http://losangeles.angels.mlb.com/ne...27&content_id=35668522&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlbGreinke to the LAA.... now just curious who is going to get Dempster, should he depart. Would love to see him stay in the same city but switch uniforms.
The ownership approval part is interesting. I assume that means Giants owners given it would require them taking on a largish salary commitment. Could be the Phillies owners, though. But really, I see no reason why the people who currently own the Phillies the Atlanta Braves would balk at such a deal.
ESPN's Jayson Stark reports that the Phillies are "close" to trading outfielder Shane Victorino to the Dodgers for right-hander Josh Lindblom and a second player.
Talks have apparently accelerated after the Dodgers acquired Brandon League on Monday night, which made Lindblom expendable. Victorino would presumably take over as the Dodgers' left fielder and leadoff man. The 31-year-old was originally drafted by the Dodgers back in 1999 while the Phillies took him in the Rule 5 Draft in December of 2004.
David Kaplan of CSNChicago.com reports that the Dodgers, Yankees and Rangers are in play for Cubs right-hander Ryan Dempster.
Previous reports have indicated that Dempster would prefer to play in Los Angeles, a big reason why a deal with the Braves blew up, but Kaplan was told that the veteran right-hander would accept a deal to any of the three clubs assuming the Cubs find a suitable offer. The Yankees and Rangers have stepped up their pursuit over the past 48 hours. Dempster, an impending free agent, has a 2.25 ERA through 16 starts this year.
According to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports, one rival executive said early Tuesday that he had "received indications" that the Phillies and Diamondbacks had discussed a deal involving Cliff Lee and Justin Upton.
Well, that would be a doozy. Rosenthal stresses that the talks are unconfirmed and it's not clear whether the Diamondbacks are one of the 21 teams where Lee can block a trade. Either way, Rosenthal hears that the Diamondbacks are "trying to pull off a blockbuster" for a premier starting pitcher. It could be Lee, but it could be someone else.
The Marlins aren’t getting offers they like for Josh Johnson, though they are begging teams to take 1B Carlos Lee.
Tim Brown of Yahoo! Sports reports that the Phillies have traded outfielder Shane Victorino to the Dodgers for right-handers Josh Lindblom and Ethan Martin.
Victorino is back where it all started, as he was originally drafted by the Dodgers back in 1999. The 31-year-old outfielder will wrap up his tenure in Philadelphia with a .279/.342/.434 batting line, three Gold Glove awards, two All-Star appearances and a World Series championship over eight seasons. He figures to take over the starting left field job in Los Angeles and may get a look out of the leadoff spot. Lindblom will join the Phillies' bullpen right away while Martin could be an option for the rotation in the near future.
on Heyman of CBSSports.com reports that the Giants are sending Nate Schierholtz to the Phillies in the Hunter Pence trade.
It's a three-for-one deal, with Schierholtz, prospect catcher Tommy Joseph and another player being sent to Philadelphia. The identity of the third player isn't yet known, but Heyman hears that it could be a pitcher. The inclusion of Schierholtz isn't a big surprise, as he recently indicated that he wouldn't mind a change of scenery. The 28-year-old has a .270/.319/.412 batting line and a .731 OPS over 503 games in the majors. He'll likely be used on the weak side of a platoon in Philly.
According to ESPN's Buster Olney, the Diamondbacks are "working hard on something big."
Although it is just conjecture, Olney tossed out a trade involving Justin Upton and Matt Garza. "Makes sense for both Cubs and Diamondbacks," he writes. It's important to note that the Cubs are on Upton's no-trade list, though his acrimonious relationship with management may cause him to reconsider. Diamondbacks president Derrick Hall said last week that there's "close to a 100 percent chance" that Upton will not be traded before the non-waiver trade deadline. Perhaps the Cubs are moving closer to satisfying Arizona's asking price for the star young outfielder.
Holy shit the Rangers/Angels game was a nailbiter! 4 runs in the bottom of the 10th to win it!
watching the nats vs marlins and the announcers said that somebody has claimed cliff lee off waivers.