Jon Heyman

Trading deadline approaching 4 O'Clock today who better to talk to them our good friend who is so connected in the world baseball from SI dot com John payment -- John how aria. Are married Bjoerndalen very well -- seemed to be a major blockbuster kind of trading deadline flurry of activity safe to say that's the story this year John.

Yeah I think so I think that's -- we anticipate that it sure is obviously a big deal I think I will be traded somewhere and I think guided probably 5050s it. -- at best -- going to go somewhere but yeah we haven't seen real flurry of trades this point you're actually.

What are you hearing -- Jermaine -- deal obviously the Red Sox are one of the players in the deal I suppose the Dodgers are as well as a matter of who that pitcher is the Red Sox are or are not willing to include the limo Pena.

Yeah I think so -- lot of options for Boston there because they have a lot of good young pitching prospects from delcarmen Hansen ever that they just have. Many many pitching prospects so I think there and very good position here the angels are very nonaggressive team as we've seen. I think it died in the concentrating on our pitching and willing to live with their young players which I think it's probably good decision to have a lot of good young ones there and the Diamondbacks are really on the fringes of -- so you know I think that Boston is it'd pretty heavy favorite as ever as I don't come today. Two two --

You know -- we've been told or at the very least led to believe that dead Jon Lester clay buckled to Manny Delcarmen to a lesser extent would probably be untouchable in in this kind of deal. Would Chicago be agreeable to make Kason Gabbard or a -- Hansen if you will or divert her.

I think so you know I noticed a pretty good prospect. So I I think they would and I think what it is very deep in the prospects in this is helping them here. And I think they will probably land I'm wondering -- about Philadelphia I think it give -- go down yesterday I am wondering. They know he really with a white seven they've already gotten rowand on the team Garcia iguchi and yesterday they had lost injuries to victor Reno. And the board how serious those injuries are but I you know I've been apart it's possible -- could jump in I guess but eight see Boston as the favorite they've been talking for a long time and that. If they have the prospects to do what they're aggressive team. I don't it and do it in Leicester but I do believe by and -- they're aggressive team and I think -- will make this deal.

Well assuming now that this is up to Kenny Williams of the White Sox is simply a case of him sitting back and saying from the -- going to die. In elusive as a free agent I'll get a couple of draft picks in comparing the value of those draft picks. Versus the package that Boston or someone else might offer him.

Like he's batted better than the draft picks and that's what he's got I think about the I think he's already you know I think. Probably going to be able to do that we've we've died died hit well in the last few weeks since he also breaking wasn't very good in the first ever that you -- put pressure himself as a free agent sometimes. It goes the other way guys that we usually you do adulterated 48 home runs nowhere. And in this case that I would be World Series MVP two years ago I think fourth or fifth in the league in MVP voting last year really bomb in the first half that you but he played well in the second half he's very good player and they should be able to better in the draft choices and I know. Sometimes teams that have not trading -- been. I don't with the nationals that literally could do better than wrestlers that that was a bunch of baloney they should say it's sort there's no question about that some of these teams just serve straight to make -- but the white person not one of those teams and that they should be able to get more than adrift is it should be. But I can guarantee they should give -- more of those draft choices for a for Jermaine Dye he's he's too good a player that pluses and cut ticket point seven million as they only seventh in but for a guy of his ilk that -- that.

We're talking -- SI dot com John payment and John I find it interesting that both players the Red Sox have set their sights on. Would have reservations about coming here Jermaine -- because he's not sure how much playing time he would get but I suspect Eric Gagne because his contract is incentive -- with games finished and and and I'm not sure he's ready to play second fiddle to Jonathan Papelbon how those two reservations by both of these players worked out ultimately if these deal or deals are going to get done.

Yet nobody may have had reservations about closer from the start because from what I am hearing he is there one of 14. He voted no trade list so I you know I don't know what it is about -- I know -- Ramirez's at some problems in the past but I find it to be a lovely city plus -- a team that's got a great chance to win the World Series so I would think players should be going to go there -- that -- died during one the World Series then would -- MVP put no wait that's aren't going anywhere this year and you know I think he should go now I understand as a free agent you want to -- so unfortunately had that option -- that I know that. -- Delgado two years ago had a chance to go to Boston and they'll let -- teams in the race this is 2004 could won the World Series with Boston turned it down. Because he was going to be a free agent was more focused on the money and a lot of guys are so you know that's the way the World -- but Gagne I think is that you know less likely to accept the trade -- I think Boston's probably willing to work with them on the teams finished incentives to -- great -- switch roles you know eighth inning -- at seven ninth inning guy I mean they don't have to do anything with the games finished but. You probably get him they probably will that's just the way it goes and you know I think they're willing to compromise there are just a matter whether gun is willing to play second fiddle that they really don't see I'm sure. Gagne would like to be the closer but I don't see them moving papelbon at three so graciously accepted the the movement and volunteered to move from the rotation to the closings by so I he's obviously very gracious young men in the bad an aberration you can be get it going there again involved -- do he's sitting he doesn't I'm going to vote for him for MVP right now but I -- mean if that would be highly unlikely that.

