ESPN MLB Trade Deadline Blog

Posted by Jayson Stark

First, Brian Fuentes. Now, Will Ohman. The Braves have informed clubs that were interested in Ohman that they're keeping their primary left-handed set-up man unless some team dramatically steps up its offer in the next half hour. Ten teams were interested in Ohman. But the Braves obviously felt none of them made an offer that provided more value than the compensation pick if they lose him to free agency.

Oh. And the Ken Griffey Jr. deal is now official if anyone's interested.

Posted by Buster Olney

With the trade deadline closing in on teams, the options for adding pitching will diminish. But one of those options could be veteran pitcher Freddy Garcia, who is a free agent.

Garcia's agent, Peter Greenberg, said Thursday afternoon that Garcia is on track to throw for scouts on Aug. 5, with the hope of signing a deal and helping a team down the stretch. Days are quickly coming off the calendar, but Greenberg said that Garcia is working out and working on his arm strength and that "he's excited about where he's at."

Posted by Buster Olney

The Phillies made a move for a starting pitcher in Joe Blanton at the All-Star break, and they have evaluated the market for relievers. But with 30 minutes remaining before the deadline, it did not appear the Phillies would land a reliever; it was more likely the deadline would come and go without the Phillies making a trade, sources said. Of course, that could change with a single phone call.

Posted by Jayson Stark

With an hour left until the trading deadline, two major deals are still alive -- Jason Bay to the Rays and Raul Ibanez to the Blue Jays. Sources say Toronto has been officially eliminated from the Bay sweepstakes, and the Cubs are out of the Ibanez derby -- a sign that the remaining clubs are zeroing in on one another. The Mets also have been linked to both hitters. But there has been no indication Thursday that they've made any progress on either.

Despite persistent reports that Tampa Bay has a deal for Adam Dunn waiting as a backup plan, a source that spoke with the Rays' brass says that trade is dead.

Posted by Buster Olney

In its search for an experienced hitter, Arizona had talked to Atlanta about Mark Teixeira and to the Mariners about Raul Ibanez.

But with an hour left before the deadline, it appears "highly unlikely" that Arizona will make a deal today. Of course, as in every situation, that can change with one phone call.

Posted by Jayson Stark

Maybe Greg Maddux isn't going to wind up back with the Dodgers after all. The Dodgers and Padres have always been uncomfortable making deals with each other. And with 90 minutes left until the deadline, they've been unable to reach agreement on a trade that would send Maddux back to L.A., the only team he has told the Padres to which he would approve a deal.

One source familiar with the two clubs' discussions say the $3.3 million remaining on Maddux's salary this year is not a major issue. But the Dodgers have been unwilling to make anything beyond a modest offer as they're aware they're the only taker.

Posted by Andrew Marchand

Many baseball officials think the trade deadline is irrelevant in the talks between the Yankees and Mariners regarding Jarrod Washburn. Since Washburn is owed $10.35 million next season, most officials think he will easily pass through waivers after today's 4 p.m. ET nonwaiver deadline.

Posted by Buster Olney

Angels GM Tony Reagins pulled off one of the biggest trades of July, adding slugger Mark Teixeira. But with about 90 minutes to go before the deadline, Reagins said that "for all intents and purposes, we're done" -- and he didn't expect the Angels to make another trade.

The Angels had been linked in many conversations about relievers, from Brian Fuentes to George Sherrill, but as it turned out, the Teixeira deal was the big bullet that Reagins fired to upgrade his team.

Posted by Jayson Stark

While no player on the trade market has been talked about more in the past month than Brian Fuentes, he isn't going anywhere.

The Rockies have decided that unless a team dramatically upgrades its offer in the next two hours, they're going to hold onto him. In fact, it's unlikely the Rockies will make any kind of deal before the deadline. They've also talked about a number of starting pitchers (Josh Fogg, Tim Redding, Jarrod Washburn, etc.), but couldn't find a match.

Posted by Jayson Stark

Those on-again, off-again Jason Bay-to-Tampa Bay talks are back on, according to a source familiar with the discussions. The two sides have been so far apart that it appeared they'd given up on each other as of early Thursday afternoon. But the source said they've closed that gap somewhat and are still talking.

Tampa Bay has hinted its willingness to structure a package around pitcher Jeff Niemann and shortstop prospect Reid Brignac, but the Pirates have been seeking one of their elite pitching prospects -- Wade Davis, David Price or Jeremy Hellickson.

Posted by Buster Olney

Camden Yards has been filled with rival scouts who have been looking at closer George Sherrill and second baseman Brian Roberts in July. But two hours before the deadline, Orioles GM Andy MacPhail did not believe he would make a trade.

The Orioles have made it clear to other teams that they're looking to receive a shortstop in any deal for Sherrill, and very few teams are in position to even consider that request during the season. The Orioles probably also were hurt by the fact that so many left-handed relievers have been available.

Without mentioning which players he considered trading or what he asked for, MacPhail said, "The spectrum of teams that we could deal with just gets bigger in the offseason."