Dodgers Trade Rumors

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 after Halladay, Sherrill
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July 30
Foxsports.com
 
"A little more than 24 hours before the non-waiver trade deadline, the Dodgers are pursuing a marquee starter, Toronto's Roy Halladay, and a marquee reliever, Baltimore's George Sherrill. It might be difficult for Los Angeles to acquire both pitchers. One major-league source said some of the same prospects are believed to have been discussed in both deals. But the source added, "I wouldn't put it past Ned," in reference to Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti. The Blue Jays, who lost leverage Wednesday when Cliff Lee was traded to Philadelphia, have given the Dodgers some flexibility in constructing their offer. Toronto officials have given Colletti a number of alternatives: smaller ..."
Obstacles aplenty in any potential Halladay deals
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July 30
CBSSports.com
 
"The Philadelphia Phillies now off the table after acquiring Cliff Lee from Cleveland, Toronto general manager J.P. Ricciardi says his "gut" tells him that ace Roy Halladay will remain with the Blue Jays through Friday's deadline. Trade deadline translation: Less than 48 hours until Friday's non-waivers trade deadline, Ricciardi's gut is telling him that it doesn't like what the Angels, Red Sox, Dodgers, Rangers and Yankees are offering. "My gut tells me [that he won't be traded]," Ricciardi told colleague Danny Knobler shortly after learning Wednesday that the Phillies had re-directed away from Halladay and latched onto Lee. "We haven't been moved enough to move the player." No doubt, ..."
Halladay still a possibility for Dodgers
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July 30
Foxsports.com
 
"The Phillies' trade for left-hander Cliff Lee only added to the pressure on the Dodgers to bolster their pitching staff. Blue Jays right-hander Roy Halladay remains a possibility, but only if the Dodgers are willing to part with the necessary prospects. The Blue Jays would not require the Dodgers to include right-hander Chad Billingsley or lefty Clayton Kershaw in a deal for Halladay, according to major-league sources. But Dodgers GM Ned Colletti has said publicly that the Jays want five or six of his team's best young players. The Jays, in need of a shortstop, surely would have interest in Ivan DeJesus Jr., who has been out the entire season with a broken right leg, or Devaris Gordon, a ..."
Several teams pursuing Sherrill
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July 29
Foxsports.com
 
"As many as eight teams are pursuing Orioles closer George Sherrill, and two or three are "actively engaged" with Baltimore in discussions, according to a major-league source. The Orioles expect that the number of teams serious about Sherrill actually might grow once the big-name starting pitchers get traded — or not. The Dodgers have maintained interest in Sherrill, and a number of their prospects appeal to the Orioles. The Angels, too, are among the interested teams. The Phillies are unlikely to act on Sherrill now that they are preparing to trade four prospects for Indians left-hander Cliff Lee."
Phils after Lee; Dodgers planning a push
Comment
July 29
Foxsports.com
 
"The Phillies look like the front-runners for Indians left-hander Cliff Lee. But the Dodgers were planning to make a "hard push" for Lee on Wednesday, according to a major-league source. Whether the Dodgers will be too late remains to be seen. The Angels, too, are interested in Lee, while the Phillies also are pursuing Mariners left-hander Jarrod Washburn. The Phillies scratched Class AAA right-hander Carlos Carrasco from his start on Wednesday, a strong indication that he is about to be traded."
Indians GM says payroll won't force him to deal
Comment
July 29
Foxsports.com
 
"Indians general manager Mark Shapiro stated firmly on Wednesday that he does not need to trade left-hander Cliff Lee and catcher Victor Martinez for financial reasons. "We have zero imperative from ownership to move money," Shapiro said. "That's not a component in our decision-making at all." The Indians' declining revenues, however, are forcing Shapiro to proceed with the understanding that he cannot supplement his major-league roster this off-season. So, in trade discussions for Lee and Martinez, he is weighing the impacts of the possible returns on next season's club vs. the impacts of keeping either or both players. The Indians hold a $9 million option on Lee for 2010 and a $7 million ..."
Lee prefers to stay in Cleveland, but OK with trade
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July 28
Foxsports.com
 
"Cliff Lee will not be upset if he is traded. While the Indians left-hander wants to spend the rest of his career in Cleveland, he recognizes that his time with the team is running short. Lee, after learning in spring training that the Indians would not sign him to a contract extension, told the team that he plans to become a free agent when his current deal expires after the 2010 season, according to his agent, Darek Braunecker. A trade appears inevitable, perhaps even by Friday's non-waiver deadline. Lee, the reigning American League Cy Young Award winner, would prefer such a move to happen sooner rather than later, Braunecker said. The Phillies, Dodgers, Angels, Rays and Rangers are ..."
Thanks for everything, Kershaw, but Dodgers now need a Halladay
Comment
July 28
L.A. Daily News
 columnist Tom Hoffarth
"Clayton Kershaw, thanks for all the weeks you've put in as a member of the Dodgers. We admire your tiresome efforts to get past the sixth inning start after start after start. We appreciate the fact you've not used any of the shaving cream we've provided in the team shower facility. But now you have a higher calling. You've become our sacrificial left-hander in our quest to make the city of LosAngeles temporarily misremember that the Lakers' 2009-10 season will start in just three months. The Toronto Blue Jays have made it known they would like to have you on their roster. We will oblige them - in turn, by taking Harry Leroy "Doc" Halladay off their payroll. We consider this a win-win ..."
Firmly Sellers, Reds 'Close' to a Deal
Comment
July 27
AOL.com
 
