Countdown to the Deadline: 14 Days

Roy Halladay
Here's what Roy has to say about the trade rumors.
The Blue Jays are not trying to force a Halladay deal Brian Eller.

Guys on the block?
Here is a list for you of guys that could be traded before July 31:

• Victor Martinez, C, Indians
• Yorvit Torrealba, C, Rockies
• Miguel Tejada, SS/3B, Astros
• Garrett Atkins, 3B, Rockies
• Adam LaRoche, 1B, Pirates
• Jorge Cantu, 1B, Marlins
• Nick Johnson, 1B, Nationals
• Joe Crede, 3B, Twins
• Hank Blalock, 3B, Rangers
• Mark Teahen, 1B, Royals
• Melvin Mora, 1B/3B, Orioles
• Chad Tracy, 3B, D-backs
• Josh Fields, 3B, White Sox
• Ty Wigginton, 1B/3B, Orioles
• Kevin Millar, 1B, Blue Jays
• Mike Jacobs, DH, Royals
• Adam Kennedy, 2B, A's
• Kevin Kouzmanoff, 1B/3B, Padres
• Blake DeWitt, 3B, LAD
• Jose Bautists, LF/3B, Blue Jays
• Jeff Larish, DH, Tigers
• Robinson Cano, 2B, Yankees
• Dan Uggla, 2B, Marlins
• Felipe Lopez, 2B, D-backs
• J.J. Hardy, SS, Brewers
• Orlando Cabrera, SS, A's
• Julio Lugo, INF, Red Sox
• Freddy Sanchez, 2B, Pirates
• Jack Wilson, SS Pirates
• Kelly Johnson, 2B, Braves
• Aaron Miles, 2B, Cubs
• Jamey Carroll, 2B, Indians
• Jason Donald, SS, AAA for Phillies
• John McDonald, SS, Blue Jays
• Matt Holliday, OF, A's
• Adam Dunn, OF, Nationals
• Brad Hawpe, OF, Rockies
• Jermaine Dye, OF, White Sox
• Milton Bradley, OF, Cubs
• Carl Crawford, OF, Rays
• Juan Pierre, OF, LAD
• Magglio Ordonez, OF, Tigers
• Ryan Ludwick, OF, Cardinals
• Randy Winn, OF, Giants
• Corey Hart, OF, Brewers
• Delmon Young, OF, Twins
• Melky Cabrera, OF, Yankees
• Aubrey Huff, OF, Orioles
• Ryan Spilborghs, OF Rockies
• Jose Gulillen, OF Royals
• Luke Scott, OF, Orioles
• Garrett Anderson, OF, Braves
• Brett Gardner, OF, Yankees
• Andruw Jones, OF, Rangers
• Cody Ross, OF, Marlins
• Jeremy Hermida, OF, Marlins
• Rick Ankiel, OF, Cardinals
• Chris Duncan, OF, Cardinals
• Elijah Dukes, OF, Nationals
• Austin Kearns, OF, Nationals
• Josh Willingham, OF, Nationals
• David DeJesus, OF, Royals
• Fernando Martinez, OF, Mets
• Gary Matthews Jr., OF, Angels
• Fernando Tatis, OF, Mets
• Gabe Gross, OF, Rays
• Gabe Kapler, OF, Rays
• Scott Podsednik, OF, White Sox
• Ty Wigginton, OF, Orioles
• Roy Halladay, SP, Blue Jays
• Cliff Lee, SP, Indians
• Erik Bedard, SP, Mariners
• Jake Peavy, SP, Padres
• Brad Penny, SP, Red Sox
• Javier Vazquez, SP, Braves
• Rich Harden, SP, Cubs
• Phil Hughes, SP, Yankees
• Doug Davis, SP, D-Backs
• Bronson Arroyo, SP, Reds
• Jason Marquis, SP, Rockies
• Vicente Padilla, SP, Rangers
• Jonathan Sanchez, SP, Giants
• Carl Pavano, SP, Indians
• Andy Sonnanstine, SP, Rays
• Jarrod Washburn, SP, Mariners
• Jose Contreras, SP, White Sox
• Jon Garland, SP, D-backs
• Nate Robertson, SP, Tigers
• Tim Redding, SP, Mets
• Kyle Davies, SP, Royals
• James McDonald, SP, Dodgers
• Jose Valverde, RP, Astros
• Huston Street, RP, Rockies
• Mike Gonzalez, RP, Braves
• Francisco Cordero, RP, Reds
• Takashi Saito, RP, Red Sox
• Rafael Soriano, RP, Braves
• Eddie Guardado, RP, Rangers
• LaTroy Hawkins, RP, Astros
• John Grabow, RP, Pirates
• Phil Hughes, RP, Yankees
• Octavio Dotel, RP, White Sox
• Clay Rapada, RP, Tigers
• Scott Elbert, RP, Dodgers
• Danys Baez, RP, Orioles
• George Sherrill, RP, Orioles
• David Weathers, RP, Reds
• Ron Mahay, RP, Royals
• Brian Stokes, RP, Mets
• Ron Villone, RP, Nationals
• Alfredo Aceves, RP, Yankees
• Sean Green, RP, Mets

