Only one deal was made by the Reds before Thursday's non-waivers Trade Deadline but it was a doozy. Ken Griffey Jr. went to the White Sox but none of Cincinnati's 12 other potential free agents were moved.

Reds GM Walt Jocketty said some offers were made near the end of the deadline but he chose not to agree to them.

"We talked to different clubs about different proposals but never felt there was one that really benefitted us," Jocketty said. "We're better off holding on to the players we had and try to win as many games as we can."

The Reds outfield will now have Adam Dunn in left field, Jerry Hairston Jr. in center field and Jay Bruce in right field.

 

-- Mark Sheldon

Pitcher Eddie Guardado was informed Thursday afternoon that he was being traded to the Washington Nationals. Manager Ron Washington delivered the news while Guardado was taking a steam bath in the Rangers clubhouse. Washington told Guardado they wanted to see him upstairs.

Guardado stormed into a conference room in the Rangers front office where general manager Jon Daniels was meeting with aides. Daniels asked Guardado into another room, then couldn't keep a straight face.

"You're still a Texas Ranger," Daniels said, revealing the elaborate joke played on one of the game's best practical jokers.

Said Guardado later, "They got me good."

-- T.R. Sullivan

It's official: the Mets did nothing at the Trading Deadline.

General manager Omar Minaya said he was in quite a few discussions to improve the team's bullpen today, but nothing materialized. The Mets targeted a group of top-flight relievers, but the price of those players remained too high. And they had chances to acquire a mid-level reliever, but Minaya didn't see that as enough of an improvement over what they already have.

"We talked to some teams, but we really, at the end, there was no name guy there that was a difference-maker," Minaya said.

Minaya said that the Mets would likely still try to swing a waiver deal in the coming weeks, and that many of their top prospects -- Fernando Martinez, Jon Niese, Eddie Kunz and Bobby Parnell included -- would "definitely" factor into the mix down the stretch. None of those players were truly untouchable during trade negotiations, but none of them went anywhere, either. That should tell you the direction in which the Mets are trying to go with their farm system.

--Anthony DiComo

General manager John Mozeliak just confirmed by text message that the Cardinals did not complete any moves prior to the non-waiver Trade Deadline.

-Matthew Leach

The Pirates will be announcing a trade shortly, as they are a part of a three-team trade that involves the Pirates, Dodgers and Red Sox.

Manny Ramirez has been dealt to the Dodgers.

The Pirates will receive Brandon Moss (OF) and Craig Hansen (RHP) from Boston and Bryan Morris (RHP and Andy LaRoche, the brother of Pirates' Adam LaRoche, from Los Angeles.

Jason Bay has been dealt to the Red Sox.

An official announcement is expected shortly.

-- Jenifer Langosch

Just when it seemed the Red Sox weren't going to be able to find a deal for star slugger Manny Ramirez, they have reportedly dealt the right-handed hitting run producer to the Los Angeles Dodgers. SI.com reported the news. The Boston Globe also reported that the Red Sox had traded Ramirez to the Dodgers. Rumblings are that Jason Bay is in fact going from Pittsburgh to Boston to make it a three-way deal.

Details to come.

Ian Browne

The Trade Deadline passed with the Royals making no deals. The club announced at 3 p.m. CT that the club did nothing although left-handed reliever Ron Mahay and second baseman Mark Grudzielanek were among Royals rumored to be attracting interest.

-- Dick Kaegel

The official 4 p.m. deadline has approached, and while there's still the possibility that the Mets snuck in a last-minute deal, they've been eerily quiet all day.

SI.com reported rumblings that the Mets were taking a look at Pittsburgh's Ian Snell (as a reliever, not a starter) and Washington's Luis Ayala. But neither deal seems to have materialized. The Mets seem to have given up on the search for a corner outfielder.

We'll know everything for certain when Omar Minaya addresses the media in roughly an hour.

--Anthony DiComo

With the 4 p.m. ET Trade Deadline past, a baseball source in Tampa Bay confirmed that no deal was struck between the Rays and Pirates to send Jason Bay to Tampa Bay in exchange for prospects.

While there remains the possibility that another team could have snuck in an offer before 4 p.m., it appears right now that Bay is staying in Pittsburgh. No other substantial offers were known to be on the table.

-- Jenifer Langosch

Apparently, the Mariners have pulled out of a trade with the Blue Jays that would've sent outfielder Raul Ibanez to Toronto. According to ESPN's Jayson Stark, Seattle had second thoughts about the deal, which reportedly would've been a two-for-one swap, involving only big-league players.

--Jordan Bastian

Updating an earlier blog entry, there are conflicting reports about whether or not Bay will in fact be headed to Tampa Bay.

A short while ago, a source in Pittsburgh corroborated an earlier MLB.com report that Pirates outfielder Jason Bay is likely to be traded to the Rays before 4 p.m. ET this afternoon. As reported earlier, the Pirates are believed to be satisifed with taking shortstop Reid Brignac and pitcher Jeff Niemann in exchange for Bay.

However, it could be a little more complicated than that. According to another industry source in Pittsburgh, the Rays still are not believed to be offering both Brignac and Niemann. One, it is not known which, is deemed unavailable, along with Wade Davis, David Price and Jeremy Hellickson. A third baseball source also confirmed that no deal sending Bay to Tampa Bay is done as of 15 minutes prior to the deadline.

-- Jenifer Langosch

With less than a half hour to go until the Trade Deadline, things still remain fairly quiet around the Twins. While there were indications that the club was trying to shop right-hander Boof Bonser, there has not appeared to have been any serious talks involving the pitcher. Although no deal has appeared anywhere near imminent, the Twins still could be looking to pursue middle infield options after today's non-waiver deadline. But the biggest move that Minnesota could make may have nothing to do with a trade at all. The indications have been that the team is looking to call up left-hander Francisco Liriano as soon as later this week. Exactly how the team will make room for the pitcher is uncertain, especially if no deal is made to move anyone from the current roster by 3 p.m. CT.

