Sports News and Trade Rumors: Pro Sports Daily

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November 19

Los Angeles Times

"Even with starting pitching as their most pressing need, the Dodgers do not plan to pursue John Lackey, the best starter available in free agency. As baseball's owners concluded their quarterly meetings here today, amid predictions from other National League executives that the Dodgers could lower their payroll substantially, Dodgers President Dennis Mannion said General Manager Ned Colletti has not been ordered to trade one of the team's eight arbitration-eligible players to save money. Dodgers owner Frank McCourt, who has not spoken publicly since his divorce proceedings started last month, declined an interview request. McCourt's estranged wife, Jamie, has asked a court to rule that she ..."

Pitching tops Dodgers' free-agent list

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November 19

MLB.com

"Rare is the year when the Dodgers lack quality starting pitching. But they might have to delve heavily into the free-agent market to maintain that asset. The reigning National League West champions are expected to focus on starting pitching when open bidding on free agents begins Friday. After leading the league in overall ERA last season and tying for second in starters' ERA, the Dodgers could lose as many as three members of their season-ending rotation -- free agents Randy Wolf, Vicente Padilla and Jon Garland. Jeff Weaver, who started seven games, is also a free agent. With approximately $40 million in salary coming off the books, Los Angeles should be able to obtain a starter or two ..."

McCourts' divorce "in good hand"

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November 19

Los Angeles Times

"Commissioner Bud Selig said the Dodgers were "in good hands" for now but refused to offer assurances to fans worried that the McCourt divorce saga could compromise the future of the club. Baseball's owners held their quarterly meetings here today, with Jamie McCourt absent from sessions she had attended regularly. Frank McCourt last month fired his estranged wife as chief executive, and she cannot continue to serve on ownership committees so long as she is not involved in club management, said a high-ranking baseball official, speaking on condition of anonymity because of pending legal proceedings. Baseball officials are reluctant to comment publicly before a court takes up the issue of ..."

Shortstop Scutaro open to staying with Jays

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November 17

Foxsports.com

"Teams are inquiring about free agent Marco Scutaro not just as a shortstop, but also as a second baseman, according to his agent, Peter Greenberg. One team even asked if Scutaro would consider moving to third. Scutaro, who played Gold Glove-caliber defense for the Blue Jays last season, will "entertain all possibilities," Greenberg said — including a return to the Jays on a one-year deal if, as expected, he is offered salary arbitration. The Jays offered Scutaro a contract extension during the season and another after the season ended, Greenberg said. Scutaro wants to explore the free-agent market, but he likes the city, team and manager Cito Gaston, who gave him his first chance to play ..."

Don Mattingly interested in managing L.A. Dodgers when Joe Torre leaves

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November 15

New York Daily News

"And Don Mattingly might end up replacing Torre after all when Torre is done managing in sunny Los Angeles. The Yankee icon, who is the hitting coach for Torre's Dodgers, says he has been "having discussions with the Dodgers and I really like where that's going. I really think it's the place for me. I really like where that organization's going and their thoughts on the future. I want to end up there, to be honest with you." While Mattingly was cryptic when asked if he was, essentially, the "manager in waiting" in L.A., his talks with team brass were enticing enough to get him to back out of consideration for the Nationals job earlier this autumn. "It was discussions about the future of the ..."

Schmidt, Zaun join open market

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November 12

MLB.com

"Right-hander Jason Schmidt and catcher Gregg Zaun were the only players to file for free agency on Wednesday, the seventh day of the 15-day filing period. Eligible free agents have until midnight on Nov. 19 to file their paperwork to the Major League Baseball Players' Association, and to date, 156 have done so. Clearly, Zaun and Schmidt aren't names that open eyes on that long list. But could they bring some value to clubs in the upcoming season? In Schmidt's case, probably not. The 36-year-old right-hander enjoyed a fair share of success with the Giants, but shoulder problems have tarnished his future the last three seasons, and he is expected to retire. If he does retire, Schmidt will ..."

