Official Trade Deadline Thread (Last Update 1:04 PM)

[SportsWorld]

Post rumors, trades, and more in this thread.
If the Cubs make a trade go ahead and make a new thread.
This is for all of the MLB.

Trades:
10:55 AM:
Joel Pinero traded to the Cardinals from the Red Sox for a PTBNL.

11:17 AM
Scott Proctor traded to the Dodgers for Wilson Betemit.

ESPNews reports that the Yankees have traded RHP Scott Proctor to the Dodgers for 3B Wilson Betemit.
A Proctor-for-Betemit swap has been talked about dating back to last season. Proctor's arrival in Los Angeles could signal the end of the Dodgers' interest in Octavio Dotel.

1:04 PM:
The Red Sox trade for Eric Gagne

The Red Sox and Rangers have agreed to an Eric Gagne deal, pending Gagne waiving his no-trade clause, sources told FOXSports.com's Ken Rosenthal.
It's very possible that Gagne will block the deal, though the Red Sox could try to sway him by guaranteeing the remainder of his $3.625 million bonuses for games finished. Rosenthal doesn't say who will go the other way, though David Murphy and Kason Gabbard keep getting mentioned. Joaquin Benoit could close for Texas until Akinori Otsuka returns.

Rumors:
Eckstein to the Padres?
Carlos Silva to the Cubs?
Dunn to the Nationals?
Gagne to Cubs?

[SportsWorld]

Morning Rumors from Rotowire

According to the Los Angeles Times, the Angels backed away from a potential trade for Mark Teixeira when the Rangers asked for a package in return that included Casey Kotchman, Joe Saunders and either Brandon Wood, Nick Adenhart, Howie Kendrick or Ervin Santana.
Instead, the Rangers have apparently settled on the Braves' package that centers around Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Elvis Andrus. "What we were being asked for was going to hurt us more than the deal would help," general Manager Bill Stoneman said. "We are looking at this season and setting ourselves up in the best position for getting in the postseason. We're not going to destroy our ability to compete for next year or future years just for a shot at now."

FOXSports.com's Ken Rosenthal reports that the Dodgers fell short of completing a Joe Blanton trade with the A's before talks halted Monday night.
A source said the Dodgers offered three top minor leaguers

[2poor]

What are the Cubs biggest needs, and who can they get? Here's a brief rundown as the non-waiver trade deadline approaches:

Pinch-hitter/utilityman
With the loss of Daryle Ward for at least another month, the Cubs could use a professional pinch-hitter who can play both first base and the corner outfield spots.

The best one available may be 41-year-old Jeff Conine, who has a .368 average (7-for-19) as a pinch-hitter in Cincinnati and is hitting .303 since the All-Star break. The Cubs could get Conine, who also is drawing interest from the Mets, for a mid-level prospect and he could back up Derrek Lee and spell Cliff Floyd in right at times. Since he makes only $2 million, the Cubs would have to pay only about $600,000.

Could Conine be to the '07 Cubs what Randall Simon was to the '03 edition?

Center field
The Cubs are planning on starting Felix Pie in center in '08, and seem comfortable with Jacque Jones there for the time being.

But if they wanted to make a move that could help them in September and pay dividends in future years, center fielder Rocco Baldelli is due to return from a hamstring injury soon and the Devil Rays are content with keeping B.J. Upton in center.

Baldelli was a Lou Piniella favorite in Tampa, but is injury-prone and relatively expensive. He makes $750,000 this year and $2.25 million in '08. He has a $6 million option in '09, and a $4 million buyout.

Left-handed reliever
With Kerry Wood returning by the weekend, the Cubs bullpen appears to be set with Wood, Marmol and Bob Howry setting up Ryan Dempster from the right side, and Will Ohman and Scott Eyre as the two left-handers.

But Piniella has not used Eyre the way the Cubs envisioned when they signed him, and if the Cubs could find another left-handed reliever to take his place it wouldn't be a huge surprise.

