The Baseball Blog

Jason Bay Not Close to Returning

2010-08-05T13:15:00.002-04:00

Jason Bay (concussion) is "not close" to returning from the disabled list, according to a Mets team official.

Bay said Tuesday that he was feeling a bit better, but he has not begun baseball-related activities and there's been no indication of when he might be able to do so, as he'll need to be symptom-free before that happens. Bay is eligible to return from the DL on Tuesday, but that's not going to happen

Delgado Becoming Hot Commodity

2010-08-05T13:15:00.001-04:00

Carlos Delgado could be a hot commodity this August, according to FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal.

Delgado, who has not played since May of last year, has been rehabbing his hip, and his agent has said the first baseman still wants to play this season. The White Sox make a lot of sense if Delgado's hip checks out, while Rosenthal says the Rockies and Mariners could be potential fits, as well. Delgado wants to play for someone that's in a pennant race, which would seem to rule out the M's. Obviously the first baseman would be a huge risk in fantasy terms, but he wouldn't cost much for any team considering him and could pay fairly significant dividends.

Nolan Ryan Outbids Mark Cuban; Gets Rangers

2010-08-05T13:14:00.001-04:00

A group led by Nolan Ryan and Chuck Greenberg won a bankruptcy auction for ownership of the Rangers early Thursday morning.

The group went toe-to-toe with Mavericks owner and dot-com billionaire Mark Cuban for the suddenly successful club and won out in the end with a massive $385 cash bid. Cuban would have been a fun character in the baseball world, but Ryan has been an excellent leader since taking over front-office duties for Texas and his financial backers just put some serious faith in the franchise. If they back it up in payroll, the Rangers are going to have a great decade.

Medlen Has Ulnar Collateral Ligament Injury

2010-08-05T13:13:00.002-04:00

Kris Medlen has been diagnosed with an injury to the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow.

If it's a tear, Medlen and the Braves could be in real trouble. The converted reliever exited Wednesday's game after allowed two earned runs over four-plus innings to the Mets. He has posted a great 3.68 ERA and 1.20 WHIP in 31 total appearances (14 starts) this season for Atlanta.

Red Sox Activate Ellsbury from DL

2010-08-05T13:13:00.001-04:00

Red Sox activated OF Jacoby Ellsbury from the 15-day disabled list.

Ellsbury has played in only nine of Boston's 107 games this season, but all indications are that he is finally healthy and ready to contribute for the fast-fading Red Sox.

Furcal Heading Back to Lineup

2010-08-05T13:12:00.001-04:00

Rafael Furcal (back) is hoping to return in "3-5 days."

Furcal had an MRI on his sore back Wednesday that showed no disk or nerve problems. But he's still sore and will rest for the time being. Jamey Carroll is likely to fill in at shortstop while he is out.

Blue Jays Place CA John Buck on DL

2010-08-04T17:46:00.001-04:00

Blue Jays placed C John Buck on the 15-day disabled list with a laceration on his right thumb.

Buck suffered the injury during Wednesday's game against the Yankees and required three stitches on his thumb. To ensure that everything heals properly, the Jays will give him the next two weeks off and hand catching duties over to Jose Molina. A corresponding move has not been announced. If top catching prospect J.P. Arencibia is called up, that obviously changes things.

Andrew Bailey Working to Return

2010-08-04T17:45:00.001-04:00

Andrew Bailey played catch from 60 feet Wednesday for the first time since suffering a strained intercostal muscle in late July.

Oakland manager Bob Geren wouldn't estimate when Bailey might throw off a mound in a chat with reporters after the workout. The closer is eligible to return from the disabled list on August 6, but it sure sounds like he won't be back until the middle of August. Craig Breslow and Michael Wuertz are likely to collect some saves while he is out.

NEW Song of the Day: August 4, 2010

2010-08-04T17:37:00.001-04:00

New song of the day.

Cold Wind Blows- Eminem

A-Rod Belts 600; Yanks End Skid

2010-08-04T17:34:00.001-04:00

In a breezy win, Alex Rodriguez's homerless drought ended with a first-inning drive off Shaun Marcum, making the Yanks' third baseman the seventh, and youngest, member of baseball's prestigious 600-homer club.

Cueto Improves to 11-2 with Win over Pirates

2010-08-04T17:33:00.000-04:00

Johnny Cueto allowed one run and fanned six over six for the victory. Paul Janish belted a three-run homer in the Reds' six-run seventh, while Pittsburgh's Andrew McCutchen hit a leadoff jack a day after getting hit.

Phillies Working on Acquiring Mike Sweeney

2010-08-04T17:01:00.001-04:00

Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports.com reports that the Mariners are working on a trade that will send Mike Sweeney to the Phillies.

Sweeney can play first base in Philadelphia while Ryan Howard nurses a badly sprained left ankle. The 37-year-old veteran is batting just .263 with an .802 OPS for the Mainers this season, but he'll provide a bit more production than Miguel Cairo, who has been drawing starts at first in Philly.

Carlos Zambrano Returning to Rotation Monday

2010-08-04T16:09:00.002-04:00

Carlos Zambrano will return to the Cubs rotation on Monday against the Giants.

It will be his first start since his June 25 blowup that prompted a suspension and anger management classes. Zambrano has allowed two runs over 2 2/3 innings out of the bullpen since returning last week. He's struggled in his time in the rotation this season but is a decent bet to turn it around.

