Sports News and Trade Rumors: Pro Sports Daily

Indians want a veteran pitcher; if Jake Westbrook isn't ready, is Carl Pavano an answer?

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November 11

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"The Indians, at the moment, are expecting Jake Westbrook to be in the starting rotation when the season opens April 5 at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago. It's why Westbrook will start for Ponce and manager Eduardo Perez on Nov. 28 in Puerto Rico. Perez, the Indians' former first baseman, is managing Ponce for the second year. He said Tuesday at the General Managers meetings that Westbrook will test his surgically repaired right elbow from Nov. 28 through Dec. 17. "Our expectation is, at this point, that Jake will be in our rotation at the start of the year," said assistant GM Chris Antonetti. If Westbrook, who did not make a big-league start last year and has just five in the last two ..."

Indians do some scouting housecleaning in Japan

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November 9

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"Latin America isn't the only part of the world where the Indians are redoing their scouting structure and methods. John Mirabelli, Indians director of scouting, said Pacific Rim scouts Jason Lee and Nate Minchey have been fired. Minchey was scouting Japan and Lee the Pacific Rim. Mirabelli said Dave DeFreitas will scout and live in Japan, while two part-time scouts will be hired to cover Taiwan and South Korea. The Indians last week announced the hiring of Ramon Pena as their new director of Latin American Operations. Pena will lived in the Dominican Republic, much like DeFreitas will live in Japan. "We want to have someone in Japan fulltime so we can to keep up with the amateur and ..."

Indians select Manny Acta

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October 26

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"Manny Acta was asked the question last week in Cleveland at the end of a seven-hour interview with GM Mark Shapiro and the rest of the Indians' front office. What would he do if the Indians and Astros offered him a chance to be their manager at the same time? "This is my job, and it's a business, too," replied Acta to a reporter's question. "All of us in life have to separate our heart and our head when that time comes. I don't know if I'd be so blessed that both teams would offer me this job." Not only was Acta so blessed, he had to separate heart from head and make a decision. Acta chose the Indians, who named the 40-year-old former minor-league infielder as their 40th manager Sunday. ..."

Lovullo's familiarity might hurt

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October 24

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"Torey Lovullo has a lot of qualities that would make him a good choice to be the Indians' next manager. Unfortunately, he has a big one working against him -- he's one of their own. The Indians have been an isolationist organization when it comes to hiring big-league managers. They haven't crossed their own bounda ries since former GM Hank Peters brought in John McNamara in 1990. For a long time, it worked. Mike Hargrove, McNa mara's successor, went to two World Series and won five division titles. Charlie Manuel, who took over for Hargrove, won a division title in 2001. Since then, it has grown rather stuffy inside the manager's office at Progressive Field.

Yes, there was ..."

Royals hire Cleveland assistant as new head trainer

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October 23

Kansas City Star

"The Royals reached outside the organization Thursday in hiring Nick Kenney to replace Nick Swartz as their new head athletic trainer. Kenney joins the organization after spending the previous five seasons as an assistant trainer for the Cleveland Indians. He previously worked two years as an assistant trainer for the Cincinnati Reds. "We have hired one of the most highly respected trainers in the game," Royals general manager Dayton Moore said. "Nick brings a high level of energy, enthusiasm and expertise to the Royals' organization. "I'm extremely confident that he will lead and direct our medical programs in a very progressive and dynamic manner.""

Bobby Valentine says he wants to manage the Cleveland Indians

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October 22

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"Former big league manager Bobby Valentine, following today's interview to be the next manager of the Indians, said "I had a great day. I met with baseball people. It couldn't be any better than that." Valentine left his gig with ESPN late Wednesday night. He arrived in Cleveland early after about two hours of sleep and met the media at 3:30 p.m. "When I managed in the states, Cleveland was a pretty progressive thinking organization," said Valentine, who managed Texas and the New York Mets. "They signed young guys to longer contracts. Built a new ballpark and filled it for 455 straight games. "That was the envy of everybody in baseball. That's the idea of the culture I had from afar. ..."

Tug of war over Acta?

