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Tribe Brass To Discuss Wedge’s Future

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According to the Associated Press, via ESPN.com, Indians general manager Mark Shapiro is expected to discuss manager Eric Wedge's status with president Paul Dolan and team owner Larry Dolan "in the next few days."

Wedge is in serious danger of losing his job.  The Indians, 30-42 as of Tuesday night, are stuck in last place in the American League Central and have seen a major drop in attendance this season.  "It's been one of those years, that's for sure," said Wedge, who is in his seventh season with the club and is signed through 2010.  Look for some kind of announcement by the weekend.

Wedge has a 526-518 managerial record with the Tribe.  He led them to the ALCS in 2007.

Jon Daniels, Talking Rangers Baseball

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T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com gathered a few hot stove-related nuggets from Rangers general manager Jon Daniels on Tuesday afternoon.  Let's dig in…

  • Daniels thinks there won't be enough "sellers" by the time the July 31 trade deadline rolls around.  "There are just not that many teams decidedly looking to move players," he said.  "There are very few teams that are not within striking distance."
  • The Texas GM acknowledged that a scout was present for Pedro Martinez's workout in the Dominican Republic last week, but the 37-year-old right-hander's contract demands are currently too high.
  • In the end, grabbing a starting pitcher is probably going to be too costly, both in salary and prospects.  (Or just salary, if we're talking about free agent Ben Sheets).
  • "Relief is more realistic," Daniels concluded.

Twins DFA Luis Ayala

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TUESDAY, 8:34pm: According to MLB.com's Kelly Thesier, Ayala requested a trade from the Twins three weeks ago.

"He asked for this, and when you ask out of here, you will get out of here," said manager Ron Gardenhire.  "It's simple."  The right-hander apparently wanted a setup role, but "wasn't pitching well enough to be an eighth-inning guy," according to Gardenhire, the Twins' ultimate decision-maker.

MONDAY, 4:22pm:  ESPN relays an AP report that says the Twins designated reliever Luis Ayala for assignment to make room for right-hander Bobby Keppel.

Ayala signed with Minnesota for $1.3MM this winter, but he didn't pitch as well as the Twins had hoped. He allowed eight walks and 38 hits in just over 32 innings, striking out 21. He allowed four home runs this season, most recently to Lance Berkman on Saturday during the Astros' come-from-behind win.

Jocketty: “I’d Say We’re Buyers”

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The Cincinnati Enquirer's John Fay spoke payroll and trade possibilities with Reds general manager Walt Jocketty this afternoon.  Here's a quick rundown…

Jocketty first addressed a small rumor that ran in the Boston Globe this week concerning right-hander Bronson Arroyo, who is 8-5 with a 5.16 ERA and 1.39 WHIP over 14 starts this season.  The Globe's Nick Carfado implied Sunday that Arroyo might be available because the Reds are making "an effort to get younger and reduce payroll."  Jocketty refuted both claims.

"I haven't talked to anyone about Bronson," the GM said plainly.  And as for the issue of payroll:

"I'd say right now we're buyers.  We're looking for a hitter.  If we did something," he continued, "it would probably be to bring in a hitter.  Getting Joey [Votto] back is going to help.

Brewers Clinging To Top Prospects

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According to the Associated Press, via ESPN.com, the Brewers aren't likely to part with either third baseman Mat Gamel or shortstop Alcides Escobar before the July 31 trade deadline.

This represents a refreshing change in club philosophy from last season, when Milwaukee unloaded top outfield prospect Matt LaPorta to the Indians for a couple months of CC Sabathia.  Gamel, 23, is batting .244/.326/.402 with two home runs and 12 RBI through his first 82 major league at-bats, while the 22-year-old Escobar is coming into his own at the Triple-A level with 18 doubles, four triples and three home runs in 285 at-bats.

The Brewers are 37-32 this season, one game behind the Cardinals in the NL Central.

