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Odds & Ends: Holliday, Red Sox, Pirates, Kazmir

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Things are picking up, so we've got a fresh batch of links for you…

  • The recently acquired Matt Holliday was non-committal when talking about his impending free agency, according to R.B. Fallstrom of the AP. "I'm going to enjoy myself and try to help this team get to the playoffs and to the World Series and work every day I can to be the best player I can be," Holliday said. "And leave it there. I think there's a time and a place for all those other things and when that time comes is when I'll do my evaluating."
  • Ed Price of AOL Fanhouse tweets that the Red Sox have told people "they are trying to pull off something huge." Earlier today we learned that the Sox were talking about Cliff Lee and Victor Martinez with the Indians.
  • Rob Biertempfel of The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review asked Pirates team president Frank Coonelly about the possibility of re-opening extension talks with Freddy Sanchez and Jack Wilson should they remain with the team past Friday's trade deadline, to which Coonelly responded "At this juncture, I wouldn't say anything is definitely closed. We'd have to see where we are. But, developments in the organization could create a situation that could make it less likely, or more likely, we'd want to extend Jack or Freddy."
  • Scott Kazmir's agent, Brian Peters, reached out to Rays executive vice president Andrew Friedman about recent trade rumors involving his client. Friedman indicated the rumors were "merely speculative," according to MLB.com's Zach Schonbrun.
  • Geoff Baker of The Seattle Times writes that Jarrod Washburn has "let it be known he is open to a contract extension to stay in Seattle," but indicated that there has not been much discussion.
  • Bruce Miles of The Daily Herald said he expects the Cubs to look for bullpen help before anything else. He names Joe Beimel and George Sherrill as players of interest.
  • The Cubs have signed third round pick Austin Kirk according to MLB.com's Carrie Muskat, while Bill Ladson reports that the Nats have signed seventh rounder Andrew Weaver.

Heyman On Washburn, Halladay, Red Sox

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1:21pm: Heyman hears that Adrian Gonzalez may be Boston's top target now, especially since discussions about Victor Martinez aren't progressing.

11:51am: Jon Heyman of SI.com has the latest on Roy Halladay and the next-best options for pitching-starved teams. Here are the details:

  • The Yankees called the Mariners about Jarrod Washburn over the weekend. The Mariners say they aren't selling now, but that could change this week.
  • The Yanks would have to give up "a top prospect or two" to acquire Washburn.
  • Bronson Arroyo could be an option for the Yankees, but the Reds haven't offered to take on any of the $17MM remaining on his deal.
  • The Yankees have a miniscule chance of acquiring Halladay. They wouldn't part with both Phil Hughes and Joba Chamberlain for him, but they might trade one.
  • An executive involved in the Halladay talks says "it's early," since no one's taking tomorrow's pre-deadline too seriously. 
  • Sensing they don't have much of a chance at Halladay, the Dodgers are more focused on Cliff Lee.
  • The Red Sox could still make a big move, but don't expect them to deal for Halladay. The Blue Jays could ask for Clay Buchholz, Jed Lowrie and Daniel Bard, according to one of Heyman's sources.  
  • Victor Martinez remains an option for the Red Sox, who talk with the Indians "all the time."
  • The Red Sox are keeping an eye on Adrian Gonzalez, who's not available now. 
  • Bud Selig says he won't prevent the Rangers from taking on payroll even though the commissioner's office has helped Rangers owner Tom Hicks make payments. 
  • The Rangers have inquired on Halladay and Lee. 
  • The Cardinals will try hard to extend Matt Holliday.
  • The Rockies are still looking for a reliever. 
  • The Giants scouted Nick Johnson and Josh Willingham this weekend.

Olney On Nats, Blue Jays, Braves

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One GM told ESPN.com's Buster Olney that the Nats are in a tougher position than it seems. They can obtain value in return for players like Nick Johnson this week, but without veteran contributors, the team could win something like 45 games. That kind of season, says the GM, is "hard to live down." Here are the rest of Olney's rumors:

  • The Braves would like to add a reliever, but they're not likely to trade for any big-name players.
  • Justin Duchscherer looked good in his rehab start yesterday. 
  • Olney hears that the Blue Jays want to re-sign Marco Scutaro after the season even if they trade him this week.  

