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Marlins, Astros Talking Carlos Lee Trade

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The Marlins and Astros are deep into talks about a deal that would send Carlos Lee to Miami, ESPN.com's Buster Olney reports. The deal isn't completely done but there has been a whole lot of progress, Olney writes. Lee, who can block trades to 14 teams, including the Dodgers, has agreed to go to the Marlins, according to ESPN.

Lee left today's game against the Pirates before the contest ended, leading to speculation that trade talks might be picking up. As Olney notes, Marlins first basemen rank last among the 30 MLB teams with a combined .565 OPS this year.

Lee, 36, is earning $18.5MM in the final season of a six-year, $100MM contract. The Astros will absorb a "huge portion" of the $9MM remaining on his salary, Olney reports. Though Lee doesn't enjoy no-trade protection in the form of ten and five rights, his contract allows him to block trades to 14 clubs. The teams on his list are mostly in large markets, according to FOX Sports.

Lee has five homers and a .286/.336/.412 batting line in 274 plate appearances so far in 2012. Lee has slowed down in recent years, but his bat would still represent an upgrade over Gaby Sanchez's .194/.240/.283 batting line.

This post was first published on July 4th, 2012.

Phillies Notes: Hamels, Victorino, Manuel

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The Phillies' trades in the past week are signs that the club is getting ready to send off even more pieces, opines Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports (video link).  Philly hasn't quite put Cole Hamels out on the trade market yet, but as they sit far behind the first-place Nationals, it seems inevitable.  Morosi says that moves involving Hamels and Shane Victorino look likelier by the day.  More on the Phillies..

  • The Phillies might be saying publicly that they're not prepared to sell, but that doesn't appear to truly be the case, writes Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com.  One rival executive who talked to a high-ranking Phillies official told Knobler, "They told me, 'If we lose any more games, we could be selling soon.'"
  • Phillies skipper Charlie Manuel agreed with a reporter’s observation that the team's season riding on these next three weeks, writes Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com.  Meanwhile, Victorino argued that the returns of Roy Halladay and Ryan Howard will make a major impact on the club and will be bigger than any two acquisitions the Phillies could possibly make.
  • Victorino also told reporters, including Todd Zolecki of MLB.com (via Twitter) that he doesn't think his days in Philly are numbered and it's up to the team to show the front office that they can win as-is.

NL Central Notes: Carpenter, Pirates, Reds

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Here's the latest out of the NL Central..

  • Cardinals pitcher Chris Carpenter will undergo season ending surgery after recurring symptoms made it evident that the right-hander would be unable to pitch through thoracic outlet syndrome, writes Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com.  The 37-year-old, who is in the first season of a two-year, $21MM contract, says that he has every intention of pitching in 2013.
  • The Pirates lead this summer's group of all-in buyers, writes Buster Olney of ESPN.com.  Olney writes that the Brewers' model of 2008 seems perfect for the Pirates to follow and in some ways, they're in a better position to trade because of the amount of pitching talent in their pipeline.
  • The Reds have signed eighth-round selection Seth Mejias-Brean, MLBTR has learned. The third baseman played college ball at the University of Arizona.

Latest On Yankees’ Search For Pitching

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The Yankees are in wait-and-see mode for now, but could pursue starting pitching before July 31st, Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports write. With C.C. Sabathia and Andy Pettitte on the disabled list, the Yankees’ rotation now includes Freddy Garcia and David Phelps.

Zack Greinke doesn’t interest the Yankees, who are concerned about how players will adjust to playing in New York. The Yankees could pursue Cole Hamels, but they aim to lower payroll below $189MM by 2014 to avoid the luxury tax, so keeping the left-hander long term wouldn’t be easy given the team’s existing commitments. The Yankees like Matt Garza and he may be their most realistic option if they’re willing to meet the Cubs’ steep asking price.

Athletics Designate Brian Fuentes For Assignment

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The Athletics announced that they designated left-hander Brian Fuentes for assignment. The team reinstated right-hander Bartolo Colon from the disabled list in a related move.

