Inside Baseball: Big trade storylines involve Padres, Tigers, Hamels … – CBSSports.com

After an almost unprecedented lull in trading action, two trades of some significance finally were completed Thursday. The Astros became the first to land a viable starting pitcher when they brought Scott Kazmir back home to his native Houston, and the Pirates filled a gaping hole on the left side of the infield created by a couple tough injuries when they imported ex-Pirate Aramis Ramirez, who began his career in Pittsburgh, to help in their pennant push.

But that was just the start of what could become a thrilling final-week finish to a trade deadline that could still see three or four aces dealt, with possibly also the game’s two best closers and maybe a big bat or two on the move.

With a week to go, here are some of the bigger storylines.

1. Will the Padres be as exciting at the deadline as they were this winter?

Well, if this is any clue, they’ve made everyone available short of the bat boy. There are a number of ways they can go, of course, with the two main routes a partial sale (their free agents Justin Upton, Ian Kennedy, Will Venable and Joaquin Benoit) or a full sale (that quartet plus many others, too). No one can be sure, but one rival GM predicted, “They’ll sell big. It’s in their nature not to do anything halfway.”

The summer buying spree didn’t produce a quick winner, as they had hoped, but it did give the Padres a decent haul of proven major-league talent, probably enough to make them a major hub of this summer’s sale. No less than Craig Kimbrel and James Shields are being offered around and could possibly go, as well as coveted, controllable young starting talents like Tyson Ross and Andrew Cashner. The Royals, Blue Jays, Astros and Dodgers are among the big players for the starting pitchers, with LA and others believed to like both Ross and Cashner. The Dodgers and Padres, separated by 100 miles, are quite familiar with each other, thanks also to a swap of executives. Though like most with something good to offer, the Padres would target LA’s top two prospects, shortstop Corey Seager or young lefty Julio Urias, in any deal for either of their established young pitchers.

Kimbrel could interest the Blue Jays, Nationals and Dodgers, among others, though it’s hard to imagine San Diego recouping what it surrendered for him in the first place. Shields is definitely being marketed, and while he’s known as a leader and a winner, a drop in velocity means he could conceivably pass through waivers and even be traded in August, rivals suggest. “They’d have to pay some of that down,” one rival GM speculated.

The Padres created immense excitement with their bold moves this winter, but it didn’t turn out as planned, and it’ll be interesting to see how much they undo. One thing we know by now: young GM A.J. Preller is unafraid to stick his neck out.

2. Will the Tigers ultimately sell?

The Tigers aren’t selling yet, and could consider buying pitching also. If they do, even with some advance warning it would send shock waves through the market, with ace lefty David Price immediately shooting to the top of a trade market that already includes multiple aces (Johnny Cueto, Cole Hamels and Jeff Samardzija) and Yoenis Cespedes rocketing to the top of a rather thin list of hitters that is currently headlined by Upton.

They are preparing to go either way, which is only prudent. But most rivals are guessing that they aren’t a team that gives up easily, especially when they very likely may believe they are better than the Twins and Astros, the two teams currently in wild-card position.

Detroit is four games out in the wild-card derby and has serious questions in both the rotation and bullpen now, but it still has some great stars, a dangerous lineup and the hope to get superstar Miguel Cabrera back sometime in August and former star Justin Verlander back to his old form at some point in the not too distant future.

“They’re built to win now,” one rival said. “They’d have to have a terrible week to sell, I’d think.”

The Tigers began the second half with a losing record in a homestand against the uninspiring Orioles and Mariners and will now face the fading Red Sox and Rays, which should give themselves every opportunity to get close enough in the race so that selling would be a stretch — even if you could obviously get a haul for the likes of Price and Cespedes.

3. Will the Phillies ever trade Cole Hamels?

There was an ESPN report that the Cubs had young shortstop Starlin Castro and talented slugging prospect Javier Baez “on the table” for Cole Hamels, and two rivals commented that that isn’t a bad tandem for Hamels considering the ace lefty’s age, salary and recent performance. “Decent offer” one rival GM termed it.

The Dodgers and Rangers are seen as favorites for Hamels, but the Cubs are indeed considering him and have the prospects to make it work. But while the Cubs would be willing to talk about both those players, one source connected to the Cubs reacted to that rumor of the tandem going for Hamels with an emphatic, “Both guys?! No!” There is also some belief the Cubs would prefer not to sell low on Castro, and it’s also a little dicey to acquire Baez when he’s only now preparing to return from a fractured finger suffered in early June.

The Dodgers and Rangers have been probably correctly seen as the most likely options in recent weeks, though the Cubs and Red Sox were among other teams to scout Hamels’ most recent performance, which most likely reflected his frustration for still being in Philly. It’s hard to know what the chances for a deal anywhere are, but there was word a couple days ago that Phillies people haven’t heard anything close.