-- Kelly Thesier

There are reports that the White Sox have interest in right-hander Joel Hanrahan. It's not known what the Nationals want in return. As of 3:00 p.m. ET, Hanrahan didn't hear anything about being traded to the White Sox.

There was an earlier report that the White Sox were close to acquiring Nationals left-hander John Lannan, but he is the ace of Washington's staff and they have nothing to replace him.  

-- Bill Ladson     .   

With the three-way deal between the Pirates, Red Sox, and Marlins falling through, an MLB.com source says that the Rays are going to acquire right-handed hitting outfielder Jason Bay for Minor League prospects including shortstop Reid Brignac and right-hander Jeff Niemann. The Rays have not confirmed the deal.

--Bill Chastain 

With 70 minutes to go before the non-waiver Trade Deadline, there are no indications that Indians right-hander Paul Byrd is going anywhere -- yet.

Because he is making $7.5 million this season and is sporting a 4.93 ERA, Byrd is certainly a candidate to pass through waivers and get dealt to a contender in August. But his recent improvement -- three straight quality starts -- the veteran presence he brings to a clubhouse and his past playoff success all might make him attractive to a team like the Rockies or Dodgers in the season's final months.

Byrd is slated to start for the Tribe on Friday in Minnesota. Consider it an audition.

-- Anthony Castrovince

Having already acquired Xavier Nady, Damaso Marte and now Ivan Rodriguez leading up to the trade deadline, Yankees GM Brian Cashman could be well-served to call his July a win, making his club a better one as they gun for the postseason. Cashman's month of dealing may not be over, however, as rumors continue to link the Yankees to Mariners left-hander Jarrod Washburn.

Speculation over the Yankees adding Washburn has cooled considerably since last weekend, but the Yankees still would like to upgrade the back of their rotation. It's the price that appears to be prohibitive: New York will be responsible to pay the remainder of Washburn's $9.85 million salary for 2008, while also picking up the entire sum of $10.35 million due to the left-hander for the 2009 season. The Mariners have also asked for a quality prospect, according to reports -- Washburn is set to start for Seattle on Aug. 1.

Even given all that, the Yankees may not be ready to clock out. Ownership gave approval to add salary with Nady, Marte and now Rodriguez, so clearly the emphasis is on playing a 163rd game in the 2008 season and closing out Yankee Stadium in October. Cashman said that he is "not optimistic" that a trade will be completed on Thursday, however, Cashman also believed his biggest order of business on Wednesday would be unloading LaTroy Hawkins before Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski rang his phone at 10 a.m. shopping a catcher.

-- Bryan Hoch

Just because that three-way deal between the Red Sox, Marlins and Pirates has reportedly died doesn't mean Manny Ramirez can't still switch homes with the deadline still more than an hour from expiring.

The Boston Globe and SI.com have both reported that the Red Sox are now talking to the Dodgers about Ramirez, where he could be reunited with former teammates Derek Lowe and Nomar Garciaparra. The Red Sox like outfielder Matt Kemp but the Dodgers, according to the SI.com report,  would prefer to deal Andre Ethier. Ramirez's 10-5 rights don't seem to be any kind of issue.

From SI.com: "Ramirez has approved a trade to go to Florida, Philadelphia, Los Angeles or anywhere else, SI.com has learned."

The 23-year-old Kemp is hitting .295 with 12 homers and 57 RBIs. The Dodgers have been very reluctant to include him in any deal in the past. Ethier is 26, and is hitting .271 with 11 homers and 46 RBIs. The 36-year-old Ramirez, having a par year by his standards, is hitting .299 with 20 homers and 68 RBIs.

Do stay tuned.

Ian Browne

The Blue Jays' interest in Pirates outfielder Jason Bay reportedly ended with precisely one phone call. Pittsburgh apparently asked for Toronto starter Shaun Marcum and top outfield prospect Travis Snider for starters, leading the Jays to move on.

Toronto has also been linked to Seattle in talks about outfielder Raul Ibanez. The Jays are currently 6.5 games out of the American League Wild Card race -- stuck in that spot between being out of it and really in contention. With less than an hour before the 4 p.m. ET Deadline, a deal could be unlikely.

--Jordan Bastian

While the Marlins/Pirates/Red Sox three-way deal looking like it might not come to fruition, the Pirates appear to have turned back to the Rays, who continue to look for a right-handed bat.

According to reports by both ESPN and the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the Rays appear to be more likely to land Bay than the Red Sox as we're now almost within the final hour of the non-waiver trade period. Pitching prospect Wade Davis has been the name that has popped up over the last few days, and it's possible the Pirates are trying to get the Rays to include him in the package before committing.

Shorstop Reid Brignac and pitcher Jeff Niemann have been other players speculated to have been offered by the Rays.

Again, though, before assuming a deal get done, don't forget that general manager Neal Huntington is in an ideal position. There is no urgency to trade Bay for contract reasons, and Huntington has already shown that he is willing to stick by his demands and not sell short. If he continues to stay true to his wishes over the next hour, Bay could well be on a flight with his teammates to Chicago later this afternoon.

-- Jenifer Langosch

With about 90 minutes to go before the non-waiver trading deadline, the Phillies are still focused on nabbing a left-handed reliever, with Jack Taschner, Jesse Carlson and John Grabow in play, and well as the more pricey Brian Fuentes and George Sherrill, who are more like to remain with Colorado and Baltimore, respectively, than be dealt.

-- Ken Mandel

According to an ESPN blog, negotiations between the Rays and Pirates are not yet concluded as has been reported throughout Thursday.

The Rays would like to pry away Jason Bay and, according to what sources told ESPN, the Rays are trying to structure a deal for the right-handed hitting outfielder that might include shortstop prospect Reid Brignac and right-handed pitching prospect Jeff Niemann.

Could get interesting by 4 p.m.

--Bill Chastain

 

If the Reds trade Ken Griffey Jr. to the White Sox then they could go after Rangers outfielder Nelson Cruz, who is tearing up Triple A Oklahoma but is blocked at the big league level. The Rangers could also try to move outfielder Marlon Byrd and make room for Cruz. The Rangers are still talking to the Marlins about catcher Gerald Laird. The Reds are also interested.

