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Dodgers Looking To Acquire Starting Pitching

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Dodgers GM Ned Colletti said today that he hopes to add a starting pitcher to his club's rotation, writes Ken Gurnick of MLB.com. Colletti didn't specifically name any targets, but said that he's "starting to focus on who" could be available before next month's trade deadline.

"The conversations have picked up a little," Colletti said. "It doesn't seem that anything is really hot. There are six or seven weeks to go [until the trade deadline]. Teams holding on to pitchers, their value won't go down unless they get hurt."

Although they're tied atop their division with a record of 38-28, the Dodgers have been using a pair of rookies in their starting rotation. With John Ely (9.20 ERA in his last three starts) and Carlos Monasterios (7.27 ERA in his last two starts) struggling as of late, starting pitching is becoming an increasing concern for the team.

The Dodgers are expected to be a suitor in the Roy Oswalt and Cliff Lee sweepstakes, though it's unclear if they have the necessary prospects and financial resources to acquire either ace. Pedro Martinez, who wants to pitch for a contender this season, could also be an option for the defending NL West champs.

Rockies May Pursue Infield Depth

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Tracy Ringolsby of FOX Sports reports that the Rockies received some bad news today, finding out Troy Tulowitzki has broken his left wrist and will likely miss at least the next six weeks. While the Rockies can't hope to sufficiently replace their superstar's production, GM Dan O'Dowd said the team may look into trading for infield depth, according to Troy Renck of the Denver Post.

Yesterday, we examined another club that might need a shortstop: the Los Angeles Angels. The Angels have since expressed optimism about Erick Aybar's health, meaning an infield acquisition probably won't be necessary. However, many of the same names we mentioned as possibilities for the Halos could be options for the Rockies. Stephen Drew is an unlikely target for a team in need of a stopgap solution, but the Rockies could look at players like Adam Everett, Cesar Izturis, Omar Vizquel, and Ryan Theriot.

In the meantime, former first-round pick Chris Nelson has been called up to replace Tulowitzki on the roster, and Clint Barmes and Jonathan Herrera should see increased playing time. If they're unable to contribute more offensively than they have to date, the Rockies could be forced to make a move.

Rangers Sign Mike Olt

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The Rangers have signed sandwich pick Mike Olt, tweets MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan. Olt was the next-to-last selection in the supplemental round of this year's draft, picked 49th overall. He'll receive a bonus of approximately $717K, according to Baseball America's Jim Callis.

In their scouting report of the third baseman, MLB.com says Olt "stands out as one of the better [college hitters]… especially if a team is looking for power potential." Baseball America ranked the Connecticut product as the 98th-best player heading into the draft, citing his "agility, good glove, and power bat."

Olt becomes the third of the Rangers' top four picks to agree to terms, as the team reached agreements quickly with first-rounders Jake Skole and Kellin Deglan. Be sure to stay up to date on draft signings with our complete list of the top 50 picks.

Odds & Ends: Maybin, Blue Jays, Orioles, Oswalt

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Links for Thursday night, as interleague play keeps Dan Haren's 1.000 OPS out of Arizona's lineup….

White Sox Designate Jayson Nix For Assignment

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Jayson Nix has been designated for assignment by the White Sox, according to Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times (via Twitter). The move clears a spot on the roster for the 21-year-old Dayan Viciedo, who Baseball America ranked as the 61st-best prospect in baseball before 2009.

Nix displayed some power for the Sox in 2009, homering 12 times in 290 plate appearances. His performance this year has been disappointing though, as he hit just .163/.268/.245 in 57 big league plate appearances. In a second tweet, Cowley adds that Nix would like another shot at the majors, but if he clears waivers, his first choice would be to remain a White Sox.

