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Catching Rumors: Shoppach, Nationals

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MLB catchers have combined for a .244/.316/.388 line this year and they're preventing 30% of stolen base attempts. Here are some catching rumors from around baseball…

  • Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com suggests Kelly Shoppach of the Red Sox is likely popular in trade talks right now (Twitter link). The Angels and Nationals are among the clubs with possible interest in catching depth and Jarrod Saltalamacchia's emergence may make Shoppach expendable. The Red Sox could call Ryan Lavarnway up if necessary.
  • The Nationals don’t sound overly interested in trading for a catcher, according to Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com (Twitter link). Sandy Leon and Wilson Ramos are on the disabled list, so the Nats are relying on Jesus Flores and Carlos Maldonado for now.

Cafardo On Red Sox, Youkilis, Beckett, Nationals

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In today’s column, Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe wonders what is at the root of the Red Sox’s pitching woes.  Some around baseball feel that the club’s hurlers are missing catcher Jason Varitek.  “He did a lot for that team in terms of getting the staff ready for each team,’’ said an American League GM. “They depended on him like no team depended on a catcher anywhere in baseball, with the possible exception of St. Louis, where Yadier Molina seems to have that effect.’’  Here’s more from Cafardo..

  • An AL GM told Cafardo that there could be a market for embattled Red Sox pitcher Josh Beckett, but the club would have to be willing to eat more than half of his contract.  Beckett will earn $15.75MM each year through 2014.
  • If Red Sox Kevin Youkilis can show he’s healthy, there’s a strong third base market out there for Boston. A National League special assignment scout told Cafardo that the Giants and Phillies are looking while the Rays could factor in, even though they say they aren’t in search of an answer at third base.
  • The Nationals would like to deal left-hander John Lannan but teams appear more interested in Chien Ming-Wang. The Nationals also have a good thing going and have created competition on their staff, as Wang and Lannan could push the other five. 
  • One American League GM doesn’t see the Phillies parting with Cole Hamels via trade.  “The [Blue] Jays are looking to do something big,” said an American League GM. “I just don’t see the Phillies bailing out on Hamels. They can still win it.“
  • The Rangers probably won’t let Josh Hamilton leave in free agency, but if he does look elsewhere, the Dodgers could be a fit for him with their new-found dollars.  Signing Hamilton would also allow the club to let Andre Ethier head into the market.

East Notes: Red Sox, Dempster, Mets, Murena

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Items on the Red Sox and Mets..

  • Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com has a list of suggestions for fixing the Red Sox and writes that the club should seek out a starting pitcher who can make a difference.  Ryan Dempster of the Cubs, Heyman writes, would be a solid fit.
  • Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com (via Twitter) wasn't confident that David Wright would be a lifelong member of the Mets a year ago but now thinks that there's a good chance the club will pony up more than $100MM to keep him.
  • Mets reliever Tim Byrdak could use support from a second lefty in the bullpen, but pitching coach Dan Warthen told Rubin that the club is unlikely to deal for one.  Byrdak has made a league-leading 19 relief appearances.
  • The Red Sox signed Pablo Murena, a 17-year-old catcher out of Panama, according to Alex Speier of WEEI.com.  Murena became a catcher just a couple months ago and the team was impressed with his arm strength at the position.

Yankees Claim Justin Thomas Off Waivers

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The Yankees have claimed left-handed reliever Justin Thomas off of waivers from the Red Sox, Marc Carig of the Star-Ledger confirms (via Twitter).  The move was first reported by Maureen Mullen of CSNNE.com (via Twitter). 

Thomas, 28, was removed from Boston's 40-man roster earlier this week and has one minor league option remaining.  The reliever has a 4.14 ERA with 8.1 K/9 and 3.8 BB/9 in eight seasons as a minor leaguer.

Olney On Hamels, Victorino, Youkilis, Dodgers

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A look at today's column from Buster Olney of ESPN.com..

