A recap of today’s hot stove news.
According to Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports.com, the Cubs have traded Aaron Heilman to the Diamondbacks for prospect LHP Scott Maine and 1B Ryne White. Heilman finished 2009 with a 4.11 ERA and 1.41 WHIP in 70 relief appearances. The Cubs may have also found a suitor for outfielder Milton Bradley. Bob Nightengale reported that the Tampa Bay Rays are close to acquiring the problematic, but talented outfielder.
Nightengale also reported via Twitter, that the Yankees are quietly shopping Nick Swisher. The 28-year-old outfielder batted just .249, but had a very respectable .371 OBP and hit 29 homers with 89 RBIs. Considering his age and production, I’m sure plenty of teams will be interested.
ESPN reported that Jason Bay rejected a $60 million dollar offer for 4 years from the Boston Red Sox and will now test the free agent waters. His agent did say that he will continue to negotiate with Boston. Meanwhile, a source told Jon Heyman that the Mets would have interest in Jason Bay if the price for Matt Holliday is too high.
Add the Los Angeles Dodgers to the growing list of teams that will try to acquire starting pitcher Roy Halladay from the Toronto Blue Jays. It became abundantly clear during the playoffs that the Dodgers desperately lacked an ace pitcher and if your going to get one, why not go after the best. Still, I thought it was odd that they would simply let Randy Wolf go after giving them a solid season at a very reasonable cost.
