The Rumor Mill: June Test Drive

Written by: Mark Healey on 3rd June 2009

The Rumor Mill: June Test Drive | read this item

(Editor’s Note) At press time, we identified Vicente Padilla as having been released, not placed on irrevocable waivers. We regret the error. – MH

Former Atlanta Braves pitcher Tom Glavine and Texas Rangers pitcher Vicente Padilla may soon have a new address, sources say. One NL exec told BaseballDigest.com on Wednesday night the Phillies “like both pitchers and will sign one of them before the week is out.”

When contacted on Thursday with the updated info that Padilla was likely to pass through waivers and remain on the team’s roster, the executive insisted that the Phillies do have interest in Padilla and feel that “they can make a reasonable deal that would make sense for both sides.”

“The Phillies have been waiting for just this type of opportunity,” he said Wednesday night. “(They can) take a veteran starter for a test drive for the next month or so before having to make any hard decisions about (San Diego’s Jake) Peavy or (Houston’s Roy) Oswalt.

He added on Thursday that making a deal for Padilla would not remove the Phillies from being in the mix for either Peavy or Oswalt.

Glavine, who spurned the Phillies for the Mets back in 2003, is said to be “furious” with how the Braves handled the situation and “can’t wait to stick it up their (bleep).” Signing with the Phillies would go a long way towards fulfilling that goal.

The Phillies are said to prefer Glavine (and the NL exec said the veteran southpaw’s agent made an immediate call to Phillies’ GM Ruben Amaro, Jr. as soon as the release was requested by Glavine, who chose to get cut rather than retire a Brave), but would gladly take a flier on the former Phillie Padilla if they fail to come to terms with Glavine.

It’s unlikely Glavine would return to the Mets, but don’t discount the Nationals. Former Atlanta team president Stan Kasten and Glavine have a complicated relationship, and Nationals are dying to learn how to conduct themselves as an organization. There are few MLB players more professional or forthright than Glavine, and he could pitch for the Nats to prove to other teams at the deadline that he is a viable option.

As for Padilla, there’s word from the West Coast that the Angels have expressed an interest, and the White Sox have inquired as well. However according to an NL East scout, the Mets had a front office official watch Padilla’s start against the Yankees on Tuesday night, and “liked what he saw”.

The Mets have come close to acquiring the veteran right-hander for years, so this rumor is very believable. Making it feasible is the slow progess of Oliver Perez and the ineffectiveness of Tim Redding.

Stay Tuned.

For more on the Braves, including the trade that netted them All-Star centerfielder Nate McLouth. listen to Thursday’s Baseball Digest LIVE, as I chatted with Atlanta sportswriter and talk show host Bill Shanks

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Topics: Angels, Braves, Jr., Phillies, Ruben Amaro, tom glavine, Vicente Padilla

Kieran Kelly says:

June 4, 2009 at 11:33 am

I don’t know how I feel about this.

Adding Glavine would probably help a bit, but not Padilla.

It will be interesting to see if this happens.

-KK
Phils Interested In Glavine « Atlanta Braves Banter says:

June 4, 2009 at 12:12 pm

[...] Interested In Glavine By Mike Montgomery Well that was quick. Baseball Digest reports that Tom Glavine’s agent, Gregg Clifton, placed a call to the Phillies as soon as he [...]
Philly Fan says:

June 4, 2009 at 4:08 pm

This smacks of BS. The Phils would rather have Glavine sign with the Mets and rip him there than have him come in and nibble at the corners for them.

As for Padilla, he already drank his way out of Philly once. Charlie isn’t going to be anxious to get him back on the mound to watch him flake out again.
Mark Healey says:

June 5, 2009 at 6:48 pm

Chris Carlin on SNY today: There’s some talk that the Phillies are interested in Tom Glavine.”