FanPost

Official Trade Deadline Thread

It appears the Rangers are talking to several teams to try to upgrade at 1b and another starting pitcher. The Marlins appear to be the team the Rangers are honing in on for both. Here are a few rumors. If anyone has more just dump them here.

Teams are asking the Marlins about Chris Volstad's availability, according to Joe Capozzi of the Palm Beach Post (Twitter link). The Marlins appear undecided about the approach they'll take at the deadline, but they are reluctant to deal Volstad, Ricky Nolasco or Leo Nunez. The Rangers inquired on Volstad, but were turned away, according to Capozzi (Twitter link).

Volstad, 24 in September, has a 4.76 ERA with 6.1 K/9 and 3.5 BB/9 so far this season. The 6'8" righty is under team control through the 2014 season, and won't hit arbitration until after next year, so it's no surprise that the Marlins prefer to keep him.

Volstad has logged 104 innings so far this season and is on track to surpass his career-high of 159. Unlike many of his teammates, Volstad had not been mentioned in trade rumors this summer before today.


3:55pm: The Rangers are "closing in" on a deal for Cantu, a source tells Gordon Edes of ESPNBoston.com.

3:30pm: The Rangers have asked about Cantu more than other clubs have, but they don't necessarily have an edge over the Giants or Rockies, according to Joe Capozzi of the Palm Beach Post (via Twitter).

7:44am: The Rangers are known to be seeking a right-handed hitting first baseman, perhaps a platoon partner for Chris Davis. USA Today's Bob Nightengale tweets that they are "in deep conversations" with the Marlins for Jorge Cantu, and "taking a close look" at the Cubs' Derrek Lee. They'd also like to add another starting pitcher and a lefty reliever.

Lee is the new name in the mix for the Rangers, though he and Cantu are used to being regulars. Neither player has hit like a regular first baseman this year - Cantu is at .260/.309/.412, and Lee stands at .251/.338/.391. Their contracts are significant - Cantu has $2.28MM remaining and Lee has $4.95MM. The Rangers have also been linked to players such as Ty Wigginton, Mike Lowell, and Wes Helms.

Nightengale's contention that the Rangers would like to add another starter is surprising. Four days ago, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports suggested on Twitter that a pitching surplus could make Rich Harden or Scott Feldman trade bait.

I get the feeling JD is not done.