This isn’t my usual style, but given the time constraints and the relative thin-ness of the involved content (at least I’m honest – I just didn’t want you think I’d stopped covering), I’m just going to dump a whole lot of Twitterz on you.
Conflicting info on #STLCards’ plans: Told now they ARE looking for catcher with Molina on DL. Previously told club thought it would be OK.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 31, 2013
nobody can replace yadier molina. #MVP but some catchers who could be gotten: ruiz, buck, dioner navarro. #STLCards
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 31, 2013
If STL is really looking for C option, the Cubs' Dioner Navarro might be best option. But Cubs value Navarro. Tough guy to get.
— Phil Rogers (@philgrogers) July 31, 2013
There’s such an obvious fit there, assuming you can get past the idea that the Cubs are desperate to hold on to an impending free agent back-up catcher (albeit one that has provided good value this year). If the Cardinals want to make a good offer (by which I mean a non-nothing prospect), the Cubs can sort out the question of who backs up Welington Castillo later.
The Rangers are aggressively pursuing offensive upgrades, according to one rival executive.
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 31, 2013
While Rangers haven't yet gotten anything done, clubs talking to them continue to say they've been trying as hard as anyone.
— Danny Knobler (@DannyKnobler) July 31, 2013
Rangers continue to "shake the trees" hoping the price of offensive players drops over next 3 hours and 27 minutes…tick tock…tick tock
— Jim Bowden (@JimBowdenMLB) July 31, 2013
There are issues still to be resolved before Nelson Cruz decides whether or not to appeal. Ditto others
— Peter Gammons (@pgammo) July 31, 2013
Despite that last tweet from Gammons, reading the others together, I’d say the Rangers have decided they really need another bat regardless of Cruz. The obvious options here from the Cubs are Nate Schierholtz and David DeJesus. Given how long the two sides spoke about Matt Garza, and given how public the Rangers’ need has been, I’d say these two teams have spoken about outfielders. That nothing has been done suggests that the Rangers don’t like the price, don’t like one or both of the players, or the Cubs are holding out for a different trading partner with a particular prospect or two that they’re eyeballin’.
Speaking of those outfielders, there’s a chance the Pirates might not grab one of them:
Likelihood is growing that #Pirates won't do anything today & see what's out there in August, according to several teams talking with them
— Jayson Stark (@jaysonst) July 31, 2013
Maybe they just don’t like the price on Schierholtz:
anyone wanting Schierholz has to pay the price for a guy w/ 2d best OPS of any RF in baseball
— Peter Gammons (@pgammo) July 31, 2013
Everyone says this is an exceptionally quiet deadline.
Can't believe all the teams who say they have virtually nothing going. Exec:"I think this goes down in history as deadest deadline day ever"
— Jayson Stark (@jaysonst) July 31, 2013
One GM, with a lot to offer, said it's the quietest deadline in years. Feels more stuff will be done in August in waiver deals.
— Nick Cafardo (@nickcafardo) July 31, 2013
More GM's & AGM's are telling me they're probably not going to make a move today than I can ever remember with only a few hours left
— Jim Bowden (@JimBowdenMLB) July 31, 2013
And a whopper from Ken Rosenthal, even if it has no direct bearing on the Cubs:
Remember yesterday when @jonmorosi and I said that virtually all of the #Rangers were in play? List includes the newly acquired Matt Garza.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 31, 2013