Trade talk: Angels shift from Halladay to Lee
Frustrated by their inability to close the gap in trade negotiations for Toronto Blue Jays ace Roy Halladay(notes), the Los Angeles Angels have shifted their emphasis to Cleveland Indians lefty Cliff Lee(notes), a source said.
Determined to upgrade a starting rotation that has sagged under injuries to John Lackey(notes) and Ervin Santana(notes), inconsistent results by Joe Saunders(notes) and a constant search for a fifth starter following the death of Nick Adenhart(notes), the Angels initially targeted Halladay.
After two weeks of talks with Blue Jays GM J.P. Ricciardi, however, they appear to be more engaged with the Indians, who are listening to offers for Lee and first baseman/DH/catcher Victor Martinez(notes). The Angels are unwilling to part with Saunders, shortstop Erick Aybar(notes), infielder Brandon Wood(notes) and another prospect for a single pitcher, even Halladay.
They believe a lesser package would land Lee, who in the short term would form a formidable one-two with Lackey and in the long term provide insurance if Lackey walks after the season.
Angels GM Tony Reagins also is actively seeking a power arm or two – Baltimore Orioles closer George Sherrill(notes) remains a possibility – to pitch the eighth inning ahead of closer Brian Fuentes(notes).
• The San Francisco Giants acquired Ryan Garko from the Indians on Monday, adding a right-handed bat with decent power to a lineup that sorely needs pop. Garko(notes), who will be arbitration-eligible next season, hit 53 homers in 1,404 at-bats with the Indians, including 11 this season. The Indians received left-hander Scott Barnes, who is dominating the Class A California League. Barnes, an eighth-round pick in 2008, is 12-3 with a 2.85 ERA and 99 strikeouts.
• It shouldn't come as a shock if Lee ends up traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Dodgers and Indians did business last summer on the deal that brought third baseman Casey Blake(notes) to L.A., and both parties came away satisfied. Blake stabilized the Dodgers' problematic situation at third base, was a key component in the run to the National League Championship Series and signed a new deal in the offseason. The Indians were thrilled by landing minor league catcher Carlos Santana, ranked by Baseball America as one of the game's top prospects.
But the indication Monday night from Cleveland is that Lee is not going anywhere unless Shapiro is overwhelmed. Martinez may be a more movable piece.
A Red Sox source denied the Indians have offered them Lee and Martinez as a package, a rumor making the rounds the last couple of days.
• Surprisingly, no one has yet made a serious overture to the Pittsburgh Pirates for left-hander Zach Duke(notes), even though the front office has made it known he's not an untouchable. The Minnesota Twins had talked to the Pirates about shortstop Jack Wilson(notes) before shifting their attention to Oakland Athletics shortstop Orlando Cabrera(notes). And while the Florida Marlins and Tampa Bay Rays are both looking for bullpen help, Tampa Bay does not match up with the Pirates on closer Matt Capps(notes) and the Marlins are looking elsewhere.
• The Angels aren't the only team pursuing Sherrill. The Philadelphia Phillies and Dodgers also have strong interest, although a Phillies source said the Halladay pursuit must be resolved before a deal could be made for Sherrill.
Orioles first baseman Aubrey Huff(notes), who is being scouted closely by the Giants, was back in Baltimore's lineup Monday night and had a couple of hits.
• One major league executive can't understand why the Blue Jays reportedly prefer outfielder Dominic Brown from the Phillies over Michael Taylor. "Taylor is an animal,'' the executive said. "He can really bang the ball.''
Taylor, a former Stanford star, is a 6-foot-6, 250-pound left fielder who had 15 home runs and 22 doubles in Double-A before being promoted to Triple-A earlier this month. At 21, the 6-foot-5, 204-pound Brown is two years younger and is playing in the Class A Florida State League, where he was also putting up some impressive power numbers (10 homers, 42 RBIs). Brown's fielding still needs considerable work, the executive said.
