Braves should take good offer for Teixeira
Imagine the Yankees getting Teixeira. If Jorge Posada were out for the season, Teixeira could play first base, with Jason Giambi becoming the DH.
Finally, imagine the Angels getting Teixeira. OK, I've already written that column, but hey, the idea still makes sense.
Mind you, the Braves still haven't decided that they're sellers. But even after winning two of three from the Marlins, even after moving back within six games of first place, they're still a fourth-place, sub-.500 club with injury concerns.
If the Braves are smart — and when are they not? — they will recognize that they need to sell for the first time since 1990, when they traded Dale Murphy to the Phillies.
The Diamondbacks have inquired about Teixeira, major-league sources say, renewing their interest from a year ago. A trade is unlikely — the cost in players would be high, the payroll bump of nearly $5 million difficult for Arizona to absorb. But the D-backs, under general manager Josh Byrnes, have proven to be a resourceful bunch.
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The obvious concern for the D-backs is that they traded six prospects for right-hander Dan Haren and minor-league pitcher Connor Robertson, then another youngster, second baseman Emilio Bonifacio, for reliever Jon Rauch. The Braves, though, likely would want a major leaguer — first baseman Conor Jackson — as the centerpiece of any Teixeira package.
That's where this could get interesting.
Three-plus years of Jackson clearly is more valuable than two-plus months of Teixeira. Then again, the Diamondbacks would not bid for Teixeira as a free agent. So, the deal would amount to Jackson for a Teixeira rental plus two high draft picks. The Diamondbacks also could ask for other players back if they traded Jackson and prospects — and they still would have Chad Tracy to play first base next season.
The trade would be difficult to construct; the D-Backs also might want money included. One Arizona official says "there isn't much traction" to the Teixeira concept. Another says he would be "surprised" if the team landed a big bat.
The Yankees, as always, are a different animal.
They are active on numerous fronts, exploring deals for Mariners left-hander Jarrod Washburn, Rockies closer Brian Fuentes, another catcher and a right-handed hitting outfielder. But the primary cost for Washburn would be dollars, not players. A catcher such as the Royals' Miguel Olivo also would come at a low acquisition price.
At that point, the Yankees could expend their prospects on a reliever or hitter, maybe both. Teixeira would produce a far greater impact than say, Pirates outfielder Xavier Nady. And if the Yankees acquired Teixeira, they would gain the inside track on signing him — and keeping him away from the Mets.
The Braves, who begin a three-game series in Philadelphia on Friday night, will not concede easily. But the Rockies continue to flirt with contention, reducing their chances of trading left fielder Matt Holliday. Over the next week, the demand for Teixeira might only build, leaving the Braves with the best hitter on the market.
Scout's night in Baltimore
A large gathering of scouts assembled Wednesday night at Camden Yards. Some came to watch Blue Jays right-hander A.J. Burnett. A greater number wanted to catch a glimpse of Orioles closer George Sherrill.
The Cardinals, Phillies, Yankees, Brewers, Marlins, Dodgers, Cubs and Tigers all were represented. Sherrill would fit for every one of those clubs except for possibly the Cubs, who scouted the game as part of their normal coverage.
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| Orioles closer George Sherrill may end up giving a contender some relief. (Greg Fiume / Getty Images) |
The extent of the Brewers' interest in Sherrill is unclear. The Orioles currently are scouting the Brewers' Class AA team in Huntsville, raising speculation about a deal. Brewers officials, however, insist that they can not part with significant young talent after trading nine prospects for Scott Linebrink, CC Sabathia and Ray Durham over the past 12 months.
Sherrill did not pitch Wednesday night; the game was suspended in the top of the sixth inning with the Blue Jays leading, 2-1. Burnett left a positive impression in his five innings, striking out seven and walking none. "He dialed it up," one scout said. "He didn't back away from the challenge."
Trade interest in Burnett, however, remains minimal. Oddly enough, most rival executives say they would be more inclined to acquire Burnett if they were assured that he would opt out of his contract at the end of the season. Those execs fear that the inconsistent, oft-injured pitcher would stick around for the final two years and $24 million on his deal.
Around the horn
The Cardinals, in the opinion of one scout, need Sherrill "more than anybody," but ultimately could turn their attention to Braves lefty Will Ohman. True, Ohman is not a closer, but he is averaging 1.14 walks and hits per innings pitched — a better ratio than Pirates lefty Damaso Marte (1.16) and Sherrill (1.42). Ohman is a free agent after this season. The Pirates hold a $6 million club option on Marte. Sherrill will not be free until after the 2011 season . . .
The Rockies scouted right-hander Nick Adenhart in his most recent start for the Angels' Class AAA affiliate in Salt Lake City. Adenhart, who turns 22 on Aug. 24, could be the centerpiece of a Matt Holliday trade, but the chances of such a deal occurring would be slim even if the Rockies fell out of contention in the next week. The Angels are more interested in Rockies closer Brian Fuentes, and they also like third baseman Garrett Atkins . . .
The Dodgers, needing a shortstop and late-inning reliever, talked with the Nationals about both Cristian Guzman and Jon Rauch, but wouldn't part with Class AA shortstop Ivan DeJesus Jr. in a deal for Guzman, according to a source with knowledge of the discussions. The Nats instead signed Guzman to a two-year, $16 million extension and completed the Rauch-for-Bonifacio deal with the Diamondbacks, the Dodgers' principal NL West rival . . .
The A's considered acquiring Bonifacio as part of their package for Haren last offseason, but instead opted for first baseman Chris Carter, who has a .945 OPS for High A Stockton at age 21. The A's, like the Diamondbacks, questioned whether Bonifacio would hit enough to play every day in the majors.
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