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Major League Baseball trade rumors

TRADE TRACKER

Monday, July 31
• Los Angeles Dodgers get Julio Lugo; Tampa Bay Devil Rays get two minor leaguers. Story

• Los Angeles Dodgers get RHP Greg Maddux; Chicago Cubs get SS/3B Ceasar Izturis. Story

• New York Mets get RHP Roberto Hernandez and LHP Oliver Perez; Pittsburgh Pirates get OF Xavier Nady. Story

• New York Mets get RHP Scott Linebrink; San Diego Padres get LHP Oliver Perez and RHP Heath Bell. Story

• New York Yankees get 1B/OF Craig Wilson; Pittsburgh Pirates get RHP Shawn Chacon. Story

• San Diego Padres get 2B Todd Walker and cash; Chicago Cubs get minor-league RHP Jose Ceda. Story

• Texas Rangers get DH Matt Stairs; Kansas City Royals get minor-league RHP Joselo Diaz. Story

• Detroit Tigers get 1B Sean Casey; Pittsburgh Pirates get minor-league P Brian Rogers. Story

• Cincinnati Reds get LHP Rheal Cormier; Philadelphia Phillies get RHP Justin Germano. Story

• Cincinnati Reds get RHP Kyle Lohse; Minnesota Twins get minor-league RHP Zach Ward. Story

Sunday, July 30
• St. Louis Cardinals get 2B Ronnie Belliard; Cleveland Indians get INF Hector Luna. Story

• New York Yankees get RF Bobby Abreu and RHP Cory Lidle; Philadelphia Phillies get four minor leaguers: LHP Matt Smith, SS C.J. Henry, C Jesus Sanchez and RHP Carlos Monasterios. Story

Friday, July 28
• Texas Rangers get: OF Carlos Lee and minor-league OF Nelson Cruz. Milwaukee Brewers get: RHP Francisco Cordero, OF Kevin Mench, OF Laynce Nix and minor-league LHP Julian Cordero. Story

• San Francisco Giants get LHP Mike Stanton; Washington Nationals get minor-league pitcher Shairon Martis. Story

Monday, July 31

10:15 a.m. ET

The surprising Florida Marlins have emerged as a late entry in the Alfonso Soriano sweepstakes to make a run at the NL wild card, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports. More


Two high-ranking Baltimore Orioles officials said they still expect the 4 p.m. ET trade deadline to pass without shortstop Miguel Tejada being traded, the Baltimore Sun reports. The claim comes after the O's had discussions with the Houston Astros, who were offering a package that included ace pitcher Roy Oswalt. More


According to the New York Post, Roy Oswalt could be the New York Mets' next target for pitching help, after their efforts to obtain Jason Schmidt from the San Francisco Giants diminished due to Schmidt's new trade-veto status as a 10-and-5 player. More


The Los Angeles Angels shifted their focus from Miguel Tejada to Alfonso Soriano of the Washington Nationals, according to the Los Angeles Times. More

Sunday, July 30

8 p.m. ET

SI.com is reporting that the Tampa Bay Devil Rays have given up on keeping shortstop Julio Lugo and are looking to deal him before Monday's 4 p.m. ET non-waiver trade deadline. More

1:55 p.m. ET

Is Bobby Abreu about to be traded? He was a late lineup scratch by the Philadelphia Phillies on Sunday. On Saturday, the New York Daily News reported that the New York Yankees were believed to be leading the Abreu sweepstakes. According to the newspaper's source, Phillies general manager Pat Gillick had been given the go-ahead from Abreu's agent to work out a deal with the Yankees and two other teams (the New York Mets and Boston Red Sox). Gillick and Yankees G.M. Brian Cashman had more serious talks while the Mets were focusing on pitching help. More

4:30 a.m. ET

A major league official with knowledge of the Washington Nationals' thinking told the Washington Post that "there could be a surprise" involving Alfonso Soriano. The surprise: The Nationals could keep the slugging outfielder after all. More


Miguel Tejada asked the Baltimore Orioles not to trade him, and while it seems unlikely the O's would deal their best hitter, three teams remain in hot pursuit for the shortstop – the Los Angeles Angels, Los Angeles Dodgers and Houston Astros – the Washington Post reports. The Angels would part with starter Ervin Santana, shortstop Erick Aybar and possibly a third player. The Dodgers appear to be prepared to send one of their shortstops (Rafael Furcal or Cesar Izturis) along with one or two prospects. More


