Uhhhh, Okaaay

Courtesy MLB Trade Rumors, CBSSports.com has this perplexing rumor.

he Red Sox are deep in conversations with the White Sox on a trade that would send infielder Juan Uribe to Boston, according to sources.

Uribe is batting just .225 in limited playing time this season, but his three home runs are one more than all Red Sox shortstops have hit. Boston shortstops are 28th in the majors in runs scored and 23rd in RBI.

It's not clear who the White Sox would get in return for Uribe, but one possibility is Alex Cora, the utility infielder who has fallen out of favor in Boston. Cora's brother, Joey, is the White Sox's bench coach.

One word: Why?

Though I will say it's interesting to hear that Cora may no longer be thought of as the best player on the team not good enough to start (maybe because Sean Casey has shown them what an actual good bench player looks like).

Comments

[SF]

Send'em LFRS!!!

[A YF]

Hi guys! How are you!?

Where's the grain of salt shrug?

From Vescey - who's not one for histrionics:

"Papelbon Puts the Pop Back in Rivalry"
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/24/sports/baseball/24vecsey.html?ref=sports

[Atheose]

Is this a "suck-off" between the Yanks and Sox to see who can acquire the shittiest bench player?

[Atheose]

Yankees-Mariners deal in the works: Kei Igawa for Jose Vidro and Jarrod Washburn. Why the hell would anyone do that?

[IronHorse (yf)]

Atheose, where did you see that Igawa/Wash/Vidro rumor? If the Yanks got a backup hot dog vendor for Igawa I'd be impressed.

[Atheose]

Here ya go IH: http://www.fannation.com/truth_and_rumors/view/59112

It surprised me too!

[IronHorse (yf)]

Thank Ath. I did not pile on the anti-Washburn commentary here yesterday because to me it is all relative and having no idea who the Yanks were considering giving up, it was hard for me to bash acquiring him. Frankly, that the Yankees can still get anything at all for the colossal waste of money that is Kei Igawa would be stunning to me if it turns out to be true and I would be an unabashed supporter of such a trade. However the article makes it all seem pretty iffy still - less about wants to acquire who then about who wants to get rid of who so it is hard to tell whether either the Yanks or the Mariners are interested in what the other is selling.

This excerpt from the discussion thread following that article seemed to sum up the prospective deal nicely:

"Kinda like trading syphilis for gonorrhea"

[Lar]

I guess it's a salary dump, and Seattle is Japanese-owned, I think. I don't think anyone is going to argue that Washburn is going to be worse than Ponson. The question is whether this is a transition year (gulp!) - if it is, obviously I rather give the starts to Karsten or someone on the farm..

[krueg]

I read on ESPN that the Rockies want IPK for Fuentes...um, hello, why would you not do that deal??? Am I missing something with IPK? Even if by some miracle he were to actually become a good pitcher, he would be stuck out in the NL...

[dw (sf)]

In Seattle's case, I think it is a salary dump (or would be). They are on the hook for his 10 mill salary next year, and probably want to free up salary.

[Atheose]

Krueg, I agree you have to pull the trigger on that deal. IPK has been a disappointment and if the Yanks get Sabathia or Sheets next year there's not going to be a lot of room in the rotation for him.

[dw (sf)]

from Seattle's point, this http://ussmariner.com/2008/07/23/why-you-have-to-move-washburn/ sums up why the M's would want to move Washburn.

[krueg]

Ath: You have to think they are going to get C.C. with the money coming off the books, no one else is going to have the scratch to compete which doesn't leave any room for him as you said. Not to mention, Joba is turning into a great pitcher and hopefully Phil "Paper mache body" Hughes can turn it around? As Meatloaf said, "two out of three ain't bad".

How about C.C. AND Sheets next year???

[Atheose]

The Yanks definitely get Sabathia; I've come to accept it as a known fact at this point. So that gives them:

Sabathia
Wang
Chamberlain
Pettitte/Mussina
Hughes/IPK

If Sheets gets signed too then I bet neither Pettitte nor Mussina get resigned. Hughes has far greater potential than IPK, so IPK is the very low man on the totem pole. Fuentes would be a fantastic addition for the stretch for the Yankees.

[John - YF]

Right now the Yankees bullpen is in great shape. (Replace Hawkins with Bruney soon) Why on God's green earth would you want to move a young, highly though of SP prospect for a lefty reliever who at one time lost his job as a closer? I like Fuentes, a lot, but not IPK. If you are going to move IPK I would hope it would be for a Big Bat or a legitimate arm not named Washburn. I am all for trading pieces but let's not get crazy here. The Yankees bullpen for the first time since the 90's is actually fine.

Now, the rumor I heard was Fuentes for Humberto. I can live with that, but if I am Cashman I don't even pull the trigger on that deal. There are other holes that need attention more than the pen.

[John - YF]

I want CC, he's a horse.

I don't want Sheets. I like Sheets, he's a fave of mine, but he's soft. He's a more dominant version of American Idle. He hasn't thrown over 200 innings since 2004. His stuff is filthy, no denying that.

