FOX Sports Exclusive
Sources: D-backs trying to land ace
Share This Story
Arizona Diamondbacks general manager Kevin Towers likes to refer to the final hours before the non-waiver deadline as “the lightning round.”
This year, Towers wants to make some thunder.
The Diamondbacks are trying to pull off a blockbuster for a premier starting pitcher, according to major league sources. The identity of the pitcher is not known.
Diamondbacks executives have been meeting Tuesday behind closed doors at a hotel in Los Angeles, where they are in town for a series with the Dodgers.
They need to counter the deals the Dodgers made for Shane Victorino, which was completed Tuesday morning and the Giants' reported deal for Hunter Pence, which is close.
While Philadelphia Phillies left-hander Cliff Lee and Seattle Mariners righty Felix Hernandez would be two leading possibilities, it is not clear whether either is the Diamondbacks’ target.
The Mariners, who have consistently and adamantly denied that they will trade Hernandez, inquired about D-backs right fielder Justin Upton earlier this month, according to a source. Those talks, however, failed to progress.
Lee, meanwhile, is clearly available - and one rival executive said early Tuesday that he had received indications that the Phillies and Diamondbacks had discussed a deal involving Lee and Upton.
Those talks, however, are unconfirmed, and, according to a source, Lee can block a trade to the D-backs. His contract with the Phillies allows him to veto trades to 21 teams.
Money also would be an obstacle to a deal.
The Phillies would need to include a ton of cash to make a Lee trade work financially for the D-backs. Lee is owed at least $87.5 million from 2013 to ’15. Upton is owed $38.5 million over the same years.
The Texas Rangers discussed a Lee trade with the Phillies on Monday, but the Phils were unwilling to offer much financial relief, preventing the talks from gaining traction, sources said.
Even if Lee is not the Diamondbacks’ focus, Towers has the pieces to trade for a similar pitcher – specifically, Upton and a stable of top pitching prospects.
TRADE DEADLINE'S BIG DEALS
D-backs officials all but dismissed the possibility of trading Upton last week, but Towers repeatedly has said that he will move any player in the right deal.
Upton’s contract, according to sources, enables him to block trades to four teams – the Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, Cleveland Indians and New York Yankees.
The D-backs, possible sellers at one point, have won eight of their past 11 games to move 3½ games back in the NL West and 6½ games back in the race for the second wild card.
More Stories From Ken Rosenthal
Trending Now
-
Nats lose Mattheus to broken hand
Nationals reliever Ryan Mattheus has broken his pitching hand punching a locker in fr... -
Romo to miss at least three weeks
Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo will miss at least three weeks of offseason workouts af... -
Golf adopts new anchor putting rule
Golf's governing bodies have adopted a new rule that outlaws the putting stroke used ... -
Phenoms' God complex is our fault
It's scary how we openly worship kids like Wiggins and set them up for failure. -
Victims: Photo of Lillard led to attack
Two brothers allege that people standing near Portland Trail Blazers point guard Dami...
MLB Videos
Miller not sharp against Padres
Posted: May 21, 2013
Shelby Miller comments on his disappointing outing against the Padres.
Shelby Miller comments on his disappointing outing against the Padres.
Denorfia on win over Cardinals
Posted: May 21, 2013
Chris Denorfia responds after the Padres' 4-2 win over the St. Louis Cardinals.
Chris Denorfia responds after the Padres' 4-2 win over the St. Louis Cardinals.
Lindblom falls in first MLB start
Posted: May 21, 2013
Josh Lindblom comments after losing his first career MLB start 9-2 against the A...
Josh Lindblom comments after losing his first career MLB start 9-2 against the A...
MLB Headlines
More Than Sports on MSN
Fox Sports Store
| itemName | itemURL | imageSrc | price | itemDescription |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nike New York Yankees Practice T-Shirt - Ash | http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_New_York_Yankees/browse/featuredproduct/606363/source/foxsports_prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_606000/ff_606363_xl.jpg&w=100 | 27.95 | Nike New York Yankees Practice T-Shirt - Ash |
| Majestic Detroit Tigers 2012 MLB American League Champions Clubhouse Locker Room T-Shirt - Navy Blue | http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_Detroit_Tigers/browse/featuredproduct/1064043/source/foxsports_prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_1064000/ff_1064043_xl.jpg&w=100 | 24.95 | Majestic Detroit Tigers 2012 MLB American League Champions Clubhouse Locker Room.. |
| Majestic San Francisco Giants 2012 MLB World Series Champions Clubhouse Locker Room T-Shirt - Gray | http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_San_Francisco_Giants/browse/featuredproduct/1067359/source/foxsports_prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_1067000/ff_1067359_xl.jpg&w=100 | 24.95 | Majestic San Francisco Giants 2012 MLB World Series Champions Clubhouse Locker R.. |
| Majestic San Francisco Giants 2012 MLB World Series Champions Clubhouse Locker Room Pullover Hoodie - Steel | http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_San_Francisco_Giants/browse/featuredproduct/1067382/source/foxsports_prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_1067000/ff_1067382_xl.jpg&w=100 | 54.95 | Majestic San Francisco Giants 2012 MLB World Series Champions Clubhouse Locker R.. |
| New Era San Francisco Giants 2012 MLB World Series Champions Clubhouse Locker Room 39THIRTY Flex Hat - Charcoal/Black | http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_San_Francisco_Giants/browse/featuredproduct/1067785/source/foxsports_prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_1067000/ff_1067785_xl.jpg&w=100 | 31.95 | New Era San Francisco Giants 2012 MLB World Series Champions Clubhouse Locker Ro.. |
| Majestic San Francisco Giants 2012 MLB World Series Champions Glory T-Shirt - Black | http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_San_Francisco_Giants/browse/featuredproduct/1068294/source/foxsports_prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_1068000/ff_1068294_xl.jpg&w=100 | 21.95 | Majestic San Francisco Giants 2012 MLB World Series Champions Glory T-Shirt - Bl.. |
| Majestic San Francisco Giants 2012 MLB World Series Champions Batting Practice Performance Jersey - Black/Orange | http://shop.foxsports.com/FOX_San_Francisco_Giants/browse/featuredproduct/1068787/source/foxsports_prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_1068000/ff_1068787_xl.jpg&w=100 | 94.95 | Majestic San Francisco Giants 2012 MLB World Series Champions Batting Practice P.. |
Member Comments
Please note by clicking on "Post comment" you acknowledge that you have read the Terms of Use and the comment you are posting is in compliance with such terms. Be Polite. Inappropriate posts may be removed by the moderator.