The price for Fuentes; Rays want Barmes?

After the Phillies used three prospects to acquire right-handed starter Joe Blanton from the Athletics, how many chips do they have to play? That question is pertinent in Denver, since the Phillies are known to have interest in closer Brian Fuentes -- the player the Rockies appear most certain to trade. If an earlier report is correct, the Rockies have asked the Phillies for right-hander Carlos Carrasco or catcher Lou Marson in return for Fuentes, so something could still be possible.

The Rockies would hit the jackpot if a team came up with a young, talented starter -- like, say, the Yankees' Phil Hughes or Ian Kennedy, or a couple of top Double-A prospects such as the Rays' Wade Davis or Jeremy Hellickson. (Many Rays fans, by the way, aren't the least bit excited about the notion of giving up on two of baseball's top pitching prospects.)

While we're at it, it'll take that and then some to wrest outfielder Matt Holliday from the Rockies. While something could happen now, it seems a lot more likely Holliday will be dealt after the season.

The Denver Post reported Friday that the Rays also have interest in center fielder Willy Taveras, who has been discussed in many proposed scenarios, and infielder Clint Barmes. In past year, the Rockies resisted offers from other clubs for Barmes.

-- Thomas Harding