Diamond Notes

Let's get right to the news, shall we?

• Word from control is that free agents are now allowed to think for themselves. Numerous owners have reported that players willing to negotiate at the end of last season were shutout of the negotiating window in beginning of this year. The result? Benny Aybar to Jacksonville and active markets for Jimmie Walters and Stewart Toombs.
  
• The standout deal has been San Francisco's swap of Alberto Beltran to New Orleans for Freddy Chen. Chen was New Orleans' top pick in the season eight draft and has been progressing nicely toward his projections (overall in the 80s; 60s contact, 70s splits). Beltran has started 30+ games each of the last six seasons, and was 14-10 for the Oogles last season. Mark also manages to shed a hefty contract--Alberto was in season two of a five-year, $32.5m deal.
• Memphis picked up a new closer in Brett Dougherty. The 28-year-old lefty saved 19-of-24 for intradivisional rival San Antonio (nee Little Rock). The cost? Two low-level prospects projecting in the 70s.
• Portland management has been hot on trading 25-year-old phenom Julian Santana. The reigning three-time Cy Young award winner and four-time all-star is making $8.6m this season as part of a five-year, $45.5m deal. Santana has yet to reach his gaudy projections, which are almost all above 90. In return, the Beavers are looking for first-class power hitting.
• The rumored destination for Santana? San Francisco. Well, it could have been. Sources report that the Ralph-Mark über division nearly got incestuous when Portland offered Santana in multiple packages, which would have sent Harpo Dunn and Jorge Benitez to Portland in return. Both times, the Oogles said no.
  
• While we're talking rumors, one out of Texas had Kansas City picking up all-world shortstop Garry Hutton from the Texans in exchange for stud hurler Max Roosevelt and others. Sources say that Texas ownership blinked and pulled the deal at the last minute. What a little bitch that owner is...
• Hutton was also rumored to be on the move to Washington, D.C. but salary cap restrictions have kept the shortstop in Texas.
• Speaking of the Texans, they shipped Tony Machado and a minor leaguer to intradivisional rival San Antonio for Weldon Terrell. Machado won his arbitration case this season. And, Esteban Hernandez takes a walk. The 31-year-old was dealt to New Orleans for Rudy Fingers. Both deals have yet to be completed.
• Rumors of teamwide dissent regarding Rigo Cordero's long-term deal to avoid arbitration have surfaced. Reports have Cordero forcing Texas management negotiate the deal while Texas GM jaredpaventi was distracted by people at a dinner party.
• In other news, try explaining to people at a dinner party that you had to go negotiate a contract with an imaginary baseball player.
  
• Lookout for Santa Fe. The Booze Hounds moved Lou Magruder and AAA shortstop Jimmy Linton to Fresno for a pair of low-level minor leaguers in a yet to be approved deal.
• Philadelphia has been active, acquiring the horribly named Germany Smart from San Juan. There's a joke to be made about a guy from Illinois named Germany playing American baseball in Puerto Rico who was traded to Philadelphia...I'm just not sure what it is. Nonetheless, sour also sent first baseman Del Clifton and cash to Seattle for a AA prospect.