Coghlan Putting Off Knee Surgery

2010-08-04T16:08:00.000-04:00

Chris Coghlan (knee) should find out soon when he will be able to begin taking ground balls and batting practice, a sign that he will be putting off knee surgery until after the season.

He was slated to see a doctor Tuesday night and find out when he can begin intense workouts. Assuming there isn't a setback, Coghlan will be sent out for a rehab assignment soon, where he will play third base, the position he'll be at when he does return to the Marlins

Utley Expects to be Back Sept. 1

2010-08-04T16:07:00.000-04:00

Chase Utley (thumb) could have the splint from his surgically repaired thumb removed in the next 2-3 days.

Utley can begin doing exercises to strengthen the thumb once the splint in removed. GM Ruben Amaro says the original timetable remains in effect, meaning a return around September 1 can be expected. "We'll see how he feels once he gets out of the splint," Amaro said

Red Sox Place Ellsbury on DL

2010-08-04T16:06:00.001-04:00

Jacoby Ellsbury (ribs) said he will be activated from the disabled list Wednesday.

The wait is almost over. Ellsbury was 7-for-14 (.500) over three games with Triple-A Pawtucket. The speedster has been limited to just nine of the team's 107 games this season due to fractured ribs.

Halladay Bounces Back Against Fish

2010-08-03T23:46:00.001-04:00

For Roy Halladay, it's the good life at Sun Life Stadium. Doc revisited the site of his perfect game and led the Phillies with ease, fanning nine and notching two RBIs. Dan Uggla homered for the only run off the ace.

Francoeur Lifts Mets

2010-08-03T23:45:00.002-04:00

Facing his former club, outfielder Jeff Francoeur drilled a tiebreaking solo shot off Braves closer Billy Wagner in the ninth inning, propelling the Mets -- who moved into third place -- to a crucial victory at Turner Field.

Rays Defeat Twins; One Up Yanks

2010-08-03T23:45:00.001-04:00

Sean Rodriguez and B.J. Upton each blasted three-run homers to propel the Rays one game up of the Yankees in the AL East. Joe Mauer returned as the Twins' designated hitter and contributed three RBI singles.

Beckett Emotions Fuel Red Sox

2010-08-03T23:43:00.001-04:00

Josh Beckett allowed just one run on three hits, fanned eight batters and didn't walk anybody, but he was also ejected along with Jensen Lewis in the eighth after the Cleveland reliever threw behind Adrian Beltre.

Romero Frightens Yankees; Win 8-2

2010-08-03T23:41:00.002-04:00

Mark Teixeira's first-inning homer was the only substantial damage against Ricky Romero, who upstaged Alex Rodriguez with a complete-game two-hitter in the Bronx, benefiting from four Blue Jays homers

Showalter in, Orioles Win

2010-08-03T23:41:00.001-04:00

In Buck Showalter's first game as O's manager, Matt Wieters went 3-for-3 with two RBIs, Luke Scott homered and Jeremy Guthrie allowed a Howard Kendrick homer, but tossed seven solid innings to top the Angels.

White Sox Face Roar in Game Two

2010-08-03T23:40:00.002-04:00

Detroit rebounded from an embarrassing afternoon loss by pouncing on White Sox spot starter Carlos Torres, using an RBI double from Brennan Boesch as part of a four-run second inning to roll towards a 7-1 victory.

White Sox Power Past Tigers

2010-08-03T23:40:00.001-04:00

Juan Pierre smacked his first homer in two seasons in the fifth off Rick Porcello, who took the loss. Alex Rios and Dayan Viciedo added solo jacks, and Mark Buehrle earned his 10th win in the first game of a twin bill.

The Waiver Deadline

2010-08-03T17:14:00.006-04:00

Now that the 2010 MLB Trading Deadline has passed us, we now have to look forward to the waiver deals that might happen. The waiver deadline is exactly like the trading deadline except that players have to clear waivers first before they could be traded.

Here's what waivers means according to Wikipedia:

Any player under contract may be placed on waivers at any time. If a player is waived, any team may claim him. If more than one team claims the player from waivers, the team with the weakest record in the player's league gets preference. If no team in the player's league claims him, the claiming team with the weakest record in the other league gets preference. In the first month of the season, preference is determined using the previous year's standings.

If a team claims a player off waivers and has the viable claim as described above, his current team (the "waiving team") may choose one of the following options:

arrange a trade with the claiming team for that player within two business days of the claim; or
rescind the request and keep the player on its major league roster, effectively canceling the waiver; or
do nothing and allow the claiming team to (1) assume the player's existing contract, (2) pay the waiving team a waiver fee, and (3) place the player on its active major league roster.

If a player is claimed and the waiving team exercises its rescission option, the waiving team may not use the option again for that player in that season. If no team claims a player from waivers in three business days, the player has cleared waivers and may be assigned to a minor league team, traded, or released outright.

The waiver "wire" is a secret within the personnel of the Major League Baseball clubs; no announcement of a waiver is made until a transaction actually occurs. Many players are often quietly waived during the August "waiver-required" trading period to gauge trade interest in a particular player. Usually, when the player is claimed, the waiving team will rescind the waiver to avoid losing the player unless a trade can be worked out with the claiming team.

Now that we all know, here are some players that I think could be on the move this year.

Kenshin Kawakami, RHP, Braves
Kawakami was a starter on the Braves this year but failed to produce the numbers. He's 1-9 with a 4.75 ERA. He will have a hard time getting interest drawn in him since he still has 3-years left on his current contract.