Mets eye free agents Orlando Hudson, Chone Figgins

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November 12

New York Daily News

"Trying to rid themselves of an ill-advised contract, the Mets shopped Luis Castillo during the GM Meetings that concluded Wednesday. Still, despite the veteran second baseman hitting .302 this season and staying healthy, GM Omar Minaya may have a difficult time moving Castillo. Castillo is midway through a four-year, $25 million deal that blocked the Mets from signing free agent Orlando Hudson last winter. Castillo had met with team officials at the end of the 2008 season to apologize for his performance and request to remain with the team. The Chicago Tribune reported the Cubs are interested in Castillo and are attempting to rope in a third team such as Tampa Bay or Texas as a way of ..."

Dodgers could pursue Wolf

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November 11

New York Post

"Chad Billingsley slumped so badly in the second half that he was removed from the Dodgers' rotation for the playoffs. However, Dodgers officials continue to believe that Clayton Kershaw and Billingsley will form the top of their rotation moving forward and that they want to secure a No. 3 starter to work behind that young duo and in front of Hiroki Kuroda and a No. 5 starter that likely will come internally from among knuckleballer Charlie Haeger, James McDonald, Eric Stults and Scott Elbert. The most obvious is choice is Randy Wolf, who went 11-7 with a 3.23 ERA for the Dodgers last year. Los Angeles is likely to offer the lefty arbitration, which could depress the market for a Type-A ..."

Sherrill for Jackson a possibility?

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November 11

Foxsports.com

"The Dodgers have some interest in Tigers starter Edwin Jackson, who is available. But one source with knowledge of the teams' positions said the sides haven't discussed a trade of Jackson for reliever George Sherrill. Still, a 1-for-1 trade of those players might ultimately make sense for both clubs. A big reason: Sherrill ($2.75 million) and Jackson ($2.2 million) earned very similar base salaries in salary arbitration this year. That should be the case again in 2010, which would enable the cash to balance easily. The Dodgers need a reasonably low-cost starter such as Jackson. The Tigers would like to acquire a late-inning reliever to offset the potential free-agent departures of Fernando ..."

Sources: Tigers trying to deal All-Star Jackson

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November 11

Foxsports.com

"Edwin Jackson was an All-Star pitcher for the Tigers this year. He looked like one of the great acquisitions in baseball for most of the season — a starter who pitched deep into games and wouldn't become a free agent until 2011. Now? The Tigers have made Jackson available on the trade market as part of an effort to alleviate their payroll crunch, multiple major league sources told FOXSports.com. It's not clear if club president/general manager Dave Dombrowski is engaged in serious talks with other clubs about Jackson. There is no indication that a deal is close. But it's telling that the team is considering trade scenarios involving Jackson at all. The Dodgers, who originally drafted ..."

Around the majors

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November 10

SI.com

(scroll down)

"• Andy Pettitte has indicated to teammates that he is leaning toward returning to the Yankees for one more year. If they need it for further convincing, one of the Yankees' sales points will be that 10-15 more wins will aid his Hall of Fame candidacy. • The Phillies are expected to try to lock up Cliff Lee, though with a year to go before free agency, they'll be looking at something less than nine figures. • While the Phillies declined the option on defensively adept third baseman Pedro Feliz for $5.5 million, they're interested in bringing him back at a slightly lower figure. • The Red Sox will still consider Alex Gonzalez after declining his $6 million option and also look at free agent ..."

Halladay more likely to go than Gonzalez

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November 10

SI.com

"Baseball people seem to believe that of the two superstar players available in trade -- Roy Halladay and Adrian Gonzalez -- Halladay is more likely to be moved for a few important reasons, such as: 1) He's eligible for free agency after this year, whereas the Padres have Gonzalez for two more years. 2) He makes $16 million to only about $5 million for Gonzalez, who has $10.25 mil over two remaining. 3) He wants out of Toronto. In an especially weak free-agent starting-pitching market, Halladay, 31, would draw interest from several teams, and with a new GM in Toronto (Alex Anthopoulos replaced J.P. Ricciardi), the whole game could change. It isn't known how Padres GM Jed Hoyer or ..."