The best trade the Cubs could make is with San Francisco, where lefty Steve Kline has a 0.84 ERA since June 1st and a 1.20 ERA in day games. Kline has about $600,000 left on his '07 contract and makes $1.75 million in '08.

[2poor]

Add Minnesota right-hander Carlos Silva to the list of players the Cubs are considering adding.

Silva isn't a sexy name but he could prove useful as an experienced starter who could also work out of the bullpen. He would provide some insurance at the bottom of the rotation and would have some upside moving to the National League. He's having an OK year (8-11, 4.76 in 21 starts) and will be a free agent after the season. He's earning $4 million, and the Twins believe they have the arms in-house to replace him.

According to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Arizona, Atlanta and the New York Mets are also talking to the Twins about Silva.

[SportsWorld]

Silva?
*Stabs self in chest*

[SportsWorld]

I heard a rumor about the Cubs and Reds having a discussion about Griffey Jr. Was that all it was just a false rumor? Also do you see any moves the Cubs will make or no?

Buster Olney
I think Griffey mentioned that. I haven't talked with the Reds folks today, but as of sunday, there was no expectation that Griffey would be on the move.

[SportsWorld]

BREAKING NEWS:
According to some sources the St. Louis Cardinals just got Joel Pinero for a PTBNL.

[dacheezwhiz]

sportsworld do u post on northsidebaseball cuz some of ur posts are like identical to the ones over there, if you dont thats a very good place to stalk out the trading deadline btw





silva????

[SportsWorld]

sportsworld do u post on northsidebaseball cuz some of ur posts are like identical to the ones over there, if you dont thats a very good place to stalk out the trading deadline btw





silva????

Yeah I do post on NSBB but not a lot.
I am sure a lot of us don't want Silva on this team.
Silva is 8-11 this year with a 4.70 ERA and he is on a good team.

[Howling Mad]

I won't be able to post much or search the net for trade updates; thanks Sportsworld for keeping the updates going.

[SportsWorld]

New Trade:

ESPNews reports that the Yankees have traded RHP Scott Proctor to the Dodgers for 3B Wilson Betemit.
A Proctor-for-Betemit swap has been talked about dating back to last season. Proctor's arrival in Los Angeles could signal the end of the Dodgers' interest in Octavio Dotel.

[treyZz]

Rocco Baldelli one **** time!!

One of my favorite players

[SportsWorld]

Bruce Miles:

Pie here to stay; so, likely, are rest of Cubs

[SportsWorld]

Big News from Rotoworld!

The Cubs reportedly still have a shot at acquiring Eric Gagne, who could be used as a closer over Ryan Dempster.
The Journal News' Peter Abraham believes the Red Sox and the Cubs are the favorites, with the Red Sox offering David Murphy and Kason Gabbard. If Boston moves Gabbard, it means Jon Lester would get to stick around as the team's fifth starter.

[2poor]

[Howling Mad]

I would give the closer spot to Gagne just on his godness like performance of 02-04.

[treyZz]

I would give it to him simply because Dumpster is not very good.

[Howling Mad]

I would give it to him simply because Dumpster is not very good.

That too!

...even if Demp was doing phenomenal, like not blowing a save all season and no injuries, I would still give it to Gagne.

[SportsWorld]

Steve Phillips says the Tigers are talking with the Pirates about Jack Wilson.

[SportsWorld]

Looks like the Red Sox and Brewers are the 2 teams left in the Gagne sweepstakes.

ESPN's Jayson Stark says the Eric Gagne chase is down to the Red Sox and Brewers.
He'd have to waive his no-trade clause to go to Boston, whereas the Brewers don't have to worry about that. Speculation is that the Red Sox are offering Kason Gabbard and David Murphy. The Brewers could part with Tony Gwynn Jr. and a pitcher. Both of those outfielders project as long-term reserves, but they could get a chance to start in center if acquired by Texas.