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October 22

Foxsports.com

(scroll down)

"Acta not only is a finalist for the Indians, but also a leading candidate for the Astros. The Indians are not likely to alter their process because of the Astros' interest. But Astros owner Drayton McLane might react to the Indians' pursuit. The competition for Acta is reminiscent of the battle between the Rangers and Orioles for Phil Regan after the 1994 season. The Orioles' interest in Regan only intensified after club officials learned that Regan also was a target of the Rangers and their new general manager, former O's exec Doug Melvin. Orioles owner Peter Angelos, fearing he might lose Regan, would not let him leave Baltimore without a contract. McLane is the same type of owner that ..."

Acta states his case to become Tribe manager

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October 21

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"When Manny Acta was 22, a coach from the Houston Astros looked him straight in the eyes and said, "You're not good enough to play in the big leagues." Acta, from San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic, the birthplace of so many great big leaguers, took that hard. Then he decided to do the next best thing -- make the big leagues as a coach and manager. He's done that, but he wants to do more. He could get that chance if he's hired as the Indians 40th manager. Acta went through his second interview Tuesday with the Indians. He met with team president Paul Dolan and several members of the front office. "Now that I've made it as a manager, my goal is to become a mainstay manager in the ..."

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 ..."

Tribe starts second round of interviews for manager

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October 20

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"Manny Acta knows about rebuilding. His won-lost record has the scars to prove it. Bobby Valentine knows about starting over. After managing in the big leagues for 15 years, he spent the past six seasons not only managing in Japan, but learning to speak, write and read the language. Acta will go through his second interview today for the Indians' vacant manager's job. Valentine will do the same later this week. They are two of what could be as many as five finalists to become the 40th manager in Indians history. GM Mark Shapiro would like to have a manager in place by the end of the World Series. Game 7 is scheduled for Nov. 5. The identities of the other finalists are still not known, ..."

Veteran manager Bobby Valentine a finalist for Cleveland Indians' vacancy

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October 19

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"Bobby Valentine, whose New York Mets reached the World Series in 2000, is one of the finalists for the vacant Indians manager's job. Valentine, 59, it has been learned, will come to Cleveland this week for a second interview. He is expected to be one of "three to five" finalists to interview with GM Mark Shapiro and assistant GM Chris Antonetti. Shapiro and Antonetti last week conducted phone interviews with eight to 10 candidates during the Indians' organizational meetings in Goodyear, Ariz., their spring training headquarters. Valentine has managed 15 years in the big leagues. His last year was 2002 with the Mets. He spent the last six years managing the Chiba Lotte Marines in Japan. ..."

Cleveland Indians among MLB teams intrigued by Japanese teen hurler Kikuchi

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October 19

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"On their last venture into Japan, the Indians signed right-hander Masa Kobayashi to a two-year, $6.2 million deal. The deal worked out well for Kobayashi, released during the just-completed season, not so well for the Indians. On Tuesday, Indians scout Dave DeFreitas will sit down and chat with Japanese 18-year-old left-hander Yusei Kikuchi and his adviser in Japan. Kikuchi, whose fastball has been clocked at 96 mph, is trying to decide if he'll skip the Japanese draft and sign with a big-league club. The Red Sox last year signed amateur Junichi Tazawa. Japan's teams did not draft him after he let it be known that he wanted to play in the big leagues. The move did not go over well in ..."

Ex-Nationals manager Manny Acta among the Indians' candidates to replace Wedge

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October 15

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"Former Washington Nationals manager Manny Acta is one of the candidates to replace Eric Wedge as manager of the Indians. Acta told The Plain Dealer Wednesday evening that he already went through a phone interview with General Manager Mark Shapiro earlier this week. Acta also will interview with Houston on Friday for their managerial opening. "I'm excited and honored to be part of this process," Acta said. "This team was only one game away from the World Series two years ago. They have lost some pieces, but I think things are going to be very exciting in Cleveland very soon. We are still very early in the process and I have to respect that process." Acta managed the Nationals for three ..."

John Farrell says he's not interested in being Cleveland Indians manager

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October 14

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"The next manager of the Indians will not be Boston pitching coach John Farrell. Farrell, former Indians pitcher and farm director, has withdrawn his name from consideration. He told GM Mark Shapiro this morning. "It's an honor to be considered for the job," Farrell to The Plain Dealer. "Especially for a team that I played for, my father played for and where there are so many people I know and respect. All those things considered, my desire is to fulfill the commitment between Boston and myself. "There's no denying there is an intent to manager at sometime. But I have a mutual commitment with Boston that I feel I should fulfill." Farrell pitched for the Indians from 1987 through 1990 and ..."

