Let’s take a quick spin around the league, see what they were talking about regarding the march to Friday’s trade deadline.
*The Boston Red Sox reportedly made a big play for Roy Halladay. But then the Red Sox denied it.
Halladay, by the way, is scheduled to pitch in Seattle on Wednesday.
*There was some Cliff Lee news focused around a false report involving the Red Sox. As exciting as that was, an MLB report suggested the Indians were inclined to keep him.
Nonetheless, one report said the Dodgers, Red Sox, Phillies and Angels have all spoken to Cleveland recently.
*There was much attention on Jarrod Washburn, as scouts from the Yankees, Phillies, Brewers and Rangers watched him pitch against the Blue Jays on Tuesday night. Washburn got a no-decision while allowing one run in seven innings and lowering his ERA to 2.64.
As good as that sounds, he did get some help from his defense, including a homer-saving catch by rookie Michael Saunders.
And there is some speculation that some sort of package deal could be in the works, as Mariners prospect Jeff Clement was pulled from a AAA game in the third inning Tuesday night.
The New York Times, by the way, wonders if Washburn might be the best bargain on the block.
*The Giants, having dealt for Ryan Garko on Monday, were reportedly close to acquiring Freddy Sanchez from the Pirates. But they first want to make sure his knee will hold up.
*The Dodgers, looking for some bullpen help, are hot after Orioles closer George Sherrill.
*The Angels are still in the running for both Halladay and Lee, but may end up turning to lower-tier options.
*And there was some big injury news that could be big factors in how the rest of the week plays out, with bad news on the Astros’ Roy Oswalt, the Brewers’ Jeff Suppan, and the Giants’ Randy Johnson.
*Quietly, the Red Sox and White Sox swapped a pair of Sox.