***OFFICIAL*** (1 Viewer)

[Knobs]

Trade deadline is only a day away!

There are a lot of rumors taking place and I figured it'd be better if we could all share them with each other here.

The Blue Jays have not lowered their price in trade discussions with the Rangers concerning ace right-hander Roy Halladay.

The Jays still want left-hander Derek Holland, first baseman Justin Smoak and two other prospects, according to major-league sources.

Holland, 22, was brilliant Thursday night against the Mariners, coming within one out of a complete game in the Rangers' 7-1 victory.

Afterward, team president Nolan Ryan told Bob Nightengale of USA Today that the Rangers were actively seeking Halladay, but suggested that Holland would not be part of a deal.

Meanwhile, Evan Grant of D Magazine reported that the Rangers asked the Blue Jays to pay a significant portion of the approximately $4.75 million remaining on Halladay's 2009 salary.

One source indicated recently that the Rangers aren't nearly as concerned about Halladay's $15.75 million salary for 2010, reasoning that the roster and/or payroll could be adjusted before then.

But there is one other obstacle: Halladay's no-trade clause.

Halladay wants to play for a perennial contender. While he has not ruled out a trade to the Rangers, he also has not indicated certain approval, according to a source.

 

[Knobs]

The Marlins are waiting to hear if the Nationals will accept their offer for first baseman Nick Johnson, according to major-league sources.

The proposed deal would send Class AAA right-hander Ryan Tucker to Washington, with the Nationals paying part of the approximately $1.8 million remaining on Johnson's contract.

Jorge Cantu would move from first to third base for the Marlins. Third baseman Emilio Bonifacio would take over the injured Alfredo Amezaga's super-utility role.

The Marlins earlier made runs at Padres closer Heath Bell and even first baseman Adrian Gonzalez and Blue Jays ace right-hander Roy Halladay.

In each case, however, club officials considered the acquisition cost to be too steep, sources said.

 

[Knobs]

The Twins finally are making progress in their attempt to acquire A's shortstop Orlando Cabrera, according to a major-league source.

The teams continued their discussions on Thursday and plan to continue talking Friday.

Twins manager Ron Gardenhire has talked openly about his affection for Cabrera, and first baseman Justin Morneau and other players have implored general manager Bill Smith to make a move.

 

[shut it down]

Victor Martinez's most likely destination is Boston.

I think the Rangers are going to overpay and snag Halladay at the last minute.

 

[Bobcat10]

Why the hell would Cleveland not take on the last two months LaRoche's contract here?????? I don't care if the owner is trying to save money. He's dealing his biggest chips in Vmart and Lee. LaRoche could probably be moved in August. If not, suck it up to get Buchholz.

Updated: July 31, 2009, 2:25 AM ETRed Sox working on three-way dealComment Email Print Share By Jayson StarkThe Boston Red Sox and the Cleveland Indians were discussing a three-way trade Thursday night that would send Victor Martinez to Boston, Clay Buchholz to Cleveland and prospects flying in all directions, according to clubs that spoke to both teams. The Red Sox also would attempt to move recently acquired Adam LaRoche, either to a third team or in a companion deal, to make room for Martinez in their lineup, one source said.The Red Sox have spent several days working on parallel deals with Toronto for Roy Halladay, San Diego for Adrian Gonzalez and Cleveland for Martinez. There were indications Thursday afternoon that they were making no headway with Toronto and San Diego, but that they were having trouble making the pieces fit with Cleveland.They began contacting other teams to help make the deal fit and are believed to still be searching for a third team.One potential reason for involving a third club was the need to find a destination for LaRoche, who would seem to be crowded out by the acquisition of another bat for the Boston lineup. But with very few contending teams searching for a first baseman, finding a taker for LaRoche could be a challenge.In the meantime, the Red Sox don't appear to be the only team talking to the Indians about Martinez. There were also indications Thursday that Cleveland was still having conversations with Tampa Bay. The Indians were heavily scouting the Rays' system and had multiple scouts watching their triple-A Durham team. However, the Rays don't seem to have the financial flexibility to absorb the approximately $2 million left on Martinez's contract this year without subtracting a player such as Scott Kazmir at the same time. One source familiar with the Rays' thinking admitted the team was still a long shot to pull off two deals that big.

 

[gump]

Report: Rays, Mets, Indians Talking Three-Way; Rays Would Acquire Victor Martinez

We are hearing dialogue about the Mets/Rays/ and Indians talking about a three way deal. In this scenario Victor Martinez would go to Tampa and not New York. As of now we do not know who the Mets would receive in this scenario.

LINK

 

[Frostillicus]

The Twins finally are making progress in their attempt to acquire A's shortstop Orlando Cabrera, according to a major-league source.The teams continued their discussions on Thursday and plan to continue talking Friday.Twins manager Ron Gardenhire has talked openly about his affection for Cabrera, and first baseman Justin Morneau and other players have implored general manager Bill Smith to make a move.

If they trade Danny Valencia for him I'm going to have a freak out. Make a move for once, but make a smart move.

 

[Bogart]

TR Sullivan of mlb.com is reporting that the Halladay to Texas deal is all but dead.

TOR will not come down from their request of Holland, Smoak, Borbon, a catcher, etc. He said they were even asking for Andrus. Props to JD for hanging up the phone if that was the offer. TOR is not going to get a "Teixeria to the Braves" trade this year. Looks more like they will get a "Teixeria to LAAA" trade.

 

[Knobs]

Toronto is incredibly stupid if they don't actually move Halladay.

 

[Doctor Detroit]

Via Twitter, Jon Heyman of SI.com reports that the Padres almost dealt Heath Bell and Adrian Gonzalez to the Dodgers for James Loney, Russell Martin, Blake DeWitt, James McDonald and Ivan Dejesus. Wow.

Wow is right.