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Starting Pitching Rumors: Blue Jays, White Sox

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The Orioles are just one of many teams looking for starting pitching, and they reportedly have their sights set on Zack Greinke and Wandy Rodriguez. Here's the latest on some other clubs in need of rotation help…

  • The Blue Jays are showing the most interest in pitchers under control beyond this season, reports Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports (on Twitter). Matt Garza and Rodriguez are among those high on their list, according to sources.
  • The White Sox's plans for the deadline depend heavily on John Danks and Philip Humber, tweets Morosi. If the two injured hurlers are not back soon, expect GM Kenny Williams to actively seek help for the battered rotation.

D’Backs Will Consider Offers For Justin Upton

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SATURDAY, 12:20pm: The D'Backs have let other teams know they're willing to trade Upton for the right package, reports ESPN's Buster Olney. "They wouldn't be pushing it this hard in the middle of the year unless they really wanted him out of there," said one official. Olney hears that the situation reminds teams of the Rockies and Ubaldo Jimenez last summer.

FRIDAY, 7:23pm: Rosenthal tweets that the teams on Upton's limited no-trade clause are unknown. He was able to block deals to the Royals, Tigers, Athletics, and Mariners back in 2010 but the list has since changed.

6:59pm: The Diamondbacks are currently 39-43 and seven games out in the NL West, and Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports that they would consider trade offers from Justin Upton if they fall further out of contention. They will target a third baseman if they instead move closer to contention.

Rosenthal says GM Kevin Towers is open to any type of deal, meaning they could buy, sell, or make a veteran-for-veteran swap that helps now. Upton has been involved in trade rumors before, specifically during the 2010-2011 offseason. The 24-year-old has hit just .266/.348/.378 with seven homers this year after placing fourth in the MVP voting last season. He's under contract through 2015 for approximately $41.9MM and is the type of player that will draw interest from every other team in the league if available.

O’s Have Contacted Astros About Wandy Rodriguez

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The Orioles are in the thick of the hunt for a postseason berth and are looking to shore up their starting rotation. Yesterday we learned that they were "going hard" after Zack Greinke, and today Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com (on Twitter) reports they've contacted the Astros about Wandy Rodriguez. Kubatko says GM Dan Duquette is talking to a lot of teams at the moment.

Rodriguez, 33, is one of a number of players Astros GM Jeff Luhnow is reportedly prepared to move. Carlos Lee was just traded to the Marlins and Brett Myers could be of interest to clubs in need of bullpen help. Wandy is no stranger to the trade rumor circuit and has pitched to a 3.54 ERA with his lowest strikeout rate (5.8 K/9) since his rookie year this season. He's owed approximately $5MM for the rest of 2012 and $13MM for 2014. His $13MM club option for 2014 becomes a player option if traded.

Baltimore got seven innings of one-run ball out of Miguel Gonzalez last night, but Brian Matusz was just demoted to Triple-A and Jake Arrieta owns a 6.13 ERA through 18 starts. The O's are 5.5 games back in the AL East but currently hold a 1.5 game lead on a wildcard spot. Adding a third reliable starter to Wei-Yin Chen and Jason Hammel figures to be Duquette's top priority leading up to the deadline.

Outrighted To Triple-A: Doug Slaten, Chris Leroux

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Let's keep track of the day's outright assignments right here…

  • The Pirates announced that Doug Slaten has cleared waivers and been outrighted to Triple-A on their Twitter feed. The 32-year-old southpaw was designated for assignment late last month. Slaten appeared in ten games for Pittsburgh and owns a 3.52 ERA in parts of seven big league seasons.
  • The Pirates also announced that Chris Leroux has cleared waivers and been outrighted to Triple-A. Leroux, a 28-year-old righty, has battled injury this season while pitching to a 3.77 ERA in 11 1/3 minor league innings. He owns a 5.47 ERA in parts of three big league seasons, and last appearanced in the show with the Pirates last year.

