Good morning everyone. I was rather relieved when I woke up to see that Denard Span is still a member of the Minnesota Twins. But, that can change in the next four and a half hours. It makes me very nervous that Span is being talked about. I'm still trying to wrap my head around the fact that A) The Rockies traded Ubaldo Jimenez, and B) The Cleveland Indians were the team that traded for him. Heard he needs to pass a physical today for the deal to be finalized. So that could be interesting...
So I will be updating this with news from not only the Twins, but other deals and rumors that go on around Major League Baseball today. I will also offer up some opinions on the deal as well. Lets dive in:
3:10-This will be my last update on this post today. But I'm glad the Twins chose to stand pat rather than trade. And if your wondering why they did not get any relievers, the price was simply too steep today. But that should go down in August, so look for some outside help to come then.
3:05-One last trade gets through, as the Red Sox land Mariners SP Erik Bedard. It would also appear that the Twins stand pat at the deadline, and keep Denard Span (YES!!!). He will more than likely be rejoining the team Tuesday in Anaheim.
3:00-The deadline is here. It looks as if our final deal of the day will be Ryan Ludwick to Pittsburgh. But who knows, some deals don't get announced until after the deadline. So we shall see what happens.
2:45-SPAN UPDATE: It would appear that the Twins and Nationals won't be making a deal today involving CF Denard Span. Jon Morosi just tweeted that they two sides are not close on a deal. And with just fifteen minutes left, thats something Twins fans have really wanted to hear.
2:30-Joe Christensen reports that the Twins chances of making a move in the next 30 minutes are bleak. So it would appear, the team is standing pat today. Also, Buster Olney tweets that Ubaldo Jimenez has passed his physical and the trade sending him to Cleveland has been ok'd.
2:25-SPAN UPDATE: Denard Span is in the Rochester Red Wings lineup tonight (5:35 PM start) batting leadoff, playing CF. This could change of course but its worth noting. Also, Jon Morosi now reporting that Padres OF Ryan Ludwick is close to being traded to Pittsburgh. This is a move Pittsburgh really needs to make.
2:20: Verlander loses no hitter with two outs in the eight on a hit by Maicer Izturis. 3-2 Tigers
2:15-Twins beat writer Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com states in his blog that it appears the Twins are more likely to stand pat today. So it would appear that Bill Smith would rather wait to see if the Twins can perhaps make a run, then add some players later on. But note that the players would have to clear waivers first if no deal is reached before 3 PM today. And as I write this, Justin Verlander almost loses his no hitter, but was given an error on his throw to first. So Verlander still has a no hitter going in the eight inning.
2:00-One hour till the deadline. One hour till the Twins game. This is intense. Haha
1:55-Tigers P Justin Verlander is carrying a no hitter through 7 innings in his start today against the Angels. I will continue to update this in the timeline as well. This is the third time Verlander has carried a no hitter past the 7th inning, this season. Also, Richard Justice now reporting that the Wandy Rodriguez to Cleveland deal has cooled off. But still surprised to hear Cleveland is in on him though.
1:50-Richard Justice of the Houston Chronicle is reporting that the Astros are close to trading SP Wandy Rodriguez to Cleveland, yes Cleveland, for two minor leaguers. If this is true, Cleveland is going all in to win in the next couple of years. And they are building a pretty solid rotation as well.
1:35-Rosenthal's report was incorrect. It's Mike Adams, not Heath Bell, going to Texas. The deal was just announced by Texas, making it offical. The Rangers are sending a couple of prospects back to San Diego in return. So Heath Bell is still a Padre for the moment. But that could change at any moment...
1:25-Ken Rosehthal reporting that the Rangers have a deal in place to get Padres closer Heath Bell. I definitely did not think Bell would leave the National League. I wonder now if he will close for Texas or will setup Neftali Feliz?
1:10-Again, we have hit a dead spot. It has gone quiet. Probably will get hot real soon and that will carry on through the deadline.
12:40-Jon Morosi of Fox Sports just tweeted that the Twins are not trading Kubel today. So it would appear right now that the Twins are just standing pat unless they pull the trigger on another trade for some relief pitching, or go back to the Span/Storen trade. I still believe they need to acquire relievers without sacrificing a player like Denard Span. As before mentioned, the Twins have inquired about the Jays' Jon Rauch. So we may see some moves yet.
12:35-SPAN UPDATE Tim Brown of Yahoo! Sports and Scott Miller of CBS Sports now tweeting that the Twins believe the Span/Storen trade will not happen today. I'll hold my celebrations until the clock hits zero.
12:15-Joe Christensen of the Star Tribune just reported that the Twins have kicked the tires with Toronto on former Twin Jon Rauch. And as Joe says, no deal is close. Honestly, I'll take him at this point. Twins need relief help terribly. Its so bad they are considering trading their starting centerfielder to get some in return.
12:05-Bob Nightengale of USA Today now reporting that the Oakland A's and Arizona Diamondbacks have agreed to a deal that will send relief pitcher Brad Ziegler to Arizona. Not sure what the A's will get in return (probably a low end prospect or two). Ziegler pitched two-thirds of an inning last night against the Twins and struck out one. He carries a 2.39 ERA in 43 games this season. Was hoping the Twins would perhaps give him a look today.
11:50-Lots of talk today around Astros SP Wandy Rodriguez. Sounds like the Yankees are inquiring on what it would take to get the lefty in the Bronx. If he goes today (heard its 50/50 at this point of happening), the Astros would be defined as having a fire sale. Although GM Ed Wade said earlier today they are not having a fire sale. Pence, Bourn, and Wandy Rodriguez...sounds like a fire sale to me.
11:40-SPAN UPDATE: Keith Law just tweeted that the Nationals and Twins are fighting over Nats prospect Steve Lombardozzi Jr. So perhaps this has been the snag that has kept this deal from happening. Maybe they will get so mad at each other this deal blows up! (Gotta have positive thoughts!)
11:30-Its been pretty quiet in the last half hour. In fact, its been so quiet that it makes you think that something big is coming (Hopefully not a Span/Storen trade). It should start getting real busy soon. Also keep in mind there are games starting on 30 minutes. So we might see more players pulled off the field today.
11:00-SPAN UPDATE: SI and MLB Network analyst Jon Heyman just said on MLB Network that he believes the Span for Storen deal will happen. Ken Rosenthal also said that the deal is stalled right now due to a disagreement as to the other players that will be a part of the deal. I just want this to go away.
10:55-Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review just tweeted that the Pirates number one target today is Twins OF Jason Kubel. Still unheard of whether the Twins have decided to trade him.
10:50-SPAN UPDATE: This is more old news, but here's what is being said by national media this morning regarding the Span/Storen deal. ESPN's Tim Kurkjian reported that the chances of a deal getting done today is around 50/50 and that the Nationals could look at getting Justin Upton. Then a few minutes later, SI's Jon Heyman tweeted that he was told by a rival executive that he believes that the Nationals will give into the Twins because they want Span very badly. For those wondering, I'm still standing firm on my belief that trading Denard Span is a huge mistake.
10:30-This is kind of old, but still worth noting. Astros dealt OF Michael Bourn to Atlanta for four prospects. Houston dealt Hunter Pence on Friday, and Bourn today. So...who are they trying to build their team around? Not a good weekend to be a Houston fan. Good move for Atlanta. They needed a good outfielder, and got one. Braves should be a lock now to get in the postseason as a Wild Card, at the very least.
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