Not step on your toes Vinny you can do what you want...


PHILADELPHIA -- The Philadelphia Phillies traded third baseman David Bell to the Milwaukee Brewers for a minor-league pitcher Friday night.

Bell, who will be a free agent after this season, was hitting .278 with six home runs and 34 RBI in 91 games. The Phillies got Class A right-hander Wilfrido Laureano. He was 3-2 with a 3.96 ERA in 29 relief appearances for West Virginia of the South Atlantic League.

The disappointing Phillies (46-54) are expected to make more significant moves before Monday's trade deadline. Milwaukee, one of several losing teams in the NL wild-card race, already made a big deal, sending All-Star slugger Carlos Lee to Texas earlier in the day.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2533196

Pen's mightier: Braves get Dodgers' Baez for Betemit
Associated Press

ATLANTA -- The Atlanta Braves made another trade to bulk up their bullpen Friday night, acquiring reliever Danys Baez and infielder Willy Aybar from the struggling Los Angeles Dodgers for infielder Wilson Betemit.

Danys Baez
Relief Pitcher
Los Angeles Dodgers

Profile
2006 SEASON STATISTICS
GM W L BB K ERA
46 5 5 11 29 4.35

The deal was announced after the Braves' 6-4 loss to New York, which left them 13 games behind the Mets in the NL East. Atlanta's best hope for making its 15th straight playoff appearance is the wild card, and they are counting on Baez to provide a reliable set-up man for new closer Bob Wickman.

The Braves began the day with a bullpen that ranked 14th in the league with a 4.76 ERA.

"We're going to keep plugging away and see if we can't get our team strong enough to win enough games to get in the postseason," Braves general manager John Schuerholz said.

The Braves acquired Wickman, a two-time All Star, from the Cleveland Indians last week. Baez, a right-hander, had a total of 71 saves the last two years with Tampa Bay, and the Braves tried to acquire him during the winter meetings.

Instead, he was traded to the Dodgers, where he went 5-5 with a 4.35 ERA and nine saves this season.

"We like how he pitched in Tampa Bay the last two years," Schuerholz said. "We think in the role he's going to fill for us, he'll be another big arm to add to our bullpen to make it stronger."

The Braves also tried to sign Wickman during the offseason in the search for a new closer. He re-signed with the Indians, but agreed to a trade when Cleveland fell out of the race in the AL Central.

"It took a few months, but we got them," Schuer

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2533245

Unable to sign Lee, Brewers deal slugger to Rangers
Associated Press

ARLINGTON, Texas -- Wanting the big bat now and hoping to keep him longer, the Texas Rangers acquired All-Star slugger Carlos Lee from the Milwaukee Brewers in a six-player deal Friday.

Carlos Lee
Left Field
Milwaukee Brewers

Profile
2006 SEASON STATISTICS
GM HR RBI R OBP AVG
102 28 81 60 .347 .286

Milwaukee traded Lee after it became apparent that the outfielder wasn't interested in staying there after this season when he can become a free agent.

"Carlos is an impact bat that we need right now," Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said. "He's a middle-of-the-order hitter, a run producer, big makeup, leader, just entering his prime. We feel strongly he can be a big piece for us as we make a run at the pennant."

The Brewers got reliever Francisco Cordero and outfielders Kevin Mench and Laynce Nix, and minor league left-hander Julian Cordero -- no relation to Francisco. Minor league outfielder Nelson Cruz also went to the Rangers and was added to their major league roster.

Lee arrived about 35 minutes before Friday night's game against Kansas City and started, batting fourth as the designated hitter behind Michael Young and Mark Teixeira. Manager Buck Showalter plans to use Lee primarily as an outfielder.

It was the first major deal completed in the days leading up to Monday's non-waiver trade deadline. Because of his potential to become a free agent, Lee was considered one of the biggest trade targets.

Kevin Mench
Right Field
Texas Rangers

Profile
2006 SEASON STATISTICS
GM HR RBI R OBP AVG
87 12 50 36 .338 .284

Brewers GM Doug Melvin started entertaining offers after Lee and his agent, Adam Katz, on Thursday turned down a four-year extension reportedly worth $48 million.

"Because they never countered to us and said there was a large gap, we don't know what it was they were looking for," Melvin said. "It was probably the years, because the dollars we offered were very significant to any deal we've ever offered before."