I'd -- I'd be shocked if papelbon got moved to out of any role -- the one he's in but I Islamic -- clear here there are no rules or regulations Major League Baseball that would prevent the Boston Red Sox from saint begun his agent listen if he agrees to come here we won't change the games -- two appearances or innings or.

Right he's right on through that but in the sense that would be a fair and I think Boston would want to be too because they're trading -- changing his role I think formatting you also -- there's nothing where they could restructure the deal they could even give an extension but of course. There won't be and -- statute is indigenous Scott Boras and there was no valuing the free agency but well they won't expendable certainly except more money forget what turned down more money I think they're pretty good get more money opener.

Yankees up to they Fed up with farnsworth than nowhere are they going to do.

Yeah that's right do they want to get rid of farnsworth I mean he's very -- a fight with -- hard beside. He's showed up tutorial on the mound you know he just relieved to begin that well beyond the fact that he's really -- a crummy job as the setup guy. And it's clear they want to dump him I think Detroit Colorado and the Dodgers have looked at it the guy has talent April of 98 or 99 people oppressed ago why he would -- so badly this year but he certainly hasn't. -- likely given they have now proctor I think it is different case. I think -- just kind of used about the he over used the guy last year. And he's doing again this year which I don't think is right to due to a kid who they never got the big -- going to -- rivero confined going to be. He shouldn't be that desperate -- Scott Proctor almost every game and then or every other game. And then use about an -- so well you know he's not doing very well betrayed him I just don't think it's right but I do think that's what they're looking to do and their goal was to get Gagne but they're there ignited deep in pitching prospects they have three really tough he's. Gilbert Chamberlain Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy and they don't want give up any of those they have another guy now or they don't want to give up and a manager he wouldn't. Get it done. They're they'd rather just throw out a budget. Guys were doing pretty good in the minors but they are prospects to -- to work. -- were guided but I think Boston has you know eight or nine guys that they can give and that's what I think Gundy. And Boston is is is maybe more likely that the Yankees have -- been there because. -- you cannot turn down trade for the Yankees or the Mets they're two of 12 teams are -- preapproved list for some reason most of those teams like the Devil Rays the royals -- would never be traded to in. That was two white way to do it would you know I guess they figured with the Yankees and Mets they wouldn't trade -- has there -- closer. So but it in this case they can do it if they if they're willing to give up the prospects but I I. I don't see that have the Mets they won a close -- Texas went close Gomez -- that's all organized favorite player the other the other young outfielder tell the athletic guys so that's been happening so I meant that wasn't the favorite followed by the Yankees it seems to hit somewhere in Milwaukee paper about the brewers but I have not heard. Independently.

Right Sox affairs would also be interest in another possible playoff teams of what guy they might be -- two IE. Tigers angels Indians is as suspect -- those three clubs.

I do everything -- there are definitely looking at a bullpen help I know that they're looking at Wheeler who just traded to Tampa bay and I may get traded again and they're -- al Reyes who denies jets closing in the surprising surprisingly good job for. The -- earlier this year and if they were in on Dotel so I think we've been really wants the ball put the ball I think they will do something. I should be obligated relief pitcher and the prices -- relievers right now and I know they would try to Dotel the tigers I think they need their bullpen help too I mean they were desperate -- farnsworth but they've got Rodney. Coming back in a week and possibly the buy -- three weeks they haven't really been is not done -- and so that's part of me a little bit but I think bullpen help is what they they need I -- hints that they may -- to Pittsburgh about Jack Wilson and making him a good utility infielder they seem to be interested in utility infielder I think they'll have to apartments so that's about it for Detroit reports it is doing the most exciting stuff -- you really can't make Atlanta Clint Barmes and he needed Jack Wilson. Well let's start throw in the -- kitchen. Look at for the big guys and they were able doing the winter but -- let's trade deadline will concede right now on an expensive -- they can do with. It is some.

Well that the the only headlines so -- obviously was the to -- to Atlanta I'm wondering does that rearrange your estimation John Hammond the balance of power in the east Atlanta Philadelphia New York.

