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Royals, Pirates Interested In Paul Maholm

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The Royals and Pirates have interest in Cubs left-hander Paul Maholm, sources tell Bruce Levine of ESPN Chicago.  Maholm, 30, threw eight innings of one-run ball in a start against the Marlins today and now has a 4.09 ERA and a 2.38 K/BB ratio in 19 games (18 of them starts) for the Cubs this season. 

Maholm has about $1.97MM still owed to him in 2012 under the one-year deal he signed in January.  The contract also contains a $6.5MM option for 2013 which could be a key factor for the Royals, who are known to be looking for veteran pitchers who are controllable past 2012.

The Pirates have mostly been linked to big bats on the rumor mill, though they also have several big-name pitchers "on their radar" as they look to improve the team in any way possible in search of the NL Central title, or at least their first winning season since 1992.  Maholm is not an ace but he is a known commodity in Pittsburgh, pitching his first seven seasons with the Bucs.  Maholm could be had for a cheaper price than other Cubs pitchers like Matt Garza or Ryan Dempster, so the Pirates could save their top prospects as trade bait for a top hitter.

Cubs Sign Juan Carlos Paniagua

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The Cubs have signed Dominican right-hander Juan Carlos Paniagua to a contract with a $1.5MM signing bonus, reports Ben Badler of Baseball America.  This is the third time that Paniagua has signed a contract with a Major League team, with the first two signings (in 2011 with the Yankees and in 2009 with the Diamondbacks under the name of Juan Carlos Collado) both resulting in one-year suspensions due to problems with fraudulent documentation.  Paniagua lists his date of birth as April 4, 1990, the same as he did in his previous two MLB contracts.

The $1.5MM bonus will count against the Cubs' international spending cap for the 2012-13 period, as Paniagua was signed after the July 2 deadline for international signings.  Paniagua is the latest in a series of notable Latin American signings for the Cubs under the Theo Epstein/Jed Hoyer regime; Chicago has added Jorge Soler and Gerardo Concepcion, plus Frandy de la Rosa at the July 2 deadline.

Cubs Acquire Justin Germano; DFA Asencio

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The Cubs have acquired Justin Germano from the Red Sox in exchange for cash considerations, according to a team press release. The veteran right-hander was designated for assignment by Boston earlier this week to make room for Jacoby Ellsbury's return from the disabled list.  Germano has a 4.91 ERA and a 1.88 K/BB ratio in 80 Major League games (36 of them starts) with the Red Sox, Indians, Padres and Reds since 2004.  He made just one appearance with the Sox this season, though Germano posted a 2.40 ERA as a starter for Triple-A Pawtucket. 

It appears as though Germano could be rotation depth in case the Cubs deal Matt Garza or Ryan Dempster.  Bruce Miles of the Daily Herald tweets that prospect Casey Coleman was scratched from his Triple-A start today in case Germano can't make it to St. Louis in time for the Cubs' game with the Cardinals on Friday.  Dempster is scheduled to start that game, though we heard earlier today that the Cubs will have a backup starter — clearly either Coleman or Germano — on hand should Dempster be traded before Friday night.  This is just a cautionary move from the Cubs, as MLB.com's Carrie Muskat (Twitter link) reports that a Dempster trade is not imminent.

In a corresponding move, the Cubs designated Jairo Asencio for assignment.  Chicago claimed Asencio off waivers when the right-hander was DFA'ed by the Indians in May.  The 28-year-old Asencio has a 4.91 ERA in 30 games (40 1/3 innings) with the Indians and Cubs this season.

Giants Notes: Third Base, Bullpen, Cubs, Royals

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The Giants held a perfect 5-0 record since the All-Star break before dropping a 3-2 result this afternoon against the Braves.  San Francisco's lead in the NL West drops to 2.5 games ahead of the idle Dodgers.  Here's the latest Giants hot stove news, courtesy of CSN Bay Area's Andrew Baggarly…

  • The team isn't close to any trades, Baggarly writes, as they are completing their evaluations of their minor league prospects and figuring out who they want amongst the available players on the trade market.
  • Pablo Sandoval made an appearance at first base today, causing Baggarly to wonder if the Giants could move Sandoval to first and look to acquire a third baseman.  Giants GM Brian Sabean "is known to value an experienced player such as the Phillies’ Placido Polanco" and the club could go big and make a move for someone like Hanley Ramirez, though Baggarly considers a Ramirez deal to be "highly unlikely."
  • The Giants have "heavily scouted" the Cubs' and Royals' Triple-A teams.  The latter could be related to a possible move for Jonathan Broxton, who Baggarly says the Giants would be interested in "if the price drops."  The Mets are one of several teams who are reportedly interested in acquiring Broxton.
  • The Giants are looking for bullpen help but aren't willing to move major prospects for a first-rate closer.

Red Sox In On Garza, Not Dempster

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The Red Sox maintain interest in Matt Garza, but they're officially out on Ryan Dempster, Jayson Stark of ESPN.com reports (on Twitter). The Cubs are working to trade Dempster, the MLB leader in ERA.

Stark's colleague, Buster Olney, reported today that the Red Sox are more interested in adding long-term pieces than short-term rentals this summer. Dempster, who earns $14MM this year, will hit free agency following the 2012 season, while Garza, who earns $9.5MM this year, will remain under team control through 2013 as an arbitration eligible player.

