Prospect Insider - M's rumor mill still churning

M's rumor mill still churning

By Jason A. Churchill

By 07-31-2011

UPDATE: 10:22 AM PT
The talks between the Mariners and Cardinals for Erik Bedard "have escalated" according to sources, but no deal is yet considered imminent. With less than three hours to go, something will have to happen quickly.

Also, M's still getting calls on relievers and Adam Kennedy. There is a pretty good chance something pops.

The M's are not involved in talks with the Rockies for Ian Stewart, I am told, and it appears Brandon League is truly going nowhere this summer.

As Saturday flipped to Sunday there were several developments that lead me, and a handful of sources within the league, to believe the Seattle Mariners could make at least one more trade before the 1PM PT deadline Sunday afternoon.

"I could see a few," one source said. "They have more pieces clubs would like to have."

Those pieces include closer Brandon League, left-hander Erik Bedard, right-handed relievers Chris Ray and Jamey Wright and infielder Adam Kennedy. Lefty Jason Vargas may be completely off the market -- barring an offer GM Jack Zduriencik cannot refuse -- with Doug Fister being dealt Saturday.

Subscribers can check out what possibilities there still are with Bedard and why he's still a valuable commodity for contenders -- possibly enough to land a worthy package -- and what would make the M's change their mind on dealing League, by clicking here.

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Comments
The following 48 comment(s) for this article are shown below:

1. By: JD Kickastro on 07-31-2011 03:34:34
Jason,

Still slaving away I see.. Next 12 hours will be exciting..

2. By: aerichner on 07-31-2011 03:58:16
Bedard's price went up with Kuroda using his no trade clause, Harden having bad bad bad medicals, Ubaldo being dealt.

I honestly don't mind keeping him and having around as a #3/4. More so if he likes it in Seattle and is comfortable here.

I actually heard the White Sox are looking for SP? They dealt Jackson because of $$. Any chance Vargas is a fit? He's a spare part for me (obviously) but is cheap and has had a good season, any chance there's a fit there?

3. By: Jason A. Churchill on 07-31-2011 04:10:49
No on Vargas. Flyball guy in the worst pitcher's park in AL and he's not so cheap starting next year.

4. By: jase411 on 07-31-2011 04:21:55
What would you put the chances of League being traded tomorrow at? I would think that the M's would much prefer to deal him rather than have him save games for the rest of this blown season as well as the most likely non competing club next year... Seems the no trading League talk is just posturing. If he gets traded, would it most likely be for a solid catching prospect? They seemed to have added a solid 3b prospect today. Would Cortes close? He could get some good experience in this role for this year, although the wildness seems a bit uncontrollable with this guy.

5. By: nighthawk180 on 07-31-2011 04:22:31
With Fister now gone and Vargas starting to get expensive do you think that the mariners will offer a multiyear contract to keep him reasonable or do you see the mariners trading him in the offseason. We have a decent young crop of Starting Pitching coming up through the ranks and you can never have enough pitching. I happen to like both Fister (sad to see him go) and Vargas but the younger arms in the system look extremely promising.

I guess I'm wondering if you see Vargas in the M's future? Not that I'm expecting anything great in return for him either just wondering what you see and hear from some sources.

Also with Guti seeming to have taken a decent step back at the plate do you see anything or are concerned with him at all. I know his stomach issues have had a huge impact on him. Do you still think he has some value with the bat?

Thx Jason again great work.

6. By: John_S on 07-31-2011 10:03:09
Ken Rosenthal tweeted the M's and Cards are talking about Bedard.

7. By: baseballman on 07-31-2011 11:29:50
Today should defintely be exciting for the Ms. Hope they continue to wheel and deal. It seems like things outside their control (Kuroda, Harden etc) are going to be very helpful for them to get a return if they choose to make some trades.

8. By: rjfrik on 07-31-2011 11:34:21
I think Vargas has to stay at least one more year out of necessity. With him on board we only have four pitchers locked up next year. Paxton could join that group but I think Hultzen will need a full year and I know walker will at least need one more full year. Come 2013 I think we finally see our true starting five and then Vargas can be dealt, but right now we need him.