Nate McLouth, OF, Braves
McLouth was traded to the Braves from the Pirates at the beginning of last season. The Braves have nowhere to put him since they acquired Melky Cabrera in the off-season and Rick Ankiel at the trading deadline.

Chone Figgins, INF, Mariners
Signed over from the Angels during the off-season, Figgins relationship with the Mariners is deteriorating. It doesn't look like they even want him there since they do have Dustin Ackley and Justin Smoak now in the system. Figgins might head to Atlanta where there was interest in him on Saturday.

Manny Ramirez, OF, Dodgers
Manny? No way. Manny Ramirez being traded in August? Can't be. Well, there is a chance that Manny can get traded. Ramirez is hitting .317 with a eight homers and 39 RBI but is on the DL with a calf injury. We saw the White Sox take a shot at him this past weekend. We also heard from Jon Heyman that the Yankees, Rays, and Angels were also interested. Who knows? Reading through the internet people say its a 'long shot' but I believe that anything is possible.

Adam Dunn, OF, Nationals
Another big name out there is Adam Dunn of Washington. Dunn was placed on waivers Tuesday and could be out of DC by the end of the month. The White Sox still look to be the prime favorites in the Dunn race. Dunn can still produce 40 homers a season and is always a threat to change a game.

Brian Fuentes, LHP, Angels
Fuentes will most likely not be traded but he is still could get traded. Fuentes has 20 saves and is the close for the team but if the Angels cannot catch Texas, than they could consider trading some of that money away. However, I don't see it happening. The Angels are a good team and seem to be in the thick of things.

Jeff Francouer, OF, Mets
What about the Mets? Their money was so tight during the trade deadline that they couldn't move anything. Deals that involved Jose Guillen, Carlos Zambrano and Brett Myers were shot down and to make matters worse, Jason Bay was placed on the DL with a concussion. The only move they made was trading Mike Jacobs to Toronto. Now, Bay may comeback later in August which could give them a chance to move Francouer. There was a deal in place for Guillen but they Mets couldn't do it. I suspect a Francouer move possibly.

TBB Original Post

Santana to DL

2010-08-03T17:12:00.002-04:00

Indians placed C Carlos Santana on the 15-day disabled list with a sprained left knee.

The Indians might not fully know the extent of Santana's knee injury, but it looked pretty ugly on Monday night and it just makes sense to give the youngster the next two weeks off. He's been fantastic since his early-June promotion to the big leagues and will play a major part in the club's rebuilding process moving forward. This year no longer matters.

Joey Votto Out of Reds Lineup

2010-08-03T17:12:00.001-04:00

Joey Votto (wrist) is again out of the Reds' lineup Tuesday.

The MVP candidate has now missed two straight games due to a "tweaked" wrist. Miguel Cairo is starting at first base and batting third as the Reds prepare to do battle with Pirates left-hander Paul Maholm.

Nats Place OF Adam Dunn on Waivers

2010-08-03T17:11:00.000-04:00

Buster Olney of ESPN.com reports that the Nationals have placed first baseman Adam Dunn on waivers.

As Olney notes, teams now have 48 hours to claim the slugger. The Giants were somewhat interested in Dunn before the trade deadline and are likely to at least put a claim out. If a trade can't be worked out from there, so be it, but they'll block other contending teams from snatching him up. Dunn has a .933 OPS and 26 home runs over 377 at-bats this year for the Nats.

NEW Song of the Day: August 3, 2010

2010-08-03T17:09:00.002-04:00

Up All Night- Drake & Nikki Minaj

Brewers Crush Cubbies

2010-08-03T00:19:00.002-04:00

The Brewers posted two five-run frames and a season-high 26 hits to end a five-game slide and extend the Cubs' funk to six games. Prince Fielder and Ryan Braun each had five hits; Yovani Gallardo fanned 12.

Ankiel Helps Braves Defeat Mets

2010-08-03T00:19:00.001-04:00

Rick Ankiel hit a two-run single in his first at-bat with the Braves at Turner Field, and Chipper Jones homered in support of Tim Hudson's 12th win. The Mets' Johan Santana struck out a season-high 11 in the losing effort.

Hellickson Impressive in Rookie Debut

2010-08-03T00:18:00.002-04:00

Jeremy Hellickson had a Major League debut to remember against the Twins. The young righty struck out six over seven dominant innings of two-run ball to lead the Rays to their ninth win in the past 10 games.

Tribe Power Over BoSox

2010-08-03T00:18:00.001-04:00

Fausto Carmona limited the Red Sox to just two runs over seven frames and Shelley Duncan recorded four hits, but the Indians lost Carlos Santana after he injured his left leg in a violent collision at home plate.

Swisher Hits Two Homers in Yanks Loss

2010-08-03T00:17:00.001-04:00

The Jays tied an American League record with six doubles in the fifth inning, setting the stage for a Yankees loss that dropped them into a first-place tie atop the AL East with the Rays, who edged the Twins.

Reds Wood-en

2010-08-03T00:16:00.001-04:00

Travis Wood made it look easy against the Pirates, tossing seven scoreless before Chris Heisey hit an inside-the-park home run. Ross Ohlendorf made his first start after being hit in the head with a line drive.

Indians Santana Scheduled MRI

2010-08-03T00:15:00.001-04:00

Carlos Santana is scheduled to undergo an MRI on his left knee Tuesday in Cleveland.

According to the team's Twitter feed, Santana's knee tested well with the training staff, which is pretty encouraging news. We won't have any idea about a timeframe for his return until tomorrow, but fantasy owners should prepare for the worst, anyway.