Farrell expected to stay in fold

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October 13

Boston Globe

"Pitching coach John Farrell, a candidate for the Cleveland Indians managerial opening, apparently will be staying with the Red Sox for 2010. Even before the Indians contacted the Sox to request permission to speak with Farrell, Farrell told the Sox he wanted to stay. Once the Sox received a request, general manager Theo Epstein scheduled a meeting with Farrell to discuss his future. "Based on everything we've talked about, my strong expectation is he's going to stay here,'' Epstein said. "We're excited about that. He's an important guy to the organization.''"

Red Sox grant permission for Indians to talk with pitching coach John Farrell about managerial opening

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October 12

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"The Indians have been granted permission to talk to Boston pitching coach John Farrell for their vacant manager's job, but the final decision will be up to Farrell. The Red Sox were eliminated from the AL Division Series on Sunday in a three-game sweep by the Los Angeles Angels. Boston GM Theo Epstein told the Associated Press that Farrell would be allowed to interview with the Indians if he wanted. Epstein added that Farrell said he would like to stay in Boston."

Cleveland Indians paring down list for new manager to replace Eric Wedge

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October 8

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"GM Mark Shapiro and Chris Antonetti, assistant general manager, have culled their original list of 30 names down to "eight to 10" candidates to replace fired manager Eric Wedge. Shapiro, in a meeting with reporters Wednesday, said he and Antonetti will conduct telephone interviews with the remaining candidates next week during their organizational meetings at their spring training site in Goodyear, Ariz. From that list, Shapiro said the top "three to five" candidates will be picked and brought to Cleveland for interviews. Shapiro wants to have a new manager in place by the end of the World Series. The search is being conducted by Shapiro and Antonetti. They haven't asked permission to ..."

Tribe has plan for manager search

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October 8

Akron Beacon Journal

"General Manager Mark Shapiro will forgo throwing darts at a target to choose a new manager for the Indians. Instead, Shapiro and his lieutenant, assistant general manager Chris Antonetti, have developed a careful screening process that will winnow down the number of candidates to fewer than 10, then further trim the list to no more than five. Shapiro is in no hurry. Since some of his candidates might be wearing the uniforms of teams involved in the postseason, he might not get permission to talk to them until their clubs have been eliminated from the playoffs. If any of his prospective managers continue on in the postseason through the end of the World Series, Shapiro might not be ..."

Next pitch after Wedge?

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October 1

Boston Globe

"After the Indians fired manager Eric Wedge yesterday, speculation centered on Red Sox pitching coach John Farrell as a prime candidate to replace him because of his strong ties to the Cleveland organization and his high standing in the game. After the Indians fired manager Eric Wedge yesterday, speculation centered on Red Sox pitching coach John Farrell as a prime candidate to replace him because of his strong ties to the Cleveland organization and his high standing in the game."

Look who's being mentioned as a managerial candidate in Cleveland!

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September 26

Seattle Times

columnist Larry Stone

"I don't think I've ever been as blindsided by a move as I was on that early July day in 2007 when Mike Hargrove stepped down as Mariners' manager. Didn't see it coming, not one tiny bit -- heck, the Mariners were on a seven-game winning streak (soon to be eight when Hargrove won his final game) and were surprisingly in the thick of the AL West race. In fact, I still can't say that I really understand it. I know there are a lot of sinister theories about what really happened to cause Hargrove to step down, and I have no doubt that there was more going on behind the scenes than we'll ever know -- or at least more than we know now. But in talking extensively to Hargrove, publicly and ..."

Timetable on Wedge remains the same

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September 23

MLB.com

"The Astros got a jump-start on the annual postseason purge of Major League skippers when they relieved Cecil Cooper of his duties on Monday. For the Indians, however, the timeline regarding the fate of manager Eric Wedge appears to be status quo. The Tribe's front office and ownership continue to meet regularly to discuss a wide array of issues in the organization, and Wedge's job security is one of those topics. General manager Mark Shapiro said that a decision on Wedge has not been made. An announcement regarding the skipper's fate, one way or another, is expected at or shortly after season's end. The Indians, who have 13 games remaining, play their final game of '09 on Oct. 4 in Boston. ..."

