Hot Stove! 11/12/09

The Phillies have Placido Polanco, Mark DeRosa, and Adrian Beltre on their third base wish list, according to sources speaking to Jim Salisbury of the Philadelphia Inquirer. Salisbury adds that Chone Figgins and Miguel Tejada are also of interest, but to a lesser degree.

Salisbury notes Korean reports suggesting Chan Ho Park wants to start in 2010. Amaro has heard differently from Park's agent. Starting was a big factor in Park's decision to sign with the Phillies a year ago.

The Baltimore Orioles have expressed interest in Pedro Feliz. With longtome O Melvin Mora heading out at age 38, the Orange Birds (I just made that up) have their eye on several third basemen (including Adrian Beltre, Mark DeRosa, and Feliz), but only after the Phillies have had their pick. I would love to see Pete Happy stay in the area where I can watch him on MASN.

The Braves announced Tim Hudson's extension today, according to Dave O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He says it's a three-year deal worth around $9MM per year, with an option for 2013. Hudson's new deal overwrites the $12MM mutual option he had for 2010.

There's word that the Rays could look into Matsui if they move Pat Burrell.

The Cubs and Rays are still discussing a possible Milton Bradley-Pat Burrell swap, but it doesn't sound like the two sides are close on the money issue. One of the report's sources describes talks as "worse than Chinese water torture."

Pat Burrell, Rays. He's been linked to the Cubs in a possible Bradley swap, though the money doesn't match up and the Cubs would have to flip Burrell or else have ghastly outfield corner defense.

It's a possibility that the Yankees could re-sign both Damon and Matsui, since they still trust Damon's ability to play left field. Matsui, on the other hand, would again be relegated to DH duty, although Cashman notes that another team could view him as an outfielder. Based on comments we heard earlier today, that seems unlikely.

The Phillies are "intent on pursuing Chone Figgins hard," while the Mets are also fans of the Seth Levinson client. The Angels still hope to re-sign Figgins. Joel Sherman of the New York Post has more on the Mets' interest, explaining that moving Luis Castillo would make signing Figgins easier. Sherman thought another reasonable addition for the Mets might be Carlos Lee, but his idea was shot down by Ed Wade and a Mets official.

The Mariners have reached an agreement on a one-year deal with Ken Griffey Jr., according to Larry Stone of the Seattle Times. ESPN's Jerry Crasnick says Junior's new contract is similar to last year's. SI's Jon Heyman says it's a $2MM base with incentives that could exceed $1MM.

Get league-wide Hot Stove action at MLB Trade Rumors.

The Big Day!

Today's the day!! What day! Every day! Actually it's three days: the last ever 700 Club Show, the last day that Annie's Deli is located thirty seconds from my apartment, and the trade deadline in major league baseball. It's a blogger's dream!

So, as you know, the last of the over one-hundred shows hosted by Tom von Count and the crew at the 700 Social Club is tonight. It's located at 700 N. Harrison and should not be missed! Like, a billion bands are playing, and I myself am playing three big sets, one with Tit Patrol, one with the Wastoids, and one with the fuckin' Headies! Other notable acts include Sexon Horse and New Castle's own Tragic Johnson, Count von Count, and the rest! Rock and roll starts at six, be there or be four-cornered! By the way, you should open a new all-ages free club and ask us to play!

Annie's spectacular "New York Style" deli, located at 500 Greenhill Ave for the last twenty years (less than two blocks from where I live), will be moving as of today. Unfortunately, they were unable to continue to afford their lease, as raised by landlords Greggo and Ferraro, "legitimate businessmen" from Delaware. Now, I am normally pro-mafia... it does what the government won't! But this time... Annie's is a family operation... Annie herself works the counter and chats you up while her husband is main-man sandwich king of Wilmington. Perhaps best of all, Annie's mom makes fresh homemade desserts daily, her apple pie will ruin you. The rent increase is unfair but legal, forcing Annie to look for new diggs. Luckily for us, she found 'em! New location, across from the fire department in Elsmere. Elsmere is very lucky to get such a stable and long-lived business, not to mention the wonderful menu and skill applied. It really is the best Reuben in Delaware, and other hilarious and delicious dishes include the "Gay Liveration," chopped liver, corned beef, Swiss, lettuce & tomato, mustard & mayo on rye, and the "Ike and Tine Tuna," tuna, bacon, cream cheese & tomato, served hot on an onion roll. All my best to Annie and the family, I'll be in Elsmere when you open!

Finally, (I feel like my main man, Keith Olberman... remember him and Dan Patrick back in the day?) major league baseball's much hyped trade deadline is today, so any team who wants a new player available for post season play must make the deal by this afternoon! Complete coverage is on ESPN starting at 1:00 pm. Notable trades this season (so far) include Pudge Rodrigez going from his long time home in Detroit to be the new backstop for the New York Yankees, replacing the injured Jorge Posada. The Tigers in exchange get Kyle Farnsworth, a valuable righty to add to the Detroit bullpen. Adding to their already stellar line-up, the L.A. Angels landed big-batted first baseman Mark Texiera from the Braves for mid-level star Casey Kotchman and double-A right hander Stephen Marek. The Angels, with the best record in baseball and a line-up that boasts Tori Hunter, Vlad Guererro, Garrett Anderson, should have little trouble winning the entire A.L., unless the Tampa Bay Rays get in their way. Also, briefly, The Dodgers added third baseman Casey Blake from Cleavland, the Yankees also picked up star outfielder Xavier Nady from Pittsburgh, and the rest of this year's trades are already settled in with their new teams.