"The Reds are "sellers" and top club officials spoke on a special conference call Monday morning, an indication to a major league source that the team is "close to doing something," most likely involving one of its big-money pitchers: Bronson Arroyo, Aaron Harang or Francisco Cordero. The Dodgers, looking for a veteran starter, are among the teams that have expressed some interest in Arroyo and Harang, but only as a fallback if they don't get Cliff Lee, the source said. Arroyo has postseason experience and he's pitching well now. He has a 2.08 earned run average over his past three starts. For the season, he's 10-9 with a 5.21 ERA. The Reds aren't likely to be able to move any of those ..."
Dodgers emphatically deny rumored deal with Cleveland
Comment
July 27
L.A. Daily News
 
"The Dodgers swiftly and emphatically shot down a published report Sunday that said they were in serious discussions with the Cleveland Indians in a trade that would bring pitcher Cliff Lee and catcher Victor Martinez to the Dodgers while sending James Loney and either Chad Billingsley or Clayton Kershaw and prospects to the Indians. The report surfaced on Foxsports.com, but the Dodgers shot it down immediately. "It's completely false," a Dodgers executive said. Dodgers manager Joe Torre and general manager Ned Colletti are in constant contact about the upcoming trade deadline, and share the same desire for more pitching to cover the final leg of the regular season and the playoffs. The ..."
Sources: Dodgers in talks to get Indians' Lee and Martinez; top officials deny story
Comment
July 26
Foxsports.com
 
"The Dodgers and Indians are talking. The question is about what. Top club officials from both teams strongly denied a FOXSports.com report saying that the teams were in serious discussions about a blockbuster that would send left-hander Cliff Lee and catcher Victor Martinez to Los Angeles for first baseman James Loney, one of the Dodgers' young rotation members and prospects. Those names have at least surfaced in internal discussions on both sides, but a deal involving those specific players is not under consideration, the club officials said. The Dodgers have had steady interest in Lee. They have not discussed Martinez with the Indians, one source said, but some club officials evidently ..."
Arthur Rhodes to the Dodgers for Juan Pierre?
Comment
July 26
Cincinnati Enquirer
 
"You hear all sorts of rumors as the trade deadline approaches. Here's one I heard today: Arthur Rhodes to the Dodgers for Juan Pierre. I don't see it happening. Pierre makes $10 million next year and $8.5 million in 2011. His career on-base is .348. He's a slight upgrade over Willy Taveras. But I'd think the Reds would be looking for outfielders with more pop than Pierre."
The Relief Market
Comment
July 26
Yahoo! Sports
 (scroll down)
"The Los Angeles Angels, New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers and Minnesota Twins are among the clubs who need a lot of help in their bullpens. The asking price has been so high that Bell might as well be unavailable, but just how many wins is Bell going to be asked to protect over the next couple seasons? It's a question general manager Kevin Towers will weigh against whatever arises over the next six days. As one baseball personnel man said Saturday, "There are about eight good arms available out there and 20 teams looking." As the deadline nears, they'll be climbing over one other for the likes of the Baltimore Orioles' George Sherrill, Oakland Athletics' Michael Wuertz, Toronto Blue ..."
Dodgers should stop thinking about Halladay
Comment
July 26
Orange County Register
 columnist Mark Whicker
"The Dodgers wouldn't trade places with anybody in baseball. So why would they trade anything else? Few clubs can match the depth of the Dodgers' minor league hatchery. Nobody matches their major league record. They came into Saturday night with a nine-game lead and a lineup so bloated that Matt Kemp was hitting eighth even though he's eighth in the league in batting average. Brian Burke, the former Ducks general manager, is fond of saying that more stupidity breaks out at the trade deadline than at any other time. In over-reaching for a full house going into the playoffs, the Dodgers could go bust, particularly in the pursuit of Roy Halladay, the Blue Jays right hander who is probably the ..."
Indians shopping Lee and Martinez
Comment
July 23
Foxsports.com
 
"The Red Sox's trade for first baseman Adam LaRoche should eliminate any chance of them trading for Indians catcher Victor Martinez. The Indians, however, continue to speak with clubs that are interested in both Martinez and left-hander Cliff Lee. "Things are changing rapidly," says one source with knowledge of the Indians' thinking. The Phillies, Rays, Brewers and Dodgers are on Lee, and the Rangers have expressed continued interest."