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Athletics Interested In Shortstop Help

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Billy Beane would “love” to acquire a shortstop who could provide the streaking Athletics with an offensive boost, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports. The A’s, who aren’t presently in serious trade talks with any teams, could pursue Yunel Escobar or Stephen Drew. 

The Blue Jays are willing to trade Escobar, Rosenthal reports. Shortstop prospect Adeiny Hechavarria has convinced Toronto’s decision makers that he can play in the Major Leagues, so the Blue Jays could listen to offers on Escobar, Rosenthal writes. The 29-year-old Escobar has a .251/.295/.339 batting line and earns $5MM per season through 2013.

The A’s have also tried to upgrade over the slumping Brandon Inge, Rosenthal reports. Here's a look at potentially available shortstops and third basemen.

AL Central Notes: Castillo, Tigers, Willingham

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The White Sox lead the AL Central with a 49-39 record, and they are considering at least one high-profile midseason reinforcement. The White Sox have Zack Greinke on their radar, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reported earlier today. Here are the latest AL Central rumors, starting in Chicago…

  • The White Sox agreed to sign Dominican prospect Luis Castillo for $450K, the Dominican Prospect League announced. The league release describes Castillo as a "man child" who hits the ball hard and runs well for his size.
  • The Tigers and White Sox are both prioritizing starting pitching in trade talks, Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com reports.
  • The Twins haven't made Josh Willingham off-limits to other teams, but they aren't shopping him, Phil Mackey and Darren Wolfson of 1500ESPN.com report. Willingham, who's in the first year of a three-year, $21MM contract, is "definitely" Minnesota's most valuable trade chip, 1500ESPN.com reports. However, the Twins are enjoying Willingham's production and would prefer not to trade a player so early in a multiyear contract.
  • The Angels, Red Sox, Yankees, Mets, Blue Jays and Braves are believed to have some interest in Twins left-hander Francisco Liriano, Heyman reports.

How To Use MLBTR

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An explanation of the many ways to enjoy MLB Trade Rumors:

  • If the main site doesn't load perfectly on your cell phone, try the more mobile-friendly mlbtraderumors.mobi.  It's a simple page that shows you just the headlines and lets you click through to what you want to read.
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  • To return to the main page at any time, just click on the title or the Home button on the navigation bar below the title. 
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Red Sox To Designate Lillibridge For Assignment

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The Red Sox will designate utility player Brent Lillibridge for assignment, Alex Speier of WEEI.com reports (on Twitter). The move creates roster space for Carl Crawford, who's being activated from the disabled list.

Boston acquired Lillibridge in the trade that sent Kevin Youkilis to Chicago last month. Lillibridge, 28, has a .165/.212/.177 line in 86 total plate appearances this year. He has a career batting line of .212/.279/.351 in five seasons with the Braves, White Sox and Red Sox. Joel Sherman of the New York Post suggests he could be a fit for the Mets (Twitter link).

Outrighted To Triple-A: Dana Eveland

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The latest outright assignments from around MLB… 

  • Dana Eveland cleared waivers and the Orioles outrighted him to Triple-A Norfolk, Steve Melewski of MASNsports.com reports (on Twitter). The Orioles designated the 28-year-old left-hander for assignment two days ago after he posted a 4.73 ERA with 5.0 K/9 and 3.6 BB/9 in 32 1/3 innings. Eveland has already started six games for Norfolk this year.

Zack Greinke Rumors: Monday

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The Angels and Rangers are among the teams monitoring Zack Greinke, but don't expect the Yankees to become involved. Here's the latest on the Brewers right-hander as the trade and extension rumors continue…

  • The White Sox have Greinke on their radar, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports. Chicago is also looking to add a veteran reliever.
  • The Brewers announced that Greinke won't make his scheduled start Wednesday (via Mike Vassallo of the Brewers on Twitter). Greinke recently started three consecutive games because of an ejection and the timing of the All-Star Break. However, he has allowed 14 earned runs in 14 innings this month, so the Brewers decided it's time to give their ace some rest. GM Doug Melvin told Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports that Greinke is physically fine. The Brewers are simply "recharging his batteries," Melvin said (Twitter link).

Rays May Be Willing To Trade Shields

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The Rays are suggesting to other teams that they will listen to trade offers for right-hander James Shields, Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com reports. Rival teams have heard that the Rays intend to decide on a course of action after their upcoming home series against the Indians and Mariners, Knobler writes.

The Rays, now 46-43, have told teams they still expect to contend for the playoffs this year. The Tigers could have interest in Shields, Knobler suggests. Opposing scouts believe Shields has become frustrated and would pitch better in another environment, according to Knobler.  