-- T.R. Sullivan

Though the Tigers had to offer up Ivan Rodriguez to teams on Wednesday as a chip to pry a veteran reliever off the trade market, president/general manager Dave Dombrowski isn't done chasing relievers. Dombrowski said after the Rodriguez trade that he has talked with several other clubs about lesser deals for relievers, but he used the term "substantial returns" to describe the asking prices. Todd Jones' newly-revealed shoulder injury could provide urgency for even more relief help, either from the left or right side.

No deal appeared to be close as of Thursday morning, according to Jim Leyland, but Dombrowski and assistant GM Al Avila have been on the phone at various points Thursday afternoon from their box at Progressive Park as the 4 p.m. ET nonwaiver deadline approaches.

-- Jason Beck

The Braves are still listening to multiple offers for Will Ohman.  But so far, they haven't been satisfied that the offered compensation is greater than the compensatory Draft pick they'd receive by losing him via the free agent market this winter. 

When they aggressively attack the free agent market this winter, the Braves will likely lose at least one selection for the 2009 First-Year Player  Draft.  If they continue their current struggles and earn one of the Draft's first 15 selections,  their signing of a Type A Free Agent would result in them keeping their first-round selection and losing their second-round selection.

With a dramatic turnaround that allows them to finish with one of the 15-best records in baseball,  signing a Type A free agent would result in them losing their first-round selection.

By losing Ohman (assuming Elias rates him a Type B free agent) to free agency, the Braves would gain a supplemental first-round pick.

-- Mark Bowman

After all the talks the Red Sox have had with the Marlins and Pirates the last two days, could it be that Manny Ramirez winds up starting in left field for the Red Sox Friday night?

The latest news from ESPN.com's Peter Gammons: "A source close to the three-way negotiations involving Manny Ramirez says the deal is close to dead. Florida has reportedly asked Boston for a cash outlay beyond the $7 million to cover Ramirez's contract, in addition to two prospects. That essentially would add up to the Red Sox trading Ramirez, $9 million and two prospects for Jason Bay."

The Pirates could deal Bay somewhere else -- Tampa Bay has been mentioned and Jayson Stark of ESPN.com is now citing the Blue Jays -- or just hang on to him.

Keep in mind that in recent years, the Red Sox have never been shy about pulling away from blockbuster deals when the price simply became too much. Most dramatically, the Sox had a Ramirez for Alex Rodriguez mega-swap lined up in December, 2003, and pulled out of that when their proposed restructuring of A-Rod's contract was turned down by the Players Association. More recently, Theo Epstein didn't trade for Johan Santana this winter because the asking price of talented young players was simply too much.

T-minus three hours.

Ian Browne.

Toronto may be trying to throw a wrinkle into the three-team blockbuster trade between the Red Sox, Marlins and Pirates. The main pieces in that swap would be outfielders Manny Ramirez (to the Marlins) and Jason Bay (to the Red Sox).

According to ESPN's Jayson Stark, the Jays have been in talks with the Pirates this afternoon about a potential deal to bring Bay -- a native Trail, British Columbia -- north of the border. It's believed that Toronto might balk at the type of three-prospect package that the Bucs would covet.

Toronto Minor Leaguer Travis Snider would likely be sought as part of any deal, but the Jays would undoubtedly be reluctant to part with their top prospect. The Jays already have Adam Lind in left, but are currently without center fielder Vernon Wells (out at least three more weeks with a left hamstring injury) or a regular right fielder, with Alex Rios currently manning center.

UPDATE: The Blue Jays have also inquired with Seattle about the availability of outfielder Raul Ibanez, according to Stark.

--Jordan Bastian

It's less than an hour before the 2 p.m. MT (4 p.m. ET) nonwaiver deadline, and chances are the Rockies will look the same after as before.

doubtful that left-hander Brian Fuentes, the Rockies' new career saves leader as of Wednesday night, will be going anywhere. The Rockies' inquiries about a back-of-the-rotation starter -- Paul Byrd, Jarrod Washburn, Tim Redding, Josh Fogg -- also are unlikely to net anything.

The Rockies' big addition may end up being left-hander Jeff Francis, who pitches tonight at Double-A Tulsa in what could be his final injury rehab start. He hasn't pitched in the Majors since late June because of shoulder inflammation, a problem that kept him from pitching anythng near his 17-win form of a year ago.

Last year, the Rockies were quiet at the deadline but received pitching lifts from call-ups Ubaldo Jimenez and Franklin Morales, and discarded veteran Mark Redman.

-- Thomas Harding

 

SI.com has just reported that Manny Ramirez has informed the appropriate parties that he will waive his 10-5 rights to be traded to the Marlins. That said, the three-way deal in which Ramirez would go to Florida, Jason Bay would go to Boston and Jeremy Hermida would go to Pittsburgh, has still not been agreed on by the three clubs.

At this hour, the hold-up seems to be which prospects the Pirates would receive. And there is intrigue, considering the Pirates could always move off the three-way deal and go back to original discussions in which Bay could be traded to the Tampa Bay Rays.

However, a Major League source told MLB.com's Joe Frisaro that the expectation within baseball circles is that the three-way deal will eventually come to fruition. That said, time is ticking away.


Ian Browne.

With less than four hours remaining until Thursday's 4 p.m. ET, the Pirates, Red Sox and Marlins continue to talk about a potential blockbuster deal that would center around Manny Ramirez going to Florida, Jeremy Hermida going to Pittsburgh and Jason Bay going to Boston.

However, while baseball sources on Wednesday night expressed optimism that a deal would get done, there appear to be a number of critical details holding up this deal. The Pirates are not expected to back down on their demands, which would include Hermida and at least two top prospects coming their way. With the club in a financial state where they don't have to deal Bay, management will not pull the trigger unless they get what they want.

