From Mlbtraderumors.com by way of orioleshangout.com
Quote:
The latest Manny rumor making the rounds comes courtesy of commenter Wild Bill from the Orioles Hangout Forum. As far as Bill's track record, I can direct you to a thread over at Sons of Sam Horn. According to the poster:
"There are three reputed "insiders" [at Orioles Hangout] and all three seem to agree that the trade has been agreed upon in principal but that Manny's request for an extension will likely cause the deal to fall through. As for their validity, it seems each does have a source either within the Orioles organization or one who is once removed from someone inside.
That said, I don't believe any of them have access to Mike Flanigan or any direct decision maker. The only thing that makes me feel this could be accurate is the fact that all three agree. Generally, they tend to have slightly different takes on the goings on inside the Orioles' FO."
Here's the main point of Wild Bill's post:
"The word is the Tejada-Ramirez/Clement trade has been agreed to in principle by the two teams blocked only at this time with last minute complications caused by Manny."
Using 2005 WARP (Wins Above Replacement Player) values, the net gain for the Red Sox would be -3.6 wins. Meaning that in a vacuum, this trade makes the team worse. Of course, the move would free up significant salary for the Sox (I haven't heard whether money would change hands) so the team would probably make up the difference in value somewhere else.
Manny Ramirez is on the hook for $58MM over the next three seasons. Matt Clement will make $19MM over the next two seasons. Miguel Tejada is owed $48MM over the next four seasons. For the 2006 season only, this trade would free up $18.5MM for the Red Sox.
I'll supply more updates on this trade possibility as I hear them.
ANDQuote:
Just got off the phone with Dave Kaplan, host of Sports Central on WGN Radio 720 out of Chicago. He gave me the latest on where the Cubs stand with Barry Zito.
Billy Beane is not sure whether he'll deal Zito now or in July. However, the teams have had discussions recently, and the A's like the Cubs' farm system quite a bit. A deal for several of the Cubs' young arms is a distinct possibility. The A's aren't looking for Matt Murton in the trade, but rather pitchers like Rich Hill, Angel Guzman, and Sean Marshall. There's been plenty of debate on this site about Rich Hill's future in the Major Leagues, but it's a fact that many teams absolutely love him and are trying to pry him away from the Cubs. Hill has a ton of trade value. Anyway, sit tight on the Zito idea; nothing's going down today.
Kaplan also mentioned that the Tejada trade is "not dead" for the Cubs. I don't know which names are currently being tossed around, but rest assured the Cubs still have a chance at acquiring him.
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