We'll keep you posted on who goes where!

Reds Option Roenicke

The Reds have recalled Drew Sutton from AAA Louisville. The Reds are looking to add depth to their bench, so they are going back to a 12 man pitching staff by sending Josh Roenicke to AAA. Roenickle had a 2.96 ERA in 10 games with the Reds this year. Sutton came to the Reds in April to complete the trade that sent Jeff Keppinger to the Astros.

Pirates Talking Extensions?

The Pirates have reportedly approached both members of their middle infielder, Jack Wilson and Freddy Sanchez, about multiyear contract extensions in hoping to avoid trading them. Neal Huntigton has said that the easiest thing to do would be to keep Sanchez and Wilson in Pittsburgh.

Matt Herges

Herges, who was a key piece to the Rockies bullpen in 2007, will return to the Mile High City on a minor league deal. He will report to AAA. He had a 3.55 ERA in 21 games with the Indians this year before being DFA.

Lilly and Soriano Out

LHP Ted Lilly of the Chicago Cubs next start, which would have been tomorrow, has been moved back to Monday. Randy Wells, a rookie, will start for the Cubs tomorrow, and Kevin Hart will be called up from AAA to start Saturday. Lilly has a bum knee. Alfonso Soriano injured his finger diving into a base last night, and is day to day.

Phillies Activate Condrey

The Phils have activated RHP Clay Condre from the 15 day DL. Clay had been on the DL since June 23 with a left oblique strain. To make room on the roster RHP Tyler Walker has been DFA.

Football at Yankee Stadium

According to a report from Tom Singer on MLB.com Nortre Dame and Army will play the first college football game at the new Yankees Stadium in 2010. The Yanks will hold a media conference on Monday to announce this event.

That's it for now, we'll keep you posted on everything baseball!

Astros will not be Buyers?

Astros GM Ed Wade told Sirius XM Radio that they won't be buyers at the deadline. Still the Stros are only 3.0 games out of first, but the next two weeks will be crucial so if the fall out of the race, they can sell 2010 free agents such as; Miguel Tejada, LaTroy Hawkins, Jose Valverde and Ivan Rodriguez.

Extension for Bay in progress with Red Sox

Update Friday 3:45 pm: Amalie Benjamin is reporting that the Red Sox and Jason Bay will hold off on extension talks until the offseason. At seasons end the Red Sox have 15 days to inclusively talk to Jason Bay with out him negotiating with other teams.
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According to Alex Speier; both sides would to say with each other for years to come. We most recently heard about this from St. Louis during the All-Star game but nothing then devolved until now.

Bay is looking for a three or four year deal worth up to 14 million dollars a year. But the Red Sox want to use Adam Dunn's deal as a point of referenced.

Look for new details about Bay and the Red Sox for the rest of the year and offseason.

Teams interested in Lugo

According to Steve Buckley; The Cubs, Cardinals, and Mets have shown some sort of interest in Julio Lugo. If the Red Sox do trade him, their almost certain to pick-up the 13.5 million dollars left on his contract.

Around Baseball: DeRosa, Francoeur, Braves, Holliday

Around baseball:

• Jon Paul Morosi reports that Mark DeRosa will test his wrist to see how much pain it gives before deciding if he needs surgery. But the Cards are hopeful to activate him in a few days.
• Jon Heyman reports that the Yankees almost traded for Jeff Francoeur last off season.
• Ken Rosenthal believes the Braves pitching is too stocked not to make a run at the playoffs.
• Top prospect Brett Wallace might not be enough to sway the Jay.
• Ken also says the A's want two highly regarded prospects for Halladay, if not there gladly take two compensation picks.
• Multiple teams have inquired on Julio Lugo according to Amalie Benjamin of the Boston Globe.
• Reports from ESPN that Jake Peavy has removed his boot and is pain free. This is strange because GM Kevin Towers (Padres) said it's a 50-50 percent change Peavy would pitch this year. He iterated that he wants him to be 100% healthy for 2010.
  