Three more Dodgers opt for free agency

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November 10

MLB.com

"Infielders Juan Castro and Mark Loretta and reliever Will Ohman filed for free agency Monday, leaving Jason Schmidt as the only Dodgers player eligible for free agency yet to file. Schmidt is expected to retire. The club has already bought Ohman out of his 2010 option for $200,000 after he missed most of the season with shoulder and elbow problems. He currently is recovering from shoulder surgery. Castro and Loretta served as utility infielders, with Loretta doubling as the primary right-handed pinch-hitter. Castro appeared in only 57 games and hit .277 as the primary backup to shortstop Rafael Furcal. Loretta hit .232 and went 14-for-60 as a pinch-hitter, but he also delivered the ..."

Mark Cuban denies report he's interested in LA Dodgers

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November 10

Dallas Morning News

"Mavericks owner Mark Cuban said a story in Los Angeles linking him as a potential buyer of the Dodgers has "no substance." The Dodgers are not for sale, but the divorce between Frank and Jamie McCourt raises questions about team's future. Cuban has said repeatedly in recent months that he has no interest in adding any sports franchises to his business portfolio. Cuban indicated it would take a unique set of circumstances to have interest in the Dodgers. "Read the text of the e-mail I sent," Cuban said. "It's all headline and no substance." A Los Angeles Times story quoted Cuban as e-mailing: "I'm not a fan of debt-driven acquisitions. If a unique situation came up where I could ..."

Dodgers, Torre talking contract extension

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November 9

MLB.com

"The Dodgers and manager Joe Torre are in talks to extend his contract for at least one more year, Torre confirmed to the Los Angeles Times. Torre, 69, has one year remaining on the three-year, $13 million contract he signed with the Dodgers after managing the Yankees for 12 years and four World Series championships. "We were talking about my coaches and I've been thinking about it," Torre told the newspaper. "It's been fun. When I came here, I was curious about how it might go. But the last two years have been invigorating. You see progress and your ego tells you maybe you had something to do with it." Torre has managed the Dodgers to consecutive National League West titles and appearances ..."

Figgins a tough decision for Angels

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November 8

Orange County Register

columnist Mark Whicker

"On July 14, 2001, the Register reported the Angels had traded Kimera Bartee to Colorado for an infielder named Desmond Figgins. Desmond DeChone Figgins, to be precise. None of his three names seemed destined for fame. Figgins had spent two years in the Carolina League. He did have a fanciful 34 triples that second year, but he was in Double-A when the Angels got him. It was hard to imagine that he would ever be a tough decision for the Angels. He is now. Assuming that he files for free agency, Chone Figgins is fixing to find out how much he is loved and, more important, valued. He is one of the best offensive players in this class. Even the most critical Angels fans must admit that Figgins ..."

Dodgers: Manny Ramirez to return in 2010

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November 6

Los Angeles Times

"Manny Ramirez will return to the Dodgers next season, according to his agent, Scott Boras. Boras said that he informed General Manager Ned Colletti today that Ramirez would not exercise the escape clause in the two-year, $45-million contract he signed in the spring. Ramirez will earn $20 million next season."

Dodgers pass on Garland's 2010 option

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November 5

MLB.com

"The Dodgers declined the $10 million 2010 mutual option for right-handed pitcher Jon Garland, who can become a free agent. Garland is entitled to receive a $2.5 million buyout, which will be paid by the Arizona Diamondbacks as part of the terms of the trade that sent Garland to the Dodgers for infielder Tony Abreu on Aug. 31. The 30-year-old Garland was 3-2 with a 2.72 ERA in six Dodgers starts, was a long reliever who did not pitch in the National League Division Series against the Cardinals and was left off the roster for the NL Championship Series against Philadelphia. On the season, Garland went 11-13 with a 4.01 ERA with 204 innings pitched, the fifth time Garland has pitched at least ..."

