Perrotto's "Every Given Sunday" column is usually full of interesting rumors, and this one has a doozy for Dodgers fans:

The Dodgers are also said to be willing to move center fielder Matt Kemp in the right deal.

I have to imagine that he would be available in a deal only if the player they get back has more than 1/2 a year of control left. Any other deal involving Kemp would be <insert any negative adjecttive>.

This sentence came after stating that LA is interested in shortstops Jack Wilson and Juan Uribe.

Speculating on who LA would get in return for a deal involving Kemp only one name comes to mind-Matt Holliday. He has another year left in his current deal, has more power than Kemp, and hits for a better average.

Frankly, based on recent comments by Colletti, I would not be surprised if LA dealt Kemp:

Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti will be looking for a shortstop among other things before the July 31 non-waiver trading deadline, and the team is willing to adjust its philosophy of keeping their young players off-limits.

"We're more open-minded to who we may have to move," Colletti said.

Asked if he were referring to the young players, Colletti said, "They're not really young kids anymore."

Colletti's comments echoed what owner Frank McCourt told me earlier in the week when asked about the possibility of trading some of the kids. He said the ones they will hold onto are "the ones who are prepared to put in the work, listen to coaches and get better every day." The kids who they would be willing to part with are "the ones that can't do those things."

It can be said that Kemp doesn't listen to coaches as he has had some on field and off field issues this year and last. Another thing is Kemp has not displayed the power many projected of him, does not shorten his swing with two out, and has had issues hitting with RISP. But then again, he is only 23 yrs old. I remember Mike Schmidt hitting .199 in his rookie season, and he turned out ok. I am not saying Kemp is the next Schmidt, just saying players can improve.

Perrotto also mentions the usual rumors of CC Sabathia, Randy Wolf, Greg Maddux, Willy Taveras, Brian Fuentes rumors we all have read about this week.

Baseball HQ, Ron Shandler was asked to name an American League hitter and pitcher and National Leagues ones who he believes offer good upsides in the second half.  Here are the four players named (around 32:50 of the podcast).

American League:
Hitter:  3B Melvin Mora Baltimore Orioles
Pitcher: SP A.J. Burnett Toronto Blue Jays

National League:
Hitter:  SS Jimmy Rollins Philadelphia Phillies
Pitcher:  SP Roy Oswalt Houston Astros

Mora should be readily available in most mixed league formats.  Rollins likely can't be acquired for anything less than his 1st round value.  The two pitchers should be available at a discount to their draft days values due to lack of effectiveness of both and injury issues for Oswalt.

To hear more Baseball HQ Radio, click here.

ESPN's James Walker had a great article about how key NFL rookies are holding out, and how even a short holdout could (will?) destroy their 2008 season.   JaMarcus Russell and Brady Quinn are the most recent poster boys for this knucklehead tactic, but it happens every year.   Complain about how much money Matt Ryan is making, but at least he's at camp practicing.

Not counting the Bears' RB Matt Forte, who is listed in the article but had recently signed a deal, the article covers two guys with immediate fantasy impact: Ravens' QB Joe Flacco and Dolphins QB Chad Henne.

While it's possible Flacco could take over the starting job in Baltimore, Henne has a serious opportunity to be the Dolphins QB. 

Henne was inconsistent during spring practices and thus has fallen behind both Josh McCown and John Beck. A contract holdout would all but seal Henne's fate as a backup this season.

But the Dolphins were 1-15 last year and need all the talent they can get in training camp. Top pick Jake Long is signed and Henne should be the next priority. At the very least, Henne has the ability to push McCown and Beck to become better quarterbacks this summer.

I liked Henne when he was drafted, and with the underwhelming competition he has in Miami there's no reason he couldn't be the starter.  Holding out on a contract isn't the way to do that though, and once you miss your chance it's often very, very difficult to get another one.  Just ask Brady "Bench" Quinn.

Following Sunday's demonstration by New York Mets' SS Jose Reyes that he has a lot of maturing in his future, he and Mets announcer Keith Hernandez had a confrontation on the team's charter flight.  Reyes was apparently goaded on by family and friends who heard Hernandez say Reyes has to stop being babied by the other adults around him.

