With the trade deadline right around the corner, our MLB editor brings you the top five rumors every day until July 31.- The Marlins are the forgotten team in the NL East race, but they have a very real chance at making the postseason and are the most active team less than 24 hours before the trade deadline. Florida is looking for everything. The club is believed to be close to dealing for Mariners left-handed reliever Arthur Rhodes. The Fish have also made inquiries with San Diego about Josh Bard and Toronto about Gregg Zaun as they try to shore up the catcher position with Matt Treanor injured.
Most surprisingly, they might be at the head of the pack for Boston slugger Manny Ramirez. A proposed deal would send either left fielder Josh Willingham or right fielder Jeremy Hermida to the Red Sox in exchange for Ramirez, with Boston picking up the remaining portion of the $20 million owed to the disgruntled slugger. The Marlins would also have to agree not to pick up Ramirez's option at the end of the season. Florida is often accused of being cheap. You can't say it isn't trying this year.
Most surprisingly, they might be at the head of the pack for Boston slugger Manny Ramirez. A proposed deal would send either left fielder Josh Willingham or right fielder Jeremy Hermida to the Red Sox in exchange for Ramirez, with Boston picking up the remaining portion of the $20 million owed to the disgruntled slugger. The Marlins would also have to agree not to pick up Ramirez's option at the end of the season. Florida is often accused of being cheap. You can't say it isn't trying this year.
- The Jason Bay market appears to be heating up. Both the Rays and Cardinals have had serious discussions with Pittsburgh about acquiring the left fielder. Tampa Bay would seem to have the upper hand since it has the better farm system and does not play in the same division as the Pirates. GM Neal Huntington is believed to have asked for shortstop prospect Reid Brignac and pitching prospect Jeremy Hellickson, with Hellickson believed to be the sticking point. There is also late word that the Red Sox could jump into the Bay talks as part of a three-way deal that would send Ramirez to Florida, prospects to Pittsburgh and Bay to Boston.
- The Greg Maddux market appeared dead over recent days, but it once again looks like the Padres could move him. Maddux has said he would only accept a trade to a team in Southern California, leaving the Dodgers as the only real viable suitor. Now it appears that he might be on his way to Chavez Ravine. San Diego is believed to want to shed the remaining money on Maddux's $10 million deal, meaning GM Kevin Towers probably won't be asking much in the way of prospects.
- The Yankees are being patient in the Jarrod Washburn talks, unwilling to budge on their requirements for a deal (a salary dump with low-ceiling prospects headed to Seattle). While a deal in August could still be worked out, other clubs are interested in Washburn, including the suddenly contending Rockies, who are looking for a stabilizing force in their rotation.
- Atlanta's Will Ohman is a bit of a hot commodity right now. Boston is pursuing the left-handed reliever with the Rays and Cardinals among the teams also believed the be interested in him.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
7-30-2008 @ 9:53PM
mr. marlin said...
Why give up your future to rent a disgruntal player. He is a poor fielder and he wont be with the Marlins next year. You give up a potential superstar for what . No thanks!
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7-30-2008 @ 10:47PM
keith said...
Mr. Marlin is right. The Fish would be better off playing the hand they have than trading for Manny. Nothing stinks like bad fish and Manny will stink up the chemistry on this young team. Don't do it!
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7-31-2008 @ 9:24AM
yankeecntry said...
oh go on take manny, get him out of the AL. he dont stink that bad lol.............
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8-01-2008 @ 7:09AM
redsoxfan said...
really im not sure i want to see manny leave but then again a change in the lineup might be good for the redsox and the marlins seeing that both teams are going in the opossite direction and besides his batting numbers well make up for his fielding if u ask me.
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