Odds & Ends: Dmitri, Marlins, Pirates

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Come on, commenters. It's trade deadline week. There's no time for sleep. Some more links for your Sunday night enjoyment…

  • Mark Zuckerman of The Washington Times reports Dmitri Young may soon call it quits.  He tore his left quad during a rehab game with Double-A Harrisburg last week and recently sent this text message to the Times:  "I'm upset because I was feeling great, and then pop.  Wasn't the way I wanted to go out."
  • Joe Frisaro of MLB.com writes that the Marlins are cautiously watching the trade market.  "We've been looking; Larry Beinfest has been looking at moves for a month," Marlins president David Samson said. "It's a difficult scenario because we're not willing to trade our future, because we have such good position players coming up.
  • According to the Wall Street Journal, a group of college professors have made a fascinating discovery:  "Whether a player is elected to the Hall of Fame by veteran baseball writers is an entirely predictable outcome based on a few statistics."  That quote sells the article short; it's an excellent read for baseball buffs.
  • According to Baseball America's Ben Badler, the Mets have officially signed Venezuelan left-hander Juan Urbina.
  • MLB.com's Jen Langosch reports the Tigers are scouting the Pirates, and vice versa.  Detroit is looking for a middle infield bat and/or a starter.  Pittsburgh just so happens to have a few perfect fits in Freddy Sanchez and Zach Duke.
  • If you haven't already, join MLBTR on Twitter for even more updates and discussion.

Talkin’ Giants Baseball

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As we cruise closer to the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline, the Giants still boast one of baseball's most intriguing situations.  The club is 52-46 — 10 games behind the Dodgers in the National League West, but just two games back in the Wild Card.  Most experts agree they need a bat to continue contending, and they've been linked recently to sluggers like Victor Martinez, Ryan Garko and Nick Johnson.

Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle recently heard "word from [Giants] general manager Brian Sabean that chances for a deal are 50-50."

"We're talking," manager Bruce Bochy said Sunday as his club prepared to head home after a long road trip. "I'll talk to Brian. I'll discuss it with the staff on the plane on the way back and see what we can do to get this thing going again."

Schulman believes the Giants might also have interest in Toronto's Marco Scutaro or Baltimore's Aubrey Huff.  Either way, it's pretty clear what San Francisco is seeking as Friday's deadline nears: offense.

Odds & Ends: Pirates, Acta, Pedro, Zumaya

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A fresh batch of links on a busy Sunday evening…

  • MLB.com's Jenifer Langosch answered various fan-submitted questions about the Pirates.  A couple of minor hot stove items were touched on.
  • According to Bill Ladson of MLB.com, former manager Manny Acta stopped by Nationals Park early Sunday afternoon.  It's not clear why, and Acta said via e-mail that he will not make a comment on the matter.
  • Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette notes the Twins had scouts in Arizona Sunday afternoon to watch the Pirates.  It's not clear who they were scouting, but Jack Wilson and Freddy Sanchez are known to be on the trading block and the Twins are looking for infield help.
  • Fred Goodall of the Associated Press reports that the Single-A Clearwater Threshers had to cut Pedro Martinez's first rehab start short because of rain.
  • According to the Larry Lage of the AP, via the Detroit Free Press, Joel Zumaya is "hoping" to pitch again this year.  Could the uncertainty surrounding the right-hander's balky shoulder prompt the Tigers to make a deal for another bullpen arm?

Cafardo’s Latest: Martinez, Boston, Pitching

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In his latest piece for The Boston Globe, Nick Cafardo reports that the Indians turned down an offer of Clay Buchholz for Victor Martinez according to an NL scout. The Red Sox then countered with a package of Michael Bowden, Justin Masterson, and an outfield prospect, but the Indians turned that down as well.

