TROT COFFEY

(* Trade Rumor Offerings To Chew On For Fun, Even Yuks)

Not to be confused with Brewers journeyman reliever Todd Coffey, the TROT COFFEY is a mailing list-only update on various trade rumblings unearthed, if not hatched, by the media:

• Today’s the self-imposed deadline that Toronto GM J.P. Ricciardi first announced last week for his club to trade Roy Halladay or decide not to, but he has since called the deadline “soft.” Something could happen today, sure, but don’t hold your breath. Unless traded first, Halladay is slated to start tomorrow afternoon when the Blue Jays take on the Mariners.
• The Nationals have reportedly been unable to move Nick Johnson, Adam Dunn, or Josh Willingham to this point largely because of unreasonable trade demands. Willingham (who’d I’d really like to see here) sure didn’t help the rest of the league last night, if the idea is to get Washington to bring their demands down: the .298/.410/.596 hitter blasted two grand slams and a double in 14-6 win over Milwaukee.
• According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, the Rangers’ top priority is finding a starting pitcher and the club is “very much part of the Roy Halladay sweepstakes.” However, Toronto is insisting that three of the Rangers’s top five or six prospects be included, and “that group is all at either AAA or the majors” (Sherman identifies Neftali Feliz, Derek Holland, and Justin Smoak; presumably the description means Elvis Andrus and Julio Borbon make it five, and maybe Taylor Teagarden or Max Ramirez or Tommy Hunter gets you to six, eh?) (no, thanks – unless the three would only include just one of Feliz, Holland, and Smoak – and obviously Andrus is not in the discussion).
• Sherman adds that the Blue Jays refuse to take back a sizable contract like Vicente Padilla’s or subsidize part of what remains of Halladay’s 2009 salary as part of any deal, which could be a stumbling block even if the players were to be agreed upon.
• Sherman also adds that Texas turned down a proposal from Tampa Bay centered on Scott Kazmir. While he doesn’t connect the dots, it stands to reason this could be related to yesterday’s rumors that the Rays were trying to trade for a high-end Rangers pitching prospect to flip to Cleveland in a package for Cliff Lee.
• According to Sherman, the Rangers “were convinced [late yesterday] they were the front-runners to get Ryan Garko from the Indians” and “were surprised when he ended up going to the Giants instead”; the club, says Sherman, “is still trying to find a righty-hitting first baseman.”
• According to T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com, Toronto asked Texas for Derek Holland, Justin Smoak, and Julio Borbon in exchange for Roy Halladay, and Texas (thankfully) said no. Sullivan adds that the Rangers have asked Cleveland about Cliff Lee but nothing appears to happening there. A Boston report (WEEI) late today suggests Boston could be close to acquiring Lee, in exchange for righthander Michael Bowden, outfielder Josh Reddick, and another prospect.
• John Hart said on MLB Network this afternoon that when Texas acquired Adrian Gonzalez, Ryan Snare, and Will Smith from the Marlins for Ugueth Urbina in 2003, the Rangers asked for Josh Willingham (then a 24-year-old AA catcher/first baseman/third baseman/outfielder) and Florida refused to include him in the deal.
• According to Roger Hensley of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the Cardinals are putting Troy Glaus’s rehab assignment on hold due to continued back pain. Glaus was lifted from AA Springfield’s game last night after just one at-bat.
• While it’s not really a COFFEY note, the Rangers have announced that Bakersfield outfielder Engel Beltre, who has been out of action since July 15, broke the hamate bone in his right hand and is on the disabled list. (If it happened on a hit-by-pitch, the last time Beltre was drilled was early in the Blaze’s game on July 12. In his next two games, he went 5 for 10 with a home run and triple.) While no timetable has been set for his return, it’s the type of injury that could conceivably cost him the rest of the season. The toolsy 19-year-old has hit .227/.281/.317 for the Blaze, a disappointing slash line despite the fact that he’s among the youngest players in the Cal League. David Paisano goes from Hickory to Bakersfield to replace Beltre. (Paisano was part of the Danks trade to the White Sox)

Vicente Padilla:

According to at least one local report, Vicente Padilla is still slowed by flu symptoms and has been scratched from tonight’s start against Detroit. Doug Mathis starts in his place, and according to the report(s), a backdated disabled list assignment for Padilla is a possibility.

Guillermo Moscoso:

The Rangers have recalled righthander Guillermo Moscoso from Oklahoma City,optioning Willie Eyre to the same club. Moscoso is in town and will beavailable to pitch tonight if needed.