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Los Angeles Notes: Ellis, Lackey, Wells, Greinke

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The Dodgers lead the NL West by the slimmest of margins (half a game) over the Giants, but their American League counterpart isn’t so well-positioned. The Angels are just two games above .500 after losing four games in a row and they’re now 4.5 games behind the Wild Card leaders. Here's the latest on Los Angeles' two teams…

  • Catcher A.J. Ellis explains how this year's trade deadline unfolded from the point of view of the Dodgers’ players in a guest column at Buster Olney's ESPN.com blog. Ellis acknowledges that players refresh MLBTR in search of news as the trade deadline approaches. "Few of us would admit to religiously checking websites like MLBTradeRumors and Twitter feeds looking for rumors, but we do," he writes.
  • Mike DiGiovanna of the LA Times would not be surprised if the Angels try to engage the Red Sox in trade talks about a possible John Lackey for Vernon Wells deal this offseason (Twitter links). Wells, who has $42MM on his contract after 2012, could be a fit in Fenway Park,  DiGiovanna writes. Lackey, who pitched in Anaheim from 2002-09, has $30.5MM remaining on his contract after 2012.
  • The trade that sent Zack Greinke to Anaheim hasn't worked out as well as expected for the Angels, Tom Haudricourt of the Journal Sentinel writes. Greinke has a 6.19 ERA in five starts since being traded.

AL East Notes: Yankees, Red Sox, Hughes

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Let's take a look at some items on the Red Sox and Yankees as they get set to square off tonight..

  • Yankees GM Brian Cashman will soon have to decide where they stand on Phil Hughes and Joba Chamberlain, who are both set to hit free agency after next season, writes Joel Sherman of the New York Post.  When asked about how he views the two long-term, Cashman responded, “That is stuff I can’t answer at this stage. It is a two-way street. It is a negotiation for two sides. So it is all for another day."
  • Sources told Andy Martino and Roger Rubin of the New York Daily News that the text message from Adrian Gonzalez to Red Sox ownership about Bobby Valentine was actually authored by catcher Kelly Shoppach.  The catcher was later traded to the Mets, clearing room in Boston for Valentine favorite Ryan Lavarnway.
  • The Yankees are often criticized for their hefty payroll, but the club has done an outstanding job of stockpiling low-cost veteran players, writes Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.  Rosenthal praises Cashman for his patience on the open market and his aggressiveness in small trades and on the waiver wire.

Cafardo On Ellsbury, Bourn, Ross, Cook, Millwood

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In today's column, Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe writes that despite the perception that Jacoby Ellsbury would like to leave Boston down the line, a source says that he would actually like to stay if at all possible.  Neither side has asked the other to consider a long-term deal, but that could certainly change in the offseason.  Here's more from Cafardo..

  • In last week's column, Cafardo wrote that Braves officials thought Michael Bourn would not re-sign when he becomes a free agent due to a less-than-stellar track record with Scott Boras clients.  However, Boras told Cafardo that he has had an excellent relationship with General Manager Frank Wren and the club as a whole.  The agent says he is not ruling out Atlanta at all and added that Bourn enjoys playing there.
  • The Red Sox are very interested in pursuing a new deal with Cody Ross, who will be coming off of a one-year, $3MM pact this winter.  With many teams in need of a righthanded bat, he could likely net a Josh Willingham-type three-year, $21MM deal. 
  • The Orioles, Nationals, and Dodgers may be among teams looking at Red Sox pitcher Aaron Cook now that he is on trade waivers.
  • Mariners pitcher Kevin Millwood has not been placed on trade waivers yet but he could be one of the more sought-after pitchers once he is.  “He’s got ice water in his veins and he knows how to get big outs,” said a veteran scout. “A guy like that isn’t going to do the Mariners any good going forward but he could solidify a rotation.”
  • Cubs personnel are disappointed that Alfonso Soriano won’t waive his 10-and-5 rights to go to the Giants.  The outfielder doesn't want to play in a colder climate that could adversely affect his hitting.

Red Sox Notes: Blue Jays, Farrell, Varitek

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Here's a look at the latest on the Red Sox as they get set to take on the Yankees in the Bronx..

  • There has been a great deal of speculation that the Red Sox could look to lure back Blue Jays skipper John Farrell should they choose to part ways with Bobby Valentine, but Farrell shot down the talk, writes Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.  Farrell reminded reporters that he is still under contract in Toronto while General Manager Alex Anthopoulos noted that the club's policy only allows for departures in the event of a promotion.
  • Farrell's contract runs through next season but it may make sense for both Toronto and Boston to work out a deal, opines Buster Olney of ESPN.com (Insider sub. req'd).  Olney adds that the Red Sox came close to reaching an agreement with Toronto last fall.  The Blue Jays, he writes, should present Farrell with an extension offer beyond 2013, and should look to trade him to Boston should he decline. 
  • While many people have opined that former Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek would make sense as the club's next manager, WEEI.com's Kirk Minihane argues that Boston needs an outsider as its skipper.

Red Sox Release Mark Prior

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The Red Sox have released right-hander Mark Prior, according to Brendan McGair of the Pawtucket Times (via Twitter).  The move was made in order to create space for the newly-acquired Pedro Beato.

