Red Sox Trade Rumors

"The Union-Tribune has learned that the Boston Red Sox have claimed Padres right fielder Brian Giles off the waiver wire, if only to keep him away from the two teams with better records in the American League. Thus, Boston entered a 48-hour period in which the Sox have exclusive rights to try to work out a trade with San Diego. Giles is not in today's starting lineup for the finale of the Padres' series with the New York Mets-- Jody Gerut's penciled in to play right field -- though Manager Bud Black said the day off was scheduled and Giles is available to play. "Just a regular thing," Black said. "Day game, 37-year-old player." The Red Sox wouldn't seem the most likely team interested in ..."

"The Boston Red Sox have placed a waiver claim on San Diego right fielder Brian Giles, and are negotiating to acquire the 14-year veteran from the Padres. Giles, 37, is hitting .296 with a .391 on-base percentage, 61 walks and 44 strikeouts this season. Boston's interest in Giles might be spurred by concern about the health of third baseman Mike Lowell, who is battling a sore hip, and designated hitter David Ortiz, who has spent time on the disabled list resting a torn tendon sheath in his left wrist. Giles is earning $9 million this year, and his contract with the Padres has a club option for $9 million for 2009 that would climb to $11 million in the event he is traded. Giles has a limited ..."

"The Cubs plan to activate pitcher Kerry Wood from the disabled list today or Wednesday, and he'll pitch at least once in middle relief as a tune-up before returning to the closer role, manager Lou Piniella said. The million-dollar question now becomes whom the Cubs will pay $1 million to take left-hander Scott Eyre in a waiver trade for a prospect -- the Boston Red Sox or Tampa Bay Rays, or even the Philadelphia Phillies or New York Yankees? Or will they be forced to make an in-house roster move they don't want to make, such as optioning left-hander Sean Marshall to Class AAA Iowa? The decision on a corresponding move is the variable in the timeline for activating Wood, whose healed index ..."

"Amid the inevitable he-said, she-said that results during the breakup between the Red Sox and a star player, agent Scott Boras denied a published report early yesterday that Manny Ramirez lobbied to return to the club up to an hour after Thursday’s trading deadline. According to a published report, Boras called Red Sox officials about an hour after the 4 p.m. deadline and said Ramirez was having second thoughts about being traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers. The story suggested Ramirez promised to give the team an honest effort over the final two months of the season if the Sox backed out of the trade. “Completely inaccurate,” Boras said by phone from his home on the West Coast yesterday. ..."

"Of all the Manny moments in Boston, the last ranks as one of the most confounding. Within an hour after Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein informed Manny Ramírez he had been traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers Thursday, Ramírez's agent, Scott Boras, called the Sox back, according to a source with direct knowledge of the negotiations. If the Sox dropped the option years on his contract - which they had agreed to do if they traded him - Boras said Ramírez would not be a problem the rest of the season. For the Sox, the source said, Ramírez's pledge of good behavior only served as a tacit admission that his disruptive conduct of the last couple of weeks had been calculated, and they had had ..."

"The Red Sox traded embattled slugger Manny Ramirez to the Dodgers late Thursday afternoon, SI.com has learned. Jason Bay is headed to Boston as part of the deal, SI.com has learned. Pittsburgh gets pitcher Craig Hansen and outfielder Brandon Moss, both from Boston, as well as third baseman Andy LaRoche and right-handed pitcher Bryan Morris from the Dodgers. The Red Sox went back-and-forth with the Marlins and Dodgers as the 4 p.m. ET deadline approached, with SI.com reporting early Thursday afternoon that the Dodgers were back in the discussions. Ramirez said earlier today, as first reported by SI.com, that he would accept a trade to any team. The announcement will be made shortly in ..."

"Nothing is official, but there are growing indications the proposed Manny Ramirez trade to the Marlins could be dead. Various news outlets are reporting that talks have cooled among the three teams involved in the mega-deal -- the Marlins, Boston Red Sox and Pittsburgh Pirates -- as the 4 p.m. trade deadline nears. The deal would have the Marlins giving up outfielder Jeremy Hermida and prospects to land Ramirez from the Red Sox and enough cash ($6.7 million) to pay the remainder of this season's salary. One snag in the deal could involve Pirates outfielder Jason Bay, who would have gone to the Red Sox to plug the hole created by Ramirez's departure."

