Teams Showing Interest in Phelps and Catchers

[moocow007]

Per Wiretap...

Mariners apparently interested in David Phelps. White Sox and Brewers interested in Yankees Catchers.

Mariners...

Assuming that Cashman would not be interested in a prospect, one would imagine that he'd be looking at an infielder from the M's. The Yanks have been rumored to be interested in Nick Franklin for some time. Franklin is a 2B which would fill a need. And with Cano at 2B for pretty much the forseeable future, a Phelps for Franklin swap would make sense. This would be a pretty solid trade IMO for both sides.

Brewers...

Not really familiar with the Brewers but I'd imagine their interest in catching is for a backup to their current hard hitting catcher Jonathan Lucroy. If so then we're probably talking about Cervelli or Romine more so than any of the younger catchers. The Brewers really don't have much in the way of excess infielders that might actually be of any use...unless the Brewers are willing to pay a big chunk of Rickie Weeks contract AND the Yankees actually believes Weeks is a real good idea. The Yankees reportedly have been keeping an eye on Weeks since SP started. Weeks in turn has looked pretty good hitting wise after "reportedly" making "subtle" adjustments to his swing. So I would imagine that a Weeks for something trade between the Brewers and Yanks is a possibility. Weeks provides a lot of pop at 2B and that probably would excite NY.

White Sox...

From what I can tell the White Sox are not exactly endeared with any of the catching options they currently have in house at the major league level. Tyler Flowers had an absolute nightmare season last year and it doesn't seem like the Sox FO necessarily trusts him as a full time starter. Josh Phegley made it up to the bigs due to his hitting but failed to hit. Not sure what they are looking for from the Yanks. A 3rd option or if they actually likes someone specific. A quick glance at their 40 man roster doesn't exactly scream wow as far as their excess infielder options go. Matt Davidson, a power hitting 3B, would be the only guy that seems to fit IMO but the Yankees have reportedly been interested in 33 year old utility infielder Jeff Keppinger so that may be a reason for the Sox scouting of the Yanks.

[Dr. Detfink]

Franklin deal sounds interesting but rest does no good.