Trade Deadlines Nears -- July 31st

where?

would be a challenge to be the computer dude changing all these guys' hats around on their pics!

CC Ripple Effect on Reds?

Reds general manager Walt Jocketty is still holding his cards close as July 31 approaches. The Reds are neither buyers nor sellers. But the CC Sabathia trade to the Brewers appears to have increased activity somewhat.

"I think things will start opening up more to react to that deal," Jocketty told MLB.com Tuesday at Wrigley Field. "I would expect to see things start to move a bit now. I can tell you I have been getting more phone calls."

One move that shouldn't be expected is a trade of rotation ace Aaron Harang. A recent published report indicated Harang could be potential trade bait because Jocketty hadn't included the right-hander on his "untouchables" list. That story was downplayed.

"I don't want to get into who is available or not available," Jocketty said. "You can't ever say you won't talk about anybody. But it's pretty difficult to talk about certain players. And I would put Harang in that category."

-- Mark Sheldon

Will demands decrease?

As the Braves continue to look for a power-hitting outfielder, they are finding teams are requesting a greater return value than expected. Likewise, as they continue to evaluate a potential market for Mark Teixeira, they're finding teams aren't currently looking to bid too much for his two months of service.

Such is the reality of the trade market on July 8. With more than three weeks left before this year's trade deadline, the Braves don't even know if they'll be willing to deal Teixeira. But if they fall out of contention and opt to move the free-agent-to-be, they'll certainly be looking for the return to be better than the current market indicates.

"When (the deadline) gets real close, I think clubs that are close to being in contention are going to start increasing their offers," one National League scout says. "He's going to be pretty expensive (as a free agent) and nobody is going to sign him before this season is over. He's going to free agency."

If the Braves trade Teixeira, they'll be looking to get a first baseman in return. This also will limit their trade options.

As for Braves GM Frank Wren's search for a power-hitting outfielder, it's currently many other places other than Pittsburgh. One scout said the Pirates seem more likely to move Xavier Nady than Bay. Either way, the return request for both of these players is currently steep.

If the Pirates opt to trade Jack Wilson, they might increase their interest in Brent Lillibridge, who they sent to the Braves last year in the Adam LaRoche trade. For Bay, the Braves would likely have to include another Major League-ready player like Brandon Jones, who is targeted to play left field next year if another outfielder isn't acquired.

-- Mark Bowman

* Posted on July 8, 2008 at 2:49 PM

Results tagged “Tigers” from Trade Talk

Interest rising in Royals' Mahay

Royals left-hander Ron Mahay continues to pitch well so it's no surprise
there's increased interest by clubs seeking a reliable reliever. The Kansas City Star reported Thursday that no firm offers have been made. Teams needing bullpen help include the Yankees, Tigers, Marlins and Rays. Mahay is a versatile lefty who can pitch two innings or, as he's done so well for KC, fill a set-up role. At 37, he's aged like fine wine and the Royals thought so highly of him that he's got a contract through 2009.

Writer Ken Rosenthal speculates that outfielder David DeJesus would be a good fit for the Diamondbacks. He'd be a good fit almost anywhere, especially for the Royals who value him highly. Case in point: He came back from a rib-cage injury on Wednesday night at Baltimore, smacked a homer in his first at-bat and added two singles to his 14-game hitting streak. It would take an awful lot to pry him away from KC.
-- Dick Kaegel

• Posted on July 3, 2008 at 7:21 AM
  

Tags: David DeJesus, Diamondbacks, Marlins, Rays, Ron Mahay, Royals, Tigers, Yankees

Tigers scout Jays-O's

FOXSports.com's Ken Rosenthal reports that the Tigers were among the many teams to have a scout present at Wednesday's Jays-Orioles game at Camden Yards, where A.J. Burnett was the starting pitcher for Toronto and O's closer George Sherrill was in the bullpen (but didn't pitch). The Tigers have been linked to interest in both starting and relief, but the Orioles' expected price tag for Sherrill would seem to be out of their range. The Tigers front office is familiar with Burnett, having acquired him with the Florida Marlins a decade ago and then having briefly pursued him on the free-agent market after the 2005 season.