"Veteran reliever Ron Mahay seems to go through this every year as the trading deadline approaches. Once again, he finds his name swirling through the rumor mill. Will the phone ring or not before the 3 p.m. deadline for non-waiver deals? "It's just speculation until it actually happens," Mahay said. "It's all talk right now. They have my phone number. I'm going to spend the day with my family and honestly hope it doesn't ring. I don't want to go anywhere." The Phillies continue to show interest in Mahay, although both clubs have spiked rumors of a deal for minor-league infielder Jason Donald. Another rumor links Mahay to the Red Sox for outfielder/first baseman Brandon Moss. "As far as I ..."

"Manny Ramirez wearing a Marlins uniform? As implausible as that sounds, a blockbuster trade that would bring the enigmatic Red Sox outfielder to South Florida gained strength late Wednesday as the Marlins, Red Sox and Pittsburgh Pirates hammered out the framework of a mega-deal. But some Boston media outlets were also reporting that the complicated deal was unlikely. The Marlins weren't saying much of anything. ''Not now, guys,'' president of baseball operations Larry Beinfest said as he waded through a crowd of reporters while making a timeout signal after the Marlins' 7-5 victory over the New York Mets. According to some reports, the Marlins would send outfielder Jeremy Hermida and ..."

"Could Manny be Manny in South Florida? Or is this latest batch of trade rumors just the Marlins being the Marlins? With today's 4 p.m. non-waiver trade deadline fast approaching, the upstart Marlins were making a strong bid to acquire disgruntled Red Sox slugger Manny Ramirez, industry sources said. Ramirez, a two-time World Series champion in Boston, has a home in Pembroke Pines and would have to approve any trade. At 36, Ramirez has 510 career home runs and a non-refundable ticket for Cooperstown, but he also has a reputation for flaky behavior, poor outfield defense and ill-timed outbursts. Marlins President David Samson neither confirmed nor denied the Ramirez talks Wednesday during ..."

"Publicly, at least, the Red Sox have long made clear their desire to dispose of the problematic Manny Ramirez. The question now: At what point does sanitation become too costly? Amid a report in the Palm Beach Post that the Sox, Florida Marlins and Pittsburgh Pirates had reached a tentative agreement on a deal that would send Ramirez to Florida, baseball sources continued to indicate last night the Sox are reluctant to make such a deal because the club deems the cost too high. There also is believed to be some disagreement within the Sox organization as to just how much of a distraction Ramirez has become, particularly when the Sox have won a pair of titles during his tumultuous career in ..."

"With Manny Ramírez issuing yet another screed outlining his unhappiness with the Red Sox, the team's owners and top baseball executives met yesterday to debate whether to trade the combustible left fielder, and engaged in a serious exercise with the Florida Marlins to see whether the teams might match up in a deal. A major league source with direct knowledge of the talks said that contrary to a report last night in the Palm Beach (Fla.) Post, a tentative agreement had not been reached on a three-way deal among the Sox, Marlins, and Pittsburgh Pirates, one in which Ramírez would go to the Marlins, the Sox would acquire outfielder Jason Bay and lefthanded reliever John Grabow from the ..."

"Jason Bay might have played his final game for the Pirates. Deep into last night, management was discussing a three-way trade with Boston and Florida, a multi-player transaction that would go like this: Bay, the two-time All-Star outfielder, and reliever John Grabow, would go to the Red Sox. The Pirates would get outfielder Jeremy Hermida and two prospects from the Marlins, as well as another from the Red Sox. Boston would send superstar outfielder Manny Ramirez, a prospect and cash to Florida. One of the Florida prospects who would head the Pirates' way, according to a source in Miami, is 21-year-old right-handed starter Ryan Tucker, who was summoned this season from Class AA to make six ..."

"The Marlins and Pirates are both said to be haggling with the Red Sox over a prospect or two in a potential three-team blockbuster that would send embattled superstar Manny Ramirez to Florida in what could rank as the surprise blockbuster of the century. But while there's still some back and forth going on, people involved in the talks are still expressing optimism that the deal will eventually get done and that the $20 million player will go to the $22 million team. The Red Sox have talked to other teams about Ramirez, but their talks appear to be centered on the Marlins now. People involved in the discussions say several combinations of players and teams are being discussed, but in just ..."

