MLB Trade Rumors

"Five days before Monday's trade deadline, the Angels continue to pursue a veteran shortstop as insurance in case Erick Aybar is injured. The team has targeted three Toronto players, slick-fielding John McDonald, former Angel David Eckstein and Marco Scutaro, as well as Baltimore's Juan Castro and Cleveland's Jamey Carroll. The Angels lost considerable depth at the position when Maicer Izturis, who was splitting time with Aybar, tore a ligament in his left thumb Aug. 13 and underwent season-ending surgery. Aybar left Wednsday's game with a tight left hamstring and is day to day. "We're looking, we're surveying the landscape, and nothing has materialized," General Manager Tony Reagins said. ..."

"Could "The Idle" be moving? Carl "American Idle" Pavano is scheduled to start tomorrow night against the Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium - unless another team wants him. The Post has learned Pavano was put on waivers within the last 24 hours and available to be claimed and then traded if the Yankees find a match. Pavano, who returned to the big leagues last Saturday in Baltimore after being out since April of last year because Tommy John surgery on the right elbow, is in the final season of a four-year, $40 million deal. The Yankees are dead in the AL East race - they are 10 ½ games back of the Rays - and are seven lengths behind the Red Sox in the wild-card chase with 30 games to go. They ..."

"Feel the breeze? They aren't yet gusts of change blowing tumbleweeds across the wasteland of the Tigers' season. But the whirlwind is coming. It involves names we know and people we like, such as Todd Jones and Kenny Rogers. It also involves those we don't know well, a rookie and veteran trying to make it back, Chris Lambert and Freddy Garcia. But September creeps closer, and it's third place the Tigers continue to play for, not first. The inevitable transition this club will experience after such an abject disappointment has started. Todd Jones returned home on Wednesday. His sore shoulder landed him on the disabled list and prevented him from making the previous trip, to Texas and ..."

"There is a possibility closer Brian Fuentes will rejoin the Rockies in San Diego during their weekend series. He was placed on the bereavement list Tuesday to tend to a family matter and would be eligible to be activated Friday. Fuentes, who has converted 13 consecutive save opportunities, was placed on waivers Monday so the team could explore his trade value. His waiver period would have expired Wednesday but was halted when he went on the bereavement list. So his waiver status won't be resolved until he returns to the active roster. While a number of teams are expected to claim Fuentes - the Dodgers would have first dibs if noncontenders pass - the Rockies are not expected to deal the ..."

"Ozzie Guillen's wish might be granted soon. Because Scott Linebrink's right shoulder felt "great" after a 30-pitch bullpen session Wednesday, the reliever said a simulated game "might not be too far in the future." That could portend a return to the White Sox's bullpen. Linebrink has missed five weeks because of tendinitis behind his right shoulder and will throw off a mound Friday. Asked if his bullpen was ready for the final 29 games, Guillen requested heavenly intervention. "I believe in God," Guillen said. "God gave me a lot of great things. If God hears me, can he say: Linebrink, get healthy? God, can you please get him healthy for a month?" Linebrink thought he might have corrected a ..."

"Rockies first baseman Todd Helton remains committed to returning this season, if the irritated disc in his back cooperates. Helton never considered shutting it down for the year, and said Wednesday the team's surge back into contention has only strengthened his resolve. "That helps. The guys are doing their part. But also, I would never want it assumed that I wasn't doing everything I can to get back, because that's not who I am," Helton said. "I want to play." Whether that's realistic will become clearer this week. Helton took groundballs hit directly at him Wednesday and plans to hit off a tee Friday in San Diego. The torque required to swing remains the biggest obstacle. Twice since he ..."

"Rosters expand Monday, and general manager Jim Hendry said he expects six to seven minor-league call-ups, though some will arrive later because Triple-A Iowa will be in the postseason. Among those expected to be called up are pitchers Angel Guzman, Kevin Hart and Michael Wuertz, first baseman Micah Hoffpauir, catcher Koyie Hill and center fielder Felix Pie. Hendry said he doesn't expect to make any pickups to add to the roster by Sept. 1, as he did last year when he acquired right-hander Steve Trachsel, who didn't make the playoff roster. "I feel good about the guys we have," Hendry said. "As long as we stay healthy, there wasn't really a place I feel we needed to address.""

