It's July (Trade deadline thread)

[Saltydog]

that means it's 31 days until the trade deadline.

Not much activity so far, but already there are rumors popping up about Grienke getting moved to ATL for some combination that may include one of Minor/Delgado and prospects.

Can we keep this thread active with legit trade rumors with sources?

From Terry Francona's Twitter account-
Sources tell me that the #Brewers are very close to completing a trade that would send P @Zack_Greinke to the #Atlanta #Braves

[CadensDad]

Braves also are scouting Liriano, Only way we make the Greinke move is if we can extend his contract. And if we can lock Greinke up for 7 years at no more than 100mil I will be thrilled. Hanson/Greinke/Beachy will give us a killer 1-2-3 and Hudson should have 2/3 years left in the tank as well.

[footballisbetter.com]

Phil Mackey of 1500ESPN.com reports that the Braves, Blue Jays, Yankees and are among the teams that were scouting Francisco Liriano during Sunday's start against the Royals.

Source: Phil Mackey ‏
Jul 01, 2012 / 9:05 PM EST

[footballisbetter.com]

Buster Olney ‏of ESPN.com thinks that the Phillies would have a really tough time getting anything close to their asking trade price of 4-5 prospects for Cole Hamels.

Source: Buster Olney ‏

[bigh0rt]

With Carlos Lee refusing his trade to LAD, Josh Willingham seems like a good fit to be moved there from MIN.

Other names of note who could be finding new homes...
- Zack Greinke (if you're a fantasy owner, you would love to see him go to the Braves -- anywhere but TOR or NYY)
- Cole Hamels (maybe the most interesting name being thrown around right now, if the Phillies can't extend him; but are apparently asking a King's ransom for him)
- Matt Garza (See: Greinke)
- Alfonso Soriano (MLBTR speculates Tampa as a potential landing spot)
- Ryan Dempster (See: Greinke)
- Huston Street (has been linked to the Mets, who are seemingly a good fit)

[benb18a]

The Texas Rangers are still looking to bolster their pitching it would seem. According to Jon Paul Morosi of Fox Sports, the Rangers have been scouting both Zack Greinke of the Brewers and Cole Hamels of the Phillies. Both players have expiring contracts at the end of this season and are playing for teams that do not seem to be contenders at this point.

The Rangers, on the other hand, clearly are contenders. They lead the American League West by 5.5 games, but the Angels are playing well and the Rangers will need help to maintain their lead. Their pitching has been hit hard by injuries, and Yu Darvish has been inconsistent. While Roy Oswalt has provided a nice little boost, the Rangers are not comfortable in settling for what they have.
Greinke is 9-2 with a 2.82 ERA this season for the struggling Brewers. He has been one of the few bright spots for Milwaukee. While the Brewers have not yet openly placed Greinke on the trading block, they have struggled to get a contract extension in place. At this point, it seems an extension is unlikely and a trade is a very real possibility.

The Phillies have made it clear through their inaction that Cole Hamels is available. They have not shown a willingness to re-sign Hamels this season or during the offseason. With their record, and their fading position in the National League East, Philadelphia is about to become a seller. Hamels is the most sought-after product they have. He is 10-4 with a 3.08 ERA.
Morosi suggested the Phillies would seek the Rangers top third base prospect in return for a trade involving Cole Hamels.

Interesting. The Rangers are really going all-in this year, it seems. Hopefully they have better results than the Four Horseman did in Philly.

[SpecialFNK]

Carlos Lee is taking his talents to south beach, Miami.

According to ESPN's Buster Olney, Astros first baseman Carlos Lee has agreed to go to the Marlins.
Lee's locker was cleaned out by the end of the Astros' game Wednesday game against the Pirates, and it appears that he is on his way to Milwaukee to met up with the Marlins. The 36-year-old has struggled at the plate this season, batting just .287 with a .747 OPS in 66 games for Houston, but perhaps he'll find new life with the Fish. The Astros will cover most of what remains on his $18.5 million salary for 2012.

ESPN's Buster Olney reports that Astros first baseman Carlos Lee has been traded to the Marlins for third baseman Matt Dominguez and left-hander Rob Rasmussen.
Lee has already left his Astros teammates in Pittsburgh and should be available for use in the Marlins' series-finale against the Brewers on Thursday afternoon in Milwaukee. The 36-year-old is hitting .287/.336/.411 with five home runs and 29 RBI through 66 games this season. Miami will hope for better.

I assume Lee takes over at 1B and Gaby Sanchez is to the bench.

in Houston. Brett Wallace will come up and take over at 1B? Wallace this season in AAA- .297/.346/.519/.865/ 13 HR.

[GoldRush]

There's been talks of Victorino to LAD for a few arms they have in Double A

[wrveres]

It cracks me up that batting. 287 is considered bad.

[NikkiSixx]

It cracks me up that batting. 287 is considered bad.

Who said that?