"The Phillies and Marlins are two of a few teams engaged in trade talks regarding embattled superstar Manny Ramirez, SI.com has learned. The Dodgers also showed interest in Ramirez, but they appear to be less involved than those other two National League teams now. Ramirez has publicly expressed a desire to be traded, and it is believed he'd approve a deal to at least Philadelphia, and perhaps Florida and Los Angeles, as well. Boston is shopping Ramirez but people familiar with the talks indicate there's still a decent chance Ramirez remains with the Red Sox. Boston has periodically shopped Ramirez over the last four years, ever since he revealed he wasn't completely comfortable playing ..."

"First, they beat Tampa Bay to Xavier Nady and Damaso Marte. Now, the Yankees are pulling for the Dodgers to get Manny Ramirez out of Boston. If Ramirez goes West the Yankees' chances of passing each team in the AL East will improve and will lessen the sting of not being able to upgrade the back of their rotation. With talk of Ramirez going to L.A. filling the baseball galaxy yesterday, the Yankees were tuned in because Ramirez routinely punishes them. And with six games remaining versus the Red Sox - tilts that will likely decide if the Yankees reach October - the Yanks' chances are better with Ramirez not in the Red Sox lineup. "That would break my heart," a Yankee sarcastically said ..."

"Manny a Met? Make it happen! So say Pedro Martinez and Sandy Alomar Jr . ., two former teammates of Manny Ramirez now with the Mets who feel the mercurial slugger and Washington Heights native would be a fantastic fit in orange and blue. "He can play on my team any day," Pedro said last night when asked about the talk that refuses to die of his former Boston mate becoming a Met. Sources say a deal to bring Ramirez to Queens remains unlikely, mainly because the Amazin's most likely would have to part with center fielder Carlos Beltran or decimate their farm system. If the Red Sox were to take prospects, they almost surely would want prized lefty Jon Niese or outfielder Fernando Martinez - ..."

"It appears Mark Teixeira and Manny Ramirez will not be Diamondbacks. The D-Backs have been linked to both sluggers in recent published reports, but a major league source with knowledge of the situation said there is "no way" either will end up with the D-Backs before the July 31 nonwaiver trade deadline. The D-Backs have had no discussions with Boston about Ramirez, the source said Monday, countering a report in the Providence (R. I.) Journal that said the D-Backs were believed to be one of four teams that contacted the Red Sox about Ramirez. "That's a non-issue," the source said. As for Teixeira, the D-Backs have had discussions with Atlanta for several days but have not found enough ..."

"Nothing gets people talking like a loss near the non-waiver trading deadline. Last night, the rumor mill started percolating for those exiting Fenway Park moments after the Red Sox dropped a 7-5 decision to the AL West-leading Los Angeles Angels. Both the AL East-leading Tampa Bay Rays and third-place New York Yankees also were defeated, but that didn’t stop many from surmising that these second-place Sox need to be fixed in some way, shape or form. Yet with just three days to go before the deadline, the Red Sox, like most major league teams, are finding the cost of dealing a bit too prohibitive. While Manny Ramirez’ situation remains in flux - a trade of the left fielder continues to be ..."

"There are two sides to every story. Take, for example, the fact that Manny Ramirez has told some of his confidants that doctors diagnosed his right knee with what was “probably tendinitis.” The Red Sox, however, have made no such statement. And the slugger hasn’t issued any such proclamations in public when talking about what has become baseball’s most controversial injury. In this case, however, there is one more side of the tale to digest. You have the player, the club and two agents who have a fairly substantial stake in what happens between the first two entities. The latter might add up to nothing but a subtle subplot, but it is one that must be mentioned. According to a person ..."

"The Boston Red Sox have contacted the Astros about Miguel Tejada, and the All-Star shortstop wouldn’t be intimidated about playing at Fenway Park if a deal is made. According to a person familiar with the talks, the Red Sox would like Tejada if they ultimately trade Manny Ramirez. As a policy, Astros general manager Ed Wade doesn’t divulge his current conversations with clubs, nor confirm or deny trade rumors. For that reason, he wouldn’t confirm or deny whether the Red Sox have inquired about Tejada, although he did say he spoke with most clubs Monday. Tejada is one of the most accomplished active players against the Yankees, and he wouldn’t shy away if he were drawn into the storied ..."