"Hank Steinbrenner, in his first appearance at Yankee Stadium since Opening Day, said the Yankees would be a different team in 2009. "There is going to be a lot going on this offseason," Steinbrenner said before the Yankees were beaten 11-3 by the Red Sox. "I promise you that." Steinbrenner blamed injuries on why the team has fallen virtually out of playoff contention. "That's the realities of sports," he said. "Every year there are one or two baseball teams that get racked by injuries. Usually just one, sometimes two. In football, it can be as many as four or five teams. "I don't think we are going to have another season like this, injury-wise, and that is a good thing." Steinbrenner also ..."

"The Red Sox placed outfielder J.D. Drew on the disabled list yesterday, but help could be on the way. The Red Sox and Braves were in discussions last night on a deal that could bring outfielder Mark Kotsay to Boston and provide another weapon down the stretch, according to a baseball source. The 12-year veteran cleared waivers earlier this month and has a limited no-trade clause, according to ESPN, which first reported the story. The Braves removed him from the starting lineup against the Marlins in what looked like the possible precursor to a deal, though nothing had been consummated as of late last night. Kotsay was used as a pinch hitter. Kotsay is batting .289 with six home runs and 37 ..."

"A National League source confirmed Taveras and closer Brian Fuentes were placed on waivers to inspect their trade value. Fuentes went on Monday and would clear today, though it's almost certain he will be claimed. Taveras is eligible to clear Thursday and might since Boston is heading in another direction for an outfielder and Washington, which likes Taveras, will not add payroll.

The Dodgers are likely to claim Fuentes, along with the St. Louis Cardinals and Tampa Bay Rays, the two teams that pushed hardest to acquire him last month. If Fuentes is claimed, the Rockies can work out a trade or pull him back. They have made it known they want a premium young starting pitcher, which they ..."

"With J.D. Drew (lower back strain) taking a spot on the disabled list just before the first pitch, the Red Sox spent last night in talks with the Braves about another outfielder, Mark Kotsay. Though a few media outlets reported that the deal was near completion - a claim the Red Sox denied - the Sox were still speaking with Atlanta regarding the center fielder late last night, according to a source close to the situation. Kotsay, who has spent time on the disabled list with a bulging disk in his back this season, was not in the starting lineup last night for the Braves, though he did enter late as a pinch hitter. Kotsay is signed through this season, and has a limited no-trade clause. As ..."

"Center fielder Mark Kotsay was a late scratch from the Braves' lineup Tuesday as the Braves discussed a trade that would send him to the Boston Red Sox. A person close to the situation said the deal was close to being finalized late Tuesday, but an announcement wasn't expected until Wednesday. "They've been talking all day, and they're still talking," Braves manager Bobby Cox said after the 10-9 come-from-behind win against Florida, in which Kotsay pinch-hit in the four-run ninth inning and drew an intentional walk. "I'd have to say it's my weirdest night as a professional in the big leagues," said Kotsay, called to Cox's office before the game and told he was scratched because a trade was ..."

"There is a scene in "All the President's Men" that epitomizes the way one has to differentiate what general managers say from what they mean. "All nondenial denials," former Washington Post executive editor Ben Bradlee is quoted as saying. "They doubt our ancestry, but they don't say the story isn't accurate." So when Phillies assistant general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. was approached about rumors that the Phillies are interested in Atlanta outfielder Mark Kotsay, his nondenial denial may have spoken volumes about the Phillies' interest. It should be noted that later reports had the Boston Red Sox on the verge of signing the outfielder, but the Phillies' interest is certainly noteworthy -- ..."

"If a trade involving Tigers left-hander Kenny Rogers is going to happen before the end of this season, it likely will occur within the next several days. The deadline to set postseason rosters is Sunday, and multiple officials from other teams believe the Tigers will consider trading Rogers before then. Rogers said Monday that he was not aware of any trade discussions involving him. And he did not appear concerned with the prospect of being dealt. "Dealing in hypotheticals is very difficult -- I'm not one to do that," Rogers said. "I haven't thought about a deadline. I'm not worried about one, that's for sure." The Tigers placed Rogers -- and several other players -- on trade waivers ..."