Quick Hits: Towers, Headley, Dempster, Quentin

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Some links from around the league as Friday turns into Saturday…

  • "I'm open-minded on anybody, everybody. Even guys who have no-trade clauses," said Diamondbacks GM Kevin Towers to MLB.com's Steve Gilbert when asked about the Justin Upton rumors. "You ask people when I was in San Diego, same exact response. I think you always have to be open-minded."
  • Chase Headley told MLB.com's Corey Brock and Chelsea James that despite the trade rumors, he'd prefer to stay with the Padres. "If it were my choice, I would love to be here," said the third baseman.
  • Ryan Dempster will be activated off the DL on Sunday, and he told MLB.com's Carrie Muskat that he knows the trade rumors will start right back up. “They’ve been there," said the Cubs right-hander. "That stuff doesn’t bother me. I’ll just try to do my job the best I can and let those things take care of themselves."
  • Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports.com suggests the Padres trade Carlos Quentin at the trade deadline then sign him as a free agent this offseason. Quentin is a San Diego native and thanks to the new collective bargaining agreement, they would not have to surrender a draft pick.

Reds, Others Interested In Juan Pierre

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The Reds are among the teams showing interest in Juan Pierre, reports ESPN's Buster Olney (on Twitter). The Phillies have not yet indicated a willingness to sell, but that won't stop clubs from calling.

Pierre, 34, is hitting a solid .317/.355/.387 with 20 steals in 23 chances while taking over Philadelphia's left field job on an everyday basis. Cincinnati is said to be seeking a leadoff hitter type, and Pierre certainly fits the bill.

Minor Moves: Andy LaRoche, Hong-Chih Kuo

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Here's a recap of today's minor league transactions, courtesy of Baseball America's Matt Eddy…

  • The Red Sox have signed Andy LaRoche after the Indians released him late last month. The 28-year-old infielder has already played in six games for their Triple-A affiliate and is hitting .265/.352/.418 in 193 minor league plate appearances overall this season.
  • The Cubs have released Hong-Chih Kuo. They signed him to a minor league deal in early-June. The 30-year-old left-hander has not appeared in a game yet this season after battling back and anxiety issues last year. Kuo owns a 3.73 ERA in parts of seven big league seasons, all with the Dodgers.

Astros Likely To Dismiss Brad Mills After Season

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The Astros have lost eight straight games and currently sit in fifth place in the NL Central, and Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports that they will likely dismiss manager Brad Mills after the season. GM Jeff Luhnow said that no change is imminent, however. 

"We haven’t talked about next year at all," said Luhnow. "I’ve told everyone we’re going to wait. I’m not even thinking about it at this point … Brad has done a good job. We get along well. There is no reason to make a change … At the end of the year is when I’m going to spend time looking at all aspects of the operation. But I’m not spending time on it right now."

Mills was hired prior to the 2010 season when the team was under different ownership with a different GM. Jim Crane purchased the club from Drayton McLane last year, and Luhnow was hired during the offseason. Mills is under contract through the end of the season with a club option for 2013. The Astros are 164-243 under his watch and finished with the worst record in baseball a year ago.

 

AL West Notes: Suzuki, Rays, Hernandez, Moore

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Former University of Florida catcher Mike Zunino was named the Golden Spikes Award winner today, which recognizes him as the best amateur player in the county. Zunino was the third overall pick by the Mariners in last month's draft and recently signed for $4MM. Here's the latest from his new division, the AL West…

  • Athletics GM Billy Beane did not deny that he has spoken to the Rays about catcher Kurt Suzuki, reports ESPN's Jim Bowden (on Twitter). Beane did say that he speaks to Tampa GM Andrew Friedman regularly, however.
  • Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik has given no indication that he's willing to trade Felix Hernandez, but SI.com's Tom Verducci says they should make their ace available. He says the reality of Hernandez's age, workload, and contract should not make him untouchable.
  • The Mariners designated Adam Moore for assignment last Sunday and have yet to make a decision about what they're going to do with him according to ESPN's Jerry Crasnick (Twitter links). The backstop has battled knee problems but agent Mike McCann insists his client is healthy.

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