Schoeneweis and Sanchez Clear Waivers
According to Sean McAdam of the Providence Journal, both Scott Schoeneweis and Duaner Sanchez have cleared waivers. Hat tip to MLBTradeRumors for the link.
Other than MLBTR and McAdam, I haven’t seen this published anywhere else, so can’t be sure it’s true. If it is, I imagine one or both could be offered in a deal for another reliever or an outfielder. Could strikeout machine Marcus Thames be on the way to Shea?
Further, Ken Rosenthal says that Brian Giles has been claimed by a “mystery team in the NL”, and that the Padres are negotiating with the claiming team (hat tip to MetsBlog).
I doubt the Mets are dealing Sanchez and Scho to San Diego for Giles. But, who in the NL would claim a 37-year-old outfielder? Not the Dodgers, who picked up Manny last week. We’d assume someone among the Diamondbacks, Phillies, Cubs, Brewers, Cardinals, and Marlins.
The Cardinals have Rick Ankiel, Skip Schumaker, and Ryan Ludwick all having great years in the outfield. The Cubs have been in the market for an outfielder, but already have Jim Edmonds and Kosuke Fukudome from the left side. The Brewers seem set in the outfield with Corey Hart, Mike Cameron, and Ryan Braun, though they’re all righthanded bats. The D-Backs are desperate for offense, and have been starting Chris Burke in each of the corner spots. The Marlins have a righty-heavy lineup, but I don’t see them interested in Giles with Luis Gonzalez on the bench. Similarly, the Phillies have Geoff Jenkins backing up the regulars.
My money is on the Diamondbacks as the “mystery team”.
About the Author
A Mets fan since birth, Joe Janish began MetsToday in 2005 to provide the unique perspective of a high-level player and coach -- he earned NCAA D-1 All-American honors as a catcher and coached several players who went on to play pro ball. As a result his posts often include mechanical evaluations, scout-like analysis, and opinions that go beyond the numbers. Oh, and he's often a bit cranky.
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I would LOVE to have Brian Giles. But there are a number of things that confuse me. Like:
- Why would the Padres wait until after the deadline to deal Giles if they were intent on trading him? The only thing that makes sense is that some suitor has become more desperate over the first week of August and has decided to accept San Diego’s lofty demands. The Mets could fit that bill, depending on their confidence in Murphy/Tatis and the health of Church.
- If the Mets are interested, what would they have to give up to get Giles? Decent prospects? Relievers? A bag of balls?
- If the Mets agree to a deal and it involves prospects, do their players have to pass thru waivers too? Or does that only apply to major leaguers?
- Giles has made it known he’s a west coast guy. Would he be happy playing for a contender on the east coast?
The Padres are out of contention, so I have to imagine they’d be asking for youngsters in return for Giles. So I doubt Sanchez or Schoeneweis would be involved. Maybe Murphy would be the centerpiece, since his value has skyrocketed with his fast ML start. Maybe add in a minor league pitcher who induces flyballs (a good quality for a pitcher who pitches his home games at Petco Park) and the Padres would agree. All in all, though, I think you’re right Joe and that the D’backs will win the sweepstakes, if indeed Giles is to be traded.
I don’t see the Mets trading anything of value for Giles, because as you said he prefers to be on the West Coast and I’d hope that they’d go after a player with some interest in returning next year to fill a corner while we wait for Fernando Martinez. That said, I wouldn’t trade anything other than some fringe prospects. But it doesn’t matter what I would do …. if it did, Manny would be a Met!
D’Backs make the most sense. Of course, there is the Ed Wade Insanity Factor — the mystery team could be the Astros.
Only players currently on the 40-man roster have to pass through waivers. Maybe that’s why we haven’t seen Niese promoted?
San Diego Tribune says it was the Red Sox who put a claim in on Giles. Not completely understanding why, with Drew, Ellsbury, and Bay already filling out their OF and Ortiz anchored into the DH spot. Giles also has a no-trade clause that includes Boston. Wacky.
Maybe Boston was blocking Tampa Bay or the Yankees? We know the Rays were in the market for another bat. And the Yankees love to have former All-Stars sitting on their bench.
Or maybe the Bosox want to unload Coco Crisp?
Good call, Joe. Didn’t think about the block. If the Sox (or anybody, for that matter) wind up with Giles, I’d love to see how comparable of a package it would take to what the Mets could afford, because Giles is a player we could really use.
And I know you’ll be over this in due time, Joe, but Chad Bradford was traded today to Tampa. With the state of our bullpen, why in the world the Mets didn’t put in a claim on Bradford is beyond me. Maybe they didn’t want 2 submariners in the bullpen, but I’d take Bradford’s 2.45 ERA even if he threw underhanded. Somebody check for a pulse on Omar!
I’m convinced that Omar felt it would be a blow to his pride if he brought ChadBrad back. Though, he was OK with reacquiring Bert Hernandez. Strange indeed.