Wedge's fate is anyone's guess

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September 20

Akron Beacon Journal

"Remember when Eric Wedge's job was the biggest issue on the planet? Less than three months ago, fans and many in the media demanded that Wedge be fired as manager of the Indians. General Manager Mark Shapiro cut off the speculation and lowered the temperature by announcing that Wedge would remain at his post until the end of the season, at which time the entire realm of baseball operations would be scrutinized and evaluated. Of course, Wedge's job is no more or less secure now than it was in July. The only difference: People have stopped talking and writing about it. Presumably, the question of who will manage the Tribe next year will be answered in a few weeks. Maybe the decision already ..."

Manager saysBrantley should...

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September 19

Akron Beacon Journal

"Will Michael Brantley have a chance to compete for an everyday job in the Indians' lineup next spring? ''I believe he could,'' manager Eric Wedge said. ''I believe he should. A prospective outfield of Shin-Soo Choo, Grady Sizemore and Brantley is going to run a lot of balls down.'' Brantley has yet to show an ability to drive the ball, but that's fine with Wedge. ''If he sprays the ball around, hits balls in front of outfielders, hits balls in the gaps, that will be fine,'' Wedge said. ''I think he'll get his share of doubles and triples. I look at him as a leadoff type of guy.'' Could Brantley be an alternative to Sizemore in the leadoff spot? ''He could be,'' Wedge said. ONE MORE DAY - ..."

Cleveland Indians' Eric Wedge: Are his days as Tribe manager numbered?

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September 18

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"Manager Eric Wedge began what could be the final 17 games of his managerial career in Cleveland on Thursday night when the Indians opened a four-game series against the A's at the Coliseum. A decision regarding the future of Wedge and his coaching staff is coming, reportedly a quick one, following the Indians' final game Oct. 4. Some feel the decision has already been made as the Indians trudge to the finish of a second straight season that opened to the blare of trumpets and is closing to empty seats and jeers from the crowd. Not so, said GM Mark Shapiro. "Nothing has been determined," Shapiro said. "The timeline remains the same." Shapiro, in many regards, has a general manager's ..."

Carrasco will be next trade acquisition to join big-league roster

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August 30

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"The Indians can call up players from the minors starting Tuesday, and among the first will be right-hander Carlos Carrasco, who will start Tuesday night against Detroit. Carrasco is 5-1 with a 3.19 ERA in six starts since being acquired from the Phillies as part of the Cliff Lee deal. Carrasco has 36 strikeouts in 42 1/3 innings in Columbus. The opposition is hitting .196 against him. Overall, Carrasco is 10-11 with a 4.64 ERA in 26 starts at Columbus and Lehigh Valley. He has 148 strikeouts in 157 innings. The opposition is hitting .245."

Cleveland Indians President Paul Dolan reports team will lose $16 million this year

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August 7

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"Indians President Paul Dolan said the team will lose $16 million this season even with the aid of revenue sharing from Major League Baseball. He said the loss would have been greater if they hadn't traded six players, including Cy Young winner Cliff Lee and All-Star catcher Victor Martinez, between June 27 and July 31. "The reality is we were suffering financially before we made these deals," he said. "Given the fact of the team's performance this year, and the fact that if had we stayed put [and not made any trades], we would not have been able to go outside the organization to bring in any new talent [for 2010], we would have suffered even greater losses. "What this is all about is ..."

Red Sox acquire slugger Victor Martinez from Indians; Kotchman from Braves

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July 31

Boston Herald

"The Red Sox have added another bat to their arsenal as they head down the home stretch and also have traded one left-handed hitting first baseman for another. According to a source, the Red Sox have acquired Cleveland Indians switch-hitting first baseman/catcher Victor Martinez in a trade this afternoon, just an hour before the 4:01 p.m. trade deadline. The Sox also completed a swap with the Atlanta Braves, sending recently acquired Adam LaRoche to the Atlanta Braves for Casey Kotchman, according to a source with knowledge of the deal. In exchange for Martinez, the Sox sent the Indians right-handed middle reliever Justin Masterson, right-handed pitcher and 2008 sandwich-round pick Bryan ..."

