Top News:
Jayson Stark / ESPN:
Red Sox could end up trading Lester — It makes sense for Boston to deal its ace left-hander, but it would be a risky move — So who would have guessed last October that the central figure of Trade Deadline Week 2014 would be . . . Jon Lester? — But that's where Lester and the Red Sox find themselves all of a sudden.
Discussion:
The Good Phight, MLB Daily Dish, MLB Trade Rumors and Phillies Nation
RELATED:
Joe McDonald / ESPN:
Papi's pitch: Red Sox shouldn't trade Lester … BOSTON — David Ortiz believes teammate Jon Lester and the Red Sox should agree on a contract extension to keep the left-handed pitcher in Boston for a long time. — Amid speculation that the Red Sox are listening to trade offers for the ace …
Discussion:
Associated Press and Boston Globe
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Phillies Make Hamels Available; Dodgers Interested — 3:50pm: In today's Rumblings & Grumblings column, ESPN's Jayson Stark touched on Hamels' availability (highlights from the rest of the piece can be seen here, though it's worth reading in its entirety). — Officials from other teams tell Stark …
Discussion:
MLB Daily Dish
Michael Silverman / Boston Herald:
John Henry takes stock of perplexing Red Sox
John Henry takes stock of perplexing Red Sox
Discussion:
Over the Monster, Camden Chat and Batter's Box Interactive …
Adam Kilgore / Washington Post:
Nationals trade rumors as deadline nears — Thursday's non-waiver trade deadline now stands only three days away, and the Nationals are, as ever, somewhat hard to read. They “seem to be very busy on multiple fronts,” as one executive from a selling team put it.
Discussion:
MLB.com, Federal Baseball, MLB Trade Rumors, MLB Daily Dish and CBSSports.com
RELATED:
Nick Cafardo / The Boston Globe:
Rays have big decisions as trade deadline nears
Rays have big decisions as trade deadline nears
Discussion:
Inside the 'Zona, Federal Baseball and MLB Trade Rumors
Adam McCalvy / MLB.com:
Melvin, aides prep for Trade Deadline — ST. PETERSBURG — Doug Melvin needed some extra chairs in the visiting general manager's suite at Tropicana Field on Monday. — With the non-waiver Trade Deadline looming at 3 p.m. CT on Thursday, Melvin led a larger-than-usual group of Brewers officials …
Clark Spencer / MiamiHerald.com:
Continued surge could put Miami Marlins in buy mode for a starting pitcher — HOUSTON — Giancarlo Stanton hasn't played in many meaningful games with the Marlins, who have finished last in every one of his four seasons except for his first. — That's why he's looking forward …
Discussion:
Fish Stripes and MLB Trade Rumors
RELATED:
Fox Sports:
Trader Jack? As Seattle's GM struggles to complete deals, some rival executives wonder — The Mariners already have completed one trade, acquiring designated hitter Kendrys Morales from the Twins last week. General manager Jack Zduriencik could make one or two more deals …
Fox Sports:
Beat Rays, and Brewers raise their chances to get David Price … The Brewers, by defeating the Rays the next three days, could improve their chances in two different races. — Their realistic bid for the NL Central title. … And their unlikely bid to land Rays left-hander David Price.
Discussion:
JSOnline, DRaysBay, Brew Crew Ball, MLB Trade Rumors and Al's Ramblings
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Royals Acquire Liam Hendriks, Erik Kratz — 6:10pm: The Blue Jays announced that they have acquired Danny Valencia from the Royals in exchange for Hendriks and Kratz. Valencia, 29, posted a .282/.328/.382 slash line in 119 plate appearances for KC this season.
Discussion:
Royals Review and MLB Daily Dish
Steve Adams / MLB Trade Rumors:
Dodgers Acquire Darwin Barney — 5:43pm: MLB.com's Carrie Muskat reports that the Dodgers will pay $500K of what is owed to Barney this season (Twitter link). — 2:32pm: The Dodgers have bolstered their infield depth and their defense with the acquisition of Darwin Barney from the Cubs, both teams announced.
Discussion:
HardballTalk, True Blue LA, MLB Daily Dish, SBNation.com and Bleed Cubbie Blue
Ben Badler / Baseball America:
Potential Suitors For Cuban Free Agent Rusney Castillo — After a showcase on Saturday at the University of Miami, the market for 27-year-old Cuban free agent Rusney Castillo is beginning to shape itself, with a contract likely coming in the next two weeks.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors, River Avenue Blues and Metsblog
Associated Press:
Santana, Gattis Lead Braves to 2-0 Win Over Padres — ATLANTA — Ervin Santana threw eight scoreless innings, Evan Gattis homered for the first time in more than a month and the Atlanta Braves beat the San Diego Padres 2-0 on Monday. — Santana (10-6) allowed just five hits and matched his career high with 11 strikeouts.
Discussion:
Talking Chop and Canadian Press
Metsblog:
Jacob deGrom named co-NL Player of the Week — Jacob deGrom was named co-National League Player of the Week, along with Marlins reliever Steve Cishek. — DeGrom went 2-0 with a 0.68 ERA over the past week. In 13 1/3 innings — two starts — deGrom struck out 11, walked three and allowed just nine hits and one earned run.
Discussion:
Amazin' Avenue