Quick Hits: Brown, Tigers, Bourn, Mets
Let's take a look at some items as we close in on the 3:00pm (CST) deadline..
- Even though he received a number of calls on him, Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. insists that Domonic Brown was never available, writes Bob Brookover of the Philadelphia Inquirer.
- Meanwhile, Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski says that he never considered trading Rick Porcello or Max Scherzer to the Rockies in a package for Ubaldo Jimenez, writes James Schmehl of MLive.com.
- Several teams, including the Braves and Giants, are interested in the Astros' Michael Bourn, but the outfielder would prefer to stay in Houston, writes MLB.com's Brian McTaggart.
- Even though they're getting hits on several useful chips with expiring contracts, the Mets are likely done trading, writes Anthony DiComo of MLB.com.
Pirates Acquire Ryan Ludwick
The Pirates acquired right fielder Ryan Ludwick from the Padres for a player to be named later, tweets Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. Ludwick, a right-handed hitter, could at least fill the role the Pirates envisioned when they signed Matt Diaz in the offseason.
Ludwick, 33, is hitting .238/.301/.373 and has $2.2MM left on his contract. The Bucs added veteran first baseman Derrek Lee yesterday to an offense that ranks 12th in the NL with 3.82 runs scored per game.
Rangers Acquire Heath Bell Or Mike Adams?
The Rangers acquired reliever Heath Bell from the Padres, tweets Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. However, T.R. Sullivan confirmed with a club official that they actually acquired Mike Adams.
Indians Close To Deal For Ryan Ludwick?
1:28pm: The Indians are balking at the price for Ludwick, tweets MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo.
12:11pm: The deal is not yet close but seems inevitable, tweets Ken Rosenthal. Scott Miller of CBS Sports says the deal is close.
11:57am: The Indians are close to a deal with the Padres for right fielder Ryan Ludwick, tweets Yahoo's Tim Brown.
Ludwick, 33, is hitting .238/.301/.373 and has $2.2MM left on his contract. He was previously with the Tribe for part of 2003 through '05.
Pirates, Indians In Mix For Ryan Ludwick
The latest on Padres right fielder Ryan Ludwick, who is hitting .238/.301/.373 and has $2.2MM left on his contract…
- The Pirates are back in on Ludwick, tweets Brown. An earlier report had the Indians close but then balking at the Padres' asking price.
- The Pirates are in play for Ludwick but he's not their top target, tweets Rob Biertempfel. That might be Jason Kubel, he adds. However, Jon Paul Morosi says there are no serious talks now between the Pirates and Twins about Kubel.
- As of last night, the Pirates were still in the mix for Ludwick along with the Indians, tweets Ken Rosenthal. The Pirates are still trying for Ludwick this morning, tweets Yahoo's Tim Brown.
Arizona Reliever Rumors: Ziegler, Balfour
The Diamondbacks are likely to come away with a reliever today; here's the latest…
- Arizona is closing in on acquiring a reliever, tweets MLB.com's Steve Gilbert.
- The D'Backs are talking to the A's about reliever Brad Ziegler, tweets Olney. The 31-year-old sidearmer is under team control through 2014.
- The D'Backs have taken a very close look at Oakland's Grant Balfour, tweets ESPN's Buster Olney. The 33-year-old Australian has about $5.6MM left on his contract through next year if his club option for '13 is declined.
Padres Likely To Make Multiple Trades
The Padres will make two and possibly three trades on Sunday, a source tells Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. Reliever Heath Bell, outfielder Ryan Ludwick, and right-hander Chad Qualls are the most likely to move.
The source said that the Rangers remain the front-runner for Bell, but the Cardinals are still in the mix with the Phillies and Yankees showing late interest.
Two men expected to remain in San Diego are starter Aaron Harang and setup man Mike Adams. The Tigers and Indians were pursuing Harang but both teams acquired better starting pitchers on Saturday. Adams, meanwhile, would takeover for Bell as closer.
D’Backs Working To Acquire Reliever
SUNDAY, 12:43am: The Diamondbacks have a list of 7 or 8 relievers they are still pursuing and they're almost certain to come away with one, tweets Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. Meanwhile, Arizona doesn't like their chances of landing Rockies reliever Rafael Betancourt, according to Troy Renck of The Denver Post (via Twitter).
SATURDAY, 11:07pm: D’Backs GM Kevin Towers says he’s looking at everything (bullpen, bench, starting pitching) and could take on salary under the right circumstances, according to Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic (Twitter links).
9:13pm: The D'Backs are still working to acquire a reliever and it sounds as though they expect to complete a deal, according to Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic (on Twitter). The D'Backs acquired starting pitcher Jason Marquis earlier tonight.
Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports (Twitter links) reported earlier this evening that Arizona remains interested in relief help, including Jason Isringhausen. However, Isringhausen has said the Mets have told him they won't trade him, according to Andy McCullough of the Star Ledger (on Twitter).
White Sox Seeking Rotation Depth
The White Sox are now in search of rotation depth, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (via Twitter). After trading Edwin Jackson on Wednesday, General Manager Ken Williams & Co. believe that they are in need of starting pitching.
Without Jackson, the White Sox have gone from a six man rotation to a starting five which consists of Mark Buehrle, John Danks, Jake Peavy, Gavin Floyd, and Philip Humber. Earlier today, Williams said that it was highly unlikely that he would make another trade before the deadline.
Cardinals Acquire Rafael Furcal
10:31am: The deal is now complete, tweets ESPN's Jayson Stark. The Cardinals will pay $1.4MM of Furcal's $3.96MM remaining salary, tweets SI's Jon Heyman, implying the Dodgers are sending $2.56MM.
SUNDAY, 10:06am: The Dodgers will receive Double-A outfielder Alex Castellanos from the Cardinals, reports Goold. The 24-year-old is hitting .319/.379/.562 this year.
SATURDAY, 9:48pm: The Cardinals are likely to receive cash in the deal and they'll send a minor league outfielder to the Dodgers, according to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. The outfielder is not currently on St. Louis' 40-man roster, Goold reports.
8:40pm: Furcal will approve the trade, Jon Heyman of SI.com tweets.
1:40pm: The teams are a step away from completing the deal, hears Goold.
SATURDAY, 12:00pm: Though Furcal has no-trade protection, he's open to a deal to the Cardinals, tweets Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. The two teams continue to talk.
FRIDAY, 8:35pm: The Cardinals have had conversations with the Dodgers regarding Rafael Furcal, reports MLB.com's Matthew Leach.
6:34pm: The Cardinals are prioritizing a trade for a shortstop, tweets Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Strauss hears it's more likely than not that GM John Mozeliak pulls off a deal before Sunday's deadline, and feels that the rumored move is a difference-maker.
Difference-making shortstops are hard to come by in this trade market, unless the Marlins decide to listen on Hanley Ramirez or the Mets on Jose Reyes. The names I'd expect to be available are not nearly as exciting: Jamey Carroll and Rafael Furcal. The Astros are telling some teams Clint Barmes is not available, tweets MLB.com's Brian McTaggart.