"The Red Sox have a difficult chore in trying to trade an unhappy Manny Ramirez, and they will not find a home for him in Philadelphia. While the Phillies were mentioned as a possible landing spot for Ramirez because of his strong relationship with Manager Charlie Manuel, General Manager Pat Gillick harpooned the idea Monday. "At this point, there's no interest on our part," Gillick said in a phone interview. "We have no place to play the guy. Burrell has to play left field, and I don't think Ramirez has played right field in seven or eight years." Pat Burrell, the Phillies' left fielder, is batting .277 with 26 home runs, 61 runs batted in, a .400 on-base percentage and a .585 slugging ..."

"The Mets don't want Manny Ramirez, and as of now, they don't think they'll be acquiring an outfielder of any kind before Thursday's non-waivers trade deadline. As Newsday reported yesterday, the Mets don't intend to make a run for Ramirez, who is feuding with the Red Sox again, despite general manager Omar Minaya's previous attempts to land the future Hall of Famer. Team officials don't see Ramirez as a fit because of his behavioral issues. Of the remaining outfield possibilities, the Mets appear to have the most interest in Seattle's Raul Ibañez, though Ibañez bats lefthanded and the Mets need a righty hitter. So far, however, the Mariners' asking price has been too high. Minaya is ..."

"Prior to last night’s series finale against the Yankees, Manny Ramirez popped in and out of the Red Sox clubhouse, in plain view of the media, only offering an extended hand followed by what has become his usual statement: “Don’t worry about it.” Then, just minutes before media access was over, Ramirez appeared once more. After a two-minute impromptu press conference, not worrying about it was no longer an option. It was a question and answer session which ended with Ramirez stating, “I’m happy, but enough is enough.” Asked what he meant by that, the left fielder replied, “They know. You have to ask (general manager) Theo (Epstein) and (owner) John Henry. They know.” These statements ..."

"Manny Ramirez was standing behind a blue curtain that separated the Red Sox clubhouse from the trainers room. He was off limits to reporters, whom he had already dodged, and was continuing his silent stance regarding his feud with the organization. But in typically unpredictable fashion, Ramirez emerged from behind the curtain, grabbed a drink and said he was ready to talk. And he unloaded, tossing gallons of verbal lighter fluid on an already combustible situation. Ramirez said that he would agree to be traded if the deal was beneficial for him and the Red Sox, but he also added that the team would not dare trade him. He suggested that his often tumultuous seven-and-a-half-year ..."

"The Manny Ramirez saga took another turn today when the Red Sox slugger said he will not object if the team feels it needs to trade him. “If the Red Sox think they can find a trade that is going to make the team better, and both sides are going to be happy, I’m going to agree,” Ramirez said after stepping outside of the clubhouse just before it was closed to the media. “But if they can’t find a trade ... It’s something simple, it’s no big deal. At the end of the season all they have to do is call my agent and say, ‘Hey, we’re not going to pick up Manny’s option for ’09, he’s going to become a free agent.’ That’s it. I’ll go my way and you guys go your way. It’s something simple. “I don’t ..."

"Until now, Manny Ramirez had the talent to offset the attitude. But the simple truth today is that he is overplaying his hand. Entering this weekend’s series with the New York Yankees, despite having played as many games as any Sox player but Dustin Pedroia, Ramirez did not lead the team in runs scored, walks or, most importantly, RBI. He did not rank in the top 20 in the major leagues in homers (19, 23rd), RBI (62, 24th) or slugging percentage (.530, 27th), all of which supports an interesting paradox. As a player, Ramirez is aging. As a human being, he remains as immature and irresponsible as ever. Know what this all means? It means Ramirez isn’t worth the headache anymore. It means the ..."

"Infuriated yet again that they are dealing with a four-alarm "Manny being Manny" moment, the Red Sox plan to investigate potential deals for Manny Ramirez between now and the July 31 trade deadline, sources said last night. The Mets already have checked in on Ramirez, with whom GM Omar Minaya is infatuated. However, sources said the Mets' No. 1 nemesis, the Phillies, have the best chance to trade for Ramirez because Philadelphia manager Charlie Manuel has perhaps the strongest relationship with him of anyone in the majors. Manuel was Ramirez's hitting coach with the Indians from 1994-99 and his manager in Cleveland in 2000, and the two have remained close. Mets officials have indicated ..."