"The Mets put sore-shouldered John Maine on the 15-day disabled list yesterday and are preparing to replace him in the rotation with highly regarded minor-leaguer Jon Niese, according to a person familiar with the club's thinking. The Mets will maneuver their rotation so that they don't need a fifth starter until Sept. 2 at Milwaukee. When they do, it will likely be Niese, a 21-year-old lefthander who has made six starts for Triple-A New Orleans and is 5-1 with a 3.65 ERA. Niese, the Mets' seventh-round pick in the 2005 draft, would be making his major-league debut in the white-hot cauldron of a pennant race. General manager Omar Minaya, in confirming that Niese was a candidate, said: "I'm ..."

"It has been 11 days since Pedro Alvarez agreed to the largest signing bonus in Pirates' history and the club has yet to hear from their first-round draft pick. The Pirates have been planning on bringing the third baseman from Vanderbilt to PNC Park to undergo a physical examination and also take part in an introductory press conference. Yet, Alvarez is nowhere to be found as he is apparently not returning phone calls from the Pirates. "It's all part of the process, I guess," Pirates president Frank Coonelly said Monday night before the Pirates lost 12-3 to the Chicago Cubs in the opener of a three-game series at PNC Park. "We're still trying to work out logistics," Pirates GM Neal ..."

"J.D. Drew was moving more nimbly when the Red Sox departed Toronto on Sunday, but the veteran outfielder might be bound for the 15-day disabled list if his lower back tightness doesn’t allow him to play tonight in the first of three games against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. Drew hasn’t played since Aug. 17, when he was forced to exit at Fenway Park after only three innings. The Sox have been further short-handed by the unavailability of Sean Casey, who was sidelined in Toronto by a stiff neck. It also remains to be seen how sore Jacoby Ellsbury will be after slamming into the right field fence at Rogers Centre on Sunday running down Adam Lind’s fourth-inning fly ball. Drew ..."

"If Baltimore Orioles starter Daniel Cabrera is pitching through an injury, he isn't saying a word. But on Sunday, the struggling right-hander's performance fueled speculation about his health. Once again, Cabrera suffered problems with his velocity and the New York Yankees took advantage, tagging the pitcher for seven runs en route to an 8-7 victory that completed a three-game sweep. However, when asked directly if he was injured Cabrera offered little insight. "I don't have an answer for that question right now," he said. And when questioned about the lack of velocity on his fastball -- which started at 88 mph and topped out at 92 mph -- Cabrera was equally vague. "No comment for that one ..."

"John Maine should know this week if he'll be pitching again this year. Maine is slated to start Friday, but a bone spur in his shoulder has put his season in jeopardy. Jerry Manuel said yesterday the team will decide this week whether Maine will make Friday's start, indicating if Maine isn't deemed able to go, he likely would not pitch again this season. "I think if we do [rest him], I would think it would be a complete shutdown," Manuel said. Should that happen, it would be a tough Mets injury, drastically damaging their rotation. Asked about possible replacements, Omar Minaya mentioned Brian Stokes as well as minor leaguers Bobby Parnell, Jon Niese and Nelson Figueroa, insisting, "We'll ..."

"Maybe Nelson Cruz is the spark the Rangers need. The Rangers are calling up the outfielder from Oklahoma to replace Jason Ellison, who was designated for assignment. Cruz hit 37 homers in Triple A and added 99 RBI. He likely would have gotten the call sooner but a strained quadriceps sent him to the minor league disabled list. Cruz was a Triple-A All-Star and has shown a keen eye, hitting .342. The question now is where does he fit in. Is he the fourth outfielder or does he take playing time away from Marlon Byrd or Brandon Boggs? We'll have to wait and see on that."

"Jonathan Sanchez threw vigorously off a mound with no problems Sunday, Matt Palmer is coming off an encouraging start and the Giants' double-barreled shotgun of Matt Cain and Tim Lincecum ranks 1-2 in the National League in pitches thrown. The stars would appear aligned for the Giants to ease up on their starters by going to a six-man rotation in September. But Manager Bruce Bochy doesn't plan to expand the rotation and pitching coach Dave Righetti concurred, saying he wouldn't push back his starters unless they appear to require the extra rest. "There's no plan, but we don't want to overwork them in September, either,'' said Bochy, adding he wasn't motivated to keep Lincecum on a regular ..."