That may not be such a shock since Philly has long seen Hamels as the star of their sale — though there have been suggestions the Phils have become more reasonable since Andy MacPhail came aboard. One person suggested, for instance, they are continuing to talk to the Dodgers and Red Sox while no longer insisting on Seager or Urias from LA, or Mookie Betts or Blake Swihart from Boston.

One rival GM said, “Hamels is basically worth what his contract is.” Which doesn’t sound like a big haul will be necessarily forthcoming.

Meanwhile, others have said that, considering Philly’s willingness to pay down part of the $84 million remaining, they should still come back with something decent.

But nearly everyone is saying they need to do something, for the sake of Hamels and everyone else involved.

Considering all the potential free agent stars starting pitching expected out there this winter — from Price to Cueto to Jordan Zimmermann to potentially even Zack Greinke and others — they are taking a chance to do nothing. As one rival puts it, bluntly, “They are crazy if they keep him.”

Notes from around the Majors …

Team	News
	Arizona Diamondbacks News
First-year manager Chip Hale has done a very nice job with the D-Backs, as they are one of the more fundamentally sound teams. He’s on track to have his third-year option picked up, though no decision needs to be made for awhile … Arizona received some criticism for not using about $2 million of its draft allotment. Their response is that they will use the money on major-league players.
	Atlanta Braves News
Atlanta is continuing to try to sell Jonny Gomes and Cameron Maybin in addition to Jim Johnson, Juan Uribe and the untradeable Chris Johnson. “They should be able to get something for Johnson,” one AL GM said, meaning Jim, not Chris. The Braves have offered Chris Johnson around, showing a willingness to pay his contract, which has about $20 million through 2107, way down. A rival GM said, “the only way they trade Chris Johnson is if they throw in a great player like they did with Melvin Upton.”
	Baltimore Orioles News
The Orioles have talked about Marlon Byrd, Gerardo Parra, Justin Upton and other outfielders. But here’s one name they might try: Carl Crawford. He’s back after being out two months with a torn oblique, but on the bench due to Andre Ethier‘s fine play. Shane Victorino is an available OF who could help Baltimore as well. The O’s are definitely interested in Upton, as they were this winter … Bud Norris surely won’t finish the year with the Orioles. Baltimore nearly had him dealt once, and it seems only a matter of time. Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com first mentioned that Norris was on the block … No surprise, the Orioles plan to make qualifying offers to free agents Matt Wieters, Chris Davis and Wei-Yin Chen … They’ve had disappointing years from a lot of their players, including shortstop J.J. Hardy … Manager Buck Showalter called “comical” the suggestion they were offering to trade Kevin Gausman.
	Boston Red Sox News
Manager John Farrell is said to have the backing off his bosses despite what amounts to a horrific season … Joe Kelly is a “pen guy” in the words of one scout … Mike Napoli, not surprisingly, has drawn no trade interest. His poor start is shocking in light of his big spring … There is some interest in Shane Victorino and the relievers Koji Uehara and Junichi Tazawa … The Red Sox will proceed cautiously with Clay Buchholz (elbow), especially considering their situation.
	Chicago Cubs News
The Cubs will make a big push for David Price at least as a free agent, as was suggest in this space a couple days ago. Despite huge revenues, though, they are said to have some financial limitations, which could hinder them in going after one of baseball’s biggest stars. The Cubs are expected to try to sell Price on Chicago as the most livable of the biggest cities, and while no one picks a team due to the manager, having Joe Maddon can’t hurt in that regard … The Cubs like Mike Leake, but they aren’t as anxious as others to do rentals … Kyle Schwarber is off to a Ruthian start, and the Cubs are thought to be interested in getting him some outfield work so he can continue to get major-league at-bats once Miguel Montero returns. Schwarber is viewed as an excellent leader, but the Cubs are taking it slowly when it comes to his catching
	Chicago White Sox News
According to one interested party, the asking price on Jeff Samardzija is four players. That sounds like a lot, but of ccurse, unless the players are known, it’s not possible to tell for sure. In any case they weren’t rushing to do it.
	Cincinnati Reds News
Byrd is expected to go somewhere by the deadline, but Jay Bruce is less certain. The Reds apparently have a big price tag on Bruce, who can carry a team when hot … There aren’t a lot of candidates to get a big-time closer, but if there are, they may be the Dodgers, Nationals and Blue Jays, and Aroldis Chapman “is the best in the game,” according to one scout. That same scout also opined that Chapman has been overused in recent days. One possible hangup: Owner Bob Castellini loves Chapman … Cueto should do extremely well as a free agent, but word is he really loves his dreadlocks, which may or may not fit into the Yankees’ strict hair guidelines.
