Marlins trade prospect Hernandez for left-hander Rhodes

ESPN's Peter Gammons is reporting that Rhodes has been traded by the Mariners to Florida for pitching prospect Gaby Hernandez.

On Wednesday, with the Mariners' game against the Rangers tied at 3, Rhodes (2-1) loaded the bases in the eighth with one-out walks to David Murphy, Josh Hamilton and Marlon Byrd, all on full counts.

After the go-ahead run scored, Rhodes was being removed from the game by manager Jim Riggleman. As he walked toward the dugout, Rhodes yelled at home plate umpire Paul Nauert because Rhodes didn't get two close pitches on 3-2 counts, and Nauert ejected Rhodes.

"You've got to make your calls out there," said Rhodes, who's been the subject of trade rumors. "I'm out there making good pitches, the ball's going over the plate, you should call it. But I have no comment over that."

Rhodes, in his 17th season, has a 2.86 ERA in 36 games for the Mariners this season. Left-handed hitters are hitting just .200 against him in 2008.

MINNEAPOLIS - The White Sox are awaiting approval from slugger Ken Griffey Jr. on a trade that would send the 13-time All-Star to Chicago from Cincinnati.

FOXSports.com and MLB.com are reporting that Griffey has approved the deal.

The 38-year-old Griffey, who has 608 career home runs, must approve the trade because he has veto rights by having at least 10 years of major league service, including more than the last five with the same team. He is batting .245 with 15 home runs and 53 RBIs in 102 games for the Reds this season.

Associated Press reports that "a person with knowledge of the discussions says Griffey is seeking more information while considering his decision. The person, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the teams aren't commenting, says Griffey wants answers to a few questions unrelated to his contract.

A source confirmed the proposed trade, which was first reported by FOXSports.com. It's believed that Cincinnati would receive prospects for Griffey, who would fortify the Sox's lineup and probably cut into the playing time of Nick Swisher and Paul Konerko.

CBSSports.com is reporting that the Sox would give up infielder Danny Richar and pitcher Nick Masset for Griffey Jr., and that Cincinnati would pay the remaining $4 million due on Griffey's contract.

The addition of Griffey would give the Sox a formidable left-handed bat in the middle of the order. With Jim Thome entrenched as the designated hitter, Griffey, who moved from center field to right field in 2007, could return to center despite his declining range. He'd be flanked by left fielder Carlos Quentin and right fielder Jermaine Dye.

That could mean that Swisher and Konerko, both hitting below .240 for most of this season, could share first base, with Swisher continuing to play some outfield.

The Sox may not be done. Executives from two teams said Wednesday night that Sox general manager Ken Williams was trying to acquire a reliever. Another source thought the Sox were trying to acquire closer Huston Street from Oakland but might have to surrender left-hander Aaron Poreda, their top pitching prospect and a Bay Area native.

Street, 24, won't be eligible for free agency until 2011.

If Griffey approves the trade, he would have a chance to reach the post-season for the first time since 1997 with Seattle. Griffey has never played in a World Series, and this could represent his final chance if the Sox reach the post-season.

The Sox had flirted with the idea of acquiring Griffey around the trading deadline three years ago.

Griffey is in the final year of a nine-year contract, with a club option for 2009 at $16.5 million or a $4 million buyout. The Reds are looking to retool their roster while being destined for a sub-.500 season in the National League Central.

The trade deadline is only 48 hours away. Time is running out! There is no time to waste! Teams must act now! (Or they can just wait until after the trade deadline and deal for players who have passed through waivers. But it's more fun the other way.)

Here are all the latest trade rumors I am hearing as baseball approaches the 2008 trade "deadline."

Manny Ramirez on the block?

The Red Sox are listening to offers for Manny Ramirez. However, a deal is unlikely, as Ramirez might be asked to pass both a physical and a mental exam.

Possible A-Rod move?

Reports suggest Alex Rodriguez is interested in acquiring Debbie Gibson. But he may decide to go with a bit more age and experience and instead pursue '70s pop star Marie Osmond or maybe even Linda Ronstadt.

Player to be named later available?

Several teams are reportedly interested in dealing a player to be named later. It is unclear what this player could be named -- it could be anything from Kevin to Pedro to Martin -- but it is unlikely the player would be named something like Mindy or Cheryl.

Update: Someone named Sherrill available?

Different spelling, but I am now hearing the Orioles are offering up an attractive catch named Sherrill. Still no Mindy, though. Stay tuned.

Rays pursuing right-handed bat?