You know I wouldn't say that I still think the Mets -- the best team you know Maine and Oliver Perez is just to denigrates been that it is that Pedro coming back it was a little respect in the mix if they've got some the young players you know ball I think Reyes is the best player in the league you know and I know Philly and that's a great offensive players but the loss of Chase Utley I think hurts them enough that got an outfielders that are going to be on the band you know that that question in the bullpen the braves you know obviously -- it helps them of them very very formidable lineup and they certainly have the chance it's -- special for the wildcard possibility that an athlete who's really really wide open. I mean it's -- very distinct. Milwaukee and the cubs two teams known for losing battling it out there 90 miles from each other. And and in the west -- those teams with fine pitching have very similar teams. San Diego and LA particular so the national league is very fascinating but I I'm still going to stick with the the Mets to win that division the the Bruins to -- shut the world supposed.

Are speaking of the match you mentioned Pedro Martinez what are the Mets expectations of -- the deal -- two comin' back will.

The road they ain't -- be back in August they could -- thought it was early August and now it's mid August announced late August the you know he when he slowed down for ten days of the Mets thought that not -- Anything physical side that -- to get a vacation I can't figure what he's doing. And who knows -- assessment -- a mental fatigue immediate -- there's it's in the world you can 200 innings. And he sees that he's in Florida you know throw the ball over once we went to refuted his mental.

Some things don't change John do -- roads aren't.

He's a piece of work you know what it. Probably the best pitcher I've ever seen very easily his piece of work.

It got -- a final question for me I'm wondering will Barry Bonds allow himself to tie and break this record in Los Angeles and San Diego will try real hard to the next six games to get this done or she -- going to post usually gets home where the.

That's just why I think he likes to be needed I really do -- lived in LA in the off season I think you'd like to do with in -- I'd love to do with David that is what you see the reaction although a team it's hard to root -- you know it's not really. The real record but I think he's going to do it in San Diego on the if you look at his record there it's unbelievable the number of home runs he didn't. Even have part he's done pretty well but just and that's cities' he's been unbelievable. And no I think he's I think you'll do over the next week of match if I think the reason not because he wants to do it all but because he wants to torment the Bud Selig that the that would be the reason --

A follow it from B at seasons and what's to become of one Alex Rodriguez and -- the Boston Red Sox beat in on him. If the circumstances present themselves in the offseason.

Well you know the -- that zeroed in on every started out there so I think they would be in on him whether it's to be in on him like to resign Clemens with a erupted by ten million or whether it legitimately make a run all right I can't be sure you know it's an interesting situation because the Yankees really get first crack before it becomes a free agent and know Boras -- to dwell on free agency. But I do think that the Yankees have the wherewithal that doesn't stadium prominent network is doing great maybe -- there is nothing but pretty close got a lot of money. And they really need to keep them and I think is one case where his chances pretty good chance that. He decided that with the Yankees is if he doesn't then Yankees they're out of that because. They got it signed up early to keep that up to keep that. -- played between nine million dollars they've got coming from time except part of the deal that the trade had been made so they sign -- they've got that advantage if they don't then he's going to be done because -- then besides sign of conducted between Henman. In that case I think the Dodgers and the angels and the giants and the reds -- would be the fourteens most likely to get a rug because it's going to take a lot of lot of money it's going to be somebody. Some team that has big big revenues and I know we've heard of the white such thing. -- seemed like that but I don't believe that I think it's one of those California teams or more boards -- that might that is right now I would I would lean toward him resign with the Yankees.

John wouldn't Scott Boris rather have his toenails yanked out -- not take this got a free agency.

The -- that you would think so I'm glad that the money you know he's got an idea what the money's going to be I mean are the contract that says that you point seven million. And there is the let -- into the next and here's another one. That would make it 32 million so its early in there that's been two -- know what doesn't guarantee you that they're going to get that. I think they're pretty much set the -- nowhere is going to be it's going to be around 32 million Yankees have a 30 million dollar advantage over everybody also you know they know that the prices around that 32 million and you know I think. The way things are now even -- they said originally there were going to renegotiate I think -- going to go for like eight years for 250 million something like that in. And and have a pretty. Pretty good chance to keep my baby got you there because you're right right -- you look at for a free agent in. -- these -- but you know I think -- would -- like New York despite some things have happened. So I'm still -- pretty did you.

His name is John having you know a lot of on SI dot com propagated check him out on outside the outcome of the trading deadline approaches at 4 O'Clock John always a good talk and you we appreciate the time and the information today. Your about it saw Johnny Damon -- SI dot com with -- new