Dodgers bid farewell to Jon Garland

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November 5

Los Angeles Times

"After six appearances totaling 36 1/3 innings — none in the postseason — pitcher Jon Garland has been cut loose by the Dodgers, who declined his $10-million option for 2010 (though the team is free to negotiate a new contract with him). Dylan Hernandez of The Times tweeted the news, and Ken Gurnick of MLB.com has a report. As part of the terms of the Dodgers' trade with Arizona, the Diamondbacks are reportedly paying the $2.5-million buyout. Second baseman Tony Abreu went to Arizona in the deal. Gurnick also reminds us that the Dodgers cannot offer Garland salary arbitration or get draft-pick compensation for him."

Rays working on Iwamura deal

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November 3

St. Petersburg Times

"Just got back to New York and heard from an industry source who's not with the Rays that they are on the verge of completing a trade of 2B Akinori Iwamura. The Rays were looking to do some kind of deal since they weren't planning to pick up the $4.85-million option to bring him back. What's interesting is that the source indicated the deal wasn't with the Cubs or the Dodgers as has been speculated on but to an unexpected team. Hmmm. The Rays are operating under something of a deadline since they have until one day after the end of the World Series to either pick up the option or pay a $550,000 buyout and allow Iwamura to become a free agent. They have been working on essentially a ..."

Manny not leaving Mannywood

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October 28

SI.com

"Manny Ramirez is planning to exercise the $20 million player option that returns him to the Dodgers for 2010. His original plan was to shop around, but after a year in which he was suspended for 50 games, he must have realized this is his best option. Manny's plan to stay should come as no surprise the Dodgers. Dodgers people have said all along they expect Ramirez to pick up the option. It's interesting to look at how much he improved his lot by forcing the trade to L.A. in the summer of 2008. Had Ramirez simply stayed in Boston and played out his old contract, the Red Sox almost certainly would have declined what was a $20 million team option in that contract. So with the extra $5 ..."

Is Mattingly in line to succeed Torre?

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October 26

ESPN.com

"Don Mattingly was on the short list of managerial candidates in Cleveland, and wasn't hired. But he is speaking with the Los Angeles Dodgers about his future with that organization, and while it would be premature to say he is regarded as the heir apparent to manager Joe Torre, there may come a day when he will emerge as the leading candidate to replace Torre. Mattingly has been talking with the Dodgers since the team was eliminated from the National League playoffs by the Phillies, according to sources, and will have more conversations later in the week. Mattingly has made it apparent that he wants to manage; he was a finalist with the Yankees two years ago when Joe Girardi was hired, and ..."

Dodgers continue to dream about World Series; Wolf, Hudson likely gone for next year

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October 24

Los Angeles Times

"With the Dodgers less than an hour removed from recording their final out of the season, Andre Ethier let himself look ahead to the day they reach the World Series. What Ethier imagined was the same cast of players, only older. What he imagined was a team resembling the Philadelphia Phillies club that eliminated them from the playoffs in consecutive seasons. "They have a whole different identity than us," Ethier said. "They're built around that core lineup that has a lot of power. I don't think anyone in baseball is represented that well. It's tough to try to duplicate that. But I think we're developing guys here that can become those guys that they have over there." Can Ethier, Matt Kemp, ..."

La Russa will have options, if he wants them

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October 22

Foxsports.com

columnist Ken Rosenthal

"A year from now, four marquee franchises — the Braves, Cubs, Mets and Dodgers — all could have managerial openings. Tony La Russa isn't likely to be interested. Bobby Valentine might be. La Russa, 65, currently is deciding whether he wants to return to the Cardinals. He does not sound enthused about starting over with another club. If La Russa manages next season, it will be with the Cardinals. And even if he signs only a one-year contract, he probably would be unwilling to accept a multi-year deal with another club next winter. "Looking ahead, I don't see that I can ever make that commitment to someone," La Russa said Wednesday in a telephone interview. "The way I look at it now, when ..."

Mattingly interviews with Tribe on phone

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October 20

MLB.com

"Dodgers hitting coach Don Mattingly, presumably being groomed to take over when manager Joe Torre retires, interviewed for the vacant Cleveland Indians manager's job, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reported. Mattingly was reportedly one of eight to 10 candidates interviewed over the phone by Tribe general manager Mark Shapiro and assistant general manager Chris Antonetti last week, during the Indians' organizational meetings in Goodyear, Ariz. It is not known if Mattingly is one of the three to five finalists for the job who will have a more formal interview with the Tribe's higher-ups. Thus far, former Nationals skipper Manny Acta is the only confirmed finalist, as he was in Cleveland on ..."