Red Sox on verge of landing Martinez

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July 31

Foxsports.com

"The Red Sox are on the verge of acquiring catcher Victor Martinez from the Indians, according to a major-league source. News of the deal first was reported by Bob Nightengale of USA Today. The deal is straight-up between the Red Sox and Indians. No third team is involved. The deal almost certainly will end the Red Sox's pursuit of Padres first baseman Adrian Gonzalez, likely ensuring that he will remain in San Diego. The Red Sox can use Martinez as a catcher, first baseman and DH. When he plays first, Kevin Youkilis will move to third, spelling Mike Lowell. In effect, Martinez gives the Red Sox protection against regressions by Lowell, catcher Jason Varitek and designated hitter David ..."

Red Sox working on three-way deal

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July 31

ESPN.com

"The Boston Red Sox and the Cleveland Indians were discussing a three-way trade Thursday night that would send Victor Martinez to Boston, Clay Buchholz to Cleveland and prospects flying in all directions, according to clubs that spoke to both teams. The Red Sox also would attempt to move recently acquired Adam LaRoche, either to a third team or in a companion deal, to make room for Martinez in their lineup, one source said. The Red Sox have spent several days working on parallel deals with Toronto for Roy Halladay, San Diego for Adrian Gonzalez and Cleveland for Martinez. There were indications Thursday afternoon that they were making no headway with Toronto and San Diego, but that they ..."

Slow going for Indians in deal market

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July 31

Foxsports.com

"A lot can change in the final hours before the non-waiver deadline. A lot can change in the final minutes. But as Friday began, the Indians were pessimistic about their chances of trading catcher Victor Martinez — perhaps an indication that the Red Sox were making progress in their efforts to land Padres first baseman Adrian Gonzalez, perhaps not. The Red Sox have been involved in discussions concerning Martinez, Gonzalez and Blue Jays right-hander Roy Halladay. "Not much here," one Indians official said."

Red Sox eye Indians catcher Martinez

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July 31

MLB.com

"The Red Sox and the Indians were discussing a three-way trade on Thursday that would send Victor Martinez to Boston and Clay Buchholz to Cleveland, according to a report on ESPN.com.A source told ESPN.com's Jayson Stark that the Red Sox would attempt to move newly acquired Adam LaRoche either to a third team or in a companion deal to make room for Martinez in their lineup. The Red Sox have been working on parallel deals with Toronto for Roy Halladay, San Diego for Adrian Gonzalez and Cleveland for Martinez, the site said. Additionally, there were indications that the Red Sox were not making progress with Toronto and San Diego, and they were having trouble making the pieces fit with ..."

Red Sox, Padres talking about Adrian Gonzalez

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July 30

SI.com

"The Red Sox appear to be back in discussions with the Padres about superstar first baseman Adrian Gonzalez after Boston experienced a little hiccup in talks with the Indians involving Victor Martinez. The Padres, who have said they would need to be overwhelmed to trade closer Heath Bell or especially Gonzalez, are at least engaged in discussions involving their two best active players. Gonzalez has a reasonable contract (his four-year, $9.5 million deal runs through 2010 and includes a club option for 2011) and impressive power numbers (28 homers), so he would cost a haul."

Martinez could be Tribe's next to go

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July 30

MLB.com

"Sitting at his locker stall on Wednesday afternoon, browsing text messages on his cell phone, Victor Martinez was not in a game situation. Still, he had to be wondering if he's on deck. Martinez had just gotten the official word on what had been speculated all day. Teammates Cliff Lee and Ben Francisco were on their way to the Phillies in another blockbuster swap that nets the Indians a package of prospects for a reigning Cy Young Award winner. The trade was the Indians' first public acknowledgment that the hopes for contending in 2010 are not strong, and general manager Mark Shapiro said ownership informed him that they will not commit significant dollars to further acquisitions this ..."