Prior, 31, hooked on with the Red Sox in early May as he looked to attempt yet another comeback.  During his time in Triple-A Pawtucket, Prior posted a 3.96 ERA with 13.7 K/9 and 8.3 BB/9 in a small sample size of 25 innings of work.  The second-overall pick in 2001 was brilliant in the early portion of his career but has not pitched in the majors since 2006 thanks to a series of shoulder problems.

AL East Notes: Red Sox, Lester, Orioles, Reynolds

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Yesterday, Red Sox President Larry Lucchino took some time to talk to the press in the midst of the team’s recent turmoil.  Lucchino told reporters, including Tim Britton of The Providence Journal (via Twitter), that despite the criticism the club has faced in recent weeks, “The cynical, jaded media do not necessarily capture the voice of the fan base.”  Here’s more out of Fenway and the rest of the AL East..

  • Boston has been a desirable free agent destination for the better part of the last decade, but pitcher Jon Lester isn’t sure if that is still the case, writes Scott Lauber of the Boston Herald.  “I don’t know,” Lester said. “It’s always been a demanding place to play, but until the last two years, it always was about baseball. Now we’ve got things written and said about guys’ personal stuff as human beings, as people. Now you’re starting to question people’s manhoods. That’s where it gets hard.”  Meanwhile, Lucchino doesn’t believe that the drama will dissuade players from wanting to come to Boston.
  • Steve Melewski of MASNsports.com wonders if Mark Reynolds may be playing himself into the Orioles’ plans for 2013 with his recent hot streak.  Baltimore is unlikely to pick up his $11MM option for next season but they could non-tender him and bring him back for considerably less.  In total, Reynolds isn’t having a stellar year by his standards, hitting .220/.335/.413 with 12 homers in 355 plate appearances.
  • If the Red Sox decide to make a managerial change, Joel Sherman of the New York Post suggests Jason Varitek as a good fit for the clubhouse.  The success of Robin Ventura of the White Sox and the Cardinals’ Mike Matheny should make clubs feel better about first-time managers, Sherman opines.
  • Meanwhile, Sean McAdam of CSNNE.com has a different ex-player in mind: Bill Mueller.  Mueller is currently serving as a special assistant in the Dodgers’ front office and like Varitek, doesn’t have any managerial experience.

Red Sox Place Aaron Cook On Trade Waivers

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The Red Sox have placed Aaron Cook, Felix Doubront, and Andrew Miller on trade waivers, according to Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe.  Cafardo notes that while Doubront won't be going anywhere, Cook is a trade candidate.

In ten starts this season, Cook has a 4.58 ERA with 1.1 K/9 and 1.6 BB/9.  The 33-year-old inked a minor league deal with Boston over the winter, worth $1.5MM prorated upon his promotion to the big leagues.  The Red Sox waited until the 11th hour to call him up rather than trigger his opt-out clause, but ultimately putting him on the big league roster in early May.

The right-hander was said to be drawing "modest interest" from clubs in late July.  The Rangers were scouting Cook at one point last month but wound up backing off closer to the deadline.

Red Sox Acquire Beato To Complete Shoppach Deal

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The Red Sox have acquired right-hander Pedro Beato from the Mets as the player to be named later in the Kelly Shoppach trade, reports ESPN's Keith Law (on Twitter). New York acquired Shoppach earlier this week.

Beato, 25, has pitched to a 4.67 ERA with 5.6 K/9 and 3.7 BB/9 in 71 1/3 relief innings with the Mets over the last two seasons. They originally acquired him as a Rule 5 Draft pick from the Orioles prior to last season, then retained his rights by keeping him on the roster all summer. Beato has pitched to a 4.14 ERA in 37 Triple-A innings this season while also missing time with a shoulder problem.

Giants Seeking Outfield Help

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The Giants are seeking outfield help following Melky Cabrera's 50-game suspension, reports Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (on Twitter). For now the team plans to promote Justin Christian from Triple-A and stick with Gregor Blanco, Angel Pagan, and Hunter Pence as the regulars.

Rosenthal reports that Scott Hairston and Juan Pierre have yet to be placed on trade waivers, though the Diamondbacks would likely block both players from getting to San Francisco. Arizona has a higher waiver priority and both Hairston (approximately $300K) and Pierre ($200K) are reasonably priced for the remainder of the season. Alfonso Soriano remains unlikely to approve a trade to the 2010 World Champs.

Kevin Millwood and Josh Beckett still have yet to be placed on waivers according to Rosenthal. The Red Sox have put a handful of players through waivers but otherwise have remained quiet this month.

East Links: Blanton, Valentine, Swisher, Mets

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Three of the four best records in baseball belong to teams in the East divisions, as the Reds join the Nationals, Yankees, and Braves as the only clubs to win at least 68 games so far this season. Here is the latest from the NL East and the AL East…

  • The player to be named later in the Joe Blanton trade will be named today, reports ESPN's Jayson Stark (on Twitter). It's expected to be a pitching prospect. The Phillies traded Blanton to the Dodgers earlier this month.
  • In an appearance on The Dennis & Callahan Show Thursday morning, Red Sox president and CEO Larry Lucchino responded with an unequivocal "yes" when asked if Bobby Valentine will manage the team for the rest of the season according to WEEI.com's DJ Bean.
  • Joel Sherman of The New York Post says that Melky Cabrera's suspension will impact other impending free agent outfielders, including Nick Swisher. Sherman also speculates that Melky could be a fit for the Mets at the right price, since they know he'll have no trouble adjusting to New York.
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