Braves Place All-Star 2B Prado on DL

2010-08-03T00:14:00.001-04:00

Braves placed 2B Martin Prado on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to July 31, with a fractured right pinky finger.

The decision was made after Prado met with Braves manager Bobby Cox on Monday. There was originally a hope that Prado would be able to avoid the disabled list with only a week to 10 days away from the diamond, but now he'll be out of action for about the next two weeks. His absence will hurt, but Omar Infante has performed admirably in semi-regular playing time this season.

NEW Song of the Day: August 2, 2010

2010-08-02T16:23:00.002-04:00

Today on Monday, August 2, 2010 I will be starting the daily Song of the Day. It will be from songs of my choosing and if you like it you can comment and if you don't well still comment and tell me why the song is so horrible. k?

First song is "Slow Motion" from Third Eye Blind. I love this song its so dark. It makes me happy. Enjoy.

Ankiel Starting for Atlanta Against Santana, Mets

2010-08-02T16:22:00.001-04:00

Rick Ankiel is starting in center field on Monday for the Braves against Mets left-hander Johan Santana.

It's a bit odd that Ankiel drew the start considering that he's batting just .172/.226/.172 in 26 at-bats against southpaws this year. Melky Cabrera, batting .268/.349/.371 against lefties, is sitting. Perhaps this is a sign that Ankiel will get regular playing time in the Atlanta outfield.

Corey Hart Given Extension from Milwaukee

2010-08-02T14:27:00.001-04:00

Brewers signed OF Corey Hart to a three-year, $26.5 million extension.

The new deal will cover Hart's final season of arbitration eligibility and his first two years of free agency. He has been excellent at the plate this season with a .288/.346/.565 batting line, 23 homers and 72 RBI in 92 games, but he doesn't have a good reputation defensively and the Brewers won't compete until they address their starting rotation. For this contract to work out well Hart will have to maintain the career-best power numbers that he has flashed this year. And that seems somewhat unlikely.

Fowler Could Go to DL

2010-08-01T23:02:00.001-04:00

Dexter Fowler has bruised ribs and a bruised left hip and may be headed for the disabled list, Troy Renck of the Denver Post reports.

Fowler robbed Alfonso Soriano of a possible home run with a leaping catch in the ninth inning on Sunday, but was injured in so doing and taken off the field in a cart.

X-Rays on Randy Wolf's Wrist Negative

2010-08-01T23:01:00.000-04:00

X-rays on Randy Wolf's left wrist were negative.

Good news, obviously. Wolf left Sunday's game in the seventh inning after being struck on the left wrist by a line drive. He will return to Milwaukee for an MRI on Monday. We'll update you with additional information at that time.

Howard May Not Go to DL

2010-08-01T23:00:00.000-04:00

Ryan Howard (ankle) hopes to play in a few days.

Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said he doesn't believe Howard will require a stint on the DL. Howard left Sunday's game in the first inning after jamming his left ankle while sliding back into second base. X-rays on Ryan Howard's left ankle and right elbow were negative. The X-rays on his elbow were for precautionary reasons, because he was hit by a pitch. It looks like Howard will miss at least the first half of this upcoming scoring period

Padres Get Best of Johnson

2010-08-01T19:34:00.000-04:00

For the second time this season, the Padres handed Marlins ace Josh Johnson a loss, snapping his streak of consecutive quality starts at 19 as first-place San Diego got back on track after back-to-back losses.

Weaver Outduels Lee in AL West Battle

2010-08-01T19:33:00.001-04:00

Jered Weaver struck out seven in seven impressive innings to outduel the Rangers' Cliff Lee, who went the distance, as the Angels claimed the weekend series to cut their deficit in the AL West to eight games.

Rockies Sweep Cubs in Final Game

2010-08-01T19:32:00.001-04:00

The Rockies withstood a ninth-inning rally to complete a sweep of the Cubs. Troy Tulowitzki drove in two runs for Colorado, as did Marlon Byrd for Chicago, which lost starter Carlos Silva to illness after four batters.

Wainwright Still Undefeated at Home

2010-08-01T19:28:00.003-04:00

Adam Wainwright moved to 11-0 at home as the Cards capped the series sweep by parlaying a five-run fifth vs. Zach Duke into a rout. Albert Pujols and Matt Holliday homered; Wainwright added two hits and an RBI.

Liriano, Twins Sweep M's

2010-08-01T19:28:00.001-04:00

Francisco Liriano struck out 11 batters and allowed just two hits to push his scoreless streak to 21 innings, as the Twins won their eighth straight. Seattle was blanked for the third time in six games.

Gordon, Butler Push Past O's

2010-08-01T19:27:00.001-04:00

Alex Gordon homered for the second time in three games and Billy Butler's RBI double triggered a three-run first inning that carried Kansas City to its third straight win in the series finale at Kauffman Stadium.

White Sox Take Rubber Match

2010-08-01T19:26:00.000-04:00

Gavin Floyd and Gio Gonzalez matched perfection for 4 1/2 innings before the White Sox dented the scoreboard in a four-run fifth and cruised to a series win over the A's. Brent Lillibridge hit a three-run triple.

Michaels Clutch for Astros

2010-08-01T19:25:00.000-04:00

Three batters after Hunter Pence's line drive off Randy Wolf knocked the Brewers' starter out of the game, Jason Michaels belted a go-ahead pinch-hit grand slam to send the Astros to their fifth straight victory.

