Baseball Update: More Trade Talks

The Baseball Update takes a look at the happenings around Major League Baseball

Cliff Lee Update: Since it's less likely now the Jays will trade Roy Halladay, focus has now been shifted to Cliff Lee. And the Angels are in hot pursuit of Lee. The Indians are believed to be looking for a 2nd baseman and the Angels Howie Kendrick is who they are pursing.

It is believed the Jays asked the Angels for a major league starter, SS Eric Aybar, infield prospect Brandon Wood and another top flight prospect. The Angels are not willing to deal Aybar, so they have turned their focus to Lee.

Also according to Fox Sports, the Indians are looking to deal Lee and catcher Victor Martinez in a package deal. And that the Red Sox and Rays are both looking to put together packages for the trade. But at this moment, this trade seems very unlikely.

Too Much?: It seems that teams are willing to deal for Halladay, but not to a certain price. It's well documented, the Jays asked for both Phillies pitchers Kyle Drabek and J.A. Happ. But Philly is not yet willing to deal both prospects. Also the Angels are not willing to deal their top prospects for Halladay. So for right now, Halladay stays in Toronto.

We are in a much different climate for the Jays to be asking for multiple top prospects from teams for Halladay. Prospects are valued much higher now, then they have ever before. Maybe a couple of years ago, Philadelphia makes this trade. But not this year. With the economy in the shape it's in now, teams are not willing to trade a prospect who is making way less than Halladay. They are just too valuable. Also with the Tampa Bay Rays reaching the World Series last year with home grown talent, this has started a new trend in baseball. Teams want to build contenders within. So dealing a prospect like Aybar or Drabek is too much for a team to handle.

The Reds Are Buyers?: With Cincinnati 7 1/2 games behind first place in the NL Central, they are looking to add a veteran bat. And Scott Rolen of Toronto is who the Reds are targeting. They've been in talks with Toronto about dealing for Rolen for three weeks now. The only way this deal gets done though, is if the Reds feel like they need a veteran presence in the locker room for this year and next. Walt Jocketty, Cincinnati's GM, was in St. Louis when the Cardinals dealt for Rolen from Philadelphia.

The Tigers Are Also Shopping: With Brandon Inge fighting a knee problem, the Tigers are looking for a third baseman. They are also looking for a veteran backup catcher. The Tigers though are targeting an outfielder. They might not get an everyday outfielder, but they are still looking to make a move. The Nationals won't be in a hurry to trade either Adam Dunn or Josh Willingham because both players are signed with the team through next year. Also the Tigers are interested in Orioles player Aubrey Huff.

This Just In: Gorden Eades of Yahoo is reporting the Boston Red Sox have offered prospects Clay Buchholtz, Michael Bowden, and Ryan Westmorland for Roy Halladay. It has been previously reported that Boston was unwilling to deal Buchholtz. But with Boston's pitching staff struggling (besides Josh Beckett) the Red Sox might be in a desperate mood to pick up a starting pitcher.