"It's decision time for the Braves, who have until Thursday at 4 p.m. to complete a deal to either add to their roster or build for the future by trading impending free agents Mark Teixeira, Will Ohman and Mark Kotsay. The potential centerpiece of a deal is Teixeira, the 28-year-old first baseman who is in his prime. The Braves could use a major-league ready first baseman in return, one who makes economic sense. Here are some first basemen from contending teams who have been linked to the Braves during this trading season. 1. Kevin Youkilis, Red Sox Age: 29 Salary: $3 million Eligible for free agency: after the 2010 season Stats: He is hitting .311 with 17 home runs and 68 RBIs. The 68 RBIs ..."

"The Mets are seeking a corner outfielder as the July 31 trade deadline approaches, and Mets GM Omar Minaya has long been an admirer of embattled Red Sox star Manny Ramirez. But even the Mets are saying "no'' to Ramirez now. Ramirez's latest antics, which included shoving Red Sox traveling secretary Jack McCormick, 62, may discourage all potential suitors in this trade market if the Mets aren't even interested. And Mets people suggest they will not be pursuing Ramirez. Red Sox GM Theo Epstein told Tim McCarver on FOX's broadcast of the Yankees-Red Sox game that he would try to trade Ramirez if Ramirez would waive his no-trade clause. As a 10-and-5 player, Ramirez has veto power over trades. ..."

"The Rockies are playing an intriguing game of poker with closer Brian Fuentes. The price is high, causing most interested teams — the Tampa Bay Rays, the New York Yankees and Mets, the Boston Red Sox and the Florida Marlins — to consider other options. Colorado wants a premium starting pitcher, a fair demand save for the fact the teams interested in Fuentes see him as a two-month rental, not a long-term solution. All already have closers, and Fuentes is determined to test the market before considering signing somewhere as a setup man."

"Manager Terry Francona understands people’s frustrations with the Red Sox lineup. Yet for now, the only tinkering he plans to do will take place Friday, when he expects to put David Ortiz’ name in the No. 3 spot. From there, everything else should flow. Ortiz, on the disabled list since June 1 with a partially torn tendon sheath in his left wrist, began Part 2 of his six-game rehab stint last night with Portland. The designated hitter could not homer against Double-A pitching like he did in three straight games for Triple-A Pawtucket, but he did manage to go 2-for-3 with a walk, a single to left, a pop-up to first and a bloop single to right in the Sea Dogs’ 8-2 win against ..."

"Besides location, the biggest question about luring the Boston Red Sox back to Sarasota is whether a pair of cash-strapped governments can raise the money to pay for a stadium project estimated to cost at least $80 million. City and county governments have laid off hundreds of workers over the last year and have seen virtually every revenue source plummet, from sales to property taxes. But an analysis of city and county finances suggests that there could be more than $120 million in various funding sources to pay for a baseball stadium. Any cost is an estimate at this point, and a final number will depend on the site, said Dave Bullock, the deputy county administrator most involved ..."

"The July 31 trading deadline is 10 days away, and the Red Sox may well wind up sitting it out. That, however, doesn’t mean they’re satisfied with what they currently have, and yesterday’s minor roster shake-up may be just part of their second-half improvements. Justin Masterson was recalled from Triple-A Pawtucket to take the place of DL-bound David Aardsma (right groin strain) in the bullpen, the No. 1 area of concern for the team. The arrival of Masterson will be watched closely on a number of levels. If he succeeds, it could prevent the Sox from trading for a reliever at the cost of top prospects. Colorado’s Brian Fuentes and Oakland’s Huston Street are two names frequently ..."

"Matt Holliday has grown up quickly before our eyes, becoming the player that fans yearned for since the romanticized days of the Blake Street Bombers. Initially, he was going to be the next Dante Bichette. He's become so much more than that. Tuesday, with the world watching the last All-Star Game at Yankee Stadium, Holliday smoked a 95-mph Ervin Santana fastball into the right-field bleachers in the fifth inning. What I will remember is the sound that accompanied the swing — a fleeting gasp from the sold-out crowd. That's the reaction many of those who wear purple and name babies Tulo will have when Holliday leaves Colorado. It might be in the next two weeks. It might be in ..."