Yankees Sign Eric Bruntlett

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The Yankees have signed Eric Bruntlett to a minor league contract, tweets Donnie Collins of the Scranton Times-Tribune. The 32-year-old will start at third base tonight for Triple-A affiliate Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Bruntlett was released by the Nationals earlier this month, after struggling to a .210/.308/.302 slash line at Triple-A Syracuse. The light-hitting utility player last appeared in the majors with Philadelphia, hitting .202/.273/.278 in 356 plate appearances over the course of two seasons (2008-2009) for the NL champs.

At River Ave. Blues, Mike Axisa calls the signing a "depth move," predicting Bruntlett won't see any time with the big league club.

Rangers Inquiring On Starting Pitching

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The Rangers have called the Mariners to inquire about the availability of Cliff Lee, according to MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan. Citing industry sources, Sullivan reports that the Mariners are one of many teams the Rangers have contacted in their search for starting pitching.

Rangers assistant GM Thad Levine confirms the team's interest in making a deal, while reiterating that nothing is imminent:

"We've had some preliminary discussions with clubs…. But to compel teams to move this far ahead of the [July 31st] trade deadline, it would take a very attractive package. We're still in the inventory stage and the information-gathering stage rather than the execution phase."

We heard earlier today that the Mariners have received a few calls from teams interested in Lee, but that the M's aren't ready yet to consider trading away their ace. According to Sullivan, the Rangers pursued the left-hander aggressively last summer as well, before the Indians traded him to Philadelphia.

Texas has also frequently been linked to the Roy Oswalt sweepstakes lately, though SI.com's Jon Heyman said earlier this week that acquiring the Astros' ace looks like an "extreme long shot." Still, it looks as though the Rangers hope to add a major piece to their starting rotation, if it's financially possible.

Cubs Agree To Terms With Hayden Simpson

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The Cubs have reached an agreement with first-round draft pick Hayden Simpson, according to MLB.com's Carrie Muskat (via Twitter). The deal is pending a physical, but the team could officially announce the signing by Saturday.

Jim Callis of Baseball America reports that Simpson will receive a signing bonus of $1.06MM, well below MLB's recommended figure for the draft slot.

The club's selection of Simpson at 16th overall in last week's draft surprised many, including the college right-hander himself. Although Baseball America ranked the Southern Arkansas pitcher 191st overall in their list of the top 200 amateur prospects, Mark Potash of the Chicago Sun-Times points out that Cubs scouting director Tim Wilken "has a history of taking players based on his ratings and not Baseball America's."

Chipper Jones Leaning Toward Retirement

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Chipper Jones confirmed in a press conference this afternoon that he is leaning toward retiring at season's end, tweets Mark Bowman of MLB.com. The switch-hitting veteran says he won't address the subject again until after the season, in part because he doesn't want to overshadow Bobby Cox's retirement (Twitter link). In a blog entry for the Atlanta Journal Constitution, David O'Brien provides an entire transcript of Chipper's comments.

Chipper's performance so far this year (.234/.378/.366) represents his worst statistical season since becoming a full-time player in 1995. However, his career numbers remain Hall of Fame-worthy: .306/.406/.537 and 430 home runs in nearly 9500 plate appearances.

After 2010, the 38-year-old will have earned over $141MM throughout his major league career, according to Baseball-Reference. He'd be leaving plenty of money on the table if he decides to retire after this season though, as his current contract would pay him at least another $28MM through 2012, along with potential performance bonuses and a 2013 club option.

Blue Jays Sign Asher Wojciechowski

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The Blue Jays have signed sandwich pick Asher Wojciechowski, according to a team press release. Wojciechowski is the third and final of the Jays' supplemental round selections to reach an agreement with the club, following the signings of Aaron Sanchez and Noah Syndergaard.

Wojciechowski gets a $815K bonus, according to Jim Callis of Baseball America. That's in line with MLB's recommended bonuses.

The right-hander from The Citadel hits 96 mph on the radar gun and is considered a potential workhorse starter or closer. When Toronto nabbed him 41st overall on draft day, John Manuel of Baseball America praised the value, speculating that Wojciechowski's workload late this season may have caused him to slip a little.

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