Roy Halladay Rumors

Halladay Rumors:

Update Friday 12:30 pm: Jerry Crasnick hears from an AL executive that he "would be very surprised" if White Sox GM Kenny Williams doesn't make a play for Roy Halladay.

We already know that Gordon Beckham is untouchable. Possible trade chips to interest the Jays are; Aaron Poreda, Tyler Flowers, Clayton Richard, Dan Hudson, and Jeff Marquez. With good young pitching prospects wouldn't the Jays want more position players then just Tyler Flowers?

Tom Verducci hears that the Dodgers will not trade Clayton Kershaw, but do want Halladay. The Jays do like like minor league third baseman Josh Bell.

Update 7:10: The Rangers have had discussions with the Jays about Halladay, according to MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan. But sources call it a "long shot."

• A Phillie source told Todd Zolecki says that Halladay's 14.25 million dollar salary is nothing and won't be problem. But a package of both Halladay and Vernon Wells would be a deal breaker.
• The Jays told both the Yankees and Red Sox that they'd prefer to deal him outside the AL East; according to John Heyman.
• Joe Strauss says that the Cardinals will not include centerfielder Colby Rasmus in a deal. As well the Cardinals are downplaying any deal due to little pitching prospects that the Jays so desperately want.

Radio Recap: Jim Rice on Ripken Baseball

In the off season, I'll have lots of TV and Radio program recaps for you, and I'll also have some during the regular season! If you miss any radio interviews or you don't have the time to listen to the whole thing, I'll recap the highlights of the interview for you here on this blog!

Hall of Famer Jim Rice was on XM Radio's MLB Home Plate, Ripken Baseball with Bill and Cal:

• Jim has his HOF speech ready, he is going to keep it short.
• Rice will let "Ricky have the stage" at the Hall of Fame inductions.
• Even if he didn't get it, being recognized as a pretty good ball player would have been enough for him.
• Jim remembers when the NL was kicking the AL's butt in the All Star Game. He thinks the American League has more exciting young player than the NL. The AL is feeling more confident.
• The NL has to carry the baggage of losing the All Star game having not won one since 1996.
• Rice enjoying being known in both leagues even though he played in the AL.
• He feels like the scouting system is the key to the Red Sox success now.
• Boston is nothing like New York according to Jim. You had to deal with George, the media, and the fans in NY, only the fans in Boston.
• Some players don't like playing in front of packed stadiums, some players thrive in that atmosphere.

Spread the word about our website, we'll keep you posted on everything MLB 24/7/365!

Around Baseball: Walker, Red Sox, Lugo, MLB Draft

Some notes from this early Friday morning:

Breaking: According to Rob Bradford; the Red Sox designated Julio Lugo for assignment.

• According to Todd Zolecki the Phillies DFA'd Tyler Walker to make room for Clay Condrey. Walker pitched 11 innings, allowing 10 hits, 1 walk, with a 1.64 ERA.
  
• The Red Sox want to talk with Mike Lowell about his health to see if they want to target players like Nick Johnson and Garrett Atkins; according to Joel Sherman.
• Julio Lugo missed a mandatory team workout and didn't travel to Toronto with his teammates for their upcoming series against the Blue Jays. But Adam Kilgore reports, manager Terry Francona said Lugo missed the workout because of a "mix-up."
• Buster Olney wants "The ability to trade draft picks, which is allowed in the NFL, NBA and NHL, but has never been permitted in baseball. If it were, a team that didn't want to pay the slot price for a prospect could trade that pick for players or for more picks later in the draft."

Pirates want to lock up Wilson, Sanchez

According to Dejan Kovacevic; the Pirates want to lock up both Jack Wilson and Freddy Sanchez for years to come. This comes as a shock as the Pirates wanted so desperately to deal them for young talent. Apparently both Wilson and Sanchez want extensions if both are guaranteed offers. A timeline for the deals is incredibly short, since the Pirates will need time to shop the pair if they don't extend them.

The GM is more open about dealing upcoming free agents, names that come to mind are John Grabow and Adam LaRoche. There also open to dealing Ian Snell.