February 09 2010

Please use our Rumors Form to send us your MLB Trade Rumors

With the Toronto Blue Jays committed this season to a young and relatively inexperienced pitching rotation, the club realizes a stronger bullpen is a necessity. With that in mind, the American League team is close to signing veteran free-agent reliever Kevin Gregg, who is expected to challenge for the closer's role when spring training begins in Florida later this month. When asked last night during a telephone interview if a deal with Gregg was looming, GM Alex Anthopoulos continued to play coy. But baseball sources confirmed a deal has been completed - pending the outcome of a physical examination by the Blue Jays medical staff, which was to take place in Florida yesterday.

Heralded Mets prospect Fernando Martinez says he might have to play for someone else if he wants to make the major leagues. Martinez, an outfielder who got major-league playing time last season as a 20-year-old, now has his path to the bigs blocked by Jason Bay and Gary Mathews Jr., two offseason acquisitions. That scenario has him thinking about moving on from the Mets.

With chatter increasing that the Twins and catcher Joe Mauer are close to striking a long-term agreement, the odds of a similar deal for another Red Sox object of interest - Padres first baseman Adrian Gonzalez - grow longer. In an interview, Padres CEO Jeff Moorad did not sound optimistic about the team's ability to retain Gonzalez, who can become a free agent after the 2011 season. The Padres are expected to entertain serious trade offers by the July 31 deadline.

The Mariners are moving toward re-signing free-agent pitcher Erik Bedard, who is trying to come back from shoulder surgery in August. Several news outlets reported on Thursday that the sides are close to a one-year deal, pending a physical. reported that a proposed deal would pay Bedard, who turns 31 on March 5, a base salary of $1.5 million, plus considerable incentives.

Patrick from NPB Tracker passes along word from Japan that the Red Sox have offered a minor-league contract to lefthander Hisanori Takahashi. He'll be 35 in April and is swingman type. Takahashi had a 2.94 ERA for the Yomiuri Giants last season. The Dodgers, Giants and Padres also have made offers.

We take no responsibility for the accuracy or otherwise of published rumors