NL West Rumors: Carroll, Diamondbacks, Harang
The Giants and Diamondbacks are buyers; the Rockies, Dodgers, and Padres are sellers. The latest:
- The Diamondbacks have some interest in Rafael Furcal, tweets Jack Magruder.
- Diamondbacks GM Kevin Towers says it's 50-50 he makes a deal, tweets Jack Magruder of FOX Sports Arizona. Towers does not expect a deal to break this evening. He's hopeful teams will accept Arizona's second and third-tier prospects, tweets Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic.
- The Dodgers' talks about trading infielder Jamey Carroll have died, tweets Dylan Hernandez of the L.A. Times, while there's a touch of interest in Furcal. Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer adds that the Dodgers' talks with the Indians have grown cold, so Carroll and Hiroki Kuroda won't be going to Cleveland.
- Clayton Richard's season-ending shoulder surgery is not a factor in whether the Padres trade starter Aaron Harang, tweets Dan Hayes of the North County Times.
NL West Notes: Iannetta, Ellis, Jimenez, Hernandez
One of the biggest trade chips in baseball – Carlos Beltran – joined the NL West this week, but a handful of impact players could leave the division within 50 hours. Heath Bell, Mike Adams (latest rumors), Ubaldo Jimenez (latest rumors) and Hiroki Kuroda (latest rumors) are all on the block. Here are the latest notes and rumblings from the NL West…
- The Padres have some interest in Rockies catcher Chris Iannetta, according to Troy Renck of the Denver Post (on Twitter). The Pirates' interest in Iannetta has cooled.
- The Rockies intend to try to re-sign Mark Ellis, who hits free agency after the season, ESPN.com's Buster Olney reports.
- Tom Verducci of SI.com presents the nine pitchers to throw 500 innings for the Rockies before Jimenez. Jason Jennings, Shawn Chacon and Jeff Francis are among the pitchers on the list, so Verducci says Colorado “should absolutely see if they can prey upon the needs of the Yankees, Reds and Tigers.”
- The Giants remain interested in Ramon Hernandez, according to Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports (on Twitter). The Reds haven't made the backstop available at this point, but the Giants have had interest since early July (and perhaps earlier).
- Yhency Brazoban reached an agreement with the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks, according to a Sports Hochi report that Patrick Newman of NPB Tracker passes along. We heard earlier in the week that the reliever was on the verge of leaving the Diamondbacks' organization for Japan.
Indians Making Push For Ludwick
The Indians acquired one outfielder earlier today and they may not be done yet. They're making a "strong push" for Ryan Ludwick, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (Twitter link). It's worth noting that Cleveland was the third team in the deal that sent Ludwick from St. Louis to San Diego last summer.
Now on the trading block for the second consecutive summer, Ludwick has a .238/.302/.373 line with 11 home runs so far in 2011. Even though the Indians added Kosuke Fukudome earlier today, they will consider adding further outfield help, as Grady Sizemore and Shin-Soo Choo are on the disabled list. The Phillies and Braves are among the other clubs with interest in Ludwick.
Padres Reliever Rumors: Thursday
The pace quickened in the Padres' trade talks involving relievers Heath Bell and Mike Adams yesterday, tweeted ESPN's Buster Olney. The Rangers and Cardinals are in the mix for Bell, at the least. The latest:
- The Cardinals are in the mix for Bell and the Rangers remain the favorite to acquire him, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (on Twitter).
- Bell told Scott Miller of CBSSports.com that he would be willing to take a discount to re-sign with the Padres after the season (Twitter link). "I said I'd take a discount, and I want to stay here," said Bell. "Everyone knows that."
- Jon Heyman of SI.com says (on Twitter) that baseball people around the league expect Bell to wind up with Texas because they have the need and the prospects to get a deal done.
- Bell told Scott Miller of CBSSports.com that a trade is "going to happen" (Twitter link).
- Don't expect the Angels to trade for Bell if the Rangers can't swing a deal for him, Mike DiGiovanna of the LA Times writes (on Twitter). The Angels may not have enough upper-level prospects to sway the Padres.