  • The Phillies could have an ulterior motive in exploring trade possibilities for left-hander Cole Hamels and center fielder Shane Victorino.  The club could be suggesting that they are willing to trade the two veterans in order to pressure them to come to the negotiating table.  However, it both cases, there appears to be a significant gap to overcome.
  • Olney speculates that the Dodgers could be a good landing spot this summer for Kevin Youkilis if James Loney doesn't turn things around and the club is in search of an upgrade at first.  Youkilis, of course, would have to appear healthy enough to take on for the rest of the season.
  • The Blue Jays don't have a master plan for Vladimir Guerrero as they basically signed him for organizational depth, similar to what the Rays did by signing Hideki Matsui.  If Guerrero shows in Triple-A that he can be a productive player, and a need arises for the Jays, then he could be promoted.  If a need doesn't develop, then the club will allow Guerrero to pursue better opportunities elsewhere. 

Pirates Acquire Jeff Larish From Red Sox

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The Pirates have acquired first baseman/third baseman Jeff Larish from the Red Sox in exchange for cash considerations, according to a team press release.  Larish will be assigned to Triple-A Indianapolis tomorrow.

Larish, 29, last appeared in the majors in 2010 with the Athletics.  The veteran hit .240/.330/.449 in 75 games for the Phillies' Triple-A affiliate last season and hooked on with Boston last week. 

The move marks the second trade of the day for the Red Sox as they acquired Scott Podsednik from the Phillies earlier this evening.

Red Sox Acquire Scott Podsednik From Phillies

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The Red Sox have acquired Scott Podsednik from the Phillies, a source tells Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (via Twitter).  The Phillies will receive cash considerations for the outfielder and he will report to Triple-A Pawtucket, according to Alex Speier of WEEI.com (Twitter links).

Podsednik, 36, has not appeared in the majors since 2010 when he played for the Royals and Dodgers.  The Red Sox were said to be scouting the veteran roughly three weeks ago as they have been on the lookout for a left-handed hitting outfielder. 

The outfielder hit .254/.340/.396 in the Phillies' and Blue Jays' farm systems in 2011 and signed a minor league deal with the Phillies last fall.  For his big league career, Podsednik owns a .279/.340/.381 slash line.

Valentine: Sox Not Looking To Deal Or Acquire Pitcher

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Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine said that he is not aware of any trade talks involving either the acquisition or trading of a pitcher, according to Alex Speier of WEEI.com.  Major league sources also dismissed the idea that Boston would consider trading Josh Beckett in the wake of his golfing controversy.

“I’m sure that Ben’s looking at every conceivable way of improving our team, but I haven’t been in on any trade conversations about pitching, either coming or going,” said the manager.

Speier writes that Beckett's value would be virtually non-existent and points out that he has given the team more quality outings than any other pitcher so far this year.  Beckett, 31, is set to earn $15.75MM each year through 2014.

Valentine also said that no real consideration was given to the idea of sending the struggling Clay Buchholz to the minors.  Had Boston made that move, they would have exposed the pitcher to optional waivers.

Quick Hits: Red Sox, Garza, Bartlett

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The Mets play the 8,000th game in the history of their franchise tonight, and they're still looking for their first ever no-hitter. Here are some links to read before Johan Santana takes on Mark Buehrle and the Marlins in Miami…

  • Red Sox GM Ben Cherington says the team's medical staff doesn't believe Josh Beckett was putting himself at risk by golfing with stiffness in his lat muscle, Alex Speier of WEEI.com writes. Cherington does acknowledge that perception matters when it comes to the team's level of commitment.
  • Lines of communication are open between Matt Garza and the Cubs, Jon Heyman of CSBSports.com reports. The Cubs will try to extend Garza, who's under team control through 2013. Heyman suggests a five-year, $80MM deal could work for both sides.
  • Some people expect the Padres to release Jason Bartlett, Heyman tweets. The 32-year-old has a .433 OPS in 88 plate appearances and he doesn't appear to figure into the Padres' long-term plans.

Quick Hits: Youkilis, Wang, Twins, Wheeler

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Expanded instant replay was included in the new collective bargaining agreement, but Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports hears that the league is no rush to implement a new system. MLB executive vice president Joe Torre told Morosi they want to "make the game better without dragging it on."

Here's the latest from the around the league as Thursday turns into Friday…

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