	Houston Astros News
Folks around the team say they wondered whether GM Jeff Luhnow could make a deal with Cincinnati, which has two of the top available starters, so it should come as no surprise they turned to Scott Kazmir. Luhnow and Reds GM Walt Jocketty have a history from their days together in St. Louis. They still appear to be looking around for a starter, but there doesn’t seem to be real hope for Hamels here, either … Kazmir should be credited for his amazing career turnaround and his overall numbers look good (2.38 ERA, 1.09 WHIP), but the reaction was more muted than you’d think, perhaps due to his splits which reveal a 1.36 ERA in pitcher-friendly O.Co and a 3.92 ERA on the road … The deal was a windfall for Kazmir, who by his contract received a 500K assignment bonus and will save about 300K in state tax in addition to the trade eliminating the possibility he could receive the stifling qualifying offer.
	Kansas City Royals News
Kansas City seems to be on both available Reds starters, Cueto and Leake. They like Leake, but Cueto’s name is being heard more lately.
	Los Angeles Angels News
The Angels continue to look for a lefty bat for left field (Jay Bruce, Ben Revere maybe), but word is they aren’t focused on replacing David Freese, who is expected to be out three weeks after suffering a broken right index finger … Jered Weaver is thought ready to come back from his hip issue, but with Angels pitchers performing so well, they don’t think it hurts to give his arm a little more rest … The Angels have an unusual setup where the manager wields all the power, and the GM is there to serve the manager. That should make looking for someone from outside difficult, and is why some see ex-Angels pitching coach Bud Black as a natural candidate.
	Los Angeles Dodgers News
Price, as expected, now is believed to head the Dodgers’ pitching wish list. Beyond that he’s one of the best out there, the Dodgers tried for him last summer and one Dodgers person mentioned “the connection,” meaning Andrew Friedman, baseball president, and his longstanding relationship with Price … Hamels and Cueto are still on their list, and that’s important because there’s no guarantee Price is traded … Jimmy Rollins, for one, is impressed by Cueto. “Like Marichal,” he said … Teams have asked about Yasiel Puig. The Dodgers have been unwilling to include him for any rental … The Dodgers like Howie Kendrick, but with so many fine infielders, they are waiting to discuss a multiyear deal with him … Dodgers players seem to have tremendous respect for how Don Mattingly utilizes the full roster … Last three games, Clayton Kershaw has 38 strikeouts, no walks, no earned runs.
	Miami Marlins News
The Marlins are fielding calls of interest in Dan Haren, who’s been exceptional this year, Mat Latos and Steve Cishek, who has an ERA under 1 since returning from a minor-league stint, as Joe Frisaro of MLB.com reported … They’ve gotten calls on Tom Koehler and Martin Prado but thus far have no interest in moving them … One team that called about Haren mentioned that the Dodgers were paying the freight and suggested that perhaps some of that money should be sent along with Haren in any deal, and at least in that deal, the Marlins were said to have declined. (A Marlins person explained that it’s no different than any other negotiation with give and take, and denied that the Dodgers are paying the whole $10 million of Haren’s salary, anyway; someone else said while LA included about $10 million, that could go toward Haren or Dee Gordon or anyone else, and furthermore mentioned that Haren will likely hit $3 million in incentives, so it is correct LA isn’t paying the whole freight.) Anyway, the Marlins also love having the very professional Haren around … As for Latos, who feels the best he has in a while, he will go … Marlins people are most disappointed by the team’s lack of offense, even before Giancarlo Stanton and Gordon went down … Gordon (dislocated thumb) is expected back when his DL stay is up, while Stanton’s timetable is more open-ended, though he’s begun taking “dry” swings. Stanton (hand) hasn’t played in nearly a month and still is tied for the NL lead with 27 home runs. He missed the last three weeks last year, and still kept the homer title … Henderson Alvarez, who was upset he wasn’t extended a multiyear offer along with the others, has switched agents, going to Rick Thurman and Rafa Nieves of Beverly Hills Sports Council. Alvarez, it was reported here was pitching with a tear in his UCL, and he is currently on the DL with shoulder trouble. Alvarez experienced a setback and his season is in jeopardy, Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald reported … Shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria, who looks smart now for not taking the long-term offer over the winter, is a legit Gold Glove candidate, even in a league with Andrelton Simmons … Dan Jennings won a matchup of interim managers when the Marlins beat Pat Murphy’s Padres Thursday.
	Minnesota Twins News
Paul Molitor continues to do a brilliant job with the Twins, who are bucking all predictions … That said, they’ve had a little bit of a problem lately with the shortstop, as Danny Santana and Eduardo Escobar have struggled.
	Milwaukee Brewers News