The Dodgers, Tigers, Braves, Red Sox and Nationals have all expressed interest in Dempster, who can veto any trade. The Royals, Tigers, Dodgers, Orioles and Rangers have all been linked to Garza this summer.

Olney On Royals, Red Sox, Dempster

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The Royals' rotation has a 5.42 ERA with 6.8 K/9 and 3.7 BB/9 this year, and they're averaging barely five innings per start. As ESPN.com’s Buster Olney explains, the Royals are perusing the market for starting pitchers who could help now and in the future. Here are the details:

  • The Royals have indicated to other teams that they believe they’re about two years away from being serious contenders. They’re looking for starters who could be obtained now and kept for a couple more seasons.
  • The Red Sox are also more interested in adding long-term pieces than two-month rentals, Olney writes. While there’s no indication the Red Sox are willing to trade Jon Lester, some wonder whether the left-hander would benefit from a change of scenery.
  • One GM suggested Ryan Dempster would be better off avoiding trades to American League teams this summer. Dempster, a lifelong National Leaguer, can veto any trade. An agent agreed that Dempster would be better off in a pitcher-friendly environment. "If he gets hit hard, it'll cost him," the agent told Olney. The Dodgers are viewed as the favorites to acquire Dempster, who will hit free agency after the season.
  • Olney suggests Nate Schierholtz could be a nice addition for the Yankees. The Giants outfielder has said he’d be open to a trade.

Heyman On Escobar, Bourjos, Sanchez

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The Phillies intend to offer Cole Hamels an extension worth approximately $130MM over six years, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reported earlier today. Here are the rest of his rumors…

  • Heyman keeps hearing that the Blue Jays want to trade Yunel Escobar (Twitter link). The Braves, Escobar’s former team, have little depth at shortstop following injuries to Andrelton Simmons and Jack Wilson, but they’re not interested in Escobar.
  • The Angels are willing to trade outfielder Peter Bourjos in some deals, Heyman reports (Twitter link). The 25-year-old has a .243/.298/.360 batting line and won't be arbitration eligible until after the 2013 season.
  • The Angels are looking at Hamels, Zack Greinke and potentially available relievers as they aim to improve their pitching staff, Heyman adds.
  • Heyman keeps hearing the Marlins could trade Anibal Sanchez (Twitter link). The Braves have expressed interest in Sanchez, who’s earning $8MM in his final season before free agency, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports (on Twitter).
  • The Dodgers are looking in a variety of places for offense, Heyman reports (on Twitter). He suggests Shane Victorino, Jimmy Rollins, Michael Cuddyer, Josh Willingham, Corey Hart and Chase Headley are all possible fits, but says Alfonso Soriano is a no-go.

Bowden On Padres, Tigers, Indians, Royals, Pirates

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Here's the latest from around the league, courtesy of ESPN's Jim Bowden…

  • The Padres have fielded offers for both Huston Street and Carlos Quentin, but they've yet to seriously debate any of them internally.
  • The Tigers are seeking a second base upgrade and would like to acquire Darwin Barney from the Cubs for a mid-level prospect.
  • The Indians are looking all over to acquire an outfield bat, but they are unable to take back a significant contract and are unwilling to move their best prospects.
  • Meanwhile, the Royals are trying to convince the Indians or Reds to take Jeff Francoeur so they can promote Wil Myers from Triple-A.
  • The Pirates are aggressively trying to land a middle of the order bat while the Orioles are seeking starting pitching and a third base upgrade.
  • There have been rumors of a Mike Morse for B.J. Upton trade, according to Bowden. The Nationals are also looking to add a starter with Stephen Strasburg's innings limit approaching.
  • The Giants have no plans of making a deal similar to the one they made last year, when they traded Zack Wheeler for a rental (Carlos Beltran). They are looking for a bat or two, however.

Nightengale On Cubs, Upton, Mariners

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Arizona GM Kevin Towers told Bob Nightengale of USA Today that he expects a “lightning round” of trades during the 48-hour period leading up to the July 31st trade deadline. “That's when things really are going to pick up," Towers predicts. Until then, here are Nightengale’s latest rumors:

Ryan Dempster Rumors: Wednesday

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The Cubs are working hard to move Ryan Dempster and they could trade him by the end of the week. The Dodgers, Tigers, Braves, Red Sox and Nationals have all expressed interest in the right-hander, who can veto any trade. The Dodgers would top Dempster's list of potential destinations, followed by the Braves, Ken Rosenthal reported yesterday. There are only a few teams to which the right-hander wouldn't accept a trade. 

Dempster, 35, has a 1.86 ERA with 7.3 K/9 and 2.4 BB/9 in 92 innings for the Cubs this year. He earns $14MM in 2012 — more than $6MM between now and the end of the season — but the Cubs are said to be willing to absorb salary to facilitate a deal. Here are the latest rumors surrounding Dempster, with the most recent developments up top:

  • Interest from the Nationals and Yankees isn’t as strong as some reports indicate, Toni Ginnetti of the Chicago Sun-Times reports. While the Dodgers had been considered the favorite to land Dempster, teams such as the Tigers, Red Sox and Braves could still acquire him.
  • ESPN.com’s Buster Olney and Bob Nightengale of USA Today both hear the Dodgers are considered the favorites to acquire Dempster.
  • The Dodgers are viewed as the favorites for Dempster with the Tigers seen as “strong pursuers” and the Red Sox considered long shots, Joel Sherman reported today.
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