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Odds & Ends: Escobar, Peavy, Mets, Cardinals

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A gaggle of links for your Thursday evening reading pleasure…

  • In response to someone mentioning the Yunel Escobar–Matt Holliday rumors, MLB.com's Mark Bowman says "There is zero truth to those Escobar rumors. The Braves have NO and I repeat no intention to move him. Believe me, if they move him, it will simply be a deal that they simply can't refuse and that wouldn't include anything involving Holliday."
  • Tom Krasovic notes that Jake Peavy is out of his walking boot, and is ready to begin "ramping it up."
  • David Lennon of Newsday says that earlier today Mets GM Omar Minaya twice mentioned "that he talked with five or six teams today."
  • Joe Strauss of The St. Louis Post-Dispatch says that the Cardinals may search for starting pitching if Todd Wellemeyer doesn't show more consistency over his next 2-3 starts.
  • Scott Lauber of The News Journal notes that the Phillies promoted one of their best prospects, outfielder Michael Taylor, to Triple-A. He speculates that Taylor may best serve the club as trade bait, considering all three of their regular outfielders were All Stars.
  • When asked who the best prospect was if matched up head to head, Baseball America's Jim Callis said he'd go with Bryce Harper over Justin Upton, citing Harper's advantage in power.
  • MLB.com's Mark Sheldon reports that the Reds gave Venezuelan shortstop Humberto Valor a $690k bonus. Valor signed with Cincinnati earlier this month.
  • David Villavicencio of MLB.com mentions that the Marlins have signed eight of their first ten draft picks. First rounder Chad James remains unsigned, however.

Jocketty: Reds “Still Looking For A Hitter”

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Now that Jay Bruce is on the DL, the Reds need a hitter more than ever and GM Walt Jocketty is searching for one, according to MLB.com's Mark Sheldon. Jocketty said the Reds won't necessarily get the bat they're looking for, but he says he's "looking for a hitter" anyways.

For now Jonny Gomes and Jerry Hairston will play more, because the Reds don't want to call on prospects Drew Stubbs and Chris Heisey yet. For a look at some names the Reds will consider, check out our trade candidates by position. 

Heyman On GMs, Mulder, Bay, Reds

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SI.com's Jon Heyman identifies the GMs facing the most pressure heading into the second half of the season and passes along some rumors, too:

  • Despite "occasional rumblings" about Omar Minaya's job security, injuries are to blame for the Mets' disappointing start, so Minaya's bosses aren't about to blame him for the season.
  • The Nats plan on hiring a permanent GM soon and acting GM Mike Rizzo is in the running for the position.
  • Giants GM Brian Sabean saved one of his best showings for his walk year. He's put together a playoff contender and a talented crop of minor leaguers just as his deal's about to expire.  
  • Royals GM Dayton Moore and Braves GM Frank Wren are expected to have some time to work with.
  • It doesn't look like Indians GM Mark Shapiro will ascend to club president this year.
  • Heyman likes the Phillies' acquisition of Pedro Martinez.  
  • Mark Mulder could be the next pitcher to sign, as he's 95% ready, according to his agent. 
  • Heyman thinks the Red Sox will be able to lock Jason Bay up once they start talking extension. 
  • Look for the Reds to continue their hunt for outfielders. 

Odds And Ends: Nats, Bruce, Padres, Halladay

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Congrats to All-Star Game starters Roy Halladay and Tim Lincecum. What a matchup. Here are some more links to look through…

  • Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports says the Nationals "will remain an embarrassment" unless they give Mike Rizzo and Stan Kasten more power.
  • Jay Bruce will miss 6-8 weeks, according to Brian Kollars of the Dayton Daily News, but the young outfielder didn't suffer any ligament or tendon damage in his right wrist. 
  • One talent evaluator told Tom Krasovic that it will be five years before the Padres are good again, so Krasovic creates a blueprint for the team.
  • Some of his suggestions: Make the most of every dollar, go after high upside pitching, find out how much Adrian Gonzalez and Heath Bell would bring in a trade.
  • WEEI.com's Alex Speier reports that Roy Halladay does not have a list of teams he would accept trades to. Last week Joe McDonald of the Providence Journal reported that Halladay had such a list, but it is not the case.