9. By: baseballman on 07-31-2011 11:35:56
I agree with rj. Paxton and Hultzen won't be ready to be in the Ms rotation at the beginning of 2012. So unless the Ms want to trade him now and sign a stop gap type SP in the off season, I don't think we trade Vargas.

10. By: slick on 07-31-2011 11:56:06
The cards system is really bare outside of Miller and Martinez. Mike Adams power DH/IB maybe, but i think we keep bedard I just dont see a good return on him.

11. By: Mackie on 07-31-2011 12:26:03
Too bad the Cards probably won't trade any currently useful outfielders on their roster after trading Rasmus. I'd love it if there was a way to pry someone like Jon Jay or Allen Craig away from them, but I'm sure that's only a dream.

Their minors are really pretty bare. Who knows, if the Cardinals are desperate enough Seattle might be able to pry a pretty good player away.

12. By: slick on 07-31-2011 12:40:58
The Red sox traded Navarro and Volz for an ut Avilas if we could get that type of deal for Kennedy that would be great.

13. By: Jon O on 07-31-2011 12:43:55
I still wish we could find a way to get back Zack Cox 3B from the Cards.

14. By: Edman on 07-31-2011 13:17:54
I don't think anyone should plan on either Paxton or Hultzen before mid 2012, at the soonest. Paxton needs innings right now. I doubt they will want to rush him into the starting rotation next year. They'd more likely bring back Bedard (since I doubt he'll be traded) and go with Beavan.

I expect Kennedy to be moved before the deadline, since he likely would be claimed by some team after the deadline. I think they would have to get someone better they expected to move him.

I doubt League goes anywhere, unless someone overpays by a good margin. With Aardsma's future uncertain, they have their own need.

I wouldn't be surprised if the M's didn't make another move before the deadline.

15. By: maqman on 07-31-2011 13:26:13
As usual, I agree with Edman. He saves me a lot of keystrokes.

16. By: Mackie on 07-31-2011 13:27:50
It was just tweeted that the Rangers acquired Heath Bell. If the Mariners plan to do anything with League before the deadline, they have about 90 minutes.

17. By: Mackie on 07-31-2011 13:33:51
Bell to the Rangers is now being denied, and tweets say it is Mike Adams Texas is getting instead.

18. By: Mackie on 07-31-2011 13:41:18
Robbie Erlin and Joe Wieland are the guys the Rangers sent to SD for Mike Adams.

19. By: Edman on 07-31-2011 13:43:05
Mackie, I suggest you read what's been written over the last few days. The Mariners have no plans to trade League. If someone makes them an offer they can't refuse, fine, but that's what it's going to take. They already effectively told the baseball world to come to them, in regard to League.

20. By: rocketdawg31 on 07-31-2011 13:47:57

While you're right, Edman, and myself I don't think League is going anywhere...when you say "read what's been written over the last few days", ya gotta consider that what's being written is also full of quotes from GMs.

And right now, a round of "liar's poker" would have fewer fibs in it than what's being publicly said by baseball GMs.

21. By: Mackie on 07-31-2011 13:50:48
Edman, I've read all that stuff. I say, so what? 8-)

The trading deadline is one of my favorite times of the year when it comes to baseball. Trades excite me.

I expect you are right, that he won't get dealt, but I find it interesting to see what League might be worth on the trade market. In this case, a reliever who is arguably superior to League was just traded to the Rangers for prospects that had been ranked by somebody as Texas' 4th and 22nd best. It was interesting to see what was given up for Uehara as well.

These trades seem to support the assertions of you and others that League wouldn't fetch as much in a trade as some of us would like to think, or that the M's would have to be bowled over with an offer.

Do I hope they trade him? No, not really. Am I going to be any less excited about the trade deadline? No. 8-)

22. By: Adam T on 07-31-2011 14:17:17
What a bad decision on League, if they do keep him. Yuck.

23. By: universalguru on 07-31-2011 14:29:10
Why is it so bad to hold on to League? Aardsma is undergoing Tommy John and the winter isn't all that far away.