White Sox Not In Selling Mode

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As Mark Gonzalez of the Chicago Tribune reports, White Sox GM Ken Williams "doesn't envision his team in a seller's mode with the July 31 non-waiver trading deadline approaching."

"Over the course of however many games are left, I would anticipate that we're going to give this thing a run for its money," Williams said, his team five games back in the AL Central.  "So I can't put myself in the mind frame of a seller, where people have us in that 'are they buyers or sellers?'   … I think we can win this."

Williams noted that other clubs have been calling him for pitching.  "So we must have a little bit," he deduced.

Odds & Ends: Ransom, Dice-K, O’s

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MLBTR's own Eddie Schmid started posting this special little feature a couple weeks ago and it drew a nice response.  I'm just a thief.  This day in MLBTR history: On June 23, 2008, the bidding war was heating up for 16-year-old pitching phenom Michael Inoa.  He, of course, eventually signed with the Oakland A's.

A couple more links for Tuesday evening…

  • Marc Craig of the Newark Star-Ledger notes that Cody Ransom's 60-day stay on the disabled list will end Wednesday.  At that point, the Yankees either have to add him to the 25-man roster or designate him for assignment and risk losing him to another club.
  • The Boston Globe's Bob Ryan is almost ready to call Daisuke Matsuzaka a bust.  The Japanese import is 1-5 this season with an 8.23 ERA and 2.20 WHIP.  Sure, he was solid last year, but keep in mind the Red Sox shelled out $103MM to land him.
  • Matthew Pouliot of NBCSports.com and Rotoworld fame lists 10 outfielders who are "most likely to be traded" this season.  Matt Holliday tops the list, followed closely by Ryan Spilborghs, Jeff Francoeur and Cody Ross.
  • As the fellas over at "The Rays Party" point out, 2005 first-round pick Wade Townsend has decided to call it a career.  The right-hander out of Rice University battled all sorts of injuries during his four-year minor league campaign.
  • The Baltimore Sun's Peter Schmuck suggests a few moves the Orioles could make at the trade deadline.  "Keep Aubrey Huff… Listen to offers for George Sherrill… Don't listen to offers for Cesar Izturis," he writes.

Giants Seek Middle Of The Order Bat

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Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports reports that the Giants are looking for a middle of the order hitter since their offense has scored more runs than just two other teams. The Giants are in the middle of the NL Wild Card race thanks to their pitching, but they could use an upgrade in the infield or outfield. Morosi's source said the Giants will find a place for a bat if they can trade for one.

They have flexibility since Pablo Sandoval can play both corner infield positions. Morosi lists Aubrey Huff, Nick Johnson, Mark DeRosa, Troy Glaus, Luke Scott, Adam Dunn, Felipe Lopez and Adam Kennedy as possible targets for the Giants. Andrew Baggarly wondered earlier today whether Matt Holliday could become a target as well.

Cubs Agree To Terms With Brett Jackson

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FRIDAY: PGCrossChecker.com tells us that Jackson signed for $972k.

TUESDAY: According to an MLB.com press release, the Cubs have agreed to terms with frist round pick Brett Jackson. The 20-year-old outfielder bats left-handed and received praise from Baseball America on his athleticism. The Cubs selected him with their first pick in the draft, 31st overall.

Melvin On Brewers’ Pitching

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Brewers GM Doug Melvin says the Brewers can't keep trading prospects away for pitching, according to Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. The Brewers pulled off a deal for C.C. Sabathia last year, giving up Matt LaPorta, but they are apparently unwilling to trade Alcides Escobar or Mat Gamel this year. Here are more of Melvin's thoughts:

  • It's harder to deal for pitching when other teams perceive you as vulnerable.
  • It would be easier for Melvin to deal with Mariners GM and former Brewers scouting director Jack Zduriencik.  
  • Manny Parra will likely stay in the minors for four or five starts.  
  • Melvin talked with the manager and pitching coach down at Triple A Nashville to discuss his options there.  

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