The deadline approacheth, and there are trades to report.
The Red Sox deal for Victor Martinez seems to be final - Cleveland is apparently to receive Justin Masterson, Nick Hagadone, and Brian Price. (this is via tweets from SI's Jon Heyman, who also says the Red Sox will send Adam LaRoche back to Atlanta to clear a spot for Martinez.)
Earlier Seattle sent Jarrod Washburn to Detroit for Luke French and Mauricio Robles.
Orlando Cabrera went to the Twins (Oakland gets Tyler Ladendorf) and Claudio Vargas goes back to Milwaukee (the Dodgers get Vinny Rottino.)
The Pittsburgh Pirates have dealt shortstop Jack Wilson and right-handed pitcher Ian Snell to the Seattle Mariners for shortstop Ronny Cedeno, first baseman Jeff Clement, and right-handed pitching prospects Aaron Pribanic, Brett Lorin and Nathan Adcock.
The Phillies appear to be very close to acquiring Cliff Lee from Cleveland, while hanging on to Drabek and Happ while they do so. The deal being discussed sees Lee and Ben Francisco going to the Phillies in exchange for Carlos Carasco, Jason Knapp, Lou Marson and a fourth player. Who turned out to be Jason Donald.
The Dodgers either have or will acquire Baltimore closer George Sherrill - apparently in exchange for two prospects, third baseman Josh Bell and pitcher Steve Johnson.
And of course the Giants have already picked up second baseman Freddy Sanchez from Pittsburgh. It cost them former first-round pick Tim Alderson, who moved up to AA this season.
The Cubbies! The Cubs add LH pitchers John Grabow and Tom Gorzelanny from the Pirates in exchange for Kevin Hart, Jose Ascanio, and Josh Harrison.
At this rate, it looks like the Jays will not be trading Roy Halladay this week.
Jerry Crasnick has a timely column reminding us that the prospects obtained in these deals do not always resemble John Smoltz or Jeff Bagwell. Sometimes they turn out to be Andy Marte or Hee-Seop Choi.
https://www.battersbox.ca/article.php?story=20090729140821303