-- Jason Beck

• Posted on July 24, 2008 at 11:25 AM
  

Dombrowski downplays Sox series on trade talks

Tigers president/general manager Dave Dombrowski indicated Thursday that how his team performs against the AL Central-leading White Sox this weekend "probably" won't have a major effect on how the team proceeds in trade talks leading up to next Thursday's nonwaiver deadline.

"Probably not," Dombrowski said when asked if the series results would have any effect, "but I can never say [for sure] it won't."

The Tigers head into this series 5 1/2 games behind Chicago with 61 games left to play (the White Sox have 62). While Dombrowski said of course that this is a big series, he also said it won't kill their playoff hopes at this point if they didn't take the three-game set.

-- Jason Beck

• Posted on July 24, 2008 at 2:38 PM
  

July 26	Player to Dodgers	Players to Indians
	3B Casey Blake	C Carlos Santana RHP Jon Meloan
	The Deal: The Dodgers wanted to find a bat to shore up the left side of the infield, and they got one. While Blake might not be the pick of the litter, his resume is an upgrade at third over the rookie tandem of Blake DeWitt and Andy LaRoche. Santana is the prize of the deal for the Indians, a switch-hitting slugger at Class A at age 22. Meloan is a Triple-A pitcher who might still help at age 24. More Coverage: LAD | CLE

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July 25	Players to Yankees	Players to Pirates
	OF Xavier Nady LHP Damaso Marte	RHP Ross Ohlendorf OF Jose Tabata RHP Jeff Karstens RHP Dan McCutchen
	The Deal: Xavier Nady was enjoying the best season of his seven-year career with the Pirates, and he could fill the Yankees' need for a veteran right-handed bat in the lineup, as well as an additional outfield option. Marte will slot into the Yankees' bullpen, helping fill their vacancy for a reliable left-handed reliever after serving as the Pirates' closer for the better part of the month after an injury to Matt Capps.

Tigers bullpen in flux

Look for the Tigers to step up their search for relief help in the wake
of their decision to relieve Todd Jones of his closer duties in favor
of Fernando Rodney. With Rodney needing 42 pitches to finish off the
Tigers' victory Sunday -- not a save situation -- and Joel Zumaya
leaving the game with lingering tightness in his right triceps, Detroit
is thin on late-inning arms. As difficult as it could seem for the
Tigers to use Jones in an eighth-inning or spot closing role after
demoting him, they might have little choice given the innings they need
to fill in the short term. That could open up Detroit's search to
right-handers as well as lefties, though their need would seem more
urgent from the left side.

-- Jason Beck

• Posted on July 27, 2008 at 8:22 PM
  

Tigers look at Giants' Taschner

The Tigers have had a scout in San Francisco this weekend watching the
Giants against the Diamondbacks. It's believed that the target of
observation is lefty reliever Jack Taschner, whom the Giants could
potentially deal. The Tigers have been linked with relief help in trade
rumors this week, but with back-to-back losses to the White Sox
dropping Detroit further back in the AL Central, any momentum towards
the Tigers being buyers might have halted.

-- Jason Beck

• Posted on July 27, 2008 at 12:38 PM
  

What a boring deadline day! I wanted to see a 6-team trade!

White Sox acquire Ken Griffey Jr.

Marlins acquire Arthur Rhodes.

Manny's out of Boston!

To Red Sox: Jason Bay
To Dodgers: Manny Ramirez
To Pirates: Craig Hansen, Brandon Moss, Andy LaRoche and Bryan Morris

Manny to the Dodgers?!?!??!?

laprimamirala wrote:

Manny to the Dodgers?!?!??!?

Between the Yankees getting Pudge and Red Sox dealing Manny; It looks like they gonna be in the playoffs this year