- The Rangers are "pushing hard" for Bell, according to T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com.
- The Rangers say any deal for Bell is doubtful today, since the sides aren't close, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today (on Twitter).
- Miller reports (on Twitter) that the Padres have not seemed willing to trade Adams.
- The Padres' asking price on Bell is too high for the Rangers currently, tweets Scott Miller of CBS Sports. The Padres are asking for three players for Bell and the Rangers remain "very interested" despite the Padres' asking price, according to Miller.
- An executive of one team told ESPN's Jayson Stark the Padres are "getting closer" to a major bullpen deal, and talks "could end quickly." The Rangers appear to be the favorite for Bell, though they've been in on Adams and Chad Qualls as well. The Phillies seem to view Adams as a better fit than Bell, and could try to swing a deal that also includes Ryan Ludwick. Though the Padres are talking actively with the Cardinals and Angels as well, they're higher on the Rangers' and Phillies' prospects.
- The Padres and Rangers are engaged in substantive talks on Bell, tweets Rosenthal. Similarly, Jon Heyman says the Rangers are making progress on Bell and Scott Miller says Texas has pushed harder today. Miller says they've had "good talks" but nothing is imminent.
- There's been little substantial dialogue between the Phillies and Padres regarding Bell, tweets MLB.com's Corey Brock.
- Colby Rasmus was a central part of the Cardinals' discussions with the Padres for Bell, writes Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.
Hunter Pence Rumors: Thursday
Yesterday we learned that the Phillies offered Jarred Cosart, Jonathan Singleton, and a second-tier pitching prospect for Hunter Pence, but the Astros did not pull the trigger. Domonic Brown may have been available as well, but it appears Pence will remain with Houston until the offseason at least. The latest:
- The Astros are deep into trade talks and could deal Pence as soon as Friday, according to Zachary Levine of the Houston Chronicle, who confirms that the Phillies are the leading candidate to acquire the outfielder.
- The Astros are "mulling" the Braves' offer for Pence, according to ESPN.com's Jayson Stark (on Twitter). The Braves' offer is "significant" and is built around highly-regarded pitching prospects, but does not include Julio Teheran, according to Stark.
- The Phillies are making progress toward a deal for Pence, but they'll have to reach an agreement by Friday or the Astros will move on to other suitors, according to Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. The Phillies would include Jarred Cosart and Jonathan Singleton in a deal for Pence, according to FOX. The Astros prefer younger prospects and Domonic Brown is not currently in the trade. The Braves, who have "more restrictions" on their prospects, would enter the fray along with the Reds and Red Sox if the Phillies don't complete a deal.
- The Phillies have been Pence's most serious suitor and the Braves have a high level of interest as well, according to Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. The Angels aren't seriously pursuing Pence and the Astros may be reluctant to trade Pence to the Reds and Pirates, two NL Central rivals.
- The Phillies and Braves continue pursuing Pence and the Indians are still involved, according to Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports (Twitter links). There's a better than 50/50 chance of a deal. The Rangers aren't seriously pursuing Pence, however.
- The Astros appear to be moving closer to trading Pence, according to Brian McTaggart of MLB.com. Six teams are involved, but no deal is imminent.
- The Phillies' hope that the Astros will move Pence seems to be holding up the Phils' conversations with the Padres about Ryan Ludwick and Mike Adams, tweets ESPN's Buster Olney. Olney's colleague Jayson Stark adds that interest in Pence is exploding since the Beltran trade, naming the Phillies, Braves, Reds, and Red Sox as suitors.
- Interest in Pence has picked up considerably with Carlos Beltran off the market, reports Danny Knobler of CBS Sports.
- As many as eight teams are in on Pence, tweets Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports, including the Phillies and Braves. Rosenthal says the Astros are listening.
- The Braves are the last team in on Pence, tweets SI's Jon Heyman. The Phillies "seem to have all but given up" on Pence after their big offer was rejected.