Yes, I know the same things were being said about Beckett before he got to the Sox, but this Yankees fan doesn't like that gamble.

[IronHorse (yf)]

John, I didn't understand from the above that anyone was talking IPK for Washburn but rather IPK for Fuentes as something the Rockies want to pursue. The Washburn deal being discussed involves Kei Igawa, which is just fine with me. Or am I the one confusing the prospective deals here?

[Atheose]

Good point John. I think the difference is that Beckett had missed a lot of time because of blisters (which were due to the heat and humidity more than anything), whereas Sheets... well, Sheets is summed up nicely here:

http://www.tarapfeifer.com/archives/2007/08/28/a-history-of-ben-sheets-lame-injuries/

[Atheose]

In all seriousness though, Sheets has quite the resume of injuries: bulging discs in his back in 2004, inner ear infection in 2005, shoulder tendinitis in 2006, strained hamstring in 2007. He spent time on the DL for each of those.

I repeat: he spent time on the DL for "diziness".

[Paul SF]

Yeah, Sheets' injuries are more troublesome because they're all different and all not really preventable. It looks more like he's prone, as opposed to Beckett, who consistently had one type of injury the Sox thought (correctly, as it turns out) they could treat.

[Yankee Fan In Boston]

personally, i think this must be a load of mularkey, but george king says that the yankees and dodgers are talking about a cano for kemp and lowe deal.

see last couple of paragraphs here:
http://tinyurl.com/5adcx2

[Atheose]

the Sox thought (correctly, as it turns out) they could treat.

Hooray cold weather!

[Mark (YF)]

I actually find myself lusting after CC more than I did for Santana - probably because he's younger and won't cost us anything but money (and with $88M coming off the books this offseason, I say take a hammer to the piggy bank for him). I'm really hoping Cashman is smart and just holds onto his chips this year. Cause we could field a juggernaut in '09 with some smart decisions.

[John - YF]

IH, I was just speaking in general saying IF we traded IPK that I hoped it would be for more than _______. Hope that clarifies.

[LocklandSF]

"Am I missing something with IPK? Even if by some miracle he were to actually become a good pitcher, he would be stuck out in the NL..."

This stuff is funny, it wasn't too long ago that a lot of Yankee fans and people in the media we're absolutely certain the Phranchise and IPK were the next coming, better that Clay, Lester and Masterson. Prospect roulette is a funny game.

[Atheose]

YFiB I heard about the Yankees' interest in Kemp/Lowe, but I didn't know they were offering Cano. The Yankees would be worse off if they did that--Cano is a stud despite his extremely slow start to the season. And Lowe is declining; he's not a great long-term option for the team, especially with their free-agent options in the offseason.

Though Kemp is only 23 and extremely talented... he'd be a huge improvement over Melky and would be a great long-term player.

[Yankee Fan In Boston]

yes, atheose, i think kemp has a ton of potential as well. supposedly the yankees don't want to part with cano (obviously).

i both love and detest what this time of year does to me. i simultaneously believe and dismiss everything i hear and read.

[Atheose]

Yeah, if the Dodgers were to swap Lowe for Billingsly I'd do it in a heartbeat. But they're going to need to throw in a better pitcher than Lowe.

[Atheose]

i simultaneously believe and dismiss everything i hear and read.

I know the feeling! My first instinct with regards to rumours is "Nah that's bullshit", then I start thinking about it more and then by the end of the day I'm convinced it's a good idea and that the team is going to do it. God, those Johan Santana days were horrible.

[krueg]

I would be happy with the Yankees standing pat and making a run as is...now this offseason? That's a different story. They can remake the roster with cold, hard Yankee cash starting with giving C.C. whatever he wants...

isn't their another Japanese pitcher coming available soon too that everyone is up in arms about???

p.s. I'm not saying Fuentes is the best but I'm just not a fan of IPK. We could do without him I think. If he turns into something, so be it in Colorado. I think we need a lefty in the bullpen, right???

[Yankee Fan In Boston]

I know the feeling! My first instinct with regards to rumours is "Nah that's bullshit", then I start thinking about it more and then by the end of the day I'm convinced it's a good idea and that the team is going to do it. God, those Johan Santana days were horrible.

even worse is when you get excited about a rumor, only to mull it over for a day or so to reverse your opinion, thinking that it would be a huge mistake, and the story keeps building...

ugh.

[krueg]

p.s. Cano has GOT to be untouchable.

[krueg]

Looks like Cash made the right call on Santana, huh Ath??? I was one of the people SCREAMING to pick him up. I guess that's why I'm not the GM of the Yankees...

[Yankee Fan In Boston]

yes, kreug. i'd be shocked if they traded cano.

...but larry bowa and torre would probably get the dodgers to offer the kitchen sink and donnie baseball in the deal.

next week can't get here soon enough.

[Yankee Fan In Boston]

krUEg.

sorry.

[Atheose]

I guess he did Krueg! The only caveat I would mention is the fact that back in the off season it seemed as though Sabathia and the Indians would come to terms on an extension. I don't think many people foresaw him getting traded midseason.

