Countdown to the Deadline: 11 Days

O's Could Make Moves
The Orioles made a trade yesterday that send pitcher Cla Meredith to the Padres for Oscar Salazar. Baltimore may look to trade guys like Aubrey Huff, George Sherrill, and Danys Baez before the Trade Deadline. Manager Dave Trembley has said that he won't be surprised if the team dramatically changes.

Giambi to DL
Jason Giambi has been placed on the DL with a strained right quad. The A's will be using lots of Nomar Garciaparra at first base. Daric Barton was called up from AAA to take Giambi's spot on the roster.

Pedro Update
RHP Pedro Martinez is on the road to returning to the big leagues. He will toss a simulated game on Tuesday.

Roberts recalled
The D'backs have recalled infielder Ryan Roberts from AAA, to take Felipe Lopez's, who was traded, place on the active roster.

Myers could return in August
Phillies RHP Brett Myers could return in August. He will throw a bullpen session on Saturday. If he returns he will pitch in relief.

Other Deadline Notes

• The Red Sox don't seem to be in on the Roy Halladay talks.
• The Cleveland Indians are shopping Cliff Lee and Victor Matrinez.
• The Tigers had a scout at Halladay's start yesterday.
• The Royals have traded Yuniesky Betancourt to fill their SS need.
• The Mets turned down a package of Fernando Martinez, Jon Nies, Ruben Tejada, and Bobby Parnell for Halladay.
• The Phillies sent a scout to check out D-backs closer Chad Qualls this weekend.

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

Roy Halladay Rumors

Roy Halladay Rumors:

10:27 PM: Keith Law hears from his multiple sources that the SI report is "Bogus."

9:20 PM: Mike DiGiovanna talked to Angels GM Tony Reagins, who "hasn't ruled out anything" in a trade for Halladay. But still thinks they don't have enough premium prospects to land the Ace.

6:12 PM: Jon Heyman reports that the Mets rejected a package of Fernando Martinez, Bobby Parnell, Jon Niese and Ruben Tejada for Halladay.

5:35 PM: Peter Gammons talked to one GM who said "The general feeling is that he won't be traded." Gammons thinks that the addition of Halladay to the Phillies would give them legitimate chances to win the World Series for the Next 2-3 years, as well be a tutor to young Cole Hamels.

4:42 PM: Theo Epstein said Halladay is tempting, but didnt mention him directly.

4:30 PM: Don't expect he Brewers to get in the Halladay sweepstakes because of his price, writes Tom Haudricourt.

3:41 PM: Jeff Blair hears that the Phillies, Dodgers, and Angels have serious interest in Halladay. While the Yankees and the Red Sox are skeptical that the Jays will deal within the division. As the Cards have lost interest in him as well.

12:50 PM: Buster Olney points out that the Phillies need for Halladay is diminishing due to a 6.5 game lead in the division.

12:30 PM: A friend of Doc Halladay tells Jon Heyman that Halladay first priority is to win and wants a team that trains in Florida in spring training. Heyman's source believes the Yankees, Red Sox, Cardinals and Phillies are among the teams to which Halladay would approve a deal for.

10:45 AM: Ken Gurnick says the Dodgers have the need for Halladay and the talent to acquire him. However, ownership may not be willing to commit enough money to land the Jays' ace.

9:00 AM:

• Jeff Blair says that the Jays scouted the Phillies single A team.
• A rival GM says J.P. Ricciardi "won't trade Halladay unless he gets the deal he wants," Morosi hears. "But he wants to get a deal."
• Red Sox don't appear to have serious interest.
  
• Mike Rutsey says Phillies executive Pat Gillick, Brewers assistant GM Gord Ash, and scouts for the Rangers and Dodgers all watched Halladay's start yesterday game.
• Tim Wharnsby hears that the Phillies executive Pat Gillick talked about the severity of Halldays groin injury that occurred a few weeks back.

Don't Expect Big Moves for Mets

Bart Hubbuch talked to Mets GM Omar Minaya, who agreed with manager Jerry Manuel's pregame comments that the team doesn't expect to bring in significant outside help before the deadline on the 31st.

Sanchez, Wilson Reject Extension for Bucs

Update 7/20, 7:15 PM: According to Jenifer Langosch; Jack Wilson and Freddy Sanchez both have a desire to stay and negotiate with the Pirates. Pirates claiming "miscommunication" when the players believed the original offers to be "take-it-or-leave-it" and didn't think they were negotiable.

7/19/09:Jenifer Langosch of Mlb.com reports Both Freddy Sanchez and Jack Wilson have rejected the Pirates' contract extension, and as of Sunday, neither has come back to present a counter-offer.

But Jenifer also reports that if the Bucs don't trade Wilson and Sanchez they could almost certainly accept during the off-season.

General manager Neal Huntington:"We've not received a counter to this point, so in our minds, they are not interested in even the foundation that we've laid. The response is such that they don't even feel we are in the same ballpark because they feel like years, dollars, the foundation is so far off their expectations that it's not worth countering."

GM Omar Minaya and Manager Jerry Manuel

Jon Heyman reports that GM Omar Minaya and manager Jerry Manuel have there jobs safe throughout this painful season.

Phillies Interested in Chad Qualls

According to Ed price; the Phillies sent a scout watch D'Backs closer Chad Qualls this weekend against the Cardinals. He makes 2.5 million dollars (30 years old) and doesn't become a free agent till after next season. Qualls has been good this year, and should demand a decent prospect or two.

Indians want Pitching

If the Indians were to sell Cliff Lee and Victor Martinez they'd want a pitching infested return. Indians GM Mark Shapiro has no idea if he'll make any trades this July, but he's "extremely busy and active,"according to Anthony Castrovince.

"This year, the [non-waiver] deadline is going to be far less relevant," Shapiro said. "[The market] will probably be active all the way through August."

Marlin not Buyers?

Three days ago the Marlins seemed like buyers, but after being swept by the division leading Phillies that has changed. Ken Rosenthal hears that the Marlins are neither buyers or sellers at the moment.

Brad Penny Rumors

With the pitching the the Red Sox have, Boston could deal Brad Penny way for a grade B prospect. Penny most likely won't profile under as a Type A or Type B free agent, and the Red Sox will certainly NOT offer arbitration to Penny; writes Buster Olney. The only way for the Red Sox to gain talent from Penny is through a trade, for the reason that Penny isn't going bring draft picks back in the off-season.

Dodgers Eyeing Relievers

Ken Gurnick reports that if the Dodgers push the Red further away from contention, it would be easier to acquire one of the reds relievers. The Dodgers are trying to improve their 'pen, so they've been eying Francisco Cordero, David Weathers and Arthur Rhodes. As well as O's reliever George Sherrill.

Orioles Rumors

• According to Ken Rosenthal; The Marlins, Dodgers, Brewers, Angels and Cubs all have some interest in Orioles closer George Sherrill. We know the Orioles want two young prospects for Sherrill.
• Ken also mentions that dealing Luke Scott and Aubrey Huff isn't on the O's wish list.
• Roch Kubatko notes that the Oscar Salazar for Cla Meredith trade worked out for both teams.
• The O's are still very interested Miguel Angel Sano, but it could be a month before he signs; writes Steve Melewski.

Expect a lot of Oriole rumors, there gonna unload.