Shields K's 11 in Series Finale

2010-08-01T19:24:00.003-04:00

In control all afternoon, James Shields caught pinch-hitter Alex Rodriguez looking to end the seventh inning -- one of his 11 strikeouts -- en route to a win that pulled the Rays within one game of the Yanks.

Phils Phight for Victory

2010-08-01T19:24:00.001-04:00

Placido Polanco plated the game-winner with two outs and scored in the 11th inning to lift the Phils past the Nats. Cole Hamels struck out 10, but allowed Adam Dunn to rip a second-deck homer, his 25th of the year.

Red Sox Score in Final Frame

2010-08-01T19:23:00.001-04:00

For the second straight day, the Red Sox walked off against the Tigers, this time on an error in the ninth after Detroit rallied to tie it. Clay Buchholz and Justin Verlander pitched well, but both got no-decisions.

Reds Scrape by Braves

2010-08-01T19:22:00.001-04:00

Edinson Volquez's best stuff was missing in the finale, but he didn't need it to beat Atlanta for the first time in his career. An Alex Gonzalez error in the fifth led to the decisive run, giving the Reds the series win.

Hudson Stellar in Debut

2010-08-01T19:21:00.002-04:00

Arizona hit four homers, including two three-run shots by Adam LaRoche, to back Daniel Hudson in his D-backs debut. Hudson didn't need much, throwing eight stellar frames to spoil Mets' Hall of Fame Day.

Cabrera Helps Indians Take Series

2010-08-01T19:21:00.001-04:00

Shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera provided the support for rookie right-hander Jeanmar Gomez with two runs scored and two RBIs, and the new-look Indians overcame a late surge by the Blue Jays to deliver a series win.

Marlins Get Relief Help with Ohman

2010-07-31T16:29:00.002-04:00

Marlins acquired LHP Will Ohman from the Orioles for RHP Rick Vandenhurk.

Ohman has turned himself into a valuable LOOGY, allowing an 87 OPS+ to left-handed batters but a 149 OPS+ to right-handed hitters. He has a 3.30 ERA over 51 appearances, but that number is inflated by a few terrible outings. Ohman will help set up Leo Nunez in taking his talents to South Beach.

Braves Acquire OF Ankiel and RHP Farnsworth from Kansas City

2010-07-31T16:29:00.001-04:00

Braves acquired OF Rick Ankiel and RHP Kyle Farnsworth in exchange for RHP Jesse Chavez, OF Gregor Blanco and P Tim Collins.

He will give the Braves some depth in the outfield with Nate McLouth being endlessly disappointing, sharing starts with Melky Cabrera, Eric Hinske and Matt Diaz. Ankiel has been hot since coming off the DL but isn't a good bet to get more than three starts per week or be terribly productive. Farnsworth will get the Braves some depth on the right side of the bullpen.

Braves Acquire OF Wilkin Ramirez

2010-07-31T16:21:00.000-04:00

Braves acquired OF Wilkin Ramirez from the Tigers for a player to be named later or cash.

Ramirez, 24, hit just .216/.273/.346 with four homers and 14 RBI in 165 plate appearances at Triple-A Toledo. He's still young and has speed, so Atlanta will take a chance on him.

Dotel Heading to Los Angeles

2010-07-31T16:20:00.001-04:00

Pirates acquired OF Andrew Lambo and RHP James McDonald from the Dodgers for RHP Octavio Dotel.

A nice get for the Pirates. Lambo, 21, has posted decent numbers at Double-A over the last two seasons, even flashing power at times. He could develop into a starting corner outfielder for the Pirates within a few years. McDonald is a quality young righty as well.

Red Sox DFA OF Jeremy Hermida

2010-07-31T16:19:00.003-04:00

Red Sox designated OF Jeremy Hermida for assignment.

Boston was no longer willing to put up with his putrid .203/.257/.348 line, despite Hermida's talent and numerous injury openings in the outfield. He drove in a bunch of runs for the team early on in the season, but produced just a 58 OPS+ over 171 plate appearances in total. The team now has some time to find a trade partner and Hermida's ability should ensure someone will take that chance.

Corey Hart Will Not be Traded

2010-07-31T16:19:00.001-04:00

Corey Hart will not be traded and will remain a Brewer, according to Fox Sports Radio's Jim Bowden.

There was some speculation that a potential deal sending Hart to the Giants could be revisited just before the deadline. It might have been, but it looks like those talks didn't lead to anything. Hart is arbitration-eligible this winter and will be a free agent following next season.

OF Ryan Kalish Coming to Boston

2010-07-31T16:17:00.000-04:00

Outfielder Ryan Kalish and LHP Dustin Richardson will be promoted to Boston via Triple-A Pawtucket, reports the Boston Globe.

Jeremy Hermida was DFA'd to open one roster spot, so Boston needs to make another move. Kalish, 22, is a top prospect known for his on-base skills and speed. He hit .294/.382/.502 with 13 homers and 47 RBI in 78 games combined at Double-and-Triple-A.

TRADING DEADLINE HAS PASSED

2010-07-31T16:11:00.002-04:00

The 2010 MLB Trading Deadline has passed and The Baseball Blog has brought you extensive coverage throughout the day. We have garnered a few page views but not really enough to take off. I want to thank everyone who did view us today. Here we will give you a recap of all the trades that passed through today.