The precipitating event was a throwing error Reyes made that looked as if 1B Carlos Delgado could have been charged instead.  Immediately afterwards, Reyes was shpown throwing his glove to the ground in frustration.  To those watching, it appeared as if Reyes was showing up his veteran 1B.  At the end of the inning, in another act of apparent petulance, Reyes throw his glove to the ground again while his sunglasses fell off his head.

Hernandez' comments seemed completely in line.  The sad part is no one in the Mets' organization appears to have the wisdom to do so themsleves and needed a broadcaster to point to the elephant in the room.

Given the organization mess - no minor league depth, no major league depth, maybe the Mets need to think the unthinkable - trade Jose Reyes.  With an affordable long-term deal ('09:$5.75M, '10:$9M, '11:$11M club option), the Mets should be able to rebuild their system with a couple of major-league ready players and a few good minor league prospects.

Will this work or will more efforts need to be made to transform the clubhouse?  This morning's New York Times reports some of the players are now shunning Keith Hernandez.   Is this good or a sign of across-the-board clubhouse petulance?

Ken Rosenthal follows-up yesterday C.C. Sabathia-to-Milwaukee news with news that the Los Angeles Dodgers are in the hunt for C.C.  However, the team is conflicted as their pursuit of Pirates' SS Jack Wilson involves some of the same prospects they'd need to incude in a Sabathia deal.

So, do the Dodgers need a half-season of an ace more than two years of a no power/good glove SS?  Adding Wilson will certainly improve the Dodgers' current cast of SS options, but he isn't going to bring the noise the offense needs at the plate.  Even with Wilson, I don't see the Dodgers breaking out of the low-scoring doldrums that offense provides.

With an ace, though, the Dodgers will be able to keep the opposing team from scoring runs.  With the 2nd best bullpen ERA in the NL at 2.97 and 3rd best starter ERA, the addition of Sabathia makes the Dodgers' strengths stronger.  Because the Dodgers' rank 13th in starters' innings, adding C.C. will improve the team in that stat and preserve the overworked bullpen as the season heads into the dog days of summer.

When can we expect any of this to be resolved?  This is the most interesting part of Mr. Rosenthal's report.  He writes, "His next start is Tuesday, but several baseball people expect he will be traded before then."

Tom Hardicourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel leads one to believe Brewers' GM Doug Melvin told him what the Brewer's offer is.

"If the Brewers' latest offer is accepted, it's my understanding that it would include top prospect Matt LaPorta, minor-league third baseman Taylor Green and probably another prospect, perhaps outfielder Lorenzo Cain."

I’m going to go out on a limb here and say that Michael Turner is the biggest unknown in fantasy football this season.  Based on what (little) we’ve seen so far, Turner has the potential to be a Top 4 fantasy running back.  On the other hand, considering how bad the Falcons are, he could be a first round fantasy bust.  So Mr. Fantasy Football Writer Guy, which one will it be?

I’m going to go with the potential.  The Falcons offense is going to be led either by rookie Matt Ryan or, if Atlanta wants to give him some time, semi-veteran Chris Redman.  Either way, the Falcons are going to run the ball.  A lot.  In Mike Mularkey, they have a new offensive coordinator who knows how to build a rushing game as he was the Steelers’ OC  from 2001-2003.  In all three of those years, the Steelers had a primary back (Jerome Bettis) who shared time with an auxiliary back.   I expect the same thing this year from the Falcons, with Turner playing the role of Jerome Bettis and getting about 250 carries, with Jerious Norwood grabbing about half that many.

Now you maybe thinking “Yeah, fine, but the Falcons’ offensive line stunk last year”.   That’s true, but since owner Arthur Blank fired everybody in the organization last year, there’s a new offensive line coach too. Paul Boudreau spent the past two seasons as the offensive line coach in St. Louis, where Steven Jackson once ran for 1500+ yards behind an offensive line that saw nine different starters.  This guy has had a lot of success patching together an offensive line from driftwood and duct tape.   If the Falcons had any duct tape, they’d really be all set.

Put it all together and it looks….pretty sad.  New coach, new OC, new offensive line coach, rebuilt line, a young speedy RB in Norwood looking to steal carries, a rookie QB and one decent WR.  You’re supposed to base your fantasy football season on that?!

