The Peavy Sweepstakes (cont.)
The Padres again have asked the Braves to revise their proposal for right-hander Jake Peavy, requesting that the team substitute Single-A catcher Tyler Flowers for Single-A center fielder Gorkys Hernandez, according to major-league sources.
Flowers, 6-foot-4 and 245 pounds, is tearing up the Arizona Fall League, and the Braves probably are unwilling to part with him in the same package as shortstop Yunel Escobar and either right-hander Charlie Morton or left-hander Jo-Jo Reyes. Frankly, they're not thrilled with trading any of those players.
The Cubs and Padres, meanwhile, continue to discuss the same list of six to eight names from which the Padres would choose in a deal for Peavy. The Padres then would have the option of spinning one or more of those players to other clubs.
One rival GM poses a good question: Why are the Braves so willing to trade Escobar? When the Braves included shortstop Elvis Andrus in their package for Teixeria 16 months ago, club officials reasoned that Escobar could man the position for the next six years.
Well, Escobar is part of the price to get Peavy. The Braves believe that Brent Lillibridge would be a lesser hitter than Escobar but a superior defender, further benefiting their pitching staff.
The Angels' alternatives
Free-agent Teixeira is Plan A for the Angels, but the team is ready with Plans B, C and D.
The Angels are willing to negotiate with Teixeira's agent, Scott Boras, beyond Friday, the first day clubs can sign other team's free agents. But they also are prepared to shift course quickly, according to a source with knowledge of the team's thinking.
Sabathia likely will emerge as the Angels' top priority if they are unable to sign Teixeira, with Kendry Morales becoming the leading internal candidate at first base. The Angels then could add offense through a trade for a player such as Rockies infielder Garrett Atkins and perhaps re-sign left fielder Garret Anderson.
If the Angels failed to land Teixeira and Sabathia, they could trade for a hitter, re-sign closer Francisco Rodriguez and pursue other starting pitchers through free agency and trades. Rodriguez appears to be a victim of unfortunate timing, coming off a record-setting season at a time when few high-revenue teams need closers. Perhaps the Angels could get him back at a price they deem reasonable.
In trade discussions, the Angels could work off their surplus of middle infielders, which includes second baseman Howie Kendrick. The team briefly considered free-agent left fielder Manny Ramirez in its organization meetings, "but the discussion was tabled rather quickly," according to a club source.
Around the horn
- The Cardinals want to add one or two left-handed relievers, perhaps even more than a closer, and the free-agent market should enable them to pick and choose. Among the left-handed relievers available: Jeremy Affeldt, Alan Embree, Joe Beimel, Trever Miller, Will Ohman, Darren Oliver, Dennys Reyes and Arthur Rhodes. ...
- The Reds are looking for right-handed power, and general manager Walt Jocketty told the Cincinnati Enquirer that he spoke with the Rockies about Matt Holliday. The Reds also inquired about the Marlins' Josh Willingham before he was traded to the Nationals, and remain interested in Atkins. ...
- So much for the Astros' plan to quickly re-sign free-agent left-hander Randy Wolf. At least a half-dozen teams have expressed interest in Wolf, who went 6-2 with a 3.57 ERA in 12 starts after getting traded from the Padres to the Astros. Wolf, 32, might prefer to return to the West Coast. His past two contracts were one-year deals with the Dodgers and Padres.
This article originally published on FOXSports.com.
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