Melvin said he talked to six teams about Lee but settled on the Rangers because of the "major-league-ready" players involved and his familiarity with them. Melvin acquired Mench, Nix and Francisco Cordero in Texas when he was the GM there.

Lee hit .286 with 28 home runs and 81 RBI in 102 games for Milwaukee, already his fifth straight season with at least 25 homers. Lee is a .284 career hitter over eight seasons with the Chicago White Sox (1999-2004) and Milwaukee (2005-06).

Before Lee's addition, Brad Wilkerson led the Rangers with 15 homers, one more than Teixeira, and Young had a team-high 67 RBI.

"It was a little shocking," said Young, a three-time All-Star. "It's really the first time since I've been here ... the first [deal] that opens your eyes and says this team is changing course."

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2532418

Tribe trade Broussard to M's for minor-leaguer

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2530668

Brewers trade for Graffanino to shore up infield

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2529814

Dodgers acquire RHP Dessens for Perez, prospects

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2529486

Giants get Stanton from Nationals to shore up bullpen
Associated Press

PITTSBURGH -- The San Francisco Giants boosted their bullpen for the stretch run, acquiring veteran left-handed reliever Mike Stanton on Friday from the Washington Nationals for a minor league pitcher.

Mike Stanton
Relief Pitcher
Washington Nationals

Profile
2006 SEASON STATISTICS
GM W L BB K ERA
56 3 5 21 30 4.47

The Nationals will receive 19-year-old right-hander Shairon Martis, who was pitching at Class A Augusta. Martis threw a no-hitter for the Netherlands against Panama during the World Baseball Classic in March.

Stanton was 3-5 with a 4.47 ERA for the Nationals. He could be valuable in the Giants' push for the playoffs, having pitched in the postseason in 12 of his 18 major league seasons, including six playoff appearances with the Yankees (1997-2002).

Entering Friday, the Giants were third in the NL West, three games behind division-leading San Diego and a half-game behind Arizona.

The trade was announced while Stanton was in Los Angeles with the Nationals to play the Dodgers. He'll join the Giants in Pittsburgh on Saturday, but the team still has to make another move to clear space for him on the roster.

Stanton has appeared in 56 games this year, second-most in the National League. He has 1,083 career regular season appearances, third-most in the majors.

The trade was the second addition in a week to the San Francisco bullpen. Right-hander Vinnie Chulk joined the Giants on July 21 as part of the deal that also brought first baseman Shea Hillenbrand from Toronto in exchange for reliever Jeremy Accardo.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2533030

[quote]
Pen's mightier: Braves get Dodgers' Baez for Betemit

...for $200 please, Trebeck

Gussy it up however you want, what matters is does it work?

Twins deal Lohse to the Reds

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/writers/jon_heyman/07/31/monday.trades/


Reds get pitching help with Twins' Lohse

The Cincinnati Reds acquired righthanded pitcher Kyle Lohse from the Twins Monday morning to fortify their run at a playoff spot, SI.com has learned.

Lohse, 27, won 45 games as a starter over the previous four years before losing his spot this year in a talented Twins rotation. He was 2-5 with a 7.12 ERA this year and had been working out of the bullpen since returning from the minors.

Lohse is well known by Reds GM Wayne Krivsky, who served as a Twins assistant GM before becoming being hired by the Reds this winter. A few good moves by Krivsky have put the surprising Reds in the thick of the playoff race; entering day, they had a 1 1/2-game lead over Arizona in the wild-card race.

He makes $4 million this year after winning his arbitration case for the second straight year, but it is believed the Twins will have to pay part of the $1.4 million remaining on his contract.

According to the Associated Press, right-hander Zach Ward goes to the Twins in return.

Cards acquire 2B Belliard from Tribe for infielder Luna

The St. Louis Cardinals improved their infield Sunday, acquiring second baseman Ronnie Belliard from Cleveland for Hector Luna in the latest move by the underachieving Indians.

Belliard, an All-Star in 2004, gives the NL Central-leading Cardinals a steady, everyday second baseman for the stretch run. St. Louis has used Aaron Miles and Luna at second this season, but neither has been particularly productive at the plate.

"Sometimes you have to seize the moment," Cardinals manager Tony La Russa said. "This is our chance to win."

Belliard was batting .291 with eight homers and 44 RBI in 93 games for Cleveland. He can become a free agent after the season.

