MLB News & Notes (other than Cubs or Sox)

[alpha]

I am not sure if the Reds would trade within the division, but Arthur Rhodes would be a great addition to the Cubs bullpen.

[Clapp]

<!--quoteo(post=52046:date=Jul 25 2009, 02:41 PM:name=alpha)-->QUOTE (alpha @ Jul 25 2009, 02:41 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->I am not sure if the Reds would trade within the division, but Arthur Rhodes would be a great addition to the Cubs bullpen.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Yeah... he's been incredible this year. The Reds are done, and Rhodes will be 40 in October, I don't think they'd have a problem with trading him within the division if they got a solid prospect in return.

[PcB]

<!--quoteo-->QUOTE <!--quotec-->According to Ken Rosenthal, the Dodgers and Indians are in serious discussions about a trade that would send both Cliff Lee and Victor Martinez to Los Angeles in exchange for James Loney, a young starting pitcher, and prospects.

The deal still faces significant obstacles due to the caliber of players involved, but the Dodgers clearly want to strengthen themselves for a strong postseason showing.

Rosenthal names Class AA third baseman Josh Bell, Class AA outfielder Andrew Lambo, Class AAA starter Scott Elbert and Class AAA right-hander Josh Lindblom as prospects who are being discussed. All of the prospects are in the Dodgers' Top 10, according to Baseball America, with Lambo coming into the season as the Dodgers' top prospect.

It's unknown if the Dodgers would part with Chad Billingsley or Clayton Kershaw in a deal to acquire the Indians' superstars.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

[Giff]

<!--quoteo(post=52150:date=Jul 26 2009, 03:54 PM:name=PcB)-->QUOTE (PcB @ Jul 26 2009, 03:54 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE <!--quotec-->According to Ken Rosenthal, the Dodgers and Indians are in serious discussions about a trade that would send both Cliff Lee and Victor Martinez to Los Angeles in exchange for James Loney, a young starting pitcher, and prospects.

The deal still faces significant obstacles due to the caliber of players involved, but the Dodgers clearly want to strengthen themselves for a strong postseason showing.

Rosenthal names Class AA third baseman Josh Bell, Class AA outfielder Andrew Lambo, Class AAA starter Scott Elbert and Class AAA right-hander Josh Lindblom as prospects who are being discussed. All of the prospects are in the Dodgers' Top 10, according to Baseball America, with Lambo coming into the season as the Dodgers' top prospect.

It's unknown if the Dodgers would part with Chad Billingsley or Clayton Kershaw in a deal to acquire the Indians' superstars.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Wow.

[alpha]

Dodgers would instantly become NL favorites if they can pull off that deal.

[Clapp]

<!--quoteo(post=52158:date=Jul 26 2009, 03:22 PM:name=alpha)-->QUOTE (alpha @ Jul 26 2009, 03:22 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Dodgers would instantly become NL favorites if they can pull off that deal.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Yep, and they probably are as it stands anyway. That would be an insane trade, damn.

[Beams]

huh...didn't take long...


4:31pm: Kevin Baxter of the LA Times quotes a Dodgers executive saying there is "less than zero truth" to the rumors regarding the trade.

4:26pm: Rosenthal now says that both clubs have "strongly denied" the previous reports that the teams were in serious talks about Martinez and Lee.

[Clapp]

<!--quoteo(post=52169:date=Jul 26 2009, 03:38 PM:name=Beams)-->QUOTE (Beams @ Jul 26 2009, 03:38 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->trading Kershaw would be heavy, no doubt, but if they found a way to pull it off by keeping him and Billingsley, they'd be nigh unstoppable.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I can't see them giving up Kershaw in that deal. He has a 0.93 ERA over his last 8 starts and is only going to improve as a pitcher. If you're giving up Kershaw, you better be getting a Halladay or Haren in return. I understand Victor's a stud himself, but giving up Loney and more along with Kershaw... I don't see that as a wise decision for the Dodgers organization going forward. It probably makes them better this year, but could really comeback to haunt them down the road.

[alpha]

I agree Clapp, I don't think the Dodgers would deal Kershaw even it was for Halladay.

[Clapp]

About the Astros:

<!--quoteo-->QUOTE <!--quotec-->"We're having conversations with clubs, but I don't expect us to be doing much of anything," Wade said. "The key components aren't going to change, and that's the economics and the talent in the system. Those things aren't going to change overnight. If something makes sense we'll pursue it, but there's nothing going on now."<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

[Clapp]

<!--quoteo-->QUOTE <!--quotec-->A Dodgers executive said today that there is “less than zero” truth to rumored discussions that had the team sending a package centered on first baseman James Loney to Cleveland in exchange for left-hander Cliff Lee and first baseman-catcher Victor Martinez.

-- Kevin Baxter<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

[Clapp]

Rosenthal:
<!--quoteo-->QUOTE <!--quotec-->Two days away from his deadline for trading ace right-hander Roy Halladay, Blue Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi told FOXSports.com on Sunday night that the chances of a deal remain "very slim."

"We've said that we would listen, but that we would have to be motivated and 'wowed,'" Ricciardi said. "Right now we haven't been. I've said all along my gut tells me I won't be. I still stand by that."<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

[Clapp]

Todd Wellemeyer to the bullpen, Mitchell Boggs to the rotation.

[ColoradoCub]

<!--quoteo-->QUOTE <!--quotec-->According to WEEI, the Red Sox are close to a trade that would send Cliff Lee to Boston for a package of Michael Bowden, Josh Reddick, and one more prospect.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

[Destined]

<!--quoteo(post=52888:date=Jul 28 2009, 03:30 PM:name=ColoradoCub)-->QUOTE (ColoradoCub @ Jul 28 2009, 03:30 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE <!--quotec-->According to WEEI, the Red Sox are close to a trade that would send Cliff Lee to Boston for a package of Michael Bowden, Josh Reddick, and one more prospect.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Wow