In fact, numerous reports have the Pirates being the hold up in getting this deal done. It's belief that Pittsburgh has tossed around the names of Jed Lowrie (Boston shortstop), Mike Stanton (Florida top prospect outfielder) and Ryan Tucker (Florida pitcher).

With Tampa Bay also still coveting Bay, the Pirates could very well be using that leverage to try and up an offer from both sides. The Rays still have a number of prospects the Pirates are interested in, and if they fear the Red Sox landing Bay, Tampa Bay could improve its offer.

While Bay's name continues to be the most prominent one in Pittsburgh, lefty John Grabow would also likely be on the move. Baseball sources have confirmed two different possibilities. One would have Grabow and Bay going to Boston, while the other would have Grabow going to Florida.

Again, Grabow -- like Bay -- is under the Pirates' control for another year, so the urgency to have to deal him now is not pressing.

-- Jenifer Langosch

Nationals general manager Jim Bowden said it's doubtful that he will trade his veteran players before the Trade Deadline on Thursday afternoon.

With the exception of right-hander Tim Redding, the rest of Washington's veterans don't have any trade value. The Nationals are trying to deal players such as infielders Ronnie Belliard and Felipe Lopez and catcher Paul Lo Duca, but all are having subpar years.

The Nationals have made one deal thus far, sending reliever Jon Rauch to the Arizona Diamondbacks for Minor League second baseman Emilio Bonifacio on July 22."

"For the most part, there isn't much of a market," Bowden said, referring to his veteran players. "Rauch was our one marketable player that we traded. Look, we are a last-place team. A lot of them are underachieving. That's not surprising."

One opposing scout, who saw the Nationals recently, said Wednesday that Redding would be the best pickup off the Major League roster.

-- Bill Ladson

Even in the Trade Deadline's final hours, all reports indicate that the Rays will not budge on top pitching prospects such as David Price, Wade Davis and Jeremy Hellickson.

SI.com also reported Thursday morning that the Rays have taken top infield prospect Reid Brignac's name off the table, and any trade will most likely revolve around RHP Jeff Niemann.

As reported in Thursday's St. Petersburg Times, the Rays are still in talks for Pittsburgh's Jason Bay but early morning reports from FOX Sport's Ken Rosenthal and SI.com have the Rays listed as the Pirates back-up option if the blockbuster three-way trade with the Red Sox and the Marlins doesn't pan out.

If they miss out on Bay, the Rays are also rumored to be eyeing Reds' slugger Adam Dunn, with Cincinnati expressing interest in both Hellickson and Niemann.  As a left-handed hitter, Dunn is a less than ideal fit as the Rays are in dire need of a right-handed bat that can also platoon in right field. But Dunn does pose power -- with a Major League-leading 32  home runs -- and could be an option if the Rays come up short in Pittsburgh.

ESPN.com's Buster Olney reported just before noon that the Rays were unsure which way talks could go and believes promoting right-handed hitter Rocco Baldelli could also be the solution.

An outfielder with four years of Major-League service, Baldelli has on a Minor League rehab assignment that is set to conclude August 4.  

The Rays are also still believed to be in the market for a left-handed reliever, but no clear favorites have emerged.  

 

-- Brittany Ghiroli

Ken Griffey, Jr. has approved the deal sending the veteran slugger to the White Sox, according to a source familiar with the situation. The deal is pending approval from the Commissioner's Office.

--Scott Merkin and Mark Sheldon

Mariners reliever Arthur Rhodes has been traded to the Marlins for Gaby Hernandez, a 22-year-old right-handed starter. Seattle club officials were not immediately available for comment.

Rhodes, who has bounced back from Tommy John elbow reconstructive surgery, gives the Marlins a veteran left-handed reliever with playoff experience, while the Mariners receive a potential rotation candidate down the road. Seattle's starting depth in the Minor Leagues is so sparse that left-handed swing man Ryan Rowland-Smith was sent to Triple-A Tacoma to become a starter and hard-throwing right-hander Brandon Morrow could be taking that same path sometime in the next two weeks.

-- Jim Street

According to a source familiar with the situation, a deal is in place between the White Sox and Reds for the White Sox to acquire Ken Griffey, Jr.--pending his approval.

Griffey is getting a few questions answered, of which none have to do with his contract, and his  decision still could go either way.

--Scott Merkin and Mark Sheldon

The Orioles don't appear likely to swing any deals before the Trade Deadline, but it certainly won't be for lack of interest or effort. Baltimore has several moveable commodities -- chief among them Brian Roberts, George Sherrill and Aubrey Huff -- but hasn't gotten the type of offer it would take to move them. Several of Baltimore's lesser trade chips may be able to clear waivers and switch teams in August, a highly likely scenario that could impact veterans like Kevin Millar, Chad Bradford and Jay Payton.

Last year, for instance, Baltimore came up empty at the July deadline and traded veteran starter Steve Trachsel in August for two modest prospects. And then they took two of their most marketable commodities -- Miguel Tejada and Erik Bedard -- and flipped them for heavily-laden prospect hauls in the winter. Don't be surprised if that process repeats itself with Roberts and Sherrill.

Huff, who has had a huge comeback year, hasn't attracted many suitors because of his dicey defense. The Orioles have mostly spotted him at DH but may wind up playing him at first base and third base after the deadline to accentuate his versatility. 

-- Spencer Fordin

 

The momentum that built throughout Wednesday night that Manny Ramirez could be dealt to the Marlins continued into Thursday morning. Talks are continuing, according to a source early Thursday, and indications are a deal could in fact be reached by the 4 p.m. ET non-waiver deadline.

The way the Marlins typically operate on trades, until paper work is exchanged, in their eyes there is no firm deal. So they don't really recognized "done deal" until it actually is signed off by all parties.

Since this is a three-team trade, and there are Minor League prospects involved and large sums of money changing hands, the deal is complicated. Still, the primary pieces of the deal, Manny to the Marlins, Jeremy Hermida to the Pirates and Jason Bay to the Red Sox, are in place. There is speculation that Florida pitching prospect Ryan Tucker, a 21-year-old with a 95 mph fastball, could be included. Another prospect the Marlins may have to surrender is 19-year-old outfielder Mike Stanton, the team's second round pick in 2007. Stanton is an imposing athlete with tremendous power potential.