Dodgers assistant GM Ng interviews for vacant San Diego Padres GM job

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October 19

L.A. Daily News

"At some point, Dodgers assistant general manager Kim Ng will become the first female general manager in major league baseball. Even more important, the fact she is a woman won't be mentioned when she is hired. Over the weekend Ng interviewed for the vacant San Diego Padres general manager position, according to a baseball source not authorized to comment publicly. Ng has worked for the Dodgers under three general managers since 2001. Current Dodgers GM Ned Colletti kept her on when he was hired in 2005 because her reputation as one of the brightest young minds in baseball preceded her. "I have known Kim a long time and I felt like she deserved the opportunity to stay," Colletti said. "Many ..."

Martinez goes in Game 2; Myers reportedly off roster

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October 15

Philadelphia Inquirer

"Pedro Martinez will start Game 2 of the National League Championship Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers tomorrow, several sources told The Inquirer.The 37-year-old Martinez, who has not pitched in a game since Sept. 30 and has not lasted more than three innings since Sept. 13, threw a simulated game Tuesday."He's did enough work that I'm confident sending him out," Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said before the decision was revealed. "I think he is capable of throwing anywhere from 75, 90 pitches, maybe 95, maybe even 100. But I think that gets us into the sixth inning or the seventh, and I think that where we're at with our pitching and everything, that would work. . . . He threw a ..."

Kuroda may be back in NLCS mix

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October 13

MLB.com

"Dodgers pitcher Hiroki Kuroda worked out at Dodger Stadium on Monday, and is scheduled to fly to Arizona to pitch in a simulated game Tuesday against instructional league hitters at the club's Camelback Ranch complex. Kuroda has recovered from a herniated disk in his neck, which forced him to skip his final regular-season start and kept him off the roster for the National League Division Series against the Cardinals. A successful simulated game might put him back in the mix for one of the Dodgers' four starting slots in the NL Championship Series, which starts Thursday at home against Philadelphia."

Dodgers in talks with GM Ned Colletti on contract extension

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September 30

Los Angeles Times

"The Dodgers are negotiating a long-term contract extension with General Manager Ned Colletti, a high-ranking club official said. The Dodgers have reached the postseason three times in four years under Colletti, whose current deal includes a mutual option for 2010. It is uncertain whether the extension will be finalized or announced before the Dodgers complete play this season. The official was granted anonymity because owner Frank McCourt has asked that off-the-field business not take public precedence over the team's quest to reach the World Series for the first time since 1988. Colletti, who said earlier this month he would "love" to return to the Dodgers next season, declined to comment ..."

Pitcher Chapman awaits MLB's ruling

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September 22

ESPN.com

"Aroldis Chapman, the Cuban defector considered to be one of the top pitching prospects in the world, petitioned Major League Baseball for free-agency status recently and is likely only weeks from becoming a free agent, according to his agent. Early Monday, Chapman's representatives announced that the left-hander has established residency in Andorra, a tiny country of about 84,000 that borders Spain and France. By establishing residency outside the United States, the 21-year-old Chapman avoids being subject to baseball's amateur draft. MLB must study his residency and legal paperwork before declaring him a free agent. "We chose Andorra because of its tranquility, its tax benefits for ..."

Randy Wolf to miss next start

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September 10

Los Angeles Times

"The Dodgers will head into a crucial three-game series in San Francisco this week without their best pitcher, as Manager Joe Torre said that left-hander Randy Wolf won't make his scheduled start against the Giants on Friday because of irritation in his left elbow. Wolf returned to Los Angeles on Tuesday night and received a cortisone injection from team physician Dr. Neal ElAttrache. Torre said he was hopeful that Wolf would only miss one start and went as far to make light of the situation, pointing out how Giants ace Tim Lincecum is also expected to be sidelined for the series because of back problems. "We didn't want the Giants to have anything on us," Torre said. "Lincecum's not going ..."