"Darrell Rasner lost his spot in the rotation earlier this month, but got it back when Ian Kennedy pitched poorly in his one-game tryout. He could be in danger again after a shaky outing against the Baltimore Orioles yesterday. Rasner lasted only 3 1/3 innings, giving up five runs (three earned) on eight hits and two walks. "It was a struggle," said Rasner, who has a 5.03 ERA. "I was concentrating on trying to get the ball down and I wasn't able to. I lost feel for breaking stuff and I couldn't get those over early in the count." Rasner, who threw 98 pitches, allowed back-to-back home runs by Melvin Mora and Aubrey Huff in the first inning. Up 7-2 going into the bottom of the fourth inning, ..."

"With rosters expanding in a week, manager Bob Melvin gave some clues as to which players the Diamondbacks might add from the minor leagues Sept. 1. "We've discussed it some," Melvin said. "Obviously, a third catcher is important, another pitcher who can give you some length is important, another pinch-hitter off the bench, particularly right-handed, maybe another infielder." Certain players who fit those profiles would appear to be near locks for a promotion. Catcher Robby Hammock, infielder Jamie D'Antona and right-hander Max Scherzer have all been up at some point this season and seem safe bets to be recalled from Triple-A Tucson. Jesus Merchan is having the best season of any of the ..."

"Noah Lowry made a small but triumphant step in a comeback from nerve damage in his forearm, throwing 20 pitches off a mound. He hadn't thrown off the bump since March 3, when his nine walks in a spring training start signified a major problem. "He was letting it go, too," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. Bochy was so encouraged by the session that he wouldn't rule out Lowry making a start before the season ends — a possibility the manager considered bleak a few days earlier."

"Yes, White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen loves Juan Uribe and the way he has been playing third base, but that doesn't mean he has forgotten about Joe Crede, who is rehabilitating a back injury. So Guillen wants to clarify comments made at the beginning of the week about Crede's status when he returns. "I think people misunderstood my message to Joe," Guillen said. "If Joe Crede is ready to play, ready to perform, then he is my third baseman. Nobody loves Joe Crede more than me. I stick up for this kid all my life. But he has to be right [physically]." Crede hasn't played for the Sox since July 22, shortly after he was named to the American League All-Star squad. Guillen has said that he ..."

"Still classified by the Cardinals as a start-to-start starter, Adam Wainwright did will enough in his return Friday to merit a start Wednesday, in the homestand finale against Milwaukee. Manager Tony La Russa confirmed Saturday his starting pitchers for the two-game series against the wild-card-leading Brewers. Todd Wellemeyer will go Tuesday and Wainwright, fresh from his six-inning start and win Friday, will follow. "Pencil everything in and you adjust as you go," La Russa said of fitting his rotation around the schedule. "We are trying to win games and we have got no cushion. Quite literally, we're game to game. Look at how we've done it all year long. We're not going to make ..."

"Phillies manager Charlie Manuel is intrigued by the idea of moving his pitching order around so that staff ace Cole Hamels would take the mound against the New York Mets in a two-game series next Tuesday and Wednesday. The luxury of having an off day last Monday just might give Manuel that chance. However, he was noncommittal before the Phillies took on the Nationals on Wednesday night, even though his team trailed the Mets by 11¼2 games in the National League East. Hamels (10-8, 3.22 ERA) is scheduled to pitch against the Dodgers on Saturday afternoon. The left-hander made his last start on Sunday in the Phils' 2-1 win over San Diego and would have to move up in the rotation to get a shot ..."

"The Phillies might be on the verge of adding a third wheel to their catching tandem. David Ross, released by Cincinnati on Monday, is expected to clear waivers today and become a free agent. The Phillies and Boston are interested, Fox Sports reported. A team source confirmed the Phils are talking about adding Ross, who possibly would get a chance to compete for playing time with starter Carlos Ruiz and often-used backup Chris Coste. Ross, 31, hit .231 with 3 homers and 13 RBIs in 52 games (43 as a starter) with the Reds. A right-handed hitter, Ross is a career .223 hitter in 423 games over seven seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers (2002-04), Pittsburgh (2005), San Diego (2005) and ..."

"Joey Cora, who became one of the most popular Mariners during three-plus seasons in Seattle, is gaining increasing mention as a managerial candidate. His name has already been, and will continue to be, linked to the Mariners' job. Cora, 42, is in his fifth season as a White Sox coach under close friend Ozzie Guillen. He was Guillen's third-base coach for the first three years - which included a World Series title in 2005 - and is currently in his second season as bench coach. He has interviewed for vacancies with the Nationals and Pirates in recent years. Is he ready for a big-league job? "I don't think you'll know until you get it," Cora said Tuesday. "Am I interested in doing that? Sure. ..."