"I've been here the last three years," he said Sunday after the Indians' 7-3 loss to Seattle. "I didn't think I would get traded. I was surprised."

Miles has started 69 games at second base for St. Louis and is batting .262 with one home run and 22 RBI. Luna has started 34 times at second and is hitting .291 with four homers and 21 RBI.

"I'm platooning here. I'll play every day in Cleveland," the 26-year-old Luna said.

La Russa said he thinks Luna can become a "special" player.

"There isn't anybody who's had more confidence in him than our staff," La Russa said. "We've given him playing time. He's responded. I think he has a chance to be a special player and he's still learning."

Cleveland's loss Sunday -- its 11th in 15 games -- dropped the Indians 13 games under .500. After the game, Belliard went around the clubhouse and said his goodbyes.

"We were excited about the season, but everything has gone backwards," he said. "There are a lot of good young guys here. I'm proud I could play with them."

Indians catcher Victor Martinez, perhaps Belliard's closest friend on the Indians, was stunned.

"I'm not mad, but I am sad," he said. "It's the sad part of baseball. You never know what will happen."

The Indians certainly didn't foresee a disappointing season that has left them moving established veterans for younger players instead of fighting for a playoff spot.

After winning 93 games a year ago, the Indians have dropped out of contention in the AL Central and been among the busiest teams as Monday's trade deadline approaches.

In the past month, the Indians have unloaded talent and payroll. They sent closer Bob Wickman to Atlanta and first basemen Ben Broussard and Eduardo Perez to Seattle in separate deals. The club has also talked to teams about veteran third baseman Aaron Boone, who has been moved into a utility role with the arrival of rookie Andy Marte.

The Cardinals should get a boost from Belliard, a steady player for Cleveland since signing as a free agent before the 2004 season.

"The scouts who have been watching the American League and Belliard believe he's a more complete player for our stretch run," La Russa said. "Miles and Hector have both been solid. I just think this guy is a more complete player. He has some credentials.

"When you're a complete player, it means you can play defense, run the bases and get big hits. That's the report I was given. I've seen him some. I've always been impressed. He's a charger. He doesn't hide from it," La Russa added.

The Cardinals now have an All-Star at every infield position, including first baseman Albert Pujols, third baseman Scott Rolen and shortstop David Eckstein.

Belliard's departure leaves the Indians without a veteran second baseman.

Rookie Joe Inglett and Luna, who was signed by the Indians at age 19 in 1998 but lost to St. Louis in the Rule 5 draft after the 2003 season, will likely share the position for the remainder of the season.
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2534730

Mets just traded Xavier Nady for Oliver Perez and Roberto Hernandez.

MLB TRADE UPDATE FROM JAYSON STARK
Cubs have traded Todd Walker to San Diego for Jose Ceda, 19-year-old RHP from the Dominican.

Rangers add Stairs to aid climb

The Texas Rangers, looking for a left-handed bat off the bench, acquired Matt Stairs from the Kansas City Royals for minor-league pitcher Joselo Diaz. Stairs, 38, was hitting .261 with eight homers and 32 RBI for the Royals this season. He's a career .266 hitter with 215 homers for Montreal, Boston, the Chicago Cubs, Pittsburgh, Oakland, Milwaukee and Kansas City. Diaz, a right-hander, is 2-0 with four saves this season while pitching primarily in relief for Double-A Frisco and Triple-A Oklahoma.


Reds get lefty Cormier from Phils

The Cincinnati Reds added left-hander Rheal Cormier to their bullpen Monday, sending 23-year-old right-hander Justin Germano to Philadelphia.

Germano, obtained from San Diego last year, was called up by the Reds to start Saturday night's game at Milwaukee, taking the 6-3 loss before being optioned back to Triple-A Louisville.

Cormier, 39, is 2-2 with a 1.59 earned run average this season. In his 14-year major league career, he is 71-63 with a 4.01 ERA in stints with St. Louis, Boston, Montreal, and the Phillies.

"It's a great opportunity for me to pitch for a team that is in the hunt for the postseason," Cormier said. "I enjoyed my time here. I wish it could've included a playoff run."

In less than a month, the Reds, leading in the National League wild card race, have overhauled their bullpen with trades that have brought closer Eddie Guardado from Seattle and relievers Gary Majewski and Bill Bray from Washington.

