Top News:
Buster Olney / ESPN:
Yankees find their catcher for stretch, trade for Rodriguez … The New York Yankees have found a replacement for Jorge Posada. — New York acquired catcher Ivan Rodriguez from the Tigers on Wednesday for right-handed pitcher Kyle Farnsworth. — Rodriguez, who is in the final year of his contract …
Discussion:
Bugs & Cranks, MetsBlog.com, Boston Globe, River Ave. Blues, Subway Squawkers, MLB FanHouse, umpbump.com, SPORTSbyBROOKS, The Daily Fungo, Mets Merized Online, Hot Stove New York, 6-4-2, The Transaction Guy, SPORTSCRACK, Scott Proctor's Arm, The Bronx Stop, Around the Majors, Pinstripe Alley, The Bronx Block and Associated Press
RELATED:
Dan Graziano / New Jersey Online:
MLB Trade Winds — 5:30 p.m. Update: New York Yankees still after Washburn deal, Mets looking to revamp bullpen — The trade that brings Pudge Rodriguez for Kyle Farnsworth might be the last move the Yankees make before Thursday's 4 p.m. non-waiver deadline, but it might not.
Tim Dierkes / MLB Rumors:
Yankees Acquire Ivan Rodriguez — In a surprise move, the Yankees have acquired catcher Ivan Rodriguez from the Tigers for Kyle Farnsworth according to Buster Olney. The move should save Detroit about $2.6MM and could help their 'pen. — Nice pickup for New York, plus he's a Type …
John Perrotto / Unfiltered:
Manny looks headed to Miami — Multiple baseball sources say that the Red Sox are on the verge of sending disgruntled left fielder Manny Ramirez to the Marlins in a trade for a package of three players that include Low-A Greensboro outfielder Mike Stanton, an 18-year-old who is hitting .275/.351/.569 with 26 home runs in 96 games.
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com, The Big Lead, El Guapo's Ghost Rambles …, ESPN, Hot Foot, MLB Rumors and The 'Ropolitans
RELATED:
Tim Dierkes / MLB Rumors:
Marlins, Red Sox Talking Manny Trade — 7:46pm: Rosenthal talked to a Marlins official who said there's “no way” Stanton is in the deal. The Fish might want young players back if they're giving up prospects. — 7:33pm: Gordon Edes of the Boston Globe characterizes it as “strong interest” from the Marlins but not a done deal.
ESPN:
Manny on the block: Red Sox 'don't deserve me' — Red Sox Discussing Possible Manny Ramirez Trade With Marlins — With less than 24 hours before the trade deadline, the Boston Red Sox are engaged in serious conversations to trade Manny Ramirez to the Florida Marlins, as well as other teams …
Joe Frisaro / MLB.com:
Rumors swirl, but no deals yet in Florida — Hermida reacts after trade whisperings abound near Deadline — MIAMI — It didn't take Jeremy Hermida long before the 24-year-old had to address the first trade rumor of his three-year career. — Shortly after arriving in the Marlins clubhouse on Wednesday …
Discussion:
SOX & Dawgs
Gordon Edes / Boston Globe:
Manny, Marlins.....smoke, but any fire? — The Sox and Marlins have indeed discussed Manny, and according to one industry source The Fish have “strong” interest in the Sox outfielder. That has never been the issue with Manny; lots of teams have expressed interest in the past; other than Texas …
Dejan Kovacevic / PBC Blog:
Pirates, Rays, Cardinals discussing Bay — By Dejan Kovacevi c | The Pirates and Tampa Bay continue to discuss Jason Bay, a process that became deep yesterday, and two prospect names known to be in the mix on the Rays' end are shortstop Reid Brignac and pitcher Jeremy Hellickson.
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com, Outs Per Swing, MLB FanHouse, Bucs Dugout, BBTF's Baseball Primer … and Sports Illustrated
RELATED:
Dejan Kovacevic / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
Pirates Notebook: Rays part of deep talks involving Bay — The Pirates are deep into trade talks with the Tampa Bay Rays and other parties regarding left fielder Jason Bay, one team source with direct knowledge said yesterday, but it remains far from certain that Bay will be moved by Major League Baseball's deadline tomorrow afternoon.
Jayson Stark / ESPN:
Mets passing on Ibanez — The Mariners continue to ask the Mets for pitcher Jon Niese and a second prospect for Raul Ibanez. And unless the price comes down, the Mets plan to pass and wait to see which bats clear waivers in August, according to clubs that have spoken with them.
Krysten Oliphant / MLB.com:
Astros acquire Hawkins from Yanks — Club exchanges prospect Cusick to bring righty aboard — HOUSTON — The Astros have acquired right-handed reliever LaTroy Hawkins from the New York Yankees in exchange for Matt Cusick, the Astros announced minutes before the start of their game with the Reds on Wednesday night.
RELATED:
Richard / SportsJustice:
The Astros get LaTroy Hawkins and I'm even more confused. — I don't know what I don't know anymore. That was my reaction when the Astros acquired 35-year-old LaTroy Hawkins from the Yankees. He's a 14-year veteran with a 5.71 ERA. He'd been designated for assignment by the Yankees.
Discussion:
MLB Rumors
Jeff Wilson / Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Depth at catcher has teams calling on Texas Rangers — ARLINGTON — Gerald Laird is the Texas Rangers' starting catcher, a statement that has been made on a number of occasions the past two seasons but always with a caveat. — For now. — He entered spring training as the starter …
RELATED:
Scott Miller / CBS SportsLine.com:
Mad Dog shuts down possible deal to Phillies — The Philadelphia Phillies' search for pitching took them to San Diego on Tuesday, where they inquired whether Greg Maddux would approve a deal. Maddux, who has full no-trade powers, nixed the idea when asked by the Padres.
Discussion:
Baseball Digest Daily Blog, Gaslamp Ball, The700Level.com, MLB Rumors and Mets Merized Online
RELATED:
MiamiHerald.com:
Treanor will play through injury — Catcher Matt Treanor has decided to postpone surgery on his left hip, opting instead to play through the injury and provide the Marlins with help behind the plate in the final months of the season. — “I felt like the best thing to do was see if I could get through the season,” Treanor said.
RELATED:
Matt Fairchild / SPORTSCRACK:
JASON GIAMBI SAYS F U TO BRIAN ROBERTS — In the bottom of the sixth inning last night in Yankees Stadium the Orioles had a massive shift on Jason Giambi, aka Dirk Diggler, in which Orioles 2b Brian Roberts was basically playing shallow right field. The 70's Porn Stache smoked a ball …