"The Red Sox have talked to the Braves about free-agent-to-be first baseman Mark Teixeira, and more conversations are likely to take place before the July 31 trading deadline, according to well-placed major league sources. ESPN's Peter Gammons was the first to report that the talks had taken place, and it is true that the Braves asked for first baseman Kevin Youkilis and Craig Hansen in return. Would the Sox make that deal? Not at the moment, but the message they left with the Braves was keep us in mind. The Braves, according to those sources, have their doubts that the Sox would move Youkilis, because of his ability to play both first and third and his defensive skills at both ..."

"The Yankees and Mets are among at least nine teams monitoring the progress of Freddy Garcia as he intensifies his workouts to come back from shoulder surgery. Garcia will begin throwing breaking balls off the mound this week in Miami, according to one of his agents, Ed Greenberg, and as long he avoids setbacks the plan is to schedule a showcase for teams to judge his abilities. Up until this point, Garcia has only thrown changeups and fastballs off the rubber, and Greenberg said his fastball has ranged from 84-87 mph. Greenberg said his client has suffered no pain or setbacks. Besides the Yanks and Mets, the Astros, Rangers, Royals, Red Sox, Phillies, Tigers and White Sox are keeping ..."

"Yes, Brian Fuentes said, it would be cool to wear Yankee pinstripes. And no, he wouldn't mind working in New York City's media hothouse. But that doesn't necessarily mean the Rockies' closer believes he'll end up here, via a trade in the coming weeks or as a free agent after the season. "I'm going to look to be a closer, wherever I go," Fuentes said Saturday. Many baseball analysts believe the Rockies will deal Fuentes before the July 31 nonwaiver trading deadline. The Cardinals, Marlins, Phillies, Rays and Red Sox are interested. Fuentes said he's not letting the trade rumors affect him on the mound. "It's out of my control, so it's counterproductive to worry about something you ..."

"David Ortiz has positioned himself to be activated from the disabled list July 25, when the Red Sox open their first homestand after the All-Star break against the New York Yankees. Ortiz, who is recovering from a torn tendon sheath in his left wrist suffered May 31, began taking live batting practice last Sunday and made steady progress throughout the week, allowing the team to put together a tentative schedule for a minor league rehab next week."

"On the day the Cubs and A's pulled off a six-player deal in which Rich Harden heads to Chicago, which could offset Milwaukee's acquisition of C.C. Sabathia, Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein talked of solving his team's needs (bullpen, a hitter) from within. Epstein continued to deny reports of the Sox' interest in Barry Bonds as a possible designated hitter if David Ortiz is slow to return. Ortiz, who yesterday reported that his left wrist felt fine after live batting practice Monday for the first time since he injured a tendon, took BP again yesterday and will continue to do so with a rehabilitation assignment possible next week. "Yeah, got a lot of questions about it," Epstein ..."

"Barry Bonds to Boston? It is the ultimate deal with the devil. Bonds is a cheater and a liar and a scoundrel. He also is the smartest and most sensible way to help the Red Sox if David Ortiz cannot. Me? I’m all for it. As long as he doesn’t stay at my house. Before we begin, let’s get this out there: The great likelihood is that the Red Sox have no intention of signing Bonds. Prior to last night’s game between the Sox and Minnesota Twins at Fenway Park, general manager Theo Epstein said there was nothing to a recent report that the club was having internal discussions about the slugger."

"The Red Sox won't tip their hand until it's time to make a roster move, but there's a good reason Clay Buchholz was pulled from Pawtucket's game Monday night after pitching five scoreless innings while throwing just 50 pitches. Buchholz appears primed to return to the Sox rotation, possibly as soon as Saturday afternoon against the Yankees in the Bronx. Buchholz is 4-1 with a 1.63 ERA in eight starts since the Sox sent him to Pawtucket to work on his fastball. In his last four starts, he is 4-0 with a 0.40 ERA, allowing just one earned run in 22 2/3 innings."