There’s no doubt that many teams would have interest in Shields given his age, durability and contract status. The 30-year-old earns $7MM in 2012 and his contract includes club options for 2013 ($9MM with a $1.5MM buyout) and 2014 ($12MM with a $1MM buyout). Shields, the third-place finisher in last year's AL Cy Young voting, has completed at least 200 innings in every one of his five full seasons. He has a 4.44 ERA with 8.3 K/9 and 4.4 BB/9 in 123 2/3 innings so far in 2012. 

The Rays’ rotation currently includes Shields, David Price, Matt Moore, Jeremy Hellickson and Alex Cobb. Jeff Niemann, on the disabled list with a fractured fibula, and Chris Archer, now in the minor leagues, provide Tampa Bay with a pair of additional options.

MLBTR’s Tim Dierkes recently discussed trade candidates who could eventually be tied to draft pick compensation. Shields could net a compensatory draft choice following a trade, as long as the acquiring team exercises his 2013 option. For more on potentially available starting pitchers click here.

Yankees Monitoring Outfield Market

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The Yankees always seem to be pursuing pitching, but their front office officials aren’t overly concerned about the rotation, since C.C. Sabathia and Andy Pettitte are expected to return this summer. Instead, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports, the Yankees are looking at the outfield market and have checked in on both Shane Victorino and Justin Upton.

Upton, who can block trades to the Yankees, would be a “major long shot,” Heyman writes. The Yankees believe the asking price for Upton and Victorino is too high, but Victorino may be slightly more realistic than Upton. At least one executive believes Victorino could be traded before any other big-name players.

Brett Gardner is scheduled attempt to return from an elbow injury later this month. In the meantime, Raul Ibanez, and Andruw Jones are playing well in complementary roles. Yet Yankees left fielders have combined for a .233/.303/.426 batting line, so it's no surprise GM Brian Cashman is considering alternatives.

NL Central Notes: Cardinals, Greinke, Reds

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There’s confusion in baseball front offices as executives navigate the trade deadline for the first time under the sport’s new collective bargaining agreement, Yahoo’s Jeff Passan writes. Last offseason MLB and the MLBPA added one Wild Card berth per league and changed the rules regarding draft pick compensation. Here’s the latest from the NL Central…

  • John Mozeliak traded Brett Wallace, Clayton Mortensen and Shane Peterson for Matt Holliday in 2009, but the Cardinals GM told Passan he probably wouldn't make the same trade today because of the new draft compensation system. 
  • Mozeliak also explained that teams are demanding significant returns with two weeks to go before the trade deadline. "The ask is high," he told Passan.
  • Brewers manager Ron Roenicke is thinking about 2013 and beyond when it comes to Zack Greinke’s place on Milwaukee’s roster, Yahoo’s Tim Brown reports. "Yes, I'm concerned right now, but I'm also concerned with next year and the year after," Roenicke said. Greinke will miss his scheduled start on Wednesday as the Brewers look to get him some rest.
  • The Reds are drawing more fans this year, so John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer suggests the team can probably take on payroll at the upcoming trade deadline.

Rosenthal On Rangers, Angels, Cubs, Marte

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It’s time to consider the Angels and Rangers superpowers, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports writes. Lucrative regional TV deals, an abundance of star talent and the flexibility to make further moves have turned the Angels and Rangers into imposing organizations. Both clubs have both scouted Zack Greinke and Cole Hamels, but the Rangers view those pitchers as rentals and are hesitant to part with top prospects for either one. Here are more of Rosenthal’s latest notes:

  • The Brewers haven’t given up on the 2012 season, but they’ve talked about exploiting the Angels-Rangers rivalry, Rosenthal writes. Many executives believe the return for a pitcher like Greinke or Hamels will be surprisingly low because the new collective bargaining agreement prevents teams from obtaining compensation for players acquired midseason.
  • Ryan Dempster, who can veto any trade, has said he would consider going to any contender. The Cubs want to assume the majority of the $6.1MM remaining on Dempster’s salary to obtain better prospects in return. Rosenthal suggests interested teams might look to extend Dempster this summer and keep him off of the free agent market.
  • The Cubs wanted a Gio Gonzalez-like return for Matt Garza last offseason, Rosenthal reports.
  • Rosenthal suggests the Phillies could trade Jimmy Rollins, but points out that the shortstop earns $11MM per season through 2014. “That contract, boy oh boy,” one executive said, suggesting it could deter interested teams.
  • Baseball people express doubt about the star potential of Pirates outfield prospect Starling Marte, Rosenthal reports.
  • The Rockies are pleased that Ramon Hernandez has helped Wilin Rosario develop and don't seem overly earger to trade the veteran Hernandez.
  • The Tigers are scouting Marco Scutaro and they aren’t the only team with interest in the veteran infielder. The Brewers inquired on Scutaro, but talks didn’t progress.

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