Fuentes, 36, is in the second year of a two-year, $10.5MM contract he signed following the 2010 season. He'll earn $5MM this year and his contract includes a $6.5MM club option for 2013 ($500K buyout). In 25 innings for the Athletics this year he posted a 6.84 ERA with 6.5 K/9 and 3.6 BB/9. A trade involving Fuentes could still occur within the next ten days.

Blue Jays Looking To Add Players

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The Blue Jays, now 40-40 and in fifth place in the American League East, are looking to add to their team as the July 31st trade deadline approaches. General manager Alex Anthopoulos told Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca that he’s discussing ways of making this year’s team better.

"Every dialogue I’m trying to have now, it’s all about trying to improve the 2012 product, that isn’t going to change," he said. "I’m active in having talks, that doesn’t mean anything is going to get done, but definitely all the trade dialogue I’m handling right now is all about making the 2012 team better."

Anthopoulos told Davidi the Blue Jays have talked about some potential short-term additions, including players headed for free agency. The GM added that this year’s Blue Jays team has a stronger core than in previous years.

Only three MLB teams have out-scored Toronto, but the Blue Jays could use pitching reinforcements after losing three starters to the disabled list and adding Carlos Villanueva, Aaron Laffey and Brett Cecil to their rotation. The Blue Jays are unsurprisingly interested in adding starting pitching depth.

Two scouts told Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com that Anthopoulos should sell this summer. One scout suggested Casey Janssen could become a trade chip. Meanwhile, a rival official said the Blue Jays are “souring” on Yunel Escobar and Knobler suggests the Blue Jays could decide to trade the shortstop just one year after extending him.

Xavier Paul Elects Free Agency

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Xavier Paul has opted out of his contract with the Nationals and elected free agency, MLBTR has learned. The 27-year-old outfielder had been playing at Syracuse for Washington's Triple-A affiliate.

Paul, who appeared in 128 games for the Pirates and Dodgers last year, has spent the entire 2012 campaign at Syracuse. He has a .318/.379/.517 batting line with eight home runs in 235 plate appearances and has played both corner outfield positions. He played all three outfield positions last year, when he posted a .255/.292/.346 batting line for Pittsburgh and Los Angeles.

Blue Jays Sign Marcus Stroman

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The Blue Jays and first round selection Marcus Stroman have signed a contract, the pitcher and the team announced today. Stroman obtained a bonus of $1.8MM, ESPN.com's Keith Law tweets.  The Blue Jays selected Stroman 22nd overall and the recommended bonus for that slot is exactly $1.8MM.

"Officially a member of THE Toronto Blue Jays! Signed my contract," Stroman tweeted. "Beyond excited and blessed. Ready to work!" 

Stroman, a right-hander drafted out of Duke, has an impressive repertoire depite his 5'9" frame. He sits 92-94 mph as a starter and can touch 96 out of the bullpen, according to Baseball America. He has a nasty slider and could be the first 2012 draftee to reach the Major Leagues if he pitches in relief, according to many scouts.

Tigers Designate Matt Young For Assignment

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The Tigers announced that they designated utility player Matt Young for assignment (Twitter link). The move creates 40-man roster space for Darin Downs.

Young, 29, appeared in five games for the Tigers last month after signing with Detroit as a free agent in November of 2011. He has spent most of the season at Triple-A Toledo, where he has played second base, center field and right field and posted a .251/.410/.342 batting line in 258 plate appearances.

Indians Sign Hector Caro

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The Indians signed 16-year-old Dominican Hector Caro to a deal worth $1.1MM, Ben Badler of Baseball America reports. The corner outfielder bats from the right side and stands 6’2”.

Several teams didn’t consider Caro a top prospect in Latin America and Baseball America had him ranked outside of its top 20. Caro has flashed raw power, but has had trouble in games, Badler writes. The prospect projects as a left fielder.

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