Most surprisingly, they might be at the head of the pack for Boston slugger Manny Ramirez. A proposed deal would send either left fielder Josh Willingham or right fielder Jeremy Hermida to the Red Sox in exchange for Ramirez, with Boston picking up the remaining portion of the $20 million owed to the disgruntled slugger. The Marlins would also have to agree not to pick up Ramirez's option at the end of the season. Florida is often accused of being cheap. You can't say it isn't trying this year.
- The Jason Bay market appears to be heating up. Both the Rays and Cardinals have had serious discussions with Pittsburgh about acquiring the left fielder. Tampa Bay would seem to have the upper hand since it has the better farm system and does not play in the same division as the Pirates. GM Neal Huntington is believed to have asked for shortstop prospect Reid Brignac and pitching prospect Jeremy Hellickson, with Hellickson believed to be the sticking point. There is also late word that the Red Sox could jump into the Bay talks as part of a three-way deal that would send Ramirez to Florida, prospects to Pittsburgh and Bay to Boston.
SportsWrap
The top sports headlines of the day
- The Greg Maddux market appeared dead over recent days, but it once again looks like the Padres could move him. Maddux has said he would only accept a trade to a team in Southern California, leaving the Dodgers as the only real viable suitor. Now it appears that he might be on his way to Chavez Ravine. San Diego is believed to want to shed the remaining money on Maddux's $10 million deal, meaning GM Kevin Towers probably won't be asking much in the way of prospects.
- The Yankees are being patient in the Jarrod Washburn talks, unwilling to budge on their requirements for a deal (a salary dump with low-ceiling prospects headed to Seattle). While a deal in August could still be worked out, other clubs are interested in Washburn, including the suddenly contending Rockies, who are looking for a stabilizing force in their rotation.
- Atlanta's Will Ohman is a bit of a hot commodity right now. Boston is pursuing the left-handed reliever with the Rays and Cardinals among the teams also believed the be interested in him.