"Kirk Saarloos' stellar work in the rotation for Triple-A Sacramento earned him his promotion to the A's roster earlier this week. Though the A's called him up to bolster the bullpen, Saarloos may find himself drawing more starting duties, if Justin Duchscherer is forced to miss any time after aggravating his right hip in Monday's win over the Minnesota Twins. Saarloos is ready for whatever responsibility is thrown his way. He was a member of the A's rotation in 2005 and then showed his flexibility in 2006, splitting his time between starting and relieving and doing a steady job in both. The A's traded him to Cincinnati before the 2007 season, where he pitched primarily in relief, before ..."

"Another day, another catastrophe for the Rangers. Ian Kinsler has very possibly played his last game of the season. What was initially called a sore left groin after Kinsler left Sunday's game is probably a sports hernia, team orthopedist Dr. Keith Meister told Kinsler after an MRI exam Monday. Kinsler will see a specialist in hernia repair as early as Tuesday and could have season-ending surgery. Kinsler was placed on the disabled list, and infielder Joaquin Arias was recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma. Arias and Ramon Vazquez are expected to platoon at second base, with Arias facing lefthanders and Vazquez facing righthanders. Kinsler, an All-Star second baseman and potential Most ..."

"There could be a Carl Pavano sighting for the Yanks this weekend. General manager Brian Cashman acknowledged the Yankees are considering either Phil Hughes or Pavano to assume the fifth starter's role Saturday in Baltimore. Hughes seemed like the probable choice as Pavano's 30-day rehab run is up Aug. 27, one week from tomorrow. But Cashman has been impressed with Pavano's rehab progress from Tommy John surgery. Pavano threw six innings Sunday for Double-A Trenton and Cashman said: "He's close to being ready." Pavano last pitched for the Yankees in April, 2007. The Yanks sorely need starting help with Joba Chamberlain and Dan Giese on the disabled list."

"Trembley is optimistic that outfielder Adam Jones will return to baseball activity by the end of the week as he recovers from a fractured left foot. Trembley said right-handed pitcher Matt Albers is getting ready to throw off a pitching mound as he recovers from a shoulder injury."

"Help at the plate and on the mound is within sight for the Yankees. Hideki Matsui could be joining the team as early as tomorrow in Toronto. Then on Saturday, either Carl Pavano, whose last sighting roughly corresponded with Amelia Earhart, or Phil Hughes could be pitching against the Orioles because with Joba Chamberlain and Dan Giese both on the DL, the Bombers will need a fifth starter in Baltimore, manager Joe Girardi said. Both Pavano and Hughes made minor league rehab appearances last night. Matsui, placed on the disabled list June 27 with left knee inflammation, played a doubleheader Friday (1-for-5, HR, BB) and then a night game Saturday (1-for-3, BB) with Single-A Tampa before ..."

"Barring a change, the Twins plan to have Alexi Casilla playing second base Thursday against the Angels, when they begin their 14-game road trip. Casilla, out since July 28 because of a strained right thumb, will play the next two days for Class A Beloit in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The plan is to bring him back after Wednesday's game in time for the flight to Los Angeles. The Twins could be forced into another decision with shortstop Adam Everett, who was offered an assignment to Class AAA Rochester before Casilla got injured. Though Everett has played better since returning from his shoulder injury, the Twins view Nick Punto as the superior shortstop. "We've got a little more athleticism out ..."

"Mike Sweeney has been working out with the team over the past six days, with no problems swinging the bat or fielding first base. Running? Well, that's a slightly different story. Sweeney will start to test his surgically repaired knees in a game for the first time this week when he reports to Triple-A Sacramento for a rehab assignment that starts today. Sweeney had surgery on both knees June 11 and is hoping to put off microsurgery until after the season. "I work hard, but I have no control over how these knees feel - hopefully they give me a shot to play the rest of the year," said Sweeney, who has played just 40 games this season. Sweeney said what happens over the next six weeks will ..."