But who cares, right? Who will the Phillies get? Well, probably not Manny Ramirez, who appears close to going to the hated Miami Marlins in a three-team trade that would send Florida's Jeremy Hermida to Pittsburgh and the Pirates' star outfielder Jason Bay to Boston. That should be interesting. Also notable, my favorite rookie card Ken Griffey Jr. may take his 608 home runs to Chicago, the White Sox that is, to sure up their first place in the A.L. Central line-up. So, the Phils need pitching... relief pitching, having already traded for super-bum Joe Blanton. Hot on the radar is Atlanta's only good relief pitcher, Will Ohman, with Kansas City's Ron Mahay, Pittsburgh's John Grabow, San Francisco's Jack Taschner and Toronto's Jesse Carlson or Brian Tallet also being mentioned. Well, anything's okay with me as long as "Sugar" Shane Victorino is a Phillie when I go to bed tonight.

Eaton Outta Here!

Just in, Adam Eaton, 31 years old, 4-8 with a 5.80 ERA in 21 games (19 starts and two appearences out of the pen) for the Phillies this season has "accepted an optional assignment" to an undisclosed Phillies minor league team. An official move to fill his spot on the twenty-five man roster will be made before Tuesday's game vs. the Washington Nationals.

Manny Being Manny vs. Man or Machine?

So, word on the street is that the hated Boston Red Sox are looking to part ways with All-Star left fielder Manny Ramirez, one of the cornerstones of the potent BoSox line up. Apparently, Manny and manager Terry Francona, noted for his impotence while managing in Philly, have some beef, yet again. No surprise there, but the RUMOR has it that Manny may only accept a trade to Philadelphia, reuniting him with ol' Cleavland Indians hitting coach and manager, Uncle Charlie Manuel.

The hated New York Mets are of course after him as well, much in need of a left fielder with Moises Alou out for the year, possibly forever. But the Mets have been burned in the Manny-hunt in the past and aren't likely to go whole-hog. So, IF the trade talk isn't all balderdash, and IF something blockbuster could really be worked out, and IF Philly agreed to the 20 million in 2009 option AND the contract extension it's believed Manny will want, and IF this isn't just the perennial Manny dick-tease... then do we really want him?

Well, who would we have to give up and what would the line-up look like afterwards? Since the trade is based on Ramirez' personality and not any particular Boston team needs, would they be after prospects or some of our most beloved Phils? Well, with All-Star Kevin Youkilis at first base for the Sox, the Big Man, Ryan Howard should be safe in Philly. They got that puss Dustin Pedroia at second, so Chase Utley remains untradeable. J-Roll stays at short forever, and Boston's Mike Lowell outclasses the Phils three-way third base jam-up. Would they be after our outfield? Well, a Manny/Pat Burrell trade would be shockingly even, but why would Philly do it? Burrell has matured to a very important part of the team, more consistent than ANYONE else in the line-up with a .985 on base plus slugging percentage, second among major league outfielders while Manny's down at ninth with .932. Pat's offensive stats are regularly a little better than Manny's this year, and he has earned his place in Philadelphia.

Trading Pat for Manny would be crazy. BUT, what if we moved Burrell to right field, opening up left for Ramirez? Ditching Geoff Jenkins would be great. He's the biggest hole our line-up offers, with that barber-pole swing, but he's not exactly a throw-away player, costing too much. Any team scouting the Phillies wants either Shane Victorino or Jayson Werth, the two speedy outfielders have proven themselves to be clutch and won so many games for the Phils with their bats, gloves, and intangibles. Normally, I would say HELL NO to either player getting traded, but with the potential of Ramirez' bat... we might be able to part with Werth... if they take Eaton too! We don't wanna lose any more minor league pitching though... Joe Blanton cost us, among other things, number 2 prospect Josh Outman. I and most other Phils fans would much rather see our boys (i.e. Carlos Carrasco) get a shot at the majors than waste them on question marks like Blanton who is already in his late twenties.

On Eaton... yesterday's shitty two innings solidified what we already knew. Adam Eaton should not be a major league pitcher, let alone a Philadelphia Philly. Along with odd-man-out Rudy Seanez, Eaton will be moved before the July 31 trade deadline. Either demoted to the minors, but out and out released if a trade can't be found. J.A. Happ was pulled from his triple-A start after just two and two thirds innings yesterday, fueling speculation that he is either a chip in the possible Ramirez deal or just that Eaton is gone and we need the bullpen help.

So trade Jenkins/Werth and some pitchers for Ramirez and you get...

Jimmy Rollins SS

Chase Utley 2B
Manny Ramirez LF
Ryan Howard 1B
Pat Burrell RF
Shane Victorino CF
Pedro Feliz/Greg Dobbs 3B
Chris Coste/Carlos Ruiz C

Tell me that line-up isn't sick.