The Phillies, meanwhile, continued a flurry of trades that included Sunday's deal that sent outfielder Bobby Abreu and starting pitcher Cory Lidle to the New York Yankees for four minor league prospects.

Germano appeared in two games this season for Cincinnati, going 0-1 with a 5.40 ERA. At Louisville, he was 8-6 with a 3.69 ERA in 19 games (18 starts).

The Phillies also recalled right-handed relief pitcher Brian Sanches from Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to replace Cormier, while the Reds optioned outfielder Brandon Watson to Louisville.

The Reds said Cormier had agreed to a one-year contract extension through 2007, with a club option for 2008. ESPN.com's Jayson Stark reports the deal, which was required before Cormier would approve the trade, will pay Cormier $2.25 million in 2007.

MLB TRADE UPDATE FROM JERRY CRASNICK
Texas gets RHP Kip Wells from Pittsburgh for minor-league pitcher Jesse Chavez.

Yanks get Craig Wilson for Shawn Chacon.

I'm not sure about the other details of this one.

Dodgers reach tentative deal for Maddux

The Cubs have reached a tentative deal to send Greg Maddux to the Dodgers, FOXSports.com has learned.

The deal requires the commissioner's approval because it involves a cash transaction of more than $1 million going from the Cubs to the Dodgers.

Maddux, a certain Hall of Famer with 327 career wins, is 9-11 this season with a 4.69 ERA.

MORE TO COME

What a slow deadline... all that talk and absolutely nothing big happens.

"Rangers add Stairs to aid climb"

How. Fucking. Lame.

MLB TRADE UPDATE FROM JAYSON STARK
Julio Lugo to the Dodgers for IF-OF Joel Guzman and minor league OF Sergio Pedroza. Lugo will play 2B for L.A. while Jeff Kent is out. Then they'll figure out what his position is.

MLB TRADE UPDATE
The Colorado Rockies have acquired left-hander Jeremy Affeldt and right-hander Denny Bautista from the Kansas City Royals for infielder Ryan Shealy and right-hander Scott Dohmann.

(continues waiting for something more meaningful to be done)

"Rangers add Stairs to aid climb"

How. Fucking. Lame.

Even lamer is what the Rangers are doing. They just add bats to their arsenal like they're gonna outslug you every time. Meanwhile, they badly need pitching, so they trade for...Kip Wells. Smooth.

I still can't believe that Soriano wasn't traded.

I still can't believe that Soriano wasn't traded.

I've been thinking about that too and I'm wondering if Bowden just felt like the two 1st round picks that they would get if he leaves might be better than what they were offered in return.

He's probably selling some tickets right now too, so that should be factored in as well.

Javy Lopez traded to BoSox

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2538688


Looking for help at catcher following the injury to captain Jason Varitek, the Red Sox have acquired veteran Javy Lopez from the Baltimore Orioles, ESPN Radio 890 in Boston reported.

Javy Lopez
Catcher
Baltimore Orioles

Profile
2006 SEASON STATISTICS
GM HR RBI R OBP AVG
76 8 31 30 .314 .265

Lopez, who will join the team tomorrow in Tampa, had been upset over the lack of playing he was receiving in Baltimore and asked for his release. The 35-year-old Lopez is hitting .265 with 8 HR and 31 RBI.

Varitek underwent arthroscopic surgery for a cartilage tear in his left knee on Thursday and is expected to be sidelined four to six weeks.

The surgery was performed at Massachusetts General Hospital by Red Sox medical director Dr. Thomas Gill, who said the procedure went as planned.

Varitek was placed on the 15-day disabled list Tuesday after injuring his knee rounding second base in the second inning of Monday's 9-8 victory over the Cleveland Indians.

Varitek, who had been on the disabled list just once in his first nine seasons, was playing in his 1,000th career game as a catcher Monday. The switch hitter is batting .243 with 11 homers and 50 RBI.

The Waiver season begins, a lot of teams are expected to be active, it willl be interesting to see if the waiver trades end up being bigger than the regular trade season deals.

Dbacks get Livan, maybe they'll trade him to us when they fall out of the race, lol

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2542289


Nats deal Livan Hernandez to D-Backs for prospects

ESPN.com news services

WASHINGTON -- Livan Hernandez was traded by the Washington Nationals to the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday for a pair of minor league pitchers.