Rays acquire RHP Chad Qualls from Arizona

Cardinals Acquire Jake Westbrook in a three-team trade that sends Ryan Ludwick to San Diego and prospects to Cleveland

Pittsburgh Acquires Catcher Chris Snyder from Arizona for Bobby Crosby, D.J. Carrasco, and Ryan Church

Yankees officially acquired Lance Berkman

Dodgers acquire Ted Lilly and Ryan Theriot from Chicago

Yankees acquire RHP Kerry Wood from Cleveland

Giants, Pirates Swap Relievers

Giants, Pirates Swap Relievers

2010-07-31T16:10:00.000-04:00

Giants acquired LHP Javier Lopez from the Pirates for RHP Joe Martinez.

A nice addition to the Giants' bullpen corps. Lopez has posted a 2.79 ERA overall this season while holding left-handed batters to a .204/.323/.352 batting line. He'll serve as a lefty specialist in San Francisco.

Martinez hasn't posted great numbers this season, but he's six years younger than Lopez and has a more promising future -- possibly as a starter. In 41 big league innings thus far, he has a 6.80 ERA.

Yankees Acquire RHP Kerry Wood from Cleveland

2010-07-31T16:09:00.001-04:00

Yankees acquired RHP Kerry Wood and cash from the Indians for a player to be named later.

The Yankees will be paying about $1.5 million of $3.6 million still owed to Wood. The reliever was just activated from the disabled list Saturday, so the Yanks are taking a bit of a risk given his performance this year. However, they're not paying him much and he does possess lights out stuff when he's on. Wood will give the Yanks insurance for the eighth inning

Red Sox Considering Trading Jacoby Ellsbury?

2010-07-31T15:59:00.001-04:00

The Red Sox and Braves have discussed a deal involving Jacoby Ellsbury, according to MLB Network Radio's Brent S. Gambill.

Gambill says that he is hearing the talks are "more than rumor." Much like the rumors involving Chone Figgins and the Braves, there isn't likely to be much fire with this smoke. Ellsbury is slated to start his rehab with Triple-A Pawtucket Saturday.

Mariners May Trade Chone Figgins

2010-07-31T15:48:00.001-04:00

The Mariners have approached the Braves about a possible Chone Figgins deal, according to ESPN's Jerry Crasnick.

We might take the rumor seriously if the Braves and approached the Mariners instead. Crasnick says that the M's, not surprisingly, would have to eat a lot of money in any deal. Atlanta could use Figgins to fill in for the injured Martin Prado and could play him at third base if Chipper Jones retires after the season. This seems like a really big longshot, though.

Corey Hart Heading to San Francisco After All?

2010-07-31T15:38:00.001-04:00

A potential deal that would send Corey Hart to the Giants might be resurrected at the last minute, according to the San Francisco Chronicle's Henry Schulman.

Some previous reports indicated that the Brewers had pulled both Hart and Prince Fielder off the table, while others have stated that they could still be had for the right price. Hart seems much more likely to go, and the Giants have been the team most linked with him from Day 1.

Kerry Wood Heading to the Big Apple

2010-07-31T15:29:00.001-04:00

The Yankees are closing in on a deal to land Kerry Wood, according to ESPN's Buster Olney.

There's no word on what the Yanks would give up, but Olney says the Indians would eat a lot of the money that's owed to the reliever. Wood has really struggled this year and was just activated from the disabled list today after dealing with a blister, but the stuff is still there and he would give the Yanks another option for the eighth inning. He also has playoff experience and isn't the type that would buckle under the pressure in New York.

White Sox Still Looking at Dunn

2010-07-31T15:25:00.000-04:00

The White Sox are still working on a trade for Adam Dunn, according to FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal.

The trade would involve Edwin Jackson and other pieces going to the Nationals. Rosenthal's source is quoted as saying "this thing is far from over." Well, it's going to have to be over soon, as the trade deadline is about 40 minutes away. We fully anticipate that GM Kenny Williams will come away with a hitter, it just may or may not be Dunn.

Orioles Looking to Move Ohman and Wigginton

2010-07-31T15:24:00.000-04:00

The Orioles are still working the phone lines with teams, discussing possible deals involving Will Ohman and Ty Wigginton, according to the Baltimore Sun's Dan Connolly.

Connolly says that Ohman seems to be more likely to be shipped out than Wigginton at this point. The Red Sox are looking for a left-handed reliever, but it's not clear whether Ohman has piqued their interest.

D'Backs Not Close to Finding Suitors for Johnson, LaRoche

2010-07-31T15:11:00.001-04:00

All is quiet on the Kelly Johnson and Adam LaRoche trade fronts, according to FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal.

If it really is quiet on the Johnson front, the D-backs must be asking for a boatload in return for their second baseman, as he would make a lot of sense on a couple teams and they've clearly been in the mood to deal. We're not that surprised that LaRoche isn't drawing a ton of interest.

Interest in OF Coco Crisp, A's Balking

2010-07-31T15:08:00.000-04:00

There has been a level of interest in Coco Crisp, but the A's aren't expecting a deal to come together before the deadline, according to ESPN's Buster Olney.

Crisp has been extremely injury-prone and generally unproductive since the beginning of the 2009 season. But he's healthy for the time being and would be a solid spare part for a contender. It doesn't sound like he'll be going anywhere, though.

Dodgers, Rays Also Looking at OF Luke Scott

2010-07-31T15:07:00.001-04:00

The Dodgers and Rays are making a late run at Luke Scott, according to FanHouse.com's Tom Krasovic.

