MLB Trade Rumors: Sosa Interested in Kansas City

While the pitchers and catchers have reported today for Spring Training, the front office of many teams have been quite busy. Here are the latest rumors going around the league:

Sammy Sosa, outfielder, Cincinnati Reds   

Sammy Sosa has expressed his desire to be with the Kansas City Royals in 2008 under first-year manager Trey Hillman. The Royals, however, seem to think that they’re set in the outfield. They have Jose Guillen, David DeJesus, and Mark Teahan currently in the outfield, with Joey Gathright as a backup.

The Royals' management also thinks that manager Hillman has enough to worry about with the recent addition of Alberto Callapso, who is known to be the “high maintenance” sort. Sosa would only be an unnecessary burden for a first year manager.

Joe Blanton, pitcher, Oakland Athletics

The Oakland Athletics are shopping right handed pitcher Joe Blanton. The Cincinnati Red's show interest, however their minor league system could potentially take a big hit if they trade for Blanton. 

According to Dayton Daily News, the Athletics want the top two pitchers from the Red's farm system, Homer Bailey and Johnny Cueto. The Red's have said this price is too high, but they remain the frontrunners in this sweepstakes.

The Dodgers have also expressed interest in Blanton.

Brian Roberts, second base, Baltimore Orioles

There have been talks in the past between the Chicago Cubs and the Baltimore Orioles concerning Roberts, and it appears they aren't completely dead yet.


According to the Chicago Tribune, there hasn't been any recent developments, but there is still communication. Orioles GM Jim Hendry says that even if a deal doesn't get done, he is still happy with the team’s improvement this off-season.


Brandon Inge, third base, Detroit Tigers

Detroit Tigers manager Jim Leyland has said that there is a "strong possibility" that third baseman Brandon Inge could be on a different team at the start of this upcoming Spring Training.

Since the first blockbuster of the year, when the Tigers acquired Miguel Cabrera from the Marlins, Inge has been without a starting job. If he does plan on staying with the Tigers, he is expected to be used primarily in a utility role.


Kenny Lofton, outfielder, Free Agent    

Veteran outfielder Kenny Lofton, currently a free agent, has expressed interest in joining the Cincinnati Reds. Lofton played for the Reds in 2002 and 2003.

Dmitri Young, first base, Washington Nationals

Washington has two healthy first basemen, Dmitri Young and Nick
Johnson, and it may be necessary for one of them to be traded soon.

GM Jim Bowden says trading one of them would be the logical thing to do, he just doesn’t know when, or if, he’ll do it. He said that he will “look into it” nonetheless.

Juan Uribe, shortstop, Chicago White Sox   

When Juan Uribe lost his starting job to Orlando Cabrera earlier this off-season, the White Sox have been looking to unload him on someone else.

The Baltimore Orioles have expressed interest in acquiring him as a backup to Luis Hernandez, Miguel Tejada’s replacement.


Josh Fogg, pitcher, Free Agent   

Both the Twins and the Orioles have expressed interest in picking up free agent pitcher Josh Fogg.

With the departure of Erik Bedard to Seattle, Baltimore is in need of a solid pitcher.

The Twins are also interested in acquiring a strong, starting pitcher with the loss of Santana to the Mets. The Twins have signed Livan Hernandez, however, so they may be out of this race.

The Rockies have also expressed desire to have Fogg pitch for them, but the offer was only a one-year contract. Fogg is looking for a long-term contract.