Tampa is said to be in the market for a right-handed bat, apparently unaware that bats are not manufactured for right- or left-handers; it simply depends on how you hold them.

Bronson Arroyo to Rockies?

The Reds and Rockies have discussed a deal that would send the starter to Colorado. Arroyo reportedly would welcome the move in the hopes he could get a gig at Red Rocks.

Molina to Yankees?

Brian Cashman has looked into acquiring Giants catcher Bengie Molina, brother of current Yankees catcher Jose Molina. But Hank Steinbrenner is pushing for character actor Alfred Molina, confident he can pull off Jorge Posada as well as he did Doc Ock.

Cubs looking to deal?

Now that Jeff Samardzija has arrived, the Cubs are looking to unload pitching. The Rays, Red Sox and Tigers have inquired about reliever Scott Eyre. Meanwhile, the Jaguars, Ravens and Bears have inquired about Samardzija.

Jarrod Washburn to the Yankees?

Negotiations are still ongoing between the Mariners and Yankees about veteran starter Jarrod Washburn. The Yankees are offering only a midlevel prospect in return, while the New York Post has offered to pick up the remainder of Washburn's contract in hopes of being able to run future headlines like "Wash(burn)ed Out" and "Jar-Rod Fails Like A-Rod."

Astros to be buyers at the deadline?

Despite sitting 10.5 games out of the wild-card spot in the National League, the Astros reportedly are looking to add talent to make a late-season push. Their wish list includes: a couple of good infielders, an outfielder, an established power bat, someone with speed, a quality right-handed starter, a quality left-handed starter, a long reliever, a set-up man, some bench depth, a catcher and maybe somebody who knows voodoo or black magic or something like that to help with all of the teams ahead of them in the standings.

Bidding wars developing?

According to the agents of several low-level talents, their clients are receiving heavy interest, and many teams are offering big-dollar, multiyear contract extensions as well. These agents say that any teams even remotely interested in their players should immediately make a trade offer that includes a huge contract offer. "Ask them to do it now! Please!" they tell me.

Rockies to be buyers at the deadline?

Though the Rockies sit nine games under .500, they may be looking to acquire talent to make a run in the moribund NL West. However, those plans could be foiled by Bud Selig, who is looking to trade the NL West for a quality minor league division.
Mark Teixeira on the block?

After being dealt before the deadline last year, Braves slugger Mark Teixeira says he is used to being on the block. "Don't be fooled by the rocks that I got. I'm still, I'm still Teixeira from the block," he said, aggressively shaking his ample butt. "Used to have a little, now I have a lot. No matter where I go, I know where I came from."

Yankees-Pirates trade in the works?

The Yankees and Pirates reportedly are close to a deal that would send Xavier Nady and Damaso Marte to Pittsburgh in exchange for prospects. The trade would allow the Yankees to replenish their farm system and let Pittsburgh plug its recent holes in right field and in the bullpen.


Tigers looking for bullpen help?

Detroit is trying to bolster its bullpen in light of the recent injury to Joel Zumaya. They will take a left-hander or a right-hander, but not anyone who plays "Guitar Hero."

Miguel Tejada to the Red Sox?

The Red Sox are looking to acquire a shortstop and may have targeted Miguel Tejada of the Houston Astros. If Tejada goes to Boston, it is expected that his name will be expunged from the Mitchell report.

Cash considerations to be dealt?

Cash considerations is one of the most coveted properties on the trade market right now. Teams such as the Pirates and Royals are said to be offering quality veteran players in exchange for cash, which they plan to keep within the organization for years.

Yankees considering Barry Bonds?

The Yankees are still holding internal discussions about signing Barry Bonds. Hank Steinbrenner reportedly is intrigued by the idea of batting Bonds in front of Jason Giambi, a duo that produced back-to-back-to-back championships at the beginning of the decade for the BALCO slow-pitch softball team.

Manny Ramirez's stormy relationship with the Boston Red Sox appears to be over.

A baseball source has confirmed Ramirez has been traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers, ESPN.com has learned.

Jason Bay is going to Boston as part of the deal, ESPN.com's Jayson Stark reported. And the Pittsburgh Pirates get four minor leaguers as part of the three-way deal.

Third baseman Andy LaRoche and right-handed pitcher Bryan Morris will go to the Pirates from the Dodgers. Outfielder Brandon Moss and right-handed pitcher Craig Hansen will leave the Red Sox orgianization for Pittsburgh, ESPN.com has learned.