-- Joe Frisaro

 

Here we are, in the final hours before the deadline, and the big mystery is whether this complex three-way deal between the Red Sox, Pirates and Marlins will in fact go down by 4 p.m. ET.

Though the Palm Beach Post reported late Wednesday night that a tentative agreement had been reached, several other major media outlets -- including ESPN.com, the Boston Globe and Boston Herald -- reported that was not accurate.

It has been well-documented that the major parts of the deal would send Ramirez from Boston to Florida, Jason Bay from Pittsburgh to Boston and Jeremy Hermida from Florida to Pittsburgh. According to several reports, the Red Sox would also get lefty reliever John Grabow, who is 5-3 with a 3.19 ERA. The Red Sox would pay the Marlins roughly $7 million, which is the balance of Ramirez's salary for the rest of the season.

However, several prospects would also switch hands, leaving the fate of the deal twisting in the wind. Keep in mind that Ramirez must sign the paperwork and officially waive his 10-5 rights before anything becomes official. Ramirez's agent Scott Boras told ESPN.com just before midnight on Wednesday that he hadn't been informed of any deal being in place.

This, according to the Providence (R.I.) Journal: "But late [Wednesday] night there was nothing official in place and the deal was fluid, with plenty of details still to complete. It stood an equal chance of collapsing under its own weight as today's 4 p.m. non-waiver trading deadline approached."

Ian Browne

Here comes the Trading Deadline and here are the Mets, far removed from the middle of it all.

Every major New York news outlet reported Thursday morning that the Mets are on the verge of doing nothing, and most hinted that it's likely to stay that way as the 4 p.m. deadline comes and goes.

Even with Ryan Church's apparent setback -- he's traveling with the team to Houston instead of beginning a round of Minor League rehab games -- the Mets don't appear likely to spring for a corner outfielder. Raul Ibanez is the only name that keeps popping up, but the Mets are not likely to trade a prospect of any significance for a two-month rental.

It's the same quandary that's kept them from trading for a reliever. They're not willing to part with any of their top prospects -- Newsday reported that the group of untouchables includes Fernando Martinez, Jon Niese, Eddie Kunz and Robert Parnell -- and so they're not likely to garner a whole lot of interest from any potential trading partner. They are willing to deal current reliever Scott Schoeneweis, according to multiple reports in the Star-Ledger, but they tried that trick during Spring Training and no one took the bait.

Something minor might go down between now and 4 p.m., but something major? Not likely.

--Anthony DiComo

The Reds and White Sox have agreed to a deal that would send Ken Griffey Jr. to Chicago, according to a published report.

The deal is said to be awaiting Griffey's approval. Griffey, a player with at least 10 years in the Major Leagues and the past five with the same team, has the right to veto a trade.

 

Will Rockies closer Brian Fuentes, who set the club's career saves record on Wednesday night, still be with the Rockies when Thursday's nonwaiver trading deadline hits at 2 p.m. MT (4 p.m. ET)?

The Denver papers cover both possibilities.

The Denver Post reported that teams interested in acquiring Fuentes don't believe he will be available. The Rocky Mountain News, citing the Cardinals, Red Sox, Mets, White Sox and Phillies as possibilities, reported that someone is likely to meet the Rockies' price of a top pitching prospect who can help immediately. The Rays also are among the reported suitors.

Earlier in the process, there were reports outfielder Matt Holliday would be dealt, but a strong start after the All-Star break pretty much ended that. Holliday, a free agent after the 2009 season, draw trade offers during the winter meetings.

With backup center fielder and leadoff hitter Scott Podsednik out with a broken left pinky, it looks as if regular Willy Taveras stays.

With this year and next year on his contract, it's doubtful catcher Yorvit Torrealba -- supplaned as the starter by Chirs Iannetta, but still a part of a productive offensive duo -- is going anywhere.

-- Thomas Harding

Adam Dunn rumors have been dormant most of this deadline silly season. But two have surfaced in the late hours on Wednesday.

SI.com reports that Diamondbacks and Reds have discussed Dunn for first baseman Chad Tracy. If that actually happened, it would give the Reds two lefty-hitting first basemen with Joey Votto already in the fold. Yeah, not likely.

ESPN.com's Jayson Stark has the Rays looking at Dunn as a Plan B should Tampa Bay's efforts to land Jason Bay from the Pirates don't work out. Those talks between the Reds and Rays haven't gotten serious and has just been conversation it appears.

Dunn hit two more homers in Wednesday's 9-5 Reds win. He leads the Majors with 32 homers. His 12 homers and 26 RBIs in July also led the league.

"The only time I ever hear them is through you guys [in the media]," Dunn said of the rumors or lack thereof before tonight. "I don't watch a lot of TV. I don't read the papers. It's hard to believe but I don't listen to the radio shows. I just hear what people tell me and I haven't heard anything. I guess that's good."

-- Mark Sheldon

The Braves feel like they're in good position heading into Thursday's Trade Deadline.  More than five teams have shown great interest in Will Ohman and it's believed the Rays, Yankees and Red Sox are among those bidding for his services. 

Despite late-Wednesday reports to the contrary, meanwhile, it appears very much that the Cardinals are out of the bidding for Ohman.

With these three AL East teams involved, the Braves may receive a greater return for the left-handed reliever than they originally envisioned.

--  Mark Bowman

Amid the rumblings that the Marlins may be acquiring Manny Ramirez, comes another potential trade that would reshape the ballclub. There is strong speculation that first baseman Mike Jacobs could be headed to the Giants for catcher Bengie Molina.

 

Jacobs was lifted from Wednesday's game against the Mets in the sixth inning for defensive purposes. Typically, the lefty hitter will be replaced no earlier than the seventh inning.

