Around Baseball: Cubs, Schmidt, Sheets, Lilly, Banks

Around Baseball:

• The Cubs have agreed to terms with second rounder D.J. LeMahieu, according to Carrie Muskat.
• Ken Gurnick reports that former Dodgers ace Jason Schmidt will return to the rotation on Monday
• Don't expect the Padres to move Adrian Gonzales or Heath Bell before the Deadline; according to Ken Rosenthal.
• From a Angels Press Release the Angels have released right-hander Rudy Seanez.
• Reports from Buster Olney is that Ben Sheets continues to make progress as he returns from elbow surgery, still doubts about his 2009 season.
• Ken Davidoff writes that the Yankees missed the ball when they could of signed Lilly.
• The White Sox could give up Danks for Halladay instead of Beckham, according to Chicago Tribune.
• Padres designated righthander Josh Banks for assignment; according to a team press release.
  

Quick Notes

• The Brewers are in on Roy Halladay, flying under the radar. However, Roy might not approve a deal to Milwaukee, even if the crew do have enough prospects.
• Kevin Towers, Padres GM, says it makes no sense for them to move Adrian Gonzalez or Heath Bell.
• Matt Holliday is not drawing that much interest from anyone.
• The A's have gotten calls about Mike Wuertz and Brad Ziegler, but they don't seem eager to move either of the relief pitchers.

That's it for now!

Countdown To the Deadline: 13 Days

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Reds Selling or Buying?
The Cincinnati Reds are hanging around in the NL Central, but they're 5.5 games back and 3 games under .500. Will they be selling, buying or neither at the deadline? CEO Bob Castellini would like to at least end the streak of losing seasons.

Yankees Pitching Depth
The Yanks GM Brian Cashman has said, "Right now I don't feel like we need a guy because we're going internal and waiting to see how that works out."

Henderson's Playing Days Are Over
The 50 year old all-time stolen base leader will not steal another base in the big leagues. Rickey told Jerr Crasnick of ESPN that he would love to pursue a coaching career, but his playing days are done.

Halladay Update
The Tigers have had some internal discussions about the ace, but Jon Paul Morosi doesn't see anything happening there.

Lowrie Returns
98 days after his last start for the Red Sox, SS Jed Lowrie returned to the lineup today. Lowrie was recovering from a left wrist surgery. He will share duties with Nick Green as short for Boston for the foreseeable future according to Ian Brown of MLB.com.

Days Recap
Please scroll down on the blog and read all of the updates Phil and I had for you today! Lots of good info today, including;

• Roy Halladay Rumors
• Tim Redding Could be released
• Angels and their FA
• Minor League suspensions
• Pirates Update
• And more!

Trade Deadline Preview

The guys from MLB Daily Dish have done a nice job with some team-by-team trade deadline previews:

• Brewers
• Cardinals
• Dodgers
• Orioles
• Pirates

That's it for now, more updates later!

Afternoon Updates: Pirates, Red Sox, and More

Note: Scroll down for updated posts on Halladay and Redding!

• The Pirates have their double play duo to take pay cuts. The Bucs are hoping to bring SS Jack Wilson and 2B Freddy Sanchez back on a contract extension.
• The team is most interested in securing Wilson and trading Sanchez according to Dejan Kovacevic of The Pittsburgh Post.
• Pirates catcher Ryan Doumit thinks it's vital to keep both Wilson and Sanchez.
• Julio Lugo, who was DFA by the Red Sox yesterday, has been working out at the Mets complex and is expected to sign with the Mets as soon as he clears waivers and is released.
• Theo Epstein feels there are opportunities for the Red Sox to get better, but Theo is pleased with the roster they have.
• The Padres are looking to find more playing time for their younger players, like Mat Latos, who will be called up to start on Sunday.
• The Tigers have placed pitcher Joel Zumaya on the 15 day DL with shoulder soreness. There is no timetable for his return. Ryan Perry was called up from AAA to take Zumaya's spot on the roster.
• Rays manager Joe Maddon was honored with the C.I. Taylor Award.
• Ryan Braun of the Brewers departed yesterday's game with a sore wrist and thumb. It will be evaluated today. Braun was hit with a pitch in the 5th inning, before leaving in the 7th.

6 minor league players have been suspended 50 games for testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs. The list:

• Cody Adams, Class A, Brewers
• Billis Andujar, DSL, Tigers
• Jose Encarnacion, DSL, Tigers
• Carlos Rosario, DSL, White Sox
• Aristedes Santos, DSL, KC
• Jorge Serra, DSL, Blue Jays

The suspensions are effective immediately.

That's it for now, we'll keep you posted on everything MLB.

Mets to Release Tim Redding

Adam Rubin spoke to a source who claims the Mets are about ready to release Tim Redding and eat the reminder of his one year 2.25 million dollar contract. Redding had a 7.22 ERA in 52.1 IP this year.

Updated at 1:30 with more info
Redding was still in the Mets clubhouse today, a release could still be on the way, but it may not occur until early next week.

Halladay Rumors

The Brewers have talked to the Blue Jays about Halladay, When GM Doug Melvin talked to Tom Haudricourt of the Journal Sentinel who confirmed that he did have a conversation with Toronto, but wouldn't go into details. It was previously noted that the Brewers wouldn't trade their highly regarded prospects in Mat Gamel and Alcides Escobar, which was made very clear by Doug Melvin.

The Angels have pursued Halladay, but don't feel confident that they can satisfy the Jays in a trade; according to Bill Shaikin of the LA Times. The Angels would part with Brandon Wood, but are very "hesitant" to include young pitching.

Updated at 1:30 with More info
Jon Heyman reports that the Phillies are still the favorite to land Hallday, the Rangers don't have the money and the Angels want to keep their prospects.

Who gets Halladay? Does anybody?

Miguel Angel Sano News

Miguel Angel Sano passed Major League Baseball's age investigation. It seemed that every team had some sort of interest but the Pirates and Orioles appear to be the front runners for his services.

Angels and their Free Agents

According to Bill Shaikin the Angels will wait till after the season to talk re-negotiating. The good thing is that the Angels will have a 15-day period were only them can inclusively talk to their free agents before they hit the open market.

"It's unlikely we'd do anything during this time period," General Manager Tony Reagins said Friday. "We don't want it to be a distraction. We want to focus on trying to win."

Free agents at seasons end from the Angels are: John Lackey (SP), Vladimir Guerrero (OF), Bobby Abreu (OF), Chone Figgins (3B), Robb Quinlan (Utility), and pitchers Kelvim Escobar and Darren Oliver.