Monday Rumour Mongering
On the heels of Mark Zwolinski mentioning that there were about a dozen scouts watching AJ Burnett pitch in Tampa on Friday-- including Cubs' special assistant Ken Kravec, who "does not visit major league parks unless on some specific assignment."-- we have a report from Danny Knobler from CBS Sportsline (via our friends at MLB Trade Rumors) that says the Yankees seem to be particularly interested.
"Burnett's Friday night start at Tampa Bay attracted more than a dozen scouts, including two from the Yankees. Several of the scouts in attendance didn't stay for the rest of the weekend series, a clear indication that they were in town strictly to watch Burnett."
I'm pretty sure I'd love the fuck out of watching Burnett pitch under the microscope in New York. I'd also love the fuck out of the Jays getting a couple of prospects out of the Yankees system. Obviously it would suck to do anything to help the Yankee cause, but let's be serious, we can
Of course, this is just more idle speculation that's never going to go anywhere. Sort of like this one: the Dodgers, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports, are looking at John McDonald.
Add the Blue Jays' John McDonald to the list of possible shortstop candidates for the Dodgers. Discussions over the Pirates' Jack Wilson and Nationals' Cristian Guzman are at a standstill; the Nationals remain more likely to sign Guzman to a contract extension than trade him.
Come on, Dodgers! I thought it was Eckstein you were after. That would have been fine, just fine. But to take our Johnny Mac? I'd better see him in the playoffs, if that's how it's gonna be.
But seriously, why not just give the Jays a shitload of prospects for Burnett, McDonald and Stairs? The Dodgers could definitely use all three, they have a stacked system, and it's not like the Jays have a need for them. Fuck, we'll even throw in Rolen if it means some A-list prospects coming back this way. I mean, why not? Oh, right. Because all this is complete bullshit.
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Adding this here as seems better place to put it:
OT: Has anyone posted the news that Mel Queen has been rehired to evaluate the farm system (http://www.torontosun.com/Sports/Baseball/2008/07/21/6217106-sun.html)?
Interesting news with a lot of implications.
Still think Burnett will fetch next to nothing. A pitching prospect and a 4th-6th rounder at best.
Don't forget that whoever takes him gets at least one, and probably two, high draft picks. For sure the Jays will get more than that for him, or they just won't move him. I have no idea what to expect in return, but it's at least got to be worth two potential first rounders, or why move him?
So, this just in: Draft Picks cannot be traded in the MLB.
Since I overlooked this in my previous comment, I'll amend the statement to: the Jays will be lucky to get a solid pitching prospect for Burnett.
I can't believe all this bullshit about teams being scared of him NOT exercising the opt-out. Even if he does shit the bed, of course he's going to opt-out and negotiate another 3 or 4 year deal instead of roll with the 2 left on the original.....even if it's for less per annum, he can still guarantee himself a bigger chunk of change with a new multiyear deal.
I dunno though, seems the list of suitors is shrinking. Nothing excting in the Cubs system as a match, and the Dodgers do have a lot, but are notoriously hard to deal with. Guess we'll see...
Agreed. Especially on the point about the opt out. His agent would deserve to be shot if he were to let a guy with AJ's past health issues put off free agency for two years-- when you never know what might happen to his arm (especially when it's not a contract year)-- to take two years at three or four million less than what he could get by opting for free agency. Unless he blows out his arm (which I guess is a possibility), there is absolutely zero chance that he opts out-- it makes no sense whatsoever.
^^ that's the total doomsday scenario.....JP doesn't move him (and rightfully so, if all he's getting offered is cow shit and leftovers), and AJ blows out his arm after the deadline. Tommy John surgery, no opt out, a year on the DL and another year getting his stuff back, all on the Blue Jays payroll......then bam, free agency.
quite frankly, this makes me ill. I'm going to go barf right now.
Don't teams usually have insurance against the salary on injured players? Or is that only in the NHL?
If John McDonald is traded, I walk away from the Jays forever!
Anon -- teams no longer take out insurance on player injuries anymore because the premiums are so high that it doesn't make financial sense.
From now on, show your face, anon!
I think they're scouting Burnett for when he opts out.
Austin Jackson from the Yanks system would be nice.
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