The St. Louis Cardinals have talked to the Philadelphia Phillies about adding some pitching help, namely a starter and a left-handed reliever, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Starters Cory Lidle and Jon Lieber and lefty relievers Rheal Cormier and Aaron Fultz have been mentioned in the discussions. More


The Texas Rangers contacted the Houston Astros about acquiring closer Brad Lidge, the Houston Chronicle reports. Such a deal could bring third baseman Hank Blalock to Houston. The Astros are also pursuing shortstop Miguel Tejada and outfielder Alfonso Soriano. More

Saturday, July 29

7:20 p.m. ET

There is a 95-percent chance Barry Zito will be staying with the Oakland Athletics, an executive with knowledge of the situation told the Oakland Tribune. The New York Mets, who sent their top scout to Oakland this weekend, remain the most likely team to obtain the left-hander. More


Add the Minnesota Twins to the list of teams interested in Alfonso Soriano. The Minneapolis Star Tribune reports that the Twins have had conversations with the Washington Nationals but are reluctant to part with hot pitching prospect Matt Garza. More

5:35 a.m. ET

Despite what they're saying publicly, the Baltimore Orioles are indeed listening to offers for shortstop Miguel Tejada, according to the Baltimore Sun. The Los Angeles Angels, Los Angeles Dodgers, Houston Astros, Detroit Tigers and Texas Rangers are among the teams that have shown the most interest, but the Angels remain the frontrunner due to their wealth of prospects. The price tag for Tejada remains unchanged: a quality big-league pitcher and two above-average players or prospects. More


Two-thirds of the Boston Red Sox's outfield has been made available in order to add another starting pitcher, the Boston Herald reports. Right fielder Trot Nixon has been part of the rumor mill all summer, but the real revelation is the dangling of center fielder Coco Crisp, whose name was recently included in a proposal to acquire a starter. The Red Sox might be interested in the following starters: Jon Lieber, Cory Lidle, Livan Hernandez and Rodrigo Lopez. More

Friday, July 28

1:41 p.m. ET

The Chicago Tribune is reporting that the Chicago Cubs are in serious talks to trade Greg Maddux to the New York Mets. More

Yahoo! Sports' take: It doesn't make much sense for the Cubs to hold onto Maddux, and the Mets would be a logical destination. Maddux would re-join former teammate Tom Glavine and pitch for a World Series contender. The San Diego Padres could be in the mix, too, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune.

1:25 p.m. ET

The Associated Press reports that the Texas Rangers acquired All-Star outfielder Carlos Lee from the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday for reliever Francisco Cordero and outfielders Kevin Mench and Laynce Nix. Rangers GM Jon Daniels said the deal also includes the exchange of minor leaguers, outfielder Nelson Cruz to Texas and left-hander Julian Cordero – no relation to Francisco – to Milwaukee. More

Yahoo! Sports' take: This is a great trade for the Rangers. Mench and Nix were clearly not in the plans, and Cordero seems to have lost it after recording 49 saves in a 2004 season in which he was an All-Star. He has suffered shoulder problems over the last two seasons and has not been the same pitcher since. If the Rangers can sign Lee, a free agent after the season, to a long-term deal, it's a big win for them.

Thursday, July 27

7:32 p.m. ET

MLB.com reports that the Tampa Bay Devil Rays are making a serious bid to keep shortstop Julio Lugo. The team has exchanged proposals for a multi-year deal with Lugo's Beverly Hills-based agent, Danny Lozada, who said of the talks, "There's dialogue going on back and forth." More

Yahoo! Sports' take: Lugo, a free agent after the season, has been linked in trade talks with the Toronto Blue Jays and Boston Red Sox.

3:15 p.m. ET

SI.com's Jon Heyman says that the market for Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Bobby Abreu has cooled to the point where the best the New York Yankees are offering is two Class A prospects. Heyman also reports that the Phillies' Pat Burrell nixed a deal to the Baltimore Orioles for right-hander Rodrigo Lopez. More

Yahoo! Sports' take: By making their intention to trade half their roster clear, the Phillies left themselves with very little leverage, which will only decrease as Monday's non-waiver deadline gets closer.

2:45 p.m. ET

ESPN.com's Buster Olney reports that the Boston Red Sox are working on a "large and creative deal, involving more than two teams." More

Yahoo! Sports' take: The Red Sox have been looking for pitching, and we know how much Oakland Athletics GM Billy Beane loves New York Mets outfielder Lastings Milledge. Mets GM Omar Minaya has been reluctant to part with Milledge for Zito, but he might be willing to do the deal if he got some help for his overworked bullpen. Is this where the Red Sox come in? The Sox could also be looking for a high on-base percentage guy like Bobby Abreu to step in for the struggling Trot Nixon in right field.