Livan Hernandez's stuff doesn't inspire awe, as he throws in high 80s and backs up his fastball with an ordinary assortment of curveballs, sliders and changeups. His best trait may be his ability to absorb innings, and he has led the NL in that category for three years running.

ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney is reporting that the Diamondbacks also received $2 million from the Nationals in the swap.

The 31-year-old Hernandez is 9-8 this season with a career-high 5.34 ERA in 24 starts. The right-hander has been hampered by a sore knee for most of the season but had the latest in a string of strong outings Sunday, allowing two runs over seven innings at San Diego.

"Obviously it's tough to trade a Livan," Washington general manager Jim Bowden said. "We love Livan, but we're not here to win tomorrow. We're here to win for the long term."

The Nationals received two 23-year-old prospects: right-hander Garrett Mock and left-hander Matt Chico. Both will report to Washington's Double-A affiliate, Harrisburg of the Eastern League.

The move is symptomatic of last-place Washington's desire to build for the future under new owner Ted Lerner, while Arizona was looking for pitching help in the competitive NL West. The Diamondbacks trailed first-place San Diego by two games entering Monday's play and were one game behind Cincinnati in the wild-card race.

The trade bolsters an Arizona rotation that, other than All-Star Brandon Webb, has been shaky at best. Webb missed his Saturday start with a sore elbow, and the Diamondbacks were starting Enrique Gonzalez on three days' rest Monday night against San Francisco.

Arizona dealt Hernandez's half brother, Orlando Hernandez, to the New York Mets earlier this season.

The Nationals tried to force Livan Hernandez through waivers so they could make a deal with any team, but Arizona blocked the move, limiting Bowden's options. But Hernandez helped his own value by winning his last four decisions, a remarkable turnaround following his early season struggles.

Bowden said his phone starting ringing midway through Sunday's game, when Hernandez was pitching a five-hit shutout through six innings.

"He reached his highest trade value since I've been here," Bowden said. "You don't get two top pitching prospects if he hadn't been pitching the way he's been pitching."

Bowden said Mock and Chico instantly become the two best pitching prospects in the Nationals' talent-starved farm system. He said both should be ready for the big leagues in 2008, the year the Nationals are scheduled to move into a new ballpark.

Mock (117) and Chico (112) lead the Diamondbacks' minor league system in strikeouts this year, both pitching for Double-A Tennessee. Mock went 4-8 with a 4.95 ERA in 23 starts, while Chico was 7-2 with a 2.22 ERA in 13 starts.

"Our goal is to trade for pitching, pitching, pitching," Bowden said. "And hopefully top pitching prospects that are close to the big leagues."

Hernandez has been a workhorse since he entered the majors in 1996. He is on pace to make 30 or more starts for the ninth consecutive year and regularly surpasses 200 innings. He was the World Series MVP for the champion Florida Marlins in 1997 and later pitched for the San Francisco Giants.

He was traded to the Montreal Expos in 2003 and remained with the franchise when it moved to Washington last year. He went 50-43 with the club and was its opening day starter for four straight years.

But Hernandez had not been his old self after a buildup of fluid on his knee affected his mechanics following his outstanding start in 2005. He was 12-3 with a 3.48 ERA when he appeared in his second straight All-Star game, but he went 3-7 with a 4.58 ERA over the second half of the season.

Hernandez had surgery after the season but was still bothered by the knee in spring training this year. He took an extended break between starts over the All-Star break to give the knee some rest -- and hasn't allowed more than three runs in a start since.

Bowden said the Nationals have yet to figure a plan to replace Hernandez in the rotation the rest of the season. He said the team will purchase the contract of right-hander Chris Schroder from New Orleans on Tuesday. Schroder will be assigned to the bullpen.

Reds deal for outfielder Hollandsworth for stretch run

The Cincinnati Reds added another bat for the stretch run Wednesday, acquiring veteran outfielder Todd Hollandsworth from the Cleveland Indians for a player to be named or cash.

Hollandsworth, 33, was batting just .237 with six home runs and 27 RBI in 56 games for the Indians this season.

Hollandsworth has batted .273 with 97 home runs and 393 RBI in 12 seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Colorado Rockies, Texas Rangers, Florida Marlins, Chicago Cubs, Atlanta Braves and Indians.

