One Last For Tuesday, Even Though It's Wednesday Now

Nothing major just some updates and some blabbering by me:

There are more rumors that the Red Sox offer of Westmoreland, Buchholz, and Bowden is somewhat legit. It looks like there is a deal centered around Buchholz and Bowden, and the two teams are trying to figure out what 3rd or 3rd and 4th pieces will fit.

I've heard less about the Phillies offers tonight, but I wouldn't read too much into that. I also wouldn't read too much into Riccardi's self imposed deadline to deal Halladay, as that has passed and rumors are still buzzing.

In other trade news the Mariners have officially become sellers. Which for a Mariners fan isn't necessarily bad news compared to the years during the Bavasi era. Jarrod Washburn pitched well again tonight and he stands to be the obvious sell for the Mariners. The Yankees were interested in him last year, and there are obviously strong ties between the Brewers and Mariners given that the current Mariners GM worked under Melvin in Milwaukee. To add fuel to the fire, there is word that catcher Jeff Clement was pulled from his minor league game tonight and it wasn't because of injury. I don't think the Yankees have a use for a catcher however, so if Clement is really in a trade you have to figure it's with Washburn to Milwaukee for a SS, like everyone has been saying all week.

Finally Cliff Lee. Lost in the Roy Halladay shuffle is Cliff Lee who is being dangled out there as well. In general the Lee rumors have been runoff from Halladay ones. Basically, teams that thought the Halladay price was to steep have apparently moved their attention to Lee. One team of note is the Rays. They are in a rumored blockbuster with the Angels and Red Sox where the Angels get Kazmir, Rays get Lee, and Sox get V-Mart. I highly doubt something like that actually happens, but that is some large trade. Other Lee rumored teams have been the Dodgers who don't want to give up Kershaw/Billingsly for Halladay and of course the Phillies who can't iron out an agreement with the Jays for Halladay.

Since you didn't come here just to read rumors you can find elsewhere on the internet, I figure now would be a good time to give some predictions.

Halladay: I used to think Halladay would go to the Phillies, but now I think he'll go to the Red Sox. The Sox have great pitching depth, but Wakefield is on the DL, Dice-K is on the DL, Buchholz hasn't proven he can be more than a back-end starter for this year yet, Brad Penny is Brad Penny, and Smoltz who although has pitched better than your normal pitching stats would indicate, hasn't really done all that well. Basically the Sox have a lot of 4th and 5th starters who won't do them much good in a playoff race or playoff series, they have the goods to get Halladay and I think they pull the trigger.

Cliff Lee: To be honest I have no clue where this one is going. If Halladay gets traded first and the Phillies can get Lee without giving up Drabek or Brown then they seem like the likely choice. But that also keeps the door open for the Angels, Dodgers, and Rays. Alas, I'll choose the Rays. Lee is affordable next year and Kazmir should have enough trade value for the Rays to rid themselves of his contract. Another kind of wild rumor is the Rays trading Pena and/or Crawford to free up cap space. While I don't think the Rays would do that in the middle of a playoff race, I think Crawford has reached his peak and if they can get top value for him in the offseason it would be a good move. Desmond Jennings can slide in for Crawford next year for $10m less, giving the Rays a lot more financial flexibility.

Victor Martinez: Stays on the Indians. The Red Sox are the only team in on V-Mart and since I think they'll get Halladay I don't think they'll get V-Mart.

Jarrod Washburn: Pretty easy one, I say the Brewers. Makes too much sense not to do.

UPDATE (12:57 PM): It looks like Seattle has traded Jeff Clement and some other young pieces to Pittsburgh for SS Jack Wilson and P Ian Snell. I don't think this means the Mariners are now buyers after they were sellers, they needed a SS for next year and that's Jack Wilson. Wilson has long been thought of overpaid with his $8m price tag, but he's actually been worth about that every year. The Mariners didn't give up anyone that was really an impact player and they fill their SS need for this year and next, and get a Pitcher with some upside in Snell that will replace one of the spots in the rotation when Washburn and Bedard leave in free agency/trade. The Pirates meanwhile continue to shed salary in their efforts to rebuild. So, I was wrong about Washburn, he won't be going to the Brewers for a SS, but I guess I was right that Seattle would get a SS.