The latest EBL and MLB and even Minor League Rumors.

Last updated: July 24th, 2008

The Doctor is in LA or St.Louis?

The whispers just won't go away. Roy Halladay is apparently unhappy in Toronto and has let management know it, and management has apparently responded by doing some quiet surveying of teams (such as St. Louis and the Dodgers) that are far, far away from the AL East in an effort to see what it could get for the 2003 Cy Young Award winner. Apparently, the returns other teams are getting for top-talent pitchers such as C.C. Sabathia, Rich Harden and Erik Bedard has inspired the Blue Jays to at least find out what it could get for one of the best pitchers in the American League. It remains unlikely that they'd deal him, but you never know. -- Newark Star-Ledger

Teixeira on the move?

If Atlanta decides to trade first baseman Mark Teixeira, the Angels could offer first baseman Casey Kotchman and lower-level prospects. In the unlikely event the Braves would not get a better offer and would consider such a bid preferable to collecting two draft picks for Teixeira in free agency, the Angels could add a big bat by trading from the major league roster, without creating a hole at another position or in the minors. But Teixeira is expected to seek a nine-figure contract in free agency rather than sign an extension with a team that might trade for him. And, at least for now, the Angels are not interested in trading Kotchman, 24, who is not eligible for free agency until 2011. The Braves have not conceded the season and have told other clubs, including the Angels, that Teixeira is not available right now. -- LA Times

Redbirds looking for another arm?

The Cardinals were among the estimated 15 teams that assigned scouts to watch Toronto Blue Jays righthander A.J. Burnett's start Wednesday night against the Baltimore Orioles. The game held special significance to the Cardinals, who are among clubs pursuing Orioles lefthanded closer George Sherrill as well as Burnett. ... Burnett's contract with the Blue Jays allows him to opt out of the last two seasons, a provision that gives the Cardinals pause. It is believed, however, that Burnett may be willing to renounce the opt-out in return for extending his current deal through the 2011 season.-- St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Please don't trade me!!

After winning his fifth straight start in the Reds' 9-5 victory over San Diego on Wednesday, Bronson Arroyo made a plea not to be traded. "I'd really be disappointed if they made a trade for me," Arroyo said. "I feel like honestly - if you trade me - you're going ahead and saying we're not going to build a winning team here. Of the four starters who have been here all year, I think all of us have a chance to pitch here for a long time, health-wise and age-wise. If you go ahead and trade me out now, you're cashing in the money for a losing team." Arroyo doesn't think CEO Bob Castellini will sign off on a trade just to save salary. "When I see Bob Castellini, I see a guy who wants to win," Arroyo said. "I hope the vibe that I get from him is for real. If it's not, I've got another surprise coming my way." Arroyo is under contract through 2010 with a club option for 2011. He'll make $9.5 million next year, $11 million in 2010. and $11 million in 2011. There's a $2 million buyout for 2011. "I have not been instructed to dump salary," Reds general manager Walt Jocketty said. "What we'll do is try to improve the club for this year and next." -- Cincinnati Enquirer

Mets kicking a few tires.

The Rockies' Brian Fuentes and the Pirates' Damaso Marte would be good insurance policies, but one name that seems to have dropped off the Mets' radar is the A's Huston Street, according to a person familiar with the situation. The other two, however, will be costly in terms of talent, with other teams asking for their top prospects at Double-A Binghamton: Jonathon Niese, Eddie Kunz and Daniel Murphy. -- Newsday