To make room for Hollandsworth on the 40-man roster, the Reds transferred pitcher Brandon Claussen to the 60-day disabled list. Another move will be made to the active roster when Hollandsworth joins the Reds.
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2544668

The deal for Livan was a smooth move by the DBacks IMO.

After acquiring Nevin in May, Cubs trade him to Twins



Phil Nevin
First Base
Chicago Cubs

Profile
2006 SEASON STATISTICS
GM HR RBI R OBP AVG
113 21 64 52 .321 .245

MINNEAPOLIS -- The Minnesota Twins acquired first baseman Phil Nevin and cash from the Chicago Cubs on Thursday for a player to be named, a deal made on the final day players must be in an organization to be eligible for postseason play.

The 35-year-old Nevin was already dealt once this season, moving from the Texas Rangers to the Cubs on May 31 for utility player Jerry Hairston Jr. Nevin was batting .274 with 12 homers and 33 RBI in 179 at-bats for Chicago.

With Rondell White struggling most of the season and neither Jason Kubel nor Lew Ford emerging as consistent hitters down the stretch, the Twins had a hole at designated hitter and needed a productive bat with some pop in the bottom third of the lineup.

They still have the best batting average in the majors at .286, but they scored only four runs during a three-game losing streak that ended Thursday with a 3-1 win over the Kansas City Royals. Minnesota moved within a half-game behind the Chicago White Sox in the AL wild-card race and is five games behind the Detroit Tigers in the AL Central.

"We could use a little offensive push here," general manager Terry Ryan said.

This is Nevin's seventh major-league team in 12 career seasons.

To make room for Nevin on the 40-man roster, Minnesota transferred outfielder Shannon Stewart from the 15-day disabled list to the 60-day disabled list.

Chicago did not comment on the trade Thursday evening.

The Twins also announced they will recall right-hander Scott Baker and catcher Chris Heintz and purchase the contract of infielder Alexi Casilla before Friday's game at New York.

Baker, 3-7 with a 6.93 ERA in two previous stints in the majors this year, is expected to start Saturday against the Yankees.

With lefty Francisco Liriano trying to work his way back from arm problems and right-hander Brad Radke fighting persistent pain in his shoulder, Minnesota's rotation -- which will have three rookies in it with the addition of Baker -- is a question mark entering the season's final month.

Ryan was looking around for starting pitchers as well, too, as well as seasoned hitters.

"You do what you think is right," Ryan said. "I know people were concerned about our pitching, but we've been pitching pretty well. This is just something to supplement our roster for September."

Slumping Red Sox send Wells to San Diego


Boomer" is back with his hometown San Diego Padres, and this time it's to try to get them back to the playoffs.

David Wells
Starting Pitcher
Boston Red Sox

Profile
2006 SEASON STATISTICS
GM W L BB K ERA
8 2 3 8 24 4.98

David Wells was traded Thursday from the Boston Red Sox to the Padres, who believe the free-spirited lefty will provide the lift they need as they contend for a postseason berth.

"I think we got one of the biggest big-game pitchers there is in the game," general manager Kevin Towers said. "We're getting him at a hot time. His last four starts have been exceptional. This guy thrives this time of year, in September games, in pennant races.

"I'm really hoping David's going to be a difference-maker in this division," Towers said.

The defending NL West champion Padres were off Thursday. They were leading the wild-card race by a half game over Philadelphia and trailing the division-leading Los Angeles Dodgers by three games.

The Padres apparently beat out the Dodgers to get Wells, who wanted to return to the West Coast. He's had a new home built in exclusive Rancho Santa Fe, just north of San Diego.

Boston's GM, Theo Epstein, previously worked under Towers in the Padres' front office.

A source told ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick that the Red Sox would get minor-league catcher George Kottaras in the deal, which was first reported by ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney.

Kottaras is playing for Triple-A Portland, where he is hitting .233 with two homers and 13 RBI. The Red Sox organization is in need of catching, and Kottaras has a reputation as a solid defender.

"It was an opportunity for the organization to turn what was starting to look like a one-month-only asset into a player who we feel can help us for a long time," Epstein said. Wells "has been in that top echelon of pitchers of this generation."

To be on a postseason roster, a player had to be in a team's organization by the end of Thursday.

The 43-year-old Wells, who pitched with the Padres in 2004, was scratched from his scheduled start Thursday night in Boston and designated for assignment.