D-Backs-Dodgers deal hits snag

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September 6

Arizona Republic

"When the Diamondbacks agreed Monday to send pitcher Jon Garland and cash to the Los Angeles Dodgers for a player to be named, they expected that player to be Tony Abreu, whom they believed could be their second baseman of the future. They also expected that Abreu would make close to the major-league salary minimum for two seasons and be eligible for salary arbitration the next three years. What they did not know - and what the Diamondbacks believe they had no way of knowing, according to sources - was that Abreu and the Dodgers were nearing a settlement on a grievance filed in 2007 that would award him extra days of service time and could make him arbitration eligible in 2011 instead of ..."

Kuroda could start Sunday for Dodgers

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September 2

MLB.com

"Hiroki Kuroda improved his chances of returning to the Dodgers' rotation Sunday with an effective rehab start for Class A Inland Empire on Tuesday night. In his first game action since taking a line drive off the head Aug. 15, Kuroda allowed San Jose one unearned run on five hits in five innings, throwing 62 pitches. He struck out five and the only run allowed scored in the third inning on a passed ball. Kuroda has been disabled from the effects of a concussion since getting drilled off the side of the head by a Rusty Ryal line drive in Arizona. Dodgers manager Joe Torre said earlier Tuesday that Kuroda is "penciled in" as the Dodgers' starter Sunday against the Padres."

Cubs' Harden, Heilman claimed

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August 27

Foxsports.com

"If the Cubs want to point toward the future, this is their chance. Right-handed starter Rich Harden and right-handed reliever Aaron Heilman have been claimed on waivers, according to major-league sources. A National League team was awarded the claim on Heilman, one source said. The claiming team on Harden is not known, but presumably he did not get through the NL, either. Players must pass through their own league first before being exposed on waivers to teams in the other league. The Cubs will have until Monday afternoon to work out trades, allow Harden and Heilman to depart on claims or pull them back them from waivers. Of the two pitchers, Harden is far more intriguing. He is 3-1 with a ..."

Penny should attract NL interest

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August 27

Foxsports.com

"Right-hander Brad Penny, released by the Red Sox on Wednesday night, could be a very popular man once he clears waivers on Monday. No team figures to claim Penny, who is owed more than $1 million by the Red Sox and is 28 1/3 innings away from cashing the first in a series of $500,000 incentives. However, once Penny is officially released, he will be available for a pro-rated portion of the minimum salary — the approximate price of a September call-up. Penny, 31, requested his release with the idea of joining a contender and building his value before he enters the free-agent market this off- season. His logical next step would be to return to the National League, where he had spent his ..."

LaTroy Hawkins placed on trade waivers

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August 25

Foxsports.com

"The Astros placed right-handed reliever LaTroy Hawkins on trade waivers Monday, a development that should snap the Rockies, Cardinals and Dodgers to attention. The Rockies, who have the worst record of the three, would get the first crack at Hawkins in the waiver process. Hawkins, owed less than $900,000 for the rest of the season, has held opponents to a .645 OPS in 48 2/3 innings."

Source: Dodgers in pursuit of Padilla

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August 19

ESPN.com

"With right-hander Hiroki Kuroda's future availability still uncertain, the Dodgers have reversed course and have made Vicente Padilla "a consideration," according to a source who has spoken with Padilla's agents, Adam Katz and Paul Kinzer. Initially, the Dodgers had decided not to pursue Padilla, who was officially released this week by Texas after being designated for assignment earlier this month. However, that was before Kuroda experienced post-concussion symptoms after being hit in the head by a line drive Saturday in Arizona. Now the Dodgers are talking with Kinzer about Padilla, who pitched five shutout innings against the Dodgers in June during interleague play. And it's possible a ..."