"The Sox are still considering whether to promote 2007 first-round pick Aaron Poreda from Double-A Birmingham to pitch Tuesday night against Seattle. Guillen said the Sox would wait until after Monday night's game before naming a starter. The Sox would have to remove someone from the 40-man roster or transfer injured pitcher Jose Contreras from the 15-day disabled list to the 60-day DL if they promote Poreda. Clayton Richard remains the likely candidate. Richard struck out two in a perfect ninth inning Sunday. Poreda allowed two earned runs Thursday against Tennessee but worked only five innings because of a high pitch count. He has a combined 3.38 ERA with 102 strikeouts and 37 walks in ..."

"Greg Maddux is getting an extra day off this week and will make his next start Friday in San Francisco rather than Thursday in Arizona. With Monday's off day for the team, Maddux will have six days' rest between starts. Chad Reineke, who won his major league debut Saturday against the Phillies, will start Thursday in Arizona on the normal four days' rest. Manager Bud Black explained the move was made to give Arizona a new look. "And Greg has a good history in San Francisco," Black said. That's true. Maddux's 30 wins against the Giants tie him with Phil Niekro and Don Sutton for the most against the Giants since they set up shop in San Francisco in 1958. Maddux is 7-1 with a 2.56 ERA in ..."

"It was music to the ears of free agents, and their agents. With typical Steinbrennerian certitude, new New York Yankees owner Hank Steinbrenner indicated his team is ready to open its wallet in the offseason, especially if the current downturn is not corrected and the team misses the playoffs for the first time since 1995. "We're going to win it next year," Steinbrenner said. "If we need to add a top veteran pitcher, we'll do that. We'll do whatever we need to do. Next year we'll be extremely dangerous." CC Sabathia looks like the best starter in the free-agent market that includes Derek Lowe, Brad Penny and Ben Sheets next winter, and his price appears to keep shooting up as he pitches ..."

"As he looks forward to the 2009 season, Jays manager Cito Gaston seems resigned to playing it without A.J. Burnett. “It certainly looks like A.J. won’t be here,” Gaston said before Saturday’s game as he reflected on next year’s rotation. “I don’t know, but we might have a few guys who can pick that slack up.” Burnett denied that he’s made up his mind one way or the other. “I'm going to wait. I haven't made up my mind. I haven't talked to my family. I haven't talked to anyone about it. I don't want to be distracted with anything right now,” the 31-year-old pitcher said. Burnett can opt out of the final two years of his Toronto contract and file for free agency at the end of the year. ..."

"Just as Maicer Izturis was getting back into the swing of things, the Angels' shortstop appears headed to the disabled list because of a left thumb injury he aggravated diving for a grounder in the ninth inning against Seattle on Wednesday night. Izturis sprained the thumb in an Aug. 1 game at New York, and though he missed eight of the next nine games, the switch-hitter didn't go on the DL. He started Wednesday night and had three hits, including two doubles and a run batted in, and two runs against the Mariners before leaving the game in the ninth. With infielder Sean Rodriguez already on the bench and able to back up shortstop Erick Aybar, the Angels are expected to recall ..."

"Multiple baseball sources confirmed for the Post-Dispatch that the Cardinals did not put in a waivers claim on Seattle lefthander Jarrod Washburn. "His name has not come up," a source in the Cardinals' organization said. A report in the Seattle Times said that Washburn "had been told" that the Cardinals "might have" put in a claim on him. CBS SportsLine posted that information on its web site, and the Washburn-to-the-Cards rumor spread quickly on Internet message boards. Per his policy, Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak does not comment on waiver matters. Washburn, 34, is 5-12 with a 4.58 earned-run average this season, and has a 98-98 career record."

"The Twins will face the Mariners at the Metrodome tonight after recently trying to acquire two of Seattle's veterans, to no avail. The Twins placed claims for outfielder Raul Ibanez and pitcher Jarrod Washburn but were unable to land either player, according to people familiar with the situation. Though the Twins came up empty on both fronts, their attempts -- particularly on Washburn, who is owed $13 million through 2009 -- offer clues about how the organization has been trying to improve. Teams are under strict orders not to discuss potential waiver moves, and Twins General Manager Bill Smith declined to give specifics. "We're scouring the waiver wire every day," he said. "We have ..."

"In a move designed to boost the Yankees' sagging offense, the team today will demote Melky Cabrera to the minors, waive Richie Sexson, and promote Brett Gardner and Cody Ransom from Triple-A, The Post has learned."