24. By: rocketdawg31 on 07-31-2011 14:33:03

I'm surprised that Bell from the Padres hasn't moved yet. And I'm hoping that if we barter with the Redbirds, that it's OF Oscar Taveras.

I just wish St. Louis had a catching prospect worth a crap in their system.

25. By: rocketdawg31 on 07-31-2011 14:42:23

Regarding League: not at all adverse to the idea of holding on to him.

And it's not just the trading deadline today with him. It's a long off-season as well. He can be dealt just as easily then. The chances of an overpay from another team go way down, but it's still out there as a possibility.

Or keeping him outright? The guy's, what, 28? I can see him as a guy with a role for the 2012 Mariners.

26. By: universalguru on 07-31-2011 14:53:49
Why is it so bad to hold on to League? Aardsma is undergoing Tommy John and the winter isn't all that far away.

27. By: Mackie on 07-31-2011 15:07:55
Heyman tweets Bedard has been traded. No word where just yet.

28. By: rotoenquire on 07-31-2011 15:15:07
To the RedSox C Federowicz is main part of the deal... Decent young catcher...

29. By: marinermutt on 07-31-2011 15:16:48
3 team deal. Federowicz to the Dodgers per ML trade rumors.

30. By: rotoenquire on 07-31-2011 15:16:53
There has to be another piece.. BUT I could see the M's calling this kid up NOW!!! He is in Dble-A right now..

31. By: Shawnuel on 07-31-2011 15:17:29
Trayvon Robinson to Seattle. Nice!!!!!

32. By: marinermutt on 07-31-2011 15:18:06
Trayvon Robinson and outfielder Chih-Hsien Chiang to the M's.

33. By: Shawnuel on 07-31-2011 15:19:18
3 team deal with LA involved we get Robinson and Chih Hsien Chiang for Bedard.

34. By: rotoenquire on 07-31-2011 15:19:51
Trayvon Robinson and outfielder Chih-Hsien Chiang IF that is right.. HOLLY CRAP!!! What a trade.. T. Robinson is going to be a monster SB machine and lead off hitter... Chiang is a power bat for LF... I am with both trades inpressed with what Jack Z has done...

35. By: Shawnuel on 07-31-2011 15:19:59
Now I'm seeing Trayvon to Red Sox.....Help! What is it, really!????

36. By: slick on 07-31-2011 15:20:57
nice trade fields goes to boston as well but who cares.

37. By: Shawnuel on 07-31-2011 15:23:40
Conflicting reports. Gordon Edes, Jon Morosi say Robinson to Sox, Olney says Robinson and Chiang to M's.

38. By: Mackie on 07-31-2011 15:25:31
At what level is Chiang currently playing?

39. By: Shawnuel on 07-31-2011 15:31:40
Sounds like it will be Trayvon Robinson and Chiang to Seattle. Thanks, Jack!

40. By: Mackie on 07-31-2011 15:31:43
Never mind, found him, in AA for the Red Sox, he's hitting well this year at that level!

41. By: Shawnuel on 07-31-2011 15:33:16
Yup! MAN, I LOVE this time of year!!!!!!!

42. By: marinermutt on 07-31-2011 15:37:21
we only get Robinson.

43. By: danviens on 07-31-2011 15:38:19
Any confirmation yet on Chieng?! Lots of conflicting reports right now... if we get them both I think this deal is a big time win for us!

44. By: marinermutt on 07-31-2011 15:40:40
Chieng is now back in. Chieng and Robinson.

45. By: Lombardie360 on 07-31-2011 15:43:41
http://www.tweetdeck.com/twitter/StoneLarry/~Ps7nv for those w/o Twitter...

46. By: John_S on 07-31-2011 15:43:49
Larry Stone was at the press conference and he's reporting it is Robinson and Chieng. Nice!

http://deck.ly/~Ps7nv

47. By: aerichner on 07-31-2011 15:45:54
I'm in love with my front office. That is all.

48. By: Tommy O on 08-01-2011 00:05:59
more interesting pieces that in the near future offer choices and talent. we are lining up for a very intersting team for the 2013 season.
does robinson offer depth or a cf replacement for guti?

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