"Several clubs with scouts following the Rockies say indications they have been given are Colorado will decide at the All-Star break whether to deal players. And there are several players on the Rockies that teams are interested in. The Yankees, Mets, Red Sox, Phillies, Rays, Cubs and Cardinals are known to have interest in left-handed reliever Brian Fuentes. An Oakland source says Fuentes is not on the Athletics' wish list, but they would kick the tires on Matt Holliday but more likely would be involved in discussions for Willy Taveras."

"Surgery on Red Sox right-hander Curt Schilling’s throwing shoulder went well enough that the veteran said yesterday the door is open for him to resume pitching next year. Whether he wants to step through willingly and enthusiastically is the only question. “If I want to pitch again, I have a chance to. That’s the bottom line,” Schilling told WEEI yesterday morning. “I’m trying to assess if I’m going to be able to make the commitment for this to happen.” Schilling had surgery Monday at Roxana Cannon Arsht Surgicenter in Wilmington, Del., to repair his biceps tendon and shoulder issues. The surgical team headed by Dr. Craig Morgan repaired the biceps matter and did not find any damage ..."

"Manny Ramirez’ hamstrings are still aching but Red Sox manager Terry Francona is confident they have improved enough over the just-completed homestand to allow the slugger to return to left field starting tomorrow night against the Astros, when the designated hitter will again be out of the equation for the final road interleague series of the season in Houston. Ramirez, who has primarily been bothered by soreness in his right hamstring where it attaches to the back of the knee, has played left field only three times this month for precautionary reasons. On each occasion, however, he was substituted for a defensive replacement in the late innings at a National League ballpark."

"The Mets and Yankees are among the five major suitors for Colorado closer Brian Fuentes. The Red Sox, Phillies and A's also are vying for Fuentes, who entered the weekend with 13 saves and a 2.05 ERA. Philadelphia has indicated it would include 22-year-old righty Fabio Castro in a deal, which makes the Phils the early front-runners. Oakland's presence indicates the A's, in what was projected to be a rebuilding year, now believe they can contend. Despite a horrible first two months, the Rockies also think they can get back in the race, but because Fuentes is in his walk year and they believe they will be able to fix deposed closer Manny Corpas, they still will move Fuentes."

"It appears that baseball's trade-deadline enthusiasts might get their wish. But don't expect the New York Yankees to emerge as the winners of the C.C. Sabathia sweepstakes. ''Although we don't comment on individual players, it's prudent for us to do due diligence to be buyers or sellers,'' Indians General Manager Mark Shapiro told Newsday on Monday, ''so that if an opportunity presents itself, we can execute an intelligent trade.'' In other words, the Indians have begun scouting organizations that have expressed an interest in Sabathia, or that have the necessary supply of young players, or both. The Yankees are one of those teams, as ESPN's Peter Gammons reported Sunday. So are ..."

""I would say maybe they could get two young players that were at or close to the big-league level that they could control for a while." Another scout said the Indians could get between two and three prospects, depending on whether that team could sign Sabathia to an extension before he becomes a free agent this winter. "There are so many teams still in contention right now, who need pitching, that I think the market is going to be a really big market for him," said a scout. Here are some of the candidates: New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago Cubs, Boston Red Sox, Tampa Bay Rays, Los Angeles Angels."

"The Cubs recalled Matt Murton from Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday and sent Eric Patterson back down, though they may just be showcasing Murton for a possible deal... General manager Jim Hendry sent special assistant Ken Kravec to scout Boston this week in Cincinnati and Philadelphia. The Cubs still are interested in Red Sox center fielder Coco Crisp,and now may be willing to include Rich Hill in a multiplayer package. Murton was acquired from Boston in the Nomar Garciaparra deal in '04."

"Indians GM Mark Shapiro is both a realist and an executive who is willing to act quickly. And his club has played so poorly and has so many key injuries (Jake Westbrook, Fausto Carmona, Travis Hafner, Victor Martinez) that he is leaning more toward trading free-agent-to-be C.C. Sabathia, and could act well before the July 31 deadline to maximize value. The Yanks definitely have the prospects to get the lefty. But GM Brian Cashman still is giving off the vibe to his contemporaries that he wants to protect the best of his system, especially when it comes to a player such as Sabathia, whom they could just sign in the offseason as a free agent."