Wednesday, July 26

7 p.m. ET

USA Today is reporting that the Los Angeles Dodgers are seriously interested in Milwaukee Brewers left fielder Carlos Lee should the Brewers decide that they're out of contention and can't sign the free-agent-to-be. The Dodgers have a loaded farm system and could put together an impressive package for Lee. More

Yahoo! Sports' take: The 30-year-old Lee is a very hot commodity. Brewers GM Doug Melvin was recently quoted as saying it was his gut feeling that Lee would remain in Milwaukee, but with his club 11 games out of first place (though only six out of the wild card) and Lee expected to command a multi-year deal worth $12-$14 million per season, the Brewers might want to move him to the highest bidder while they can still get something. Milwaukee's payroll is $57.5 million, but the club ranks 25th in revenue, according to Forbes, decreasing the likelihood of a salary spike. If Lee stays, who goes?

6:40 p.m. ET

The Associated Press reports that Seattle Mariners acquired first baseman Ben Broussard and cash from the Cleveland Indians on Wednesday for minor league outfielder Shin-Soo Choo and a player to be named later. More

1:55 p.m. ET

The Chicago Tribune reports that the Chicago White Sox's chances of acquiring Washington Nationals outfielder Alfonso Soriano have significantly diminished. More

Yahoo! Sports' take: White Sox GM Kenny Williams loves to gamble, but he has said his young nucleus of pitcher Brandon McCarthy, outfielder Brian Anderson and minor league third baseman Josh Fields are not available, nor are veterans Jermaine Dye, Paul Konerko and Jim Thome. On Monday, Williams dealt minor-league left-hander Tyler Lumsden, one of the club's top prospects, to the Kansas City Royals for setup man Mike MacDougal.

1:45 p.m. ET

The Los Angeles Times is reporting that the Los Angeles Angels have turned their attention toward acquiring a corner infielder. The Times says the team has inquired about third basemen Aramis Ramirez, Chad Tracy and Morgan Ensberg. The pool of available first basemen includes Craig Wilson, Sean Casey and Doug Mientkiewicz. More

Yahoo! Sports' take: The Angels remain very interested in Baltimore Orioles shortstop Miguel Tejada if the Orioles' asking price comes down. The Angels would move Tejada to third base. Of the players listed above, Ramirez would be a clear upgrade and Tracy is a solid hitter.

Tuesday, July 25

7:50 p.m. ET

MLB.com reports that the New York Mets may need to acquire a starting pitcher, not so much to boost the rotation as to take heat off their overworked bullpen. More

Yahoo! Sports' take: Lefties Dontrelle Willis and Barry Zito and righties Tony Armas Jr., Kip Wells, Gil Meche, Livan Hernandez, Cory Lidle and Jon Lieber are among the names being linked to the Mets, who thus far have been unwilling to part with prized prospect Lastings Milledge.

4:54 p.m. ET

MLB.com reports that, with Dallas McPherson sidelined with a back injury, the Los Angeles Angels could compete with the Oakland Athletics for the services of Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman Sean Casey. More

Yahoo! Sports' take: The Angels are notoriously reluctant to trade prospects, but their farm system, ranked No. 4 overall by Baseball America, is filled with top talent should they decide to rent Casey (a free agent after the season) for two months.

4:33 p.m. ET

The Associated Press reports that the Los Angeles Dodgers dealt pitcher Odalis Perez to the Kansas City Royals for right-hander Elmer Dessens on Tuesday. The Dodgers also sent minor league right-handers Blake Johnson and Julio Pimental and cash considerations to the Royals. More

Yahoo! Sports' take: The Dodgers had to pay Kansas City and give them two prospects just to take Perez? According to the AP, "[Dodgers GM Ned] Colletti said the Royals wouldn't accept a straight-up trade for Perez, and demanded prospects and cash, too." Colletti didn't sound very happy about it, either. "It hasn't been easy," he told the AP. "If it was easy, it would've happened a while ago." On the positive side, maybe the move to K.C. will give Perez more time to focus on his true love -- charity work for inner-city kids.

2:15 p.m. ET

Trot Nixon, the longest-tenured Boston Red Sox player, is the subject of trade rumors, the Boston Globe reports. The 32-year-old right fielder is batting just .183 (11 for 60) in July and has not homered in his last 121 at-bats. More

Yahoo! Sports' take: Nixon, who's eligible for free agency after the season, says he's healthy, but if the Red Sox are willing to trade him in the middle of a pennant race, what does that say about his value?

