While Octavio Dotel is very likely to be traded by the Royals, he said yesterday that he'd like to talk about a contract extension to stay. It's possible but doesn't seem likely.

Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star says Dotel would probably look for something around three years, $21MM, which the Royals could afford. Locking him in would allow Joakim Soria or Zack Greinke to move to the rotation.

It still looks like Dotel will end up a Dodger or Indian by Tuesday though. The names we've heard so far include Franklin Gutierrez, Ben Francisco, Chin-Ling Hu, and Tony Abreu.

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www.mlbtraderumors.com/2007/07/rosenthals-la-8.html

Parties interested in Zack Greinke: Diamondbacks, Dodgers, Braves, and Cubs. This gels with Dan Graziano's findings. Of course, trading a player like Greinke requires an equally talented youngster in return.

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www.mlbtraderumors.com/2007/07/rosenthals-la-8.html

The Royals may not be able to do better than Cleveland's Ben Francisco as a bounty for Octavio Dotel. More on him in a separate post.

[FanOfJoseAgain!]

Toss a few more scenarios into the Octavio Dotel mix: to the Red Sox for David Murphy, or to the Mariners for Wladimir Balentien. Big difference there.

www.mlbtraderumors.com/

[mtroyals]

I mentioned Balentien in passing the other day, thinking they wouldn't give him up for Dotel. Now I think he's the best player we could pick up!

[gilgameche]

If they offered Balentin I would have said done before they finished saying his name

[KC Royals Nation]

www.mlbtraderumors.com/2007/07/tigers-trade-ru.html

The Tigers are intent on acquiring a backup shortstop. They recently sent a scout to watch the Rockies' Clint Barmes at Triple A. Barmes is at .310/.374/.464 in the minors this year. Perhaps the Tigers envision him as a possible successor to Carlos Guillen at short. Relievers on the radar: Brad Lidge, Chad Qualls, Octavio Dotel, and Kyle Farnsworth. Eric Gagne does not seem likely right now, and we know Lidge is a long shot. Farnsworth might make the most sense, as the cost would mainly be money. The article names Craig Monroe plus pitching prospects Dallas Trahern and Jair Jurrjens as players the Tigers would trade. Despite all that we've read, I'd be surprised if the Royals could get something better than Jurrjens for Dotel.

[mtroyals]

Berroa is as equally pathetic as Barmes, Dombrowski.

[gilgameche]

according to Olney on First Take just now people in MLB think a Dotel trade will happen today and DM will take the best offer

[ror1fan]

Braves Close To Acquiring Octavio Dotel

Interesting development via Ken Rosenthal: the Braves are close to a deal for Royals' closer Octavio Dotel. They apparently have made a better offer than finalists Cleveland and Los Angeles.

Royals GM Dayton Moore knows his way around Atlanta's farm system, of course. He had all kinds of player development roles within the Braves organization. The Braves' top three prospects heading into the season per Baseball America were Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Elvis Andrus, and Matt Harrison. With those three out of the picture perhaps Moore is going for outfielder Brandon Jones or first baseman Scott Thorman.

Quite a day for Atlanta...now to snag a starter...

[gilgameche]

someone over at the kcroyals.com MB says it was for Kyle Davies, Brent Lillibridge and Manuel Accosta

[KC Royals Nation]

The rumors are a-flyin' folks. This from Royals Review:
www.royalsreview.com/story/2007/7/30/151425/822

Evidently, Dayton Moore has three offers on the table, and is weighing each of them.

I'll keep you informed....stay tuned....

[KC Royals Nation]

Also, there's a rumor that Jason LaRue and David Riske have been traded to the Braves for Scott Thorman and another prospect. No confirmed source, but I got this from another Royals message board.

[plotty]

Wow, I would say. Three different deals? As long as we end up getting the best in the end....what the heck. Go Dayton Moore!

[gilgameche]

admin said:

Also, there's a rumor that Jason LaRue and David Riske have been traded to the Braves for Scott Thorman and another prospect. No confirmed source, but I got this from another Royals message board.

Yay to getting rid of LaRue but not happy letting Riske go IF it is true