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Cubs Acquire Jeff Baker, DFA Ryan Freel

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12:07pm: In a corresponding move, the Cubs designated Ryan Freel for assignment, according to a team press release. Freel, 33, put up an OPS of .369 in 14 games for the Cubs. 

11:27am: ESPN.com's Bruce Levine reports that the Rockies receive right-hander Alberto Alburquerque, who was pitching in A ball for the Cubs. The 23-year-old has struck out 44 and allowed 40 baserunners in nearly 35 innings pitched this year.

8:41am: The Cubs acquired Jeff Baker from the Rockies, according to Yahoo Sports. It's unclear what the Rockies will receive in exchange for the infielder. Baker, 28, has played in just 12 games this year for Colorado, but he posted a respectable .791 OPS in over 100 games last year. He's played all four corner positions in his five-year career, but he's played mostly at second base.

Rockies Re-Instate Torrealba, DFA Paul Phillips

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Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post reports that the Rockies re-instated Yorvit Torrealba from the restricted list today and designated Paul Phillips for assignment. Torrealba was expecting to be traded, and the Rockies had hoped to find a suitor for him, but the $2MM left on his contract "complicated" any potential deal, according to Renck.

Torrealba was placed on the restricted list a month ago following the kidnapping of his son, who was returned safely. It was reported earlier today that this decision would be delayed until Friday. According to Renck, it is unclear why the move was made today instead.

Rockies Rumors: ‘Pen, Atkins, Torrealba

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Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post has the latest on the Rockies' search for a reliever and details on a couple trade chips:

  • The Rockies had interest in Joel Hanrahan before he was dealt to the Pirates.
  • They would love to reacquire LaTroy Hawkins, but he's not available now. 
  • The D'Backs would part with Chad Qualls.
  • The Padres are expected to move Cla Meredith.  
  • Garrett Atkins could be moved and the Red Sox seem to be a logical fit, but a history of failed deals between the two sides could slow talks. The Red Sox have scouted Atkins, but their interest level isn't known.
  • Yorvit Torrealba's future remains uncertain and he says he'd like to remain in Colorado, though he realizes he might be dealt.

Olney On Pirates, Marlins, Escobar

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ESPN.com's Buster Olney says yesterday's Pirates-Yankees trade proves we're looking at a buyer's market this year. The Pirates had to include $400k to shed part of Eric Hinske's salary, and they won't be the only ones including salary relief in trades. Here are the rest of Olney's rumors:

  • The suitors for players like Nick Johnson and Josh Willingham may start disappearing if the few teams who can take on salary decide to look elsewhere for help.
  • Olney says the Pirates acquired potential success in Lastings Milledge.
  • The Marlins are still looking aggressively for relievers.  
  • Now that Mike Lowell's out, the Red Sox and Rockies seem to match up well for a possible deal that would send Garrett Atkins to Boston for a reliever. 
  • The Braves are willing to trade Yunel Escobar for a good hitter. 

Olney On Felix, Reds, Dye, Indians

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ESPN.com's Buster Olney imagines there will be a long lineup of suitors for Felix Hernandez when he hits free agency after the 2011 season. Players as good as King Felix will sign massive deals regardless of the economy, Olney says. Here are the rest of his rumors:

  • The Reds, who are looking for a right-handed bat, will probably choose between marginal improvements and busting the budget for a pricier hitter like Matt Holliday or Jermaine Dye. They'd have to give up better prospects to obtain the salary relief they'd like, but they're reluctant to part with top talent.
  • For those wondering if Jermaine Dye could fit in San Francisco, Olney says the White Sox and Giants don't match up particularly well.
  • Olney suggests the Red Sox should trade for a first baseman and move Kevin Youkilis over to third if Mike Lowell has to miss much time, 
  • It makes sense for the Rockies to play Garrett Atkins more. Not only is he hitting better, teams will have more interest in Atkins if they see him perform well.  
  • Any deal that makes the Indians stronger for 2010 is worth making if they aren't going to contend this year. Cleveland's now 12.0 games out of a playoff spot.