Interesting that the Dodgers would be interested, since they just traded for Scott Podsednik and will get Manny Ramirez off the disabled list at some point. The Rays are a fit, as they've made no secret about their desire to add a bat. Scott has been red-hot since returning from the DL.

Royals Shopping Farnsworth, Ankiel, Bloomquist

2010-07-31T15:06:00.000-04:00

The Royals have been talking to teams about Kyle Farnsworth, Rick Ankiel and Willie Bloomquist, according to FOX Sports' Jon Morosi.

You can bet they're still begging someone to take Jose Guillen off their hands, as well. Morosi says that there is "mild" interest in Bloomquist. Farnsworth is having a nice season and should attract some attention, while Ankiel has hit well since returning from the disabled list.

Astros Not Expected to Trade Wandy Rodriguez or Brett Myers

2010-07-31T15:05:00.001-04:00

The Astros don't expect to trade Brett Myers or Wandy Rodriguez before the trade deadline, according to FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal.

They're running out of time, as the deadline is roughly an hour away. Rodriguez was a longshot to be moved all along, but Myers seemed much more likely. It appears, though, that the Astros' asking price for the right-hander is simply too high.

Rays, Dodgers Show Interest in Brandon League

2010-07-31T15:04:00.000-04:00

The Rays and Dodgers are interested in Brandon League, according to FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal.

The Dodgers make sense, but we're not sure why the Rays would want to add another right-handed reliever after they just got Chad Qualls. They must be really worried about their depth in this regard with the injury to Grant Balfour.

Dodgers Acquire LHP Ted Lilly and SS Ryan Theriot from Chicago

2010-07-31T15:02:00.001-04:00

Dodgers acquired LHP Ted Lilly, 2B Ryan Theriot and cash from the Cubs in exchange for 2B Blake DeWitt and RHPs Brett Wallach and Kyle Smit.

Lilly is reunited with former manager Joe Torre in LA and should see a boost in value in his new home park. He's been terrific over his last three starts, boasting a 1.80 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 10.8 K/9 rate, though it's worth noting that some scouts were worried about him due to a drop in velocity.

Red Sox Feeling Out Beimel and Burnett

2010-07-31T15:01:00.002-04:00

The Red Sox have sent out feelers on left-handed relievers Joe Beimel and Sean Burnett, according to FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal.

The Sox have deemed the Rockies' asking price for Beimel as too high. It's clear that Boston desires some bullpen help for the stretch run, as they are also interested in trading Manny Delcarmen, but for another reliever.

Yankees Officially Acquire OF/1B Lance Berkman

2010-07-31T15:01:00.001-04:00

Yankees acquired 1B Lance Berkman and cash from the Houston Astros for reliever Mark Melancon and infielder Jimmy Paredes.

A steal of a deal for the Bronx Bombers. Berkman will slide into the DH spot for New York. Even though he's had a down year, he should still be able to help them, especially against right-handed pitching. The 34-year-old Berkman hit .245/.372/.436 with 13 homers and 49 RBI in 298 at-bats this year.

Astros Recall Brett Wallace

2010-07-31T15:00:00.001-04:00

Astros recalled 1B Brett Wallace from Triple-A Round Rock.

Wallace, who was acquired from the Blue Jays Thursday, will be thrown right into the fire, as he's in Saturday's starting lineup. He's batted .301 with 18 homers and 61 RBI in his hitter-friendly home park in Las Vegas this season.

Lilly Heading West?

2010-07-31T13:39:00.001-04:00

The Cubs and Dodgers are still working on a deal that would send Ted Lilly and Ryan Theriot to LA, according to FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal.

The Cubs would receive Blake DeWitt, along with at least one other player. The two sides were reportedly close to completely the deal Friday night, so we expect that it will eventually get done.

Red Sox Shopping RHP Manny Delcarmen

2010-07-31T13:34:00.000-04:00

The Red Sox are shopping around reliever Manny Delcarmen, according to ESPN's Jayson Stark.

The Sox would like to get a reliever in return in, as Stark puts it, a "change-of-scenery special." Delcarmen probably could use a change of scenery, as he's had a second straight disappointing season with a 4.86 ERA and 1.43 WHIP

Prado Heading to DL

2010-07-31T13:27:00.001-04:00

Martin Prado has a ''stable avulsion fracture'' of his right pinky.

It's not a given that he will be placed on the disabled list, as the Braves think he might only need 7-10 days to recover. Still, we would bet on him ultimately needing time on the DL. Omar Infante will fill in at second base while Prado recovers.

Pirates Officially Acquire CA Chris Snyder from Arizona

2010-07-31T13:26:00.000-04:00

Pirates acquired catcher Chris Snyder and shortstop Pedro Ciriaco from the Diamondbacks for Bobby Crosby, Ryan Church and D.J. Carrasco.

Pittsburgh also acquired cash in the deal and announced they are promoting starter Daniel McCutchen, infielder Argenis Diaz and first baseman Jeff Clement from Triple-A Indianapolis. As for Snyder, he'll share time behind the plate with Ryan Doumit once Doumit is activated from the disabled list. Doumit's currently sidelined with a concussion.

Rays Place Grant Balfour on 15-Day DL

2010-07-31T13:25:00.002-04:00

Rays placed RHP Grant Balfour on the 15-day disabled list with an intercostal strain.

In other words, he has strained ribs. Balfour, who has pitched very well this year for the Rays, is expected to miss 4-6 weeks. His injury is likely what prompted the team to trade for Chad Qualls.