Indians looking for parties interested in Martinez

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July 30

Foxsports.com

"The Red Sox are pursuing Indians catcher Victor Martinez. But is any other club? Cleveland would love to see six or seven teams come forward and proclaim their sincere interest in the switch-hitting slugger. But there's considerable doubt as to whether that will happen before Friday's non-waiver trade deadline. The Giants seemed to be a fit, but they (apparently) satisfied their need for offense by dealing for Ryan Garko and Freddy Sanchez. The Rays preferred Cliff Lee to Martinez if they were going to complete a blockbuster with Cleveland. And for those still in doubt about how "available" Martinez might be, consider this quote from the news release that formally announced Lee's trade to ..."

Some baseball officials expect Cleveland Indians to trade Victor Martinez, according to a report

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July 30

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"Some baseball executives, an ESPN report says, expect the Cleveland Indians to follow their trade of pitcher Cliff Lee to the Philadelphia Phillies by trading catcher-first baseman Victor Martinez. Lee won the American League Cy Young Award last season and Martinez played for the AL in the All-Star Game earlier this month. Martinez is batting fourth and at first base in Cleveland's game today against the Los Angeles Angels in Anaheim."

Indians trade Cliff Lee, Ben Francisco to Philadelphia Phillies for four prospects

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July 29

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"Cliff Lee and Ben Francisco are headed to the Phillies for four prospects, if all the players involved pass their physicals. The deal, according to one American League executive, could become official "within 10 to 24 hours." Lee is expected to make his next start Friday for Philadelphia. The Indians will receive righthanded pitchers Carlos Carrasco, Jason Knapp, catcher Lou Marson and infielder Jason Donald. Knapp, reportedly the key to the trade, is still on the disabled list. Donald just came off the disabled list following knee surgery. The is the second year in a row the Indians have traded a Cy Young winner. CC Sabathia went in 2008 and Lee is headed out today."

Sources: Phils reach agreement for Indians' Lee

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July 29

Foxsports.com

"The Phillies have reached agreement with the Indians on a trade that would bring them left-hander Cliff Lee and outfielder Ben Francisco for Class A right-hander Jason Knapp, Class AAA right-hander Carlos Carrasco, shortstop Jason Donald and catcher Lou Marson, according to major-league sources. The deal is pending a review of medical records. Carrasco was scratched from his start for the Class AAA Lehigh IronPigs on Wednesday, and Donald and Marson were not in the lineup. It was not known whether Donald and Marson had scheduled off-days for an 11 a.m. start after a night game. Talks remain fluid — the Phillies also are talking to the Mariners about left-hander Jarrod Washburn, and the ..."

Yankees still not playing on Halladay, Lee

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July 29

New York Post

"Yankees GM Brian Cashman did check in Tuesday with Toronto officials about Roy Halladay and Indians officials about Cliff Lee. But with roughly 48 hours until the deadline, the Yankees are still showing no inclination to chase either of the top starters in the trade market, sources tell The Post. A person close to the Steinbrenner family said that Cashman has not even asked permission to expand the 2009 payroll nor is there anticipation that ownership would allow a significant financial increase now. This is pertinent because the Yankees do believe that the Red Sox have put Clay Buchholz into a trade offer for Halladay and that Boston just might get the ace righty. In the offseason, ..."

Source: Phillies in discussions for ace lefty Lee

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July 29

Foxsports.com

"The Phillies are in discussions with the Indians to obtain left-hander Cliff Lee and possibly another player for Class A right-hander Jason Knapp, Class AAA right-hander Carlos Carrasco, shortstop Jason Donald and catcher Lou Marson, according to a major-league source. Carrasco was scratched from his start for the Class AAA Lehigh IronPigs on Wednesday, and Donald and Marson were not in the lineup. It was not known whether Donald and Marson had scheduled off-days for an 11 a.m. start after a night game. Talks remain fluid — the Phillies also are talking to the Mariners about left-hander Jarrod Washburn, and the Dodgers planned to make a "hard push" for Lee on Wednesday, according to a ..."

Phils after Lee; Dodgers planning a push

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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."

Is Lee Close to Being Dealt to Phillies?