Dodgers' Hiroki Kuroda will miss his next start

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August 18

Los Angeles Times

"Hiroki Kuroda has been ruled out for his start on Thursday, Manager Joe Torre said. Kuroda underwent a battery of tests that indicated he was recovering from the line drive he took on his head on Saturday in Arizona, but was sent home early and missed his previously scheduled bullpen session. "That would all but eliminate that," Torre said of Kuroda taking his next turn in the rotation. Trainer Stan Conte said that Kuroda continues to experience headaches from time to time and that his activities will be determined on a day-by-day basis. Kuroda underwent an exam that tests brain function, and it showed he had a mild concussion. "A lot of his reaction times were normal," Conte said. "It was ..."

Red Sox officially release former Cy Young winner

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August 17

Foxsports.com

"John Smoltz has been released by the Red Sox, a major league source told FOXSports.com. The move is not a surprise, since his contract was designated for assignment on Aug. 7. Smoltz will clear unconditional release waivers on Wednesday, at which point he will be free to discuss a new contract with any team. The Dodgers, Marlins, Cardinals and Rangers have interest, sources have told FOXSports.com senior baseball writer Ken Rosenthal. Smoltz, 42, does not intend to retire and is open to joining clubs as a starter or reliever, a source told Rosenthal over the weekend. The Red Sox are now obligated to pay the remainder of the one-year, $5.5 million contract Smoltz signed in the offseason."

Next for Padilla: Who knows?

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August 11

Foxsports.com

(scroll down)

"Two NL teams, believed to be the Dodgers and Brewers, are "kicking the tires" on right-hander Vicente Padilla, who was designated for assignment by the Rangers. A trade, however, remains unlikely; any team interested in Padilla can simply wait for him to clear waivers, knowing the Rangers will be responsible for the remainder of his $12 million salary. A more assertive club could include money and/or a marginal prospect to entice the Rangers into making a deal. It's doubtful, however, that any team would be so motivated. As one rival GM points out, the Rangers were so disgusted with Padilla's conduct, they purged him in the middle of a pennant race."

Dodgers almost had dream 'pen, but balked

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August 11

Foxsports.com

"The Dodgers were close to acquiring Padres closer Heath Bell at the non-waiver deadline. Real close. The Dodgers offered a multi-player package that the Padres were willing to accept, then had misgivings and chose not to complete the deal, two major-league sources say. Another source, however, puts the onus for the failed negotiations on the Padres, saying that the team changed the players it wanted from the Dodgers at the end. The talks had a "lot of momentum," one of the sources says, and continued right up until the non-waiver deadline at 4 p.m. ET on July 31. Regardless of what happened — or, to be more accurate, did not happen — the Dodgers could use the right-handed Bell. One of the ..."

Could John Smoltz or Vicente Padilla be in Dodgers' future?

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August 10

Los Angeles Times

"With Chad Billingsley questionable for his next start Wednesday in San Francisco and with the Dodgers unsettled on a permanent fifth starter, Manager Joe Torre said Sunday the team continues to look outside the organization for help. "They're looking," Torre said of the front office. "We talked about the waiver wire. There is a possibility that something can happen." Among the possibilities is right-hander Vicente Padilla, a former All-Star who the Rangers designated for assignment Friday despite an 8-6 record in 18 starts. The Rangers said the decision to part ways with Padilla, who won at least 14 games in two of the last four seasons, was the culmination of several factors, including ..."

Billingsley is questionable for next start

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August 9

Los Angeles Times

"Examined by team physician Dr. Neal ElAttrache on Saturday morning, Chad Billingsley remained questionable for his scheduled start Wednesday in San Francisco. Billingsley, who strained a left hamstring Friday night, will throw on flat ground Monday and will be re-evaluated by the team's medical staff. His previous start in Atlanta was cut short by a cramp in his right hamstring. Billingsley didn't appear in the Dodgers' clubhouse before the game Saturday night but didn't sound overly concerned late Friday. "It doesn't seem too serious, but some little things linger," Billingsley said. He said he was hurt when he singled in the sixth inning. "I ran down the first base line and halfway down, ..."

