Around the Majors: Rumors

1) According to the NY Times and the LA Times, the Mets and Dodgers have discussed a Mike Piazza for Shawn Green trade.

2) According to NY Newsday, in addition to pursuing a trade for Randy Johnson, the Yankees will target free agent Ps Al Leiter, Eric Milton, Carl Pavano, Brad Radke and Jaret Wright.

3) The Yankees are reportedly very interested in CF Carlos Beltran, who will be a free agent.

4) According to the Cincinnati Inquirer, the Expos, A’s and Phillies have contacted Barry Larkin’s agent.

5) The Brewers re-signed C Mark Johnson to a minor league contract.

Johnson has -52 RCAA/.632 OPS in 322 career games, including 1 for 11, with 3 BB and -1 RCAA, in 7 games in 2004.

6) The Redsox fired bullpen coach Euclides Rojas.

7) The Mariners named Don Baylor hitting coach.

8) The Mets released Ps Grant Roberts and Jose Parra.

Roberts has a 4.25 ERA/-3 RSAA in 76 career games, including a 17.36 ERA/-7 RSAA in 4 games in 2004.

Parra has a 6.09 ERA/-26 RSAA in 82 career games, including a 3.21 ERA/2 RSAA in 13 games in 2004.

9) According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Phillies are interested in P David Wells, who will be a free agent.

10) Reds INF Ray Olmedo had surgery to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow.

Olmedo has -19 RCAA/.554 OPS in 87 career games, including 0 for 1, with a BB, in 8 games in 2004.

11) According to the NY Times, there was a straw vote among GMs on moving the trading deadline back to August 15, with the GMs split about 50-50.

Correction from yesterday–The Padres traded Terrence Long and Dennis Tankersley to the Royals, not themselves.

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