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July 29

MLB.com

"Carlos Carrasco got scratched from this morning's 11 a.m. start in Triple-A Lehigh Valley, and shortstop Jason Donald and catcher Lou Marson also are not in the lineup. Signs point to Indians left-hander Cliff Lee. "Nothing is imminent," one source said. But Lee makes sense. Sources have said in recent days that talks between the Phillies and Blue Jays regarding Roy Halladay have slowed to a near standstill. The Blue Jays won't budge on their asking price for Kyle Drabek, and the Phillies won't budge in not giving him up. It certainly is possible the Phillies could get Lee, who won the AL Cy Young last year, without giving up Drabek. Left-hander J.A. Happ is scheduled to start for the ..."

Teams still calling for Bell and Gonzalez

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July 29

SI.com

"Heath Bell has saved 24 games, and he could singlehandedly save a dreary relief market. He is available, though just barely. The Padres are telling teams they will need to fill "multiple needs" if they deal Bell. Their needs, as identified by one competing exec, are corner bat, starter, catcher and middle infielder. While the Red Sox are talking about Halladay and Lee, their focus remains offense. They've talked to the Indians about a deal for both Victor Martinez and Lee, but some believe they'd simply sell off Lee if they could pull off that deal. Martinez and Adrian Gonzalez appear to be their top targets. But the Padres are saying they are even less likely to trade Gonzalez than Bell ..."

Carrasco scratched; Marson, Donald not in lineup

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July 29

Philadelphia Inquirer

"Carlos Carrasco has been scratched from his scheduled 11am start for Lehigh Valley against Columbus. Lou Marson and Jason Donald are also out of the lineup. Cleveland has been known to have interest in Marson and Donald."

Signs pointing to Cliff Lee deal?

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July 29

ESPN.com

"There were more indications Wednesday that the Phillies' pursuit of Indians pitcher Cliff Lee is heating up. Three Cleveland scouts -- including the club's director of player personnel, Steve Lubratich, were in Lehigh Valley to watch the Phillies' Triple-A team play an 11 a.m. ET game. Lehigh Valley starter Carlos Carrasco, who has been a subject of talks between the two teams, was abruptly scratched from his start in that game with no explanation from the club. An official of a team that had been speaking to Cleveland about Lee told ESPN.com Wednesday morning it was his impression that Lee was about to be traded elsewhere, and the Phillies' discussions with Toronto about Roy Halladay have ..."

Indians GM says payroll won't force him to deal

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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 ..."

Trade Roundup: Clubs shift focus to Lee

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July 29

MLB.com

"Talk is never cheap this time of the year, especially when the conversations involve trading away several top prospects to land one big prize.But how much is too much? What's fair? General managers across the league are likely pondering similar questions and weighing different scenarios as the clock ticks toward Friday's 4 p.m. ET non-waiver Trade Deadline.Blue Jays ace Roy Halladay remains the biggest star available on the market but it appears that he is staying Toronto. Tuesday marked the flexible deadline that Blue Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi set for potentially dealing Halladay, but he said club was not close to reaching a decision on the pitcher."It doesn't matter if it's ..."

Phillies leaning toward Cliff Lee, Tribe leaning toward holding pat: Indians Insider

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July 29

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"With the Phillies' pursuit of Roy Halladay apparently stalled, they have turned their attention, as expected, to the Indians and Cliff Lee. The Indians, however, maybe closing shop as Friday's 4 p.m. non-waiver deadline for trades approaches. The Indians have been scouting the Phillies' minor league system. They like right-hander Kyle Drabek, but the Phillies apparently won't part with Drabek. Toronto ran into the same problem in their conversations about Halladay. "You never know, but I think we're done," said one Indians source. The Indians did extensive research into the Phillies' minor-league system last year when they were trading CC Sabathia. The Phillies tried to overwhelm the Tribe ..."

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 ..."

Indians' Lee now a trade target for Angels

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July 28

L.A. Daily News

"A new day and a new trade rumor for the Angels, this time with a player sitting in the opposite dugout. While no progress has been made toward acquiring the Toronto Blue Jays' Roy Halladay, the team's reported next target is Cleveland Indians ace Cliff Lee. The Indians started a three-game series with the Angels at Angel Stadium on Monday, but Lee is not scheduled to pitch. The left-hander last took the mound Sunday and continued his revival from a slow start to the season. Lee pitched seven solid innings at Seattle, winning his third consecutive start. After starting the season 1-5, Lee entered play Monday with the seventh best ERA in the American League at 3.14. He is first in innings ..."

Indians Trade Rumors