 

"It crossed my mind," Jacobs said when asked if he felt he was removed early because of a trade. "Nobody came and said anything."

Asked if he would be surprised if he is traded, Jacobs said: "I would not be surprised. Anything at this point wouldn't surprise me."

-- Joe Frisaro

 

Brewers GM Doug Melvin has his baseball braintrust together in Milwaukee as the nonwaiver Trade Deadline approaches, but said Wednesday that he did not have any further deals in the works.

"Nothing right now," Melvin said.

The, "right now," part of his answer seemed interesting, so Melvin was asked if he sensed things could change.

"Nothing right now," Melvin repeated, this time with a bit of a smile. "I suppose it can always change. The last day or so there are always calls trying to stir something up. But it's very difficult to do something this late."

The deadline to trade players without requesting waivers is 4 p.m. ET on Thursday.

Among those who took a break from meetings and joined Melvin in the dugout at Miller Park during batting practice on Wednesday were amateur scouting director Jack Zduriencik, pro scouting director Dick Groch, special assistant Dan O'Brien, assistant scouting director Tony Blengino, director of administration for player development and scouting Tom Flanagan and professional scouting coordinator Zack Minasian.

The Brewers, who have already acquired starter CC Sabathia and infielder Ray Durham this month, have had scouts looking at relief pitchers from a variety of teams, but Melvin has balked at the high asking price for top-flight relievers like Baltimore's George Sherrill and Oakland's Huston Street.

A newspaper report in Seattle said the Brewers had been scouting Mariners veterans Arthur Rhodes and Eddie Guardado, but one official said Wednesday that Milwaukee was not particularly enamored with either.

-- Adam McCalvy

The Rangers continue to get across-the-board interest in four catchers: Laird, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Taylor Teagarden and Max Ramirez. The Rangers aren't looking to move any of them but are willing to talk about any of them.

The Rangers basic philosophy in all of this is they will be willing to trade one or more of their catchers if they are offered quality starting pitching in return. The Rangers have been offered pitching in various trade scenarios but it hasn't been good enough to for them to say yes.

The Marlins and the Reds have been the most ardent suitors for Laird.

 

One rumor that seems to be gaining some ground is the possibility of Jason Bay heading to St. Louis. The Cardinals would certainly love to add an impact offensive player, and Bay fits that description. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported that while the Rays are the leaders for Bay, the Cardinals are in the picture.

However, manager Tony La Russa was surprised when Bay's name was brought up on Wednesday afternoon.

"I'm not in those meetings," La Russa said, referring to the front-office powwows going on this week, "but when he [general manager John Mozeliak] has called me, he hasn't mentioned Bay's name."

The Cardinals would still very much like to add a left-handed reliever, a pursuit that became more magnified when Randy Flores was optioned to Triple-A Memphis to make room for Chris Carpenter on the roster.

-Matthew Leach.

It's beginning to look like the Braves won't get Jason Bay or any other power-hitting outfielders before Thursday's Trade Deadline.  But over the course of the next 19 hours, Frank Wren will continue to try to deal his players that will be free agents at the end of this year. 

Will Ohman, who is one of those players, is just waiting to learn where he'll land and having fun with the suspense at the same time.  The left-handed reliever often wears a Pepperdine University t-shirt that reads "STILL UNDEFEATED" on the back.

Before Wednesday night's game against the Cardinals, Ohman covered the "UNDEFEATED" portion with masking tape.  On the tape, he wrote the word "HERE".   Thus the message was changed to "STILL HERE".

By the time Thursday concludes, Ohman will be gone and the best guess is that he'll land with the Cardinals.  But the Rays and Marlins are among the other teams still showing interest.

There's a chance veteran outfielder Mark Kotsay could be traded Thursday.  But it seems more likely that he and Mike Hampton would be traded via waiver-wire deals in August.  

That wasn't a typo.  I did intend to include Hampton just because of the simple fact that a team could be in a bind next month and the Braves might be willing to assume the remainder of his salary if they could at least get a prospect back in return.

-- Mark Bowman

As reported by MLB.com's Joe Frisaro earlier this evening, the Pirates, Red Sox and Marlins appear to be moving closer to making a blockbuster trade that would send Jason Bay to Boston, Jeremy Hermida to Pittsburgh and Manny Ramirez to Florida.

Multiple baseball sources have confirmed that the three teams remain in dialogue, and according to a report by the Beaver County Times' John Perrotto, a deal could be done as early as this evening.

There is also confirmation that other players would also be involved in such a deal -- that could include the Pirates receiving a Minor Leaguer from the Red Sox farm system.

This trade would obviously make sense for the Red Sox, as they would be able to deal the unhappy Ramirez for a left fielder that has similar offensive numbers. Ramirez, who lives in south Florida, would likely waive his no-trade clause to move home for two months.

The deal would make sense for the Pirates, who would land a replacement outfielder - Hermida - who will not be a free agent until 2011. Bay is currently under contract for just one more year.

And the Marlins, who are in the thick of the NL East race, have shown in the past that they are willing to mortgage some of their future for the chance to win it now.

UPDATED: MLB.com has also learned from sources both in Pittsburgh and Boston that the Red Sox have inquired about both Jack Wilson and John Grabow as well. There have been talks of sending both Wilson and Bay to Boston and Grabow to Florida for a prospect-heavy package that could include big-time Florida OF prospect Mike Stanton (No. 2 pick in 2007), Hermida and Boston's shortstop prospect Jed Lowrie among others.

Other reports have linked just Grabow and Bay to Boston for a package of prospects and Hermida.

And if all this falls through and the Red Sox and Marlins deal directly with each other, the Pirates could very well fall back to the Rays, who still have a number of prospects to potentially offer for Bay.

-- Jenifer Langosch

 

A new wrinkle has been added to the Manny Ramirez to Marlins' scenario. A source told MLB.com that a three-way trade may be in the works.

Under this scenario, Ramirez would go to the Marlins, while Jeremy Hermida would go to the Pirates, and Jason Bay would go to the Red Sox.