But in any case the Yankees are going to be a powerhouse next year. And when they sign Kazmir in 2012... holy balls.

Oh, and that japanese pitcher you're thinking of Krueg is Yu Darvish. He's half-Iranian, young, tall, good-looking, and he has a hot wife. Oh, and he's a fantastic pitcher too. The Sox have been scouting him for two years now.

[krueg]

Ath: let them pay the $100 posting fee then???

[krueg]

should read: $100 million, duh.

[John - YF]

"Oh, and that japanese pitcher you're thinking of Krueg is Yu Darvish. He's half-Iranian, young, tall, good-looking, and he has a hot wife."

All pre-req's for being a great pitcher these days! I am kidding of course Ath. All these rumors have me batty!

Krueg, I don't think we need a lefty. Right now the pen is getting lefties and righties out. You don't have to get a lefty to say we have a lefty. If it's Fuentes for Sanchez, maybe, but rumor has it there are many teams after him so I doubt that works.

[Paul SF]

I've heard the Yankees were dead set on acquiring Darvish, which might keep them out of the Sabathia bidding. In either case, I imagine the price will be astronomical for either -- Darvish, because the Sox have set that bar pretty high for posting fees, and Sabathia because the Sox and Mets aren't going to sit back and just let the Yankees have him.

The Yankees winning the Darvish post might actually be the worst thing for Sabathia in the offseason.

At any rate, I love this time of year. I love imagining a team with whatever players are rumored to be heading our way. This year seems to be a bit of a dud for the Sox. That's a good thing, I think. They're getting the best offensive weapon available tomorrow and debuted their new bullpen piece last night.

[Atheose]

All pre-req's for being a great pitcher these days!

Well John I challenge you to name one half-Iranian, half-Japanese baseball player who has ever been a bust.

...

...

That's what I thought.

[Lar]

Money and a draft pick, but ya, go after CC, since it's "only" cash. Is Darvish this year? I thought he had a few years left too, though I guess they can always post earlier.

It would be interesting though. But in either case, I rather trade IPK for a young hitter than to rent a reliever. A young catcher would be nice.

[Lar]

The Yanks were "sure" to get DMat too. I kind of hate this posting system though realistically, there are only a handful of teams that can afford it..

How much does Mets have to spend anyhow? Are Reyes/Wright going to make money yet?

[Lar]

Another note is that Darvish is younger than DMat/Igawa if he is getting posted this year. Yowsers.

[Atheose]

I'd trade IPK for Matt Kemp in a heartbeat. They should talk to the Dodgers about THAT deal, though I don't think they're keen on him.

Lar, they can post him whenever they want I believe as long as the player agrees. And yeah, he's only 21... crazy good.

[LocklandSF]

Anyone else in downtown Boston? I'm about to round up two of every animal, including Yankee fans! ;-)

[Brad]

Is Darvish represented, or are we going to go back down the Boras road again?

[Yankee Fan In Boston]

lockland-

i'm in cambridge at the moment, but i'll be able to swim to you in a few minutes.

this is ridiculous.

[Brad]

Lockland -

Why would you do that? Let 'em swim!!

[Brad]

Connecticut was rediculous this morning - highways flooded, basement flooded, ride to work terrible since apparently people are not able to drive in the rain, nowhere to park at work, ect.
Days like this are good for not getting off the couch.

[Atheose]

That's how Virginia was yesterday afternoon. I drive a 2008 Honda Civic (which is approximately 2mm off the ground) and I almost got stuck several times getting home.

[Paul SF]

Rain? What's that? Dolly's giving us some wind and puffy clouds, but that's it so far. :-P

[A YF]

I've heard the Yankees were dead set on acquiring Darvish, which might keep them out of the Sabathia bidding.

There's no telling if he'll get posted.

And Sabathia will be much easier to do because there's no silly posting business. I have little doubt the Yanks will sign him in a heartbeat for Santana money.

In either case, I imagine the price will be astronomical for either -- Darvish, because the Sox have set that bar pretty high for posting fees

Hmmm, except Dice-K hasn't exactly justified the money spent to get him. He's certainly not in the league that the outlay (and hype) said he would be.

The Yanks were "sure" to get DMat too. I kind of hate this posting system though realistically, there are only a handful of teams that can afford it.

That's exactly it - the posting system is a wild card. Darvish is projected to be fantastic, but it only takes one silly team to bid $51.11 million.

[I'mBillMcNeal]

My friend the White Sox fan LOVES that Cora for Uribe tale.

[I'mBillMcNeal]

Here's one scenario on that Cora thing:
Alex is a little tweaked that he's not playing with Loogie on the DL, and wants to come here to be with his shorter brother, Joey, a WS coach; So ... RS do the deal, take Uribe in return, then waive him when Lugo comes off the DL; effectively giving TFMLBP Named Jed the starting SS spot. It's a tryout now, isn't it?
That's the only thing I can think of. Uribe isn't worth a can of eye black.

[beth]

stuff like this is the reason the trade deadline is my least favorite part of baseball season.