"Baseball's waiver rules are so complex and the rumors so rampant, sometimes it seems like anything can happen. "I heard the Red Wings put in a claim on me," Mariners outfielder Raul Ibanez said. OK, almost anything. Ibanez won't be strapping on skates, but there's a chance he could be in the uniform of another team by the end of the week. He said he has been told the Mariners put him through waivers and that more than one team claimed him. One report had Tampa Bay, which just lost outfielder Carl Crawford for the season, close to a deal for Ibanez. "I would bet that it's not true," Ibanez said. "That's what I'd bet. I've heard there were claims, but that doesn't mean anything." For one ..."

"Manager Joe Girardi didn't play Derek Jeter yesterday, but said he expects to have his shortstop tomorrow night. "I would be shocked if he didn't play," Girardi said of Jeter, whose sore left foot kept him on the bench yesterday but not bad enough for him to pinch-hit in the ninth if needed in a 4-2 loss to the Twins. Jeter suffered the injury when he fouled a ball off the instep in the fourth inning of Tuesday night's 9-6 win. Despite a heavy limp Jeter remained in the game until the ninth. Jeter went 3-for-5 and was placed on a cart to exit the Metrodome. When he reported to work yesterday morning Jeter was limping slightly and spent the entire pregame session receiving treatment. "I ..."

"Jason Marquis, Sean Marshall and Jeff Samardzija were manager Lou Piniella's three options for Sunday's start against Florida in Miami, after Tuesday's rainout forced the Cubs to change their pitching plans. And while all three were ready, willing and able to go, in the end it's Marshall who is Piniella's choice. Marquis said he had pitched on three days' rest many times in his career and "felt comfortable" doing it. "That's why I work hard in between starts, so I'm able to do stuff like that," he said. But Piniella decided it wasn't the right time to risk Marquis' arm. "We don't want to bring anybody back on three days' rest," he said. "We can piggyback that game a little bit too, with ..."

"The Giants are on the cusp of signing first-round pick Buster Posey to a major league contract worth roughly $7.5 million, industry sources told the Mercury News. The signing bonus, while spread over multiple years, would obliterate the club record for an amateur player. Dominican teenage outfielder Rafael Ramirez received $2.55 million in July. It's also would exceed the $6.15 million that Tampa Bay gave to the first overall pick, high school shortstop Tim Beckham. Giants player personnel director Bobby Evans declined to confirm the buzz among industry-wide sources, saying said the club would announce deals once they have been completed. But General Manager Brian Sabean said earlier ..."

"Much as he has done all summer, Tim Melville waits. Selected by the Kansas City Royals in the fourth round of the baseball draft in June, Melville, a hard-throwing righthander from Holt High in Wentzville, had his patience tested as negotiations progressed slowly this summer. But with the signing deadline set for 11 p.m. Friday, Melville is confident his professional baseball career will begin shortly. "I'm ready to start playing again,'' the 18-year-old said. "It's been a little frustrating, but it's a complicated process. The last thing I heard from my adviser was that the contract had been sent to the commissioner's office. Once it's approved, they'll return it to me to sign and then I ..."

"Once again, fans are left to wonder whether this latest night of hitting exploits by Raul Ibanez was his final one in a Mariners uniform. The countdown to Ibanez's potential departure carried right up to the July 31 trade deadline, then resumed Wednesday when it was learned that both he and starting pitcher Jarrod Washburn had been claimed on revocable waivers. Ibanez shrugged off the latest news, then went out a few hours later and produced a solo home run, two doubles, a single and scored the decisive run on a Wladimir Balentien homer in the 12th inning of a 10-7 win over the Los Angeles Angels. Seattle has just over 48 hours to negotiate a trade with any club claiming the two players ..."

"Orioles first-round draft pick Brian Matusz is scheduled to be in Baltimore tomorrow to take a physical, one of the final steps to reaching an agreement on a contract. According to a source familiar with the negotiations, the two sides are closing in a deal that could be finalized within the next 24 hours. The Orioles have until midnight Friday to reach an agreement or they'll forfeit the draft rights of the University of San Diego left-handed pitcher and get a similar compensatory pick in next year's draft. Orioles club president Andy MacPhail said tonight that "there's no agreement yet, but we are making some progress." Orioles director of scouting Joe Jordan did not return calls seeking ..."