Wells' locker was nearly empty and four cartons were stacked in front of it before the game against the Toronto Blue Jays. Reliever Julian Tavarez was picked to start in his place.

The 43-year-old Wells has a history of postseason success and has been one of Boston's best starters while the team has fallen far behind in the playoff race with an 8-21 record in August, the worst in the majors for the month. The Red Sox began the day eight games behind in the AL East and 7½ behind in the wild-card standings.

"He was a stabilizer when we needed it most," Boston right-hander Curt Schilling said before he knew where Wells was headed. "He's going to be a valuable tool to somebody trying to get to a World Series and win a World Series."

Wells, who battled knee problems most of the season, is 2-3 with a 4.98 ERA. Since returning from the disabled list on July 31, he is 2-2 in six starts. He has a 2.65 ERA in his last five outings beginning Aug. 5.

Wells was expected to be in uniform when the Padres open a home series against Cincinnati on Friday night. He is expected to start for the Padres on Saturday against the Reds.

Wells has pitched in the postseason 10 times for five clubs -- Boston, the New York Yankees, Toronto, Cincinnati and Baltimore. He has a career postseason record of 10-4 with a 3.15 ERA.

He won World Series rings with Toronto in 1992 and the Yankees in 1998, when they swept the Padres. He was with the Yankees when they lost the 2003 World Series to Florida.

"I think it's great to get a guy with his presence down the stretch," said manager Bruce Bochy, who will add Wells to a rotation that includes Jake Peavy, Chris Young, Woody Williams and Clay Hensley.

The hefty lefty signed with the Padres that offseason and wanted to remain in San Diego after going 12-8 with a 3.73 ERA in 2004. But he wanted guaranteed money while the Padres offered another incentive-laden contract because of their concerns about his age and history of injuries and off-field incidents.

Wells removed Clifton from those talks at one point, and the pitcher and his wife, Nina, were dealing with general manager Kevin Towers. When Nina Wells pushed too hard, Towers pulled the offer.

Boston then gave Wells $8 million guaranteed over two years with incentives that gave him the chance to earn $18 million.

Wells earned $1.25 million in base pay and another $4.75 million in incentives in 2004 by making 31 starts for the Padres. He could have made $1 million more if he hadn't missed three starts after a fluke household injury.

While horsing around with a friend, Wells tripped over a bar stool at home, knocking a bottle of wine onto the floor. He landed on the bottle and a glass he was holding, severing a tendon in his right wrist, which required surgery, and cutting his left palm.

Towers and Wells have remained friends since 2004.

"`He said his knee feels fine," Towers said. "He's excited to be coming back to San Diego in a pennant race. Hopefully he can get this club into the postseason."

Padres players groused when veterans Vinny Castilla and Eric Young were jettisoned earlier this year. This move seems much more popular.

As rumors swirled about Wells, "several of our players said, 'Go get him,'" Towers said. "He's from San Diego and he's been teammates of several guys in the clubhouse right now. He's kind of like [Mike] Piazza, with a swagger, a pedigree."

Wells graduated in 1982 from Point Loma High, the same school that produced Don Larsen. Larsen pitched a perfect game for the Yankees in Game 5 of the 1956 World Series against the Brooklyn Dodgers. Wells pitched a perfect game for the Yankees against Minnesota on May 17, 1998.

Kottaras, 23, was rated San Diego's No. 2 prospect by Baseball America before this season. He has a smooth swing and excellent plate discipline, and he posted an exceptional .392 on-base percentage in his first three seasons in the minors.

The main criticisms of Kottaras: He's a bit undersized for a catcher at 6-0 and 185 pounds, and some baseball talent evaluators question his durability. While Kottaras has a strong throwing arm, his accuracy also comes and goes at times.

Kottaras grew up in Canada and got a late start playing baseball, so the Red Sox think he has some room to refine his game. The Padres, who have Josh Bard and Rob Bowen on their roster along with Mike Piazza, are convinced they're covered at the catching position for the foreseeable future.

Kottaras began this season hitting .276 in 78 games with San Diego's Double-A affiliate in Mobile.

The Red Sox activated left-hander Lenny DiNardo from the 60-day disabled list to take Wells' roster spot.

The Padres signed right-handed reliever Rudy Seanez, who's making his fourth career stop in San Diego. He was designated for assignment by Boston on Aug. 19.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.