Doubront Heading to the Bullpen

2010-07-31T13:25:00.001-04:00

The Red Sox will shift starter Felix Doubront to the bullpen, according to WEEI.com.

The 22-year-old left-hander was sent to Triple-A Pawtucket earlier this month to provide depth for the major league rotation, but the Red Sox now view him as insurance for the bullpen and will shift him to relief for the remainder of the year. Doubront is 8-3 with a 2.88 ERA in the minors in 2010 and went 1-2 with a 4.11 ERA in three starts for Boston. Expect to see him with the big league club within the next month.

Oliver Perez Won't Accept Another Assignment

2010-07-31T12:45:00.001-04:00

Oliver Perez would refuse a second minor league assignment, according to SI's Jon Heyman.

The Mets would like to send Perez down in a futile attempt to let him work out his problems, but, not surprisingly, the lefty wants no part of it. Don't be surprised if the Mets eventually just cut their losses and send Perez packing.

Sox Making One More Run at Ramirez

2010-07-31T12:44:00.001-04:00

The White Sox will make another run at Manny Ramirez Saturday, according to FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal.

Their first attempt at luring the outfielder away from the Dodgers didn't work. Rosenthal describes Chicago's attempt as a "halfcourt shot." We would be extremely surprised if Manny is moved, but you can never count out Kenny Williams.

White Sox Back in Hunt for Dunn

2010-07-31T12:42:00.001-04:00

The Tigers, White Sox and Rays are still negotiation with the Nationals in hopes of landing Adam Dunn, according to Fox Sports Radio's Jim Bowden.

All three teams have had some reported interest in Dunn at one time or another. Bowden says that there's a 50/50 chance Dunn has traded, but previous reports have indicated that it's less likely than that. Stay tuned.

A's Sign Michael Choice

2010-07-31T12:37:00.000-04:00

The Athletics signed first-round pick outfielder Michael Choice to a $2 million bonus and will assign him to Class-A Vancouver once the paperwork is processed.

The A's selected Choice out of the University of Texas-Arlington with the No. 10 pick in last month's First-Year Player Draft. Scouts love Choice’s power but question whether he’ll make enough contact to turn into a major league stud. He played center field in college but is more likely to stick in a corner outfield spot.

Cardinals, Indians, Padres to Make 3-Team Trade

2010-07-31T12:33:00.000-04:00

The Padres, Cardinals and Indians are expected to make a three-team trade that will send Ryan Ludwick to San Diego, Jake Westbrook and a prospect to the St. Louis and prospects to Cleveland, according to FanHouse.com's Tom Krasovic.

Westbrook will be lowering the $2 million bonus that is part of his contract to facilitate the trade. The Cardinals need an innings eater at the back of their rotation and are obviously convinced Jon Jay's production is here to stay. The Padres, meanwhile, get a power bat that they desperately need. There is no word yet on which prospects are involved in the deal, but we will keep you posted as soon as we get word.

D'Backs Looking to Trade Johnson, LaRoche

2010-07-31T12:07:00.000-04:00

The Diamondbacks would still like to trade both Adam LaRoche and Kelly Johnson, according to FOX Sports' Jon Morosi.

The market for LaRoche has reportedly been pretty quiet. The D-backs are getting a lot of hits on Johnson, but they have expressed some hesitance to trade him unless they're overwhelmed by an offer. Maybe that stance has changed and they're just looking to completely clean house.

Yankees Option Miranda, Curtis

2010-07-31T12:06:00.001-04:00

Juan Miranda and Colin Curtis will likely be optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to make roster room for newly-acquired Lance Berkman and Austin Kearns.

Both Miranda and Curtis are likely to return on September 1 when rosters expand.

Padres Close to Getting Ryan Ludwick

2010-07-31T12:05:00.002-04:00

The Padres are deep in negotiations with the Cardinals for Ryan Ludwick, according to FanHouse.com's Tom Krasovic.

Interesting. The Padres really need offensive help, so the deal makes sense from their side, but the Cardinals offense has also sputtered at times, so trading one of their proven hitters would be risky. It would seem to indicate they believe hot-hitting rookie Jon Jay can keep it up. Ludwick will enter his final year of arbitration over the winter and the Cards must feel they can't afford to keep him with an Albert Pujols extension obviously being a top priority.

Padres Close to Getting Ryan Ludwick

2010-07-31T12:05:00.001-04:00

Indians Activate RHP Kerry Wood from 15-Day DL

2010-07-31T12:03:00.001-04:00

Indians activated RHP Kerry Wood from the 15-day disabled list.

Wood has been out since mid-July with a blister on his right index finger. He'll go right back to closing duties, according to Indians manager Manny Acta. Chris Perez will slide back to a setup role, but he should remain owned. Wood struggled before he hit the disabled list and the Indians want to deal him to a contender, so it seems like only a matter of time before Perez has the ninth-inning role for good. The Indians will no doubt have to eat a prorated portion of Wood's $10.5 million salary in any trade.

White Sox Inquire About OF Manny Ramirez

2010-07-31T12:02:00.000-04:00

he White Sox put in a call to the Dodgers asking about the availability of Manny Ramirez, according to FOX Sports' Jon Morosi.

The deal is "not happening," according to Morosi's source. This came out of left field, but that's generally how White Sox GM Kenny Williams operates. Manny is currently on the DL recovering from his latest calf injury and would need to waive his full no-trade clause before any deal would go down. The Sox are getting desperate to land a hitter now that Adam Dunn seems unlikely to land in Chicago.