Let's round up the rest of Cafardo's rumors…

  • In addition to Boston, the Indians are also fielding offers from the Rays and Giants for Martinez, but aren't inclined to make a deal unless a team's best prospects are involved.
  • Cafardo runs through the list of other pitchers that "could be pried away," including Scott Kazmir, Cliff Lee, Erik Bedard, Jarrod Washburn, and George Sherrill. He says it'll take "a blockbuster package" to land Lee.
  • Aubrey Huff and Kevin Millar are also available.
  • The Red Sox will "dip in the (Roy) Halladay sweepstakes" if the price comes down, but otherwise will look for a righthanded bat that can play the outfield.
  • Cafardo says it will be interesting to see if the Yankees, Phillies and Dodgers are aggressive at the deadline or take a pass, considering all three clubs are playing well right now.
  • The White Sox could pull off something big because GM Kenny Williams "has a bit of gambler in him."
  • It'll be interesting to see if the Giants' plans to add a bat are put on hold after the sudden death of principal owner Sue Burns.
  • Twins GM Bill Smith may add a middle infielder and/or a reliever before the deadline. Last night we learned that they were "deep into talks and talking composition of a deal" with the A's about Orlando Cabrera. The team might be able to stretch it's normal payroll with Target Field opening next year.
  • Cafardo proposes a "swap of underachieving Scott Boras clients," J.D. Drew and Magglio Ordonez.
  • While there is some uneasiness about there not being any substantive talks between the Nationals and Stephen Strasburg, those kind of deals can come together quickly. The signing deadline is August 17th.
  • The Rangers are unable to add payroll, which will hamstring their efforts that the trade deadline.

Odds & Ends: Braves, Orioles, Arroyo, Strasburg

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Some links to check out on the night Derek Jeter tied Ted Williams on the career hits list with 2,654…

  • MLB.com's Mark Bowman writes that if the Braves make a move before next Friday's trade deadline, "the best bet is that they'll add a reliever." He mentions Danys Baez, Takashi Saito, Ron Mahay, and John Grabow as available options.
  • Jeff Zrebiec of The Baltimore Sun took a look at the Orioles' main trade chips, including Baez, Aubrey Huff, George Sherrill, and Ty Wigginton.
  • Bronson Arroyo is officially on the trading block, according to SI.com's Jon Heyman,
  • The camp of top pick Stephen Strasburg has expressed concern over the Nationals' uncertain general manager situation, reports Chico Harlan of The Washington Post. 
  • Geoff Baker of The Seattle Times says that despite the Matt Holliday haul, the Mariners shouldn't expect as big of a return for Erik Bedard or Jarrod Washburn because they only project to be Type-B free agents after the season.
  • Brewers owner Mark Attanasio said ""We'll be aggressive but we won't be stupid," when it comes to making trades according to Tom Haudricourt.
  • Scott Lauber of The News Journal wrote about the dilemma of trading prospects.

Teams Interested In Dunn, Willingham

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The Tigers, who we know are looking for a bat, are interested in Nationals' outfielders Adam Dunn and Josh Willingham according to MLB.com's Bill Ladson. The Nats want young pitching in return, and have been scouting players with Detroit's Double-A affiliate in Erie according to an industry source.

Ladson also writes that the Rangers have been scouting the Nats lately, and are believed to be interested in Willingham.

Heyman On Halladay, Holliday, Indians, Nats

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9:34am: Heyman says the Yankees inquired about Cliff Lee and were told they'd have to give up Joba Chamberlain or Phil Hughes, plus other players.

8:34am: Jon Heyman of SI.com has the latest on the biggest stars available:

  • The Phillies are the frontrunners to acquire Roy Halladay. Heyman says the Jays are expected to ask for one of J.A. Happ and Kyle Drabek, one of Dominic Brown and Michael Taylor, plus others.
  • The Brewers may be the Phillies' biggest threat, but they'd probably have to part with Alcides Escobar, and maybe Mat Gamel, too. 
  • The Mets bowed out of the Halladay talks once Fernando Martinez's name came up. 
  • There's a "good chance" the Cardinals trade for Matt Holliday, according to one of Heyman's sources.  
  • Indians GM Mark Shapiro wonders if teams are holding onto their prospects too tightly: "It's almost to the point where there's an over-evaluation of these guys. There's almost an over-correction."
  • Heyman says the Nats should trade Nick Johnson, Adam Dunn and Josh Willingham. 
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