Someone who spoke to the Brewers lately suggested they were trying harder to trade Gerardo Parra than Carlos Gomez … Adam Lind could make sense for the Cardinals or possibly the Pirates, if those reports are accurate regarding concerns about Pedro Alvarez.
	New York Mets News
The Mets‘ offense has become almost laughable. Players batting under .180 occupied the Nos. 4 and 5 spots against Kershaw, so it’s no shock he threw a three-hitter … It is time to call up Michael Conforto, a hitting machine who came out of the same 2014 draft as Schwarber. May as well see if he can help, because if he isn’t ready, it’ll be time to go get someone. Michael Cuddyer looks like he needs to go on the DL anyway.
	New York Yankees News
The one main area the Yankees are looking at is second base, though the pickings are slim. They are said to have no interest in the D-backs’ Aaron Hill. Stephen Drew is excellent defensively at both shortstop and second, so the need isn’t exactly urgent. Rob Refsnyder may also be called back at some point … The Yankees are investigating the top starters but that would seem to be a long shot with the need less than overwhelming … Whoever had the idea to pair similar speedsters Jacoby Ellsbury and Brett Gardner gets a gold star. If Gardner worried about his status after Ellsbury was signed to his $153-million deal, any concern was quickly allayed when GM Brian Cashman met with agent Joe Bick and assured him that they wanted to keep Gardner, too. Cashman quickly made good on that promise, signing him to a $50-million, four-year deal in what turned out to be a very wise investment … The Yankees look smart now for turning down a Reds proposal of Gardner for Brandon Phillips … They see top prospects Luis Severino, Aaron Judge and Greg Bird as all pretty close to the big league now.
	Oakland A’s News
Ben Zobristcan fit more teams than anyone since he can play anywhere … The A’s sale is on now, and reliever Tyler Clippard should go, as well … Jacob Nottingham, the catcher who came in the Kazmir trade, is “like Mike Napoli,” according to a scout, an offense first guy.
	Philadelphia Phillies News
Cliff Lee‘s season is over. While he is said to feel better than at any time in the year, it wouldn’t make sense for him to start getting ready now with a small chance to return as a reliever for baseball’s worst team. There’s an outside chance he could try to throw in the winter in hopes of staging a comeback, but people close to him believe it’s also very likely he may just hang ’em up. In 2009, Lee nearly single-handedly kept the Phillies afloat in their World Series loss to the Yankees. He won the AL Cy Young in 2008 while with the Indians … The Phillies offered this winter to pay half of Ryan Howard‘s salary in some efforts to trade him. Now the offer would have to be more generous. Come to think of it, it had to be more than that then, too.
	Pittsburgh Pirates News
Aramis Ramirez, who has said he’ll retire after the year, will finish his career having had four stints in the majors, all with NL Central teams (the Pirates, Cubs, Brewers and back to the Pirates). Pittsburgh is responsible for $3 million of the approximated $5.7 million remaining on Ramirez’s contract … The Pirates might also need a little shortstop help with Jordy Mercer out.
	San Diego Padres News
The Orioles and Mets are believed to be the main teams in on Justin Upton so far … San Diego still has interest in a shortstop and young pitching, so it may do some buying as well as selling. They’ve considered three shortstops in Milwaukee: Jean Segura, Luis Sardinas or Orlando Arcia.
	San Francisco Giants News
The Giants are looking at Mike Leake as it weighs whether to spend on another starter. They have seven or so viable starters already (though some have age and injury questions.
	Seattle Mariners News
Seattle keeps secret the contracts of its GM Jack Zduriencik and manager Lloyd McClendon. Here is McClendon’s deal from 2014-16: 900K, 950K, $1M. Zduriencik’s deal remains secret for now. McClendon doesn’t deserve the blame for the Mariners‘ disappointing season, but if there isn’t a quick turnaround, changes could be afoot before next year … One nice story in an otherwise bleak season is Franklin Gutierrez, who’s made a nice comeback from a very serious gastrointestinal ailment. Many weren’t sure he’d ever get his career back.
	Tampa Bay Rays News
The Rays are ready to trade. Marc Tompkin of the Tampa Bay Times suggested they could consider moving top relievers Brad Boxberger and Jake McGee.
	Toronto Blue Jays News
The Blue Jays are talking to the Marlins about Haren and Latos. They could also take a flyer on Ian Kennedy and are in on Leake as well.
	Washington Nationals News
The Nats don’t have a lot of holes, especially once their position players all return. But some could see them adding to the back end of the bullpen even though Drew Storen has been nothing short of brilliant. That could mean either Chapman or Kimbrel.
	Major League Baseball News
Pete Rose will get his audience with the commissioner later this summer. It is believed that some around Rose feel somewhat confident about his reinstatement chances, though it’s not sure why he would. Seems like a long shot from here … Please don’t move the trade deadline back. One hundred games should be enough to decipher where a team stands.