Quick Hits: Fister, Mets, Giants, Rangers
With less than three days until the trade deadline, here are the latest rumors and notes from around MLB…
- Kevin Goldstein of Baseball Prospectus introduced us to some prospects on contenders who should come with a "buyer beware" sign. Jonathan Singleton of the Phillies and Jesus Montero of the Yankees make the list, which is at ESPN.com.
- One team with interest in Doug Fister heard there's "zero" chance the Mariners part with him, according to Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com (on Twitter).
- Andy McCullough of the Star-Ledger hears that the Mets aren't likely to sign first round pick Brandon Nimmo until close to the August 15th deadline for teams to sign their draft picks (Twitter link).
- Jon Heyman of SI.com hears that the Giants still have interest in adding a catcher (Twitter link).
- The Rangers appear to be involved in serious talks with the Padres and A's regarding relievers, according to Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News (on Twitter). For the latest on Heath Bell and Mike Adams, click here.
Braves Eyeing Crisp, Ludwick, Upton, Quentin
The latest on the Braves' search for an outfielder:
- The Braves have also had internal discussions about Coco Crisp, according to ESPN.com's Buster Olney (on Twitter).
- A scout told Mark Bowman of MLB.com that Ludwick tops the Braves' wish list.
- The Braves are "desperate" for an outfield bat, but Quentin may cost multiple top prospects, according to Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com.
- It's starting to seem like the White Sox will trade Quentin and the Braves are most often mentioned as a frontrunner, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post (on Twitter).
- The Braves and Phillies are both "very interested" in Quentin and it appears that the White Sox will consider moving him, according to Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com (on Twitter).
- Scott Miller of CBSSports.com confirms that the Braves have talked about Ludwick (they have "significant interest"), Willingham, Quentin and Pence. He adds B.J. Upton to the list of outfielders they're considering.
- The Braves are "hot" for White Sox right fielder Carlos Quentin, tweets Rosenthal, and the Sox love Atlanta's young arms. However, one holdup is the thumb injury to Dayan Viciedo, who would replace Quentin in Chicago's lineup.
- The Athletics' Josh Willingham is on the Braves' list of post-Carlos Beltran options, tweets Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. Earlier we heard that the Braves are the last team in on Houston's Hunter Pence and one of four teams in on San Diego's Ryan Ludwick.
Minor Moves: Miller, Cintron
The latest minor moves come from Matt Eddy of Baseball America…
- The Dodgers released Justin Miller, who had been pitching at Triple-A. The 33-year-old posted a 5.73 ERA with 7.8 K/9 and 9.0 BB/9 in 22 Triple-A innings for the Dodgers, Rangers and Marlins this year. He was useful for the Dodgers in 2010, throwing 24 1/3 innings in the big leagues.
- The Padres released Alex Cintron in what appears to be a procedural move. The infielder retired in May, then decided to un-retire earlier this month. He last appeared in the Major Leagues in 2009.
Phillies Targeting Pence, Quentin, Adams
Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. is working aggressively to improve his club before Sunday afternoon’s non-waiver trade deadline. And according to Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com, Amaro’s shopping list has been established.
Hunter Pence is his top priority (latest rumors here), Carlos Quentin is his second choice (latest rumors here) and Mike Adams is his third choice (latest rumors here). Matt Gelb of the Philadelphia Inquirer confirms that Pence is Philadelphia's top target. The Phillies are interested in several other players, but their hope is to acquire Pence, Quentin or Adams, according to Salisbury.
Multiple Teams Interested In Jamey Carroll
4:40pm: The D'Backs and Pirates are also looking at Carroll, according to Jon Heyman of SI.com (on Twitter).
11:48am: The Brewers would like to acquire Dodgers infielder Jamey Carroll more than ever with Rickie Weeks hitting the DL for an ankle sprain, tweets Bob Nightengale of USA Today. However, Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports tweets that the Indians are continuing to show interest in Carroll.
Though they acquired outfielder Kosuke Fukudome earlier today, Indians president Mark Shapiro tweeted that the front office is "still working to improve the team with other additions." Potential targets vary from Ryan Ludwick to Ubaldo Jimenez, based on tweets from Jon Heyman and Troy Renck.