The Marlins are not afraid to roll the dice and gamble. Team president David Samson, when asked on the team's flagship station, 790 The Ticket, was asked about the Manny Ramirez rumors.

"The Marlins always seem to be in the middle of everything," Samson said. "I don't know how we do that every deadline. We're spending all day trying to figure out a way where we can get better, to stay good, to try to figure out a way how we could win this thing. Everything is possible."

 

-- Joe Frisaro

Just under 24 hours until the deadline and the Reds seem poised to stand pat. SI.com reported that there might finally be some interest in Adam Dunn, but no teams were named.

"There's nothing on the horizon," Reds manager Dusty Baker said. "Nothing serious."

General manager Walt Jocketty is still on the road trip with the team in Houston and is expected to continue on to Washington after Wednesday's game.

-- Mark Sheldon

The Red Sox's clubhouse had a twilight zone-like feel to it in the hours leading up to Wednesday's game with the Angels. At around 5:30, the following blurb appeared on the ESPN crawl: "Red Sox engaged in serious conversation to trade Manny Ramirez to the Marlins." At literally that exact time, Ramirez walked past that television with a plate of food in his hand, but didn't see it.

About 20 minutes later, Ramirez, obviously aware, or made aware by teammates, said with light-hearted enthusiasm, "Oh yeah, Marlins. Tax free. Stay at home." Then he gave Hideki Okajima's interpreter -- Jeff Yamaguchi -- a mock hug good-bye. Yamaguchi simply smiled and shook his head.

For years, Ramirez has owned a residence in South Florida. How serious are the talks?

MLB.com reporter Joe Frisaro -- live on the scene in Miami -- said that baseball sources are not dismissing it. Frisaro added that earlier in the day, one of these same sources was talking about a deal with Ramirez in a joking matter. In other words, don't rule it out. The Marlins have never been shy around this time of year of making an aggressive play for a big-name player.

And this is from Buster Olney of ESPN.com. "If the Red Sox make a deal with the Marlins, it is likely they would kick in money to offset Ramirez's salary, and they would look for three young players in return -- perhaps outfielder Jeremy Hermida or outfielder Josh Willingham, plus pitchers."

Ramirez is in the lineup tonight, batting fourth and playing left field.

Ian Browne

A little more than 24 hours before the non-waiver trading deadline, A's closer Huston Street didn't sound like a man expecting to be moved. The subject of many rumors over the past two weeks, Street on Wednesday said he's greatly appreciative of Oakland general manager Billy Beane having kept him "in the loop" on the discussions he's had with other teams regarding the right-hander, who turns 25 on Saturday. On his weekly radio show Tuesday night, Street said he wasn't anticipating a change of address any time soon. The early-week torrent of A's trade rumors has died down considerably, suggesting that Beane might be done dealing for the time being. --Mychael Urban

Things still have remained fairly quiet surrounding the Twins this week heading up to tomorrow's non-waiver Trade Deadline but injury news from Tuesday night could change that. The loss of second baseman Alexi Casilla leaves the Twins short on middle infield depth as well as leaving the club without one of their best switch-hitters.

As for second base options, those on the trade market are limited. The Orioles have informed teams that Brian Roberts is not available. The Royals' Mark Grudzielanek could be another possibility but so far there hasn't been any indication the Twins are interested in him.

ESPN's Jayson Stark was reporting that the Twins have inquired the Giants about Rich Aurilia for a middle-tier prospect. Aurilia would give the Twins another right-handed bat and he's played every infield position, which would give the club another utility guy. Stark also said that Minnesota has been dangling right-hander Boof Bonser to other teams with hopes of getting a right-handed bat or middle-infield depth in return. Bonser, who was demoted from the starting rotation earlier this season, is out of options and the Twins have been hesitant to try and move him through waivers as many have speculated he would be claimed by another team.

Trading Bonser would open up a roster spot for another pitcher as the Twins also haven't eliminated the possibility of adding a reliever. So far their only public interest has been in right-hander LaTroy Hawkins, who was designated for assignment by the Yankees last weekend. The Tigers had also expressed interest in Hawkins but they likely are out of the picture after acquiring Kyle Farnsworth from the Yankees in exchange for catcher Pudge Rodriguez on Wednesday.

-- Kelly Thesier

With Jorge Posada out for the remainder of the season following shoulder surgery, the Yankees acquired 14-time All-Star and 13-time Gold Glove catcher Ivan Rodriguez from the Tigers in exchange for reliever Kyle Farnsworth.
 

According to Fox Sports, the Cubs are among the teams interested in Seattle's Raul Ibanez. However, the Cubs don't have that much of a need, and the M's asking price may be too high. Ibanez is in the last year of his contract, and owed about $2.2 million the rest of the year. According to Fox, the Mariners want two quality prospects from the Mets for Ibanez.

--Carrie Muskat

Nationals catcher Paul Lo Duca believes a lot of teams are hesitant to trade for him because he is not behind the plate on a regular basis.

In fact, in recent weeks, Lo Duca has either been playing first base or left field. Jesus Flores is the Nationals' everyday catcher, while Wil Nieves is the backup.

Lo Duca is having the worst season of his career, hitting .237 with 12 RBIs entering Wednesday.

"I'm probably getting shopped around, obviously, but whether teams are interested or not, that's their thing," Lo Duca said. "I'm healthy. I feel great. It's just a matter of getting at-bats, trying to get into a rhythm. I think a lot of teams are backing off because they think I might be still injured, and they want me to catch and I'm not catching. So I have to see what happens."