Jason Schmidt's career might be over

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August 8

Los Angeles Times

"Jason Schmidt was nowhere to be seen. His locker was empty. The Dodgers wouldn't -- or couldn't -- say exactly what was wrong with Schmidt. Officially, the 36-year-old former All-Star was moved to the 15-day disabled list Friday because of what was called a "shoulder injury." Schmidt was examined by team physician Dr. Neal ElAttrache on Thursday night and returned to his home in Arizona on Friday. Manager Joe Torre said that Schmidt could be back when rosters expand in September but acknowledged that his long-awaited comeback might be over. "It could be it," Torre said. Schmidt's place on the active roster was taken by utility infielder Tony Abreu, who was recalled from triple-A ..."

Dodgers' Schmidt placed on 15-day disabled list

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August 8

L.A. Daily News

"Jason Schmidt has pitched just four games for Dodgers manager Joe Torre, but one of them ranks pretty high on Torre's best memory list. The Dodgers placed the right-hander on the 15-day disabled list Friday after Schmidt said his right shoulder was hurting again a day after his start against Milwaukee on Tuesday. It's the latest in a long run of arm injuries for Schmidt, who signed a three-year, $47 million contract with the Dodgers in 2007 but has made just 10 starts for the team because of injuries. Torre said there is a possibility Schmidt can contribute as a September call-up, likely as a long reliever, but even if he's pitched in his final game for the Dodgers - or even his career - ..."

Sources: Dodgers making run at Padre stars

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July 31

Foxsports.com

"Even with Indians catcher Victor Martinez headed to the Red Sox, there is still a possibility that the Padres will trade first baseman Adrian Gonzalez. The Dodgers are making runs at both Gonzalez and Padres closer Heath Bell, either separately or in a blockbuster, according to major-league sources. If the Dodgers acquired Gonzalez, they presumably would send first baseman James Loney to the Padres or trade him somewhere else. The Angels also are talking to the Padres about Bell."

Brewers reacquire Vargas

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July 31

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

"I was just told that the Brewers have reacquired right-hander Claudio Vargas for minor league utility man Vinny Rottino. Vargas is obviously a stop-gap measure to try to get the Brewers through their current crisis, with Dave Bush and Jeff Suppan on the DL. I haven't been told yet that he'll be starting tomorrow, and as already blogged, right-hander Mike Burns was summoned from Class AAA Nashvile. Vargas, 31, posted a 1.64 ERA in eight relief outings for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He spent much of this season on the DL with elbow tendinitis."

Dodgers looking for more bullpen help

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July 31

Foxsports.com

"The Dodgers no longer are talking to the Blue Jays about ace right-hander Roy Halladay, and they're also unlikely to get Jays right-handed reliever Jason Frasor, according to a major-league source. The Jays are listening on all fronts until the 4 p.m. non-waiver deadline. The Dodgers, looking for bullpen help even after adding left-hander George Sherrill on Thursday, have inquired on Frasor. The source, however, indicated that the teams did not have a match."

Sources: Dodgers acquire Sherrill from Orioles

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July 30

Foxsports.com

"The Dodgers have acquired George Sherrill from the Orioles, major league sources have confirmed to FOXSports.com. According to MLB.com, Class AA third baseman Josh Bell and Class AA right-hander Steve Johnson will head to Baltimore in the deal. Bell is a highly-touted prospect, but the Dodgers have enough left in their farm system to make a competitive offer to the Blue Jays for Roy Halladay. It's not clear, though, if they're going to be willing to do that."

Dodgers, Red Sox hone in on Halladay

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July 30

Yahoo! Sports

"In the wake of the Philadelphia Phillies' acquisition of starting pitcher Cliff Lee, the Los Angeles Dodgers and Boston Red Sox have become the frontrunners to acquire Toronto Blue Jays ace Roy Halladay, according to baseball sources. While other clubs – the Yankees, notably – remained peripherally engaged, there appeared to be a two-team race for Halladay with a little more than 24 hours left to the non-waiver trading deadline. Blue Jays GM J.P. Ricciardi has asked for as many as a half-dozen prospects in return for Halladay, the former Cy Young Award winner who would lead the Dodgers' rotation and join Josh Beckett atop the Red Sox's. The Dodgers' offer is believed to be all minor league ..."

Dodgers Trade Rumors