Rosenthal On Tejada, Rockies, Mets

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Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports argues that the Cubs don't need to make a trade, they just need their hitters to start producing. Here are his most recent rumors:

  • Ed Wade says Miguel Tejada's impending free agency is part of the reason the Astros aren't asking him to move from shortstop to third base. Tejada would probably move, but Wade would rather not ask him to.
  • The Rockies are looking hard for relief help. They were interested in Joel Hanrahan earlier in the season, but he's much less appealing now. 
  • LaTroy Hawkins, Chad Qualls and Takashi Saito are all more appealing than Hanrahan, but Rosenthal says they're "longshots."
  • The Rockies aren't that interested in Cla Meredith and Danys Baez.  
  • One GM said the Royals are under pressure to win as many games as possible this year.
  • The D'Backs believe Doug Davis has more value as a trade chip because he projects as a Type B free agent. Check out the latest Elias rankings here.
  • One official believes the Mets are better off with Daniel Murphy than Nick Johnson.  
  • When the Cardinals inquired on Matt Holliday they heard the A's aren't looking to move him and would require a strong offer to part with him.  

Renck’s Latest: Hawkins, Saito, Spilborghs, Atkins

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In his latest article, the Denver Post's Troy E. Renck has a few Rockies footnotes worth discussing:

  • Renck suggests the Rockies should aggressively pursue LaTroy Hawkins if the Astros drop in the standings.
  • Takashi Saito is another option. He has dominated in the NL West and the Red Sox like Ryan Spilborghs. He also notes the Tigers and Phillies have expressed interest in Spilborghs, as Ken Rosenthal said earlier this month.
  • Renck lists the Braves, Cardinals, and Mets as potential fits for Garrett Atkins, but Renck adds that his "$4 million in remaining salary is prohibitive."

Odds & Ends: Moore, Schmidt, Atkins

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On this date back in 2003, Johnny Damon hit a single, a double, and a triple in a 14-run first inning against the Marlins. The Red Sox set a league record by scoring ten runs before making an out.

On to the linkage…

  • Matthew Pouliot of Circling The Bases says that Dayton Moore's moves over the last season and a half are enough to warrant his dismissal. He notes they have a more than qualified replacement already in-house in senior advisor Mike Arbuckle.
  • Ben Bolch of The LA Times notes that Jason Schmidt threw 104 pitches over 7.2 shutout in a rehab start yesterday. We know the Dodgers are looking for pitching, but a healthy and reasonably effective Schmidt could lessen that urgency.
  • Tracy Ringolsby writes that Garrett Atkins' recent hot streak creates "more of a possibility of another team having interest in acquiring him." Atkins is hitting .340-.415-.553 in June.
  • The Rangers have been getting good production from unexpected sources like Jason Jennings, says Ken Sherrington of The Dallas Morning News.
  • Rockies outfielder Carlos Gonzalez says he's happy to be in Colorado, according to Susan Slusser of The SF Chronicle.
  • Joe Cowley tweets this Ozzie Guillen quote: "The people that run baseball teams now are soft." I wonder what Kenny Williams thinks about that.
  • Marc Carig writes that the Rockies had begun combing through the Yankees' farm system in advance of a potential Huston Street trade back in May.

Stark On Lee, DeRosa, Phillies, Rays, Beltre

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Jayson Stark of ESPN.com calls this one of the slowest-moving trade markets in a while, but provides lots of rumors anyways:

  • Teams are making introductory calls now to set the tone for the next five weeks.
  • One official looking to add a reliever says no one is available.
  • With so few teams willing to part with players, sellers are asking for a lot.
  • The Brewers, Dodgers, Phillies and Mets are among the teams to call about Cliff Lee. The Indians would still have to be overwhelmed to part with him.
  • The Cubs have considered trying to reacquire Mark DeRosa.
  • They've also done some preliminary searching for a bat, but they're not sure where they'd play a new hitter so that gives the versatile DeRosa extra appeal.
  • Stark's heard nothing to suggest Bobby Valentine will end up managing the Nationals.
  • The Phillies have given indications that they'd part with Michael Taylor and/or Jason Donald in a deal for a top starter.
  • However, they won't listen on these players: Dominic Brown, Lou Marson, Kyle Drabek, Jason Knapp, Carlos Carrasco and Antonio Bastardo.
  • Doug Davis and Ian Snell aren't Phillies targets.
  • The Rays are looking for long-term upgrades. They'd like to acquire "the next J.P. Howell."
  • They're asking about young corner outfielders, rather than Jermaine Dye types.
  • Pedro Martinez still wants a $5MM salary (prorated) plus incentives, so don't expect him to sign soon.
  • The Reds have the best minor leaguers in the division and some could become trade chips.
  • The Mets checked in on Garrett Atkins.
  • Tony Reagins believes 2009 free agent Vladimir Guerrero can still hit.
  • At least one scout can't imagine Adrian Beltre being traded. Makes sense, given his shoulder injury and contract.

Odds And Ends: Belliard, Atkins, Ayala

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Some links to peruse as we await the baseball equivalent of the Shaq trade…

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