-- Bill Ladson 

According to SI.com, the Marlins and Phillies have expressed interest in Manny Ramirez. If the Marlins are looking to make a big splash-move, this would certainly create a tidal wave of interest for a team looking to boost attendance and gather more support for their new stadium deal, which right now is being held up in a lawsuit. It's not uncommon for the Marlins to express interest in major impact players. In years past, they quietly explored aquiring Roger Clemens, when the Rocket was weighing a return to the Yankees. A couple of years ago, when Washington was dangling Alfonso Soriano, the Marlins also entered the conversations. How realistic would a Ramirez trade be? Perhaps it is nothing more than inquiring. According to Baseball Prospectus, a source says outfielder Jeremy Hermida and pitching prospect Jeff Allison would be headed to Boston for Manny. The Marlins are certainly working the  phones, and Ramirez would be the shocker of shockers, considering Florida's $22 million payroll. The Marlins have Josh Willingham in left, and he isn't an realistic option to play right field, where Hermida plays. But Cody Ross could move from center to right, and Alfredo Amezaga could play center, should the Marlins be daring with a Ramirez trade.

 

-- Joe Frisaro

Teams have inquired about Cubs' reliever Scott Eyre, who is healthy after being sidelined with a groin injury. The Cubs simply have too many lefties in the pen, and are benefitting from good performances by Neal Cotts and Sean Marshall. With Kerry Wood close to returning off the DL and the addition of Jeff Samardzija and Chad Gaudin, the Cubs have the luxury of too many arms. What do they need? GM Jim Hendry has been looking at adding another bat for the bench, especially if Jim Edmonds can't stay healthy.

-Carrie Muskat

So Frank Wren decides to deal Mark Teixeira two days before the Trade Deadline.  If this is a sign of things to come, next year's Independence Day Fireworks Show at Turner Field will probably begin with the grand finale.

OK now back to the serious mode. Although Teixeira was obviously the most significant part of his check list, Wren still has work to do.  As he looks toward 2009, he'd still like to acquire a power-hitting outfielder.  For now, he can only hope the Pirates do all of their shopping and opt to deal Jason Bay to Atlanta.

OK now back to the selling mode. Left-handed reliever Will Ohman will come to Turner Field as a member of a fourth-place team on Wednesday and find himself with a postseason contender by the time Thursday concludes.  He will definitely be traded and the best guess now is that he'll land with the Cardinals.

As for Mark Kotsay, there's seemingly a 50 percent chance he'll be traded before Thursday's deadline.  It seems more likely that he could be moved in August to a team that needs to add outfield depth. 

If there were any desirable starting pitchers on the trade market, the Braves would certainly be among the bidders.  With a strong possibility that Tim Hudson may undergo Tommy John surgery as early as Thursday, Wren needs to find an ace for next year.  But this is something that could happen this winter, when C.C. Sabathia, Ben Sheets and John Lackey hit the free agent market.

-- Mark Bowman

Sure, the Red Sox have explored moving disenchanted slugger Manny Ramirez. But there just doesn't appear to be a fit at the moment.

The Phillies were mentioned as the front-runner in a piece by SI.com, but a club official dismissed that out of hand.

According to MLB.com's Ken Mandel, "A team source laughed at the notion that the Phillies were the "front-runner" in the sweepstakes to land the enigmatic Red Sox slugger, as reported by SI.com. The team's source called SI.com's story "untrue" and added that the Phillies aren't involved in talks to land Ramirez."

The Diamondbacks have also privately said they don't have much interest in Ramirez, ditto for the Dodgers and Mets. At the moment, it's just hard to find a deal that would work, where the Sox could get even close to equal value for one of the finest hitters in the game.

Unless there is a dramatic change between now and Thursday at 4 p.m., the Red Sox will probably  ride it out with Ramirez for the rest of  the season and then bid him adieu in November.

The one caveat is that Theo Epstein is never afraid to do something dramatic. Keep in mind that in 2004, the Nomar Garciaparra sweepstakes were eerily quiet leading into the last day, when Epstein made a dramatic deal at the last minute for Orlando Cabrera and Doug Mientkiewicz.

Ian Browne

Joe Maddon had not been in contact with Andrew Friedman in recent days until Wednesday morning, and the Rays manager said the executive vice president of baseball operations told him he's still working on some "interesting" scenarios.
Given the fact the Rays need a right-handed bat and the fact the Pittsburgh Post Gazette reported the Rays and Pirates are still talking about a deal for outfielder Jason Bay, I have to believe that is the best possibility for the Rays making a deal. The Pirates would likely get prospects in return.
Maddon said he believes the prospect of a deal getting done is 50-50.

--Bill Chastain

With the Trade Deadline coming up on Thursday afternoon, second baseman Felipe Lopez's days with the Nationals could be coming to an end.

If he is not traded, Lopez will not be with the team next year. In fact, don't be surprised if he is designated for assignment soon. The team already announced that Emilio Bonifacio will be the everyday second baseman in 2009 and make his Nationals debut sometime this season.

It will be interesting to see if teams are interested in Lopez because he is having a second consecutive subpar season. Entering Tuesday's action, Lopez was hitting .233 with two home runs and 25 RBIs. Lopez said he doesn't have any excuses this year. Unlike last year, Lopez says he is not having any off-the-field problems.

There was talk a few weeks ago that Lopez was going to be traded to the Orioles, but nothing came of it.

-- Bill Ladson 

Anyone thinking that Mariners GM Lee Pelekoudas needs to make deals to dump salary is way off base and the only way he will make a trade prior to Thursday's non-waiver Trade Deadline is if he and other club officials believe it improves the team.

Pelekoudas met with Seattle-area reporters prior to Tuesday night's game against the Rangers and said, "The only thing we are concentrating on is trying to make the right deal that makes us better in the future, and that's it. There is no pressure to get it done by the deadline."

Published reports, mostly from the East Coast, suggest that Seattle is in a "dump salary" mode. Pelekoudas said that is totally inaccurate. He said he wants to make it clear that, just because of the Mariners record and high payroll ($117 million), the organization was not discussing deals to cut salary. He added that the non-waiver Trade Deadline is "artificial" and he is under no pressure from ownership to make any trades.

As the Trade Deadline nears, it appears that left-handed starter Jarrod Washburn will still be with the team on Friday morning. Same goes for third baseman Adrian Beltre, who has been mentioned in various trade rumors. Veteran left-hander Arthur Rhodes might be the most marketable player on the roster. He is having a ter