Odds & Ends: Reds, Jays, Buchholz

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A couple odds and ends on a quiet Sunday…

  • MLB.com beat writer Mark Sheldon expects the Reds to "recalibrate their roster some for the second half." They have 13 pitchers on the roster and only want 12, and Dusty Baker has confirmed a position player will be added. Adam Rosales was called up today to fill a roster spot for Jay Bruce who fractured his wrist. Sheldon notes the club is down to five outfielders, if you count Jerry Hairston Jr.
  • The Jays will have two scouts watching Clay Buchholz pitch today. Don't read too much into it. The Jays appear to just be doing their homework, says TV/radio broadcaser Dan Hoard.

Odds & Ends: Bruce, Ozzie, Indians

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Another round of links for those still hanging around on Saturday evening…

  • Reds outfielder Jay Bruce broke his right wrist sliding for a ball tonight, and is heading back to Cincinnati to be examined according to MLB.com's Mark Sheldon. The Reds were looking to add a bat before the injury, so it stands to reason that they'd ramp up those efforts now.
  • White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said he doesn't "think we’re going to give up three or four players, key players, for the future, just to rent a player for year," according to Mark Gonzales of The Chicago Tribune. Ozzie then admitted that GM Kenny Williams is the one calling the shots when it comes to trades.
  • Paul Hoynes of The Cleveland Plain Dealer rounds up the signing bonuses for the Indians second through tenth round draft picks. First rounder Alex White remains unsigned.

Odds And Ends: Chapman, Betancourt, Masset

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Some links in anticipation of the weekend…
  • According to Baseball America, there's no evidence to suggest that Aroldis Chapman is 26 years old and allegations that he's any older than 21 don't pass the logic test.
  • ESPN.com's Jayson Stark has the oddest anecdotes and funniest quotes from the first half of the season. 
  • The AP (via ESPN) reports that this year's All Stars will receive a combined $2.3MM in bonuses for making the team, led by Roy Halladay's $125k. I wonder who pays if Halladay's dealt before Tuesday…
  • As Bradford Doolittle of the Kansas City Star shows, Yuniesky Betancourt does not have much of a glove or bat, so it's puzzling that the Royals wanted him.
  • MLB.com's Mark Sheldon reports that the Reds aren't trading Nick Masset away, especially when his $418k salary makes him so affordable.

Jays And Reds Talked; No Rolen Deal Likely

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10:18am: Hal McCoy of the Dayton Daily News says the Reds are not trading for Rolen. The Blue Jays and Reds talked, but the Jays are not interested in Encarnacion and the Reds would have trouble taking on Rolen's contract.

McCoy spoke with a Reds official who says the team has no room for Garrett Atkins.

9:42am: The Reds are interested in hot-hitting third baseman Scott Rolen, according to Bob Elliott of the Toronto Sun. They've discussed him internally, scouted him and dangled Edwin Encarnacion to the Blue Jays. Elliott says J.P. Ricciardi would like prospects in return for Rolen, whose contract the Jays wouldn't mind shedding. Rolen's on a 25-game hit streak, with a .330 average and an .876 OPS, so the $16.5MM remaining on his deal before the end of next year is palatable, especially when you consider his strong defense.

Encarnacion is much cheaper than Rolen, but he's hit poorly in the few games he hasn't missed due to wrist problems this year.

Reds Interested In Atkins?

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6:34pm: John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer spoke with the Reds and says it was the Rockies that called the Reds to see if they were interested in Atkins, adding that they are not. Fay cites the $3.4MM Atkins is owed and his position as reasons the Reds are not interested. Fay does say the Reds would be willing to add salary for the "right guy." He also says the Reds could trade a relief pitcher, but that it would probably not be Nick Masset.

4:45pm: The Reds have spoken to the Rockies about Garrett Atkins, according to Troy Renck of the Denver Post. The Rockies are looking for relievers, but it will be hard to match up salaries, as Atkins makes $3.4MM before the end of the season, much more than most relievers. The Rockies would likely have to cover some of Atkins' salary in a deal for a cheap reliever like Nick Masset, but could trade him for a pricier arm like David Weathers, if he's available.

The Red Sox have waning interest in the third baseman, but the Mariners and Cardinals could have interest.
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