My answer is yes.  Turner is a low-end RB1 and an absolutely outstanding RB2.  This guy will be the heart of the Falcons offense this year.  There is a level of risk here without a doubt, but I think the risk is comparable to guys like Frank Gore and Larry Johnson.  If you’re planning to make one of those guys your RB1, there is absolutely no reason not to draft Turner as your RB1 instead.

According to FOXSports' Ken Rosenthal, sources told him the Milwaukee Brewers have offered a package headed by top prospect 1B/OF Matt LaPorta to the Cleveland Indians for starting pitcher C.C. Sabathia.  Most die hard baseball fans know LaPorta is one of the minors top power-hitting prospects.

The other player Rosenthal rumors to be involved is SS Alcides Escobar.  Most baseball fans have no idea who he is.  Simply, he is a great defensive SS on the same Double-A Huntsville team with LaPorta (and soon-to-be top Brewers' hitting propsect Mat Gamel.)

This comports well with what Jayson Stark said on ESPN's Basbeall Today podcast.  He reported the the Indians were askign for two or three AA prospects who are considered building blocks.  LaPorta's bat and Escobar's skills would qualify.

Tom Hardicourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel confirms their is some fire amidst all the smoke.  He mentions the Indians have been scouting High A 3B Taylor Green.  Like Escobar, this would be another prospect most baseball fans have not heard of.  He does say the Brewers would be unlikely to deal LaPorta if Green were involved.  This sounds like Brewers' homerism more than solid reporting though.

With Escobar in the orgnaization, the Indians can move current SS Jhonny Peralta's bat. In fact, this could be one way for the Trine to solve their power dearth in the corner OF spots assumign LaPorta' bat plays better at 1B.  The question is whether the fielding stats (FCT, ZR, RF) are true.  If so, Peralta ranks near the top in the AL and is far and away the top power SS in his league.

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Just as I did with American League Bail Bait, I shied away from most pitchers.  There just isn't enough season passed to think they will still be considered very valuable on September 30th.  However, I did make an exception for a few pitchers.

Edinson Volquez of the Cincinnati Reds makes the list even if his last two starts end-up beign closer to his second half efforts than his first dozen plus.  With 9.7 K/9 and a 1.6 GB/FB rate, I am comfortable believing he will still be valuable in 2009.

Jair Jurrjens is another pitcher with a favorable GB/FB of 1.8 and a HR/9 of .46.  While his 2007 HR/9 was more than twice as high, his minor leagues stats were the same as his 2008 efforts.  Almost twice as many groundballs than flyballs and a propensity to prevent HRs make me a believer.

Clayton Kershaw was sent down a couple days ago for reasons not rationally deduced.  He also has a favorable GB/FB of 1.57 and a 7+ K/9, but I think that will get better as his minor league figures were considerably better.  At 20 years old, he still remains a lock to be in the rotation in 2009 - if not within a month in 2008.

Chris Perez looks like the obvious closer-in-waiting for the Cardinals.  With current closer Ryan Franklin sporting a 1.0 GB/FB to go with a sub-2.0 K/BB, I can't see Franklin as a longer-than-September -2008 solution.

Continue reading for the hitters.

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We're 4 weeks from MLB's trade deadline and things are starting to heat up.  As written in this space over the past couple of days, CC Sabathia seems to be the big present under the tree for one major league club.  Included on that list may be Mark Texeira (again), Matt Holliday, Greg Maddux (again) and Randy Wolf. 

There are certain days I automatically love as a sports fan including the NFL Draft, NBA Draft, MLB opening day, Sunday at the Masters, and any fantasy draft day whether it's baseball, basketball or football.

Included in that list is July 31, MLB's trade deadline.  I stare in front of my computer hitting refresh hoping each mouse click will reveal my team (the Padres) getting that last piece to make a run.  Many of you might do the same.   We'll see in the poll.

All of this has me thinking, when was the last time a trade deadline deal made a huge difference for the team receiving the perceived "last piece of the puzzle"?  Why do I get so excited for the trade deadline when the players traded rarely make a significant contribution towards a championship run.  After the break we'll look at some of the more major deadline deals of the past two years and we'll see what those years have taught us about their significance.

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