1:15 p.m. ET

The two hottest names on the New York Mets' starting pitching radar yesterday appeared to be the Washington Nationals' Tony Armas Jr. and Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander Kip Wells, according to the Newark Star-Ledger. The club is said to be leaning toward Armas. More

Monday, July 24

7:35 p.m. ET

ESPN.com is reporting that the Chicago White Sox are "extremely close" to acquiring Washington Nationals outfielder Alfonso Soriano in a deal centered around 23-year-old right-hander Brandon McCarthy. The White Sox also acquired right-handed reliever Mike MacDougal from the Kansas City Royals on Monday for minor league pitchers Tyler Lumsden and Daniel Cortes. More

Yahoo! Sports' take: Chicago GM Kenny Williams has said he's not willing to trade McCarthy, but landing the multi-dimensional Soriano would be huge for the reeling White Sox. They could put Soriano in left, move Scott Podsednik to center and bench Brian Anderson, who's finally above the Mendoza line at .205. MacDougal will move into the setup role ahead of closer Bobby Jenks.

1:48 p.m. ET

The Chicago Tribune's Phil Rogers has cooked up a scenario in which the Chicago Cubs get Alex Rodriguez from the New York Yankees. Rogers says Aramis Ramirez and Jacque Jones could be enough to pry Arod away from New York. More

Yahoo! Sports' take: There's no way Yankees GM Brian Cashman is going to give away Rodriguez, the reigning Most Valuable Player, and this trade would be basically giving away Rodriguez. Keep in mind that Texas is paying almost half of the $108 million owed to Rodriguez over the last four years of his contract, making him a relative bargain to the Yankees.

6:40 a.m. ET

The Philadelphia Phillies wasted no time rejecting the New York Yankees' attempt to acquire outfielder Bobby Abreu because the trade offer did not include major-league ready talent or top prospect Phil Hughes, the New York Post reports. The Yanks remain interested in Washington Nationals outfielder Alfonso Soriano, but a three-team deal is likely the only scenario for Soriano's return to the Bronx. More


Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman Sean Casey could still be headed to the Bay Area, this time in a trade with the Oakland Athletics. A source told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that Oakland might be the most likely destination for Casey. Pirates general manager David Littlefield expects to make more than one trade before the July 31 deadline for non-waiver deals, with the primary shopping pieces being outfielder Jeromy Burnitz, Casey, reliever Roberto Hernandez, third baseman Joe Randa, starter Kip Wells and outfielder Craig Wilson. More

Yahoo! Sports' take: With first baseman Dan Johnson's season-long slump earning him a demotion to the minor leagues, acquiring Casey makes some sense for Oakland. The career .305 hitter would give the A's a consistent left-handed stick – particularly against right-handers – and allow Nick Swisher to move back to the outfield. No Oakland regular is hitting righties as well as Casey (.299, .296 overall).

Sunday, July 23

2:20 p.m. ET

The San Francisco Giants' acquisition of Shea Hillenbrand probably takes them out of the running for Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman Sean Casey, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports. More

Yahoo! Sports' take: The market for Casey is drying up. The Detroit Tigers are looking for a bat. Neither Chris Shelton, who is picking up after a horrible June, and DH Dimitri Young, who has returned from substance-abuse rehab would preclude the club from acquiring Casey, but Alfonso Soriano remains the Tigers' priority.

1:52 p.m. ET

Despite a mediocre pitching staff, the St. Louis Cardinals appear to be focused on adding a hitter before the July 31 trading deadline, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports. The Cardinals have been closely following the Philadelphia Phillies, who seem to be willing to deal outfielders Bobby Abreu, Pat Burrell and David Dellucci. More

Yahoo! Sports' take: There's no question the Cardinals need help in left field, where nine players have combined for a grand total of 31 RBIs. With 20 home runs and 64 RBIs, Burrell would be a nice fit.

4:30 a.m. ET

Four teams, including the Toronto Blue Jays and Boston Red Sox, have asked the Tampa Bay Devil Rays about acquiring shortstop Julio Lugo, the Tampa Tribune reports. Lugo is enjoying a career year but he likely won't be rewarded with the five-year, $40 million contract he is seeking. More

Saturday, July 22

3:25 a.m. ET

If the Boston Red Sox can't improve their pitching or defense, they may try to upgrade their lineup with Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Bobby Abreu or Colorado Rockies first baseman Ryan Shealy, according to the Providence Journal. The Red Sox nearly acquired Shealy last year in a trade deadline deal. More


Talks have apparently heated up between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the New York Yankees over reliever Roberto Hernandez, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports. More