Halladay, Holliday, and Everything Else Trade Related

Let's run down the rumors:

• Ken Rosenthal is reporting that the Cardinals are on the verge of getting Matt Holliday for their number one prospect, Brett Wallace, and two others. It seems like a lot from Holliday who has been streaky this season and has shown a drop-off away from Coors Field. This would, however, make the Cards favorites in the NL Central where they finally have a bat to protect Albert Pujols (is 60 home runs a possibility now that they can't walk him?). Previously, Buster Olney put the odds of this deal at 50-50. Holliday was also rumored to be going to the Tigers but talks fell apart after the A's gave the Tigers a list of prospects to discuss. The Dodgers, Angels, Rangers, Phillies and Brewers were supposedly also scouting him according to Jayson Stark.
• As for Halladay, could he be going to the Dodgers? Peter Gammons points out some problems with that scenario, namely that the Dodgers don't have the pitching prospects and the Jays haven't been scouting the Dodgers. But hey, anything could happen! Peter Gammons also says he thinks that the Phillies must make a trade for Halladay. I don't think it's a must, but I think that the Phillies need to do what they can to go out and get Halladay for this year and next. The price is large, but if they can build a perennial winner in Philly, they'll make it back really quickly. MLBTradeRumors has the most up-to-date information on this Friday including two dark horses in Cincinnati and Milwaukee. Jon Heyman has the Phillies as front-runners with the Brewers, Dodgers, Rangers, Giants, Cardinals, Angels, Yankees, Red Sox and Mets also interested.
• FOX Sports (via Jon Paul Morosi) is also reporting that the Indians are considering sending Cliff Lee to the Tampa Bay Rays. Though a third team may have to get involved in the deal, as Wade Davis and/or Reid Brignac may not be enough. MLBTradeRumors reports that Jason Stark only lists Lee as "quasi-available"
• Could the Rays be after another Indian? From SI's Jon Heyman via Twitter: rival tampa bay #rays join red sox in pursuit of star catcher victor martinez, sources say. Ken Rosenthal says the key for any Rays deal will be moving some salary, maybe Scott Kazmir but he also says it's doubtful Lee or Martinez gets moved. Jon Heyman has more details on the possible Red Sox pursuit of Victor Martinez.
• Two Orioles relievers are on the market: George Sherrill and Danys Baez. Jayson Stark reports that so far nothing has happened on the Sherrill front because the O's are asking for a premium prospect in return and the O's don't have to move him. But that hasn't stopped the Tigers, Angels, Dodgers, Phillies, Rockies, Cubs, Marlins and Brewers from snooping around. And as for Baez, he describes it as "buyer beware": his ERA was 2.11 before May 20, and it's 6.85 since.
• The Dodgers may not get Halladay, but they're definitely looking for bullpen arms including Matt Capps, John Grabow, Scott Downs, Jason Frasor, Arthur Rhodes, David Weathers and George Sherrill.
• As for the Yankees, Tyler Kepner doesn't think it'll be a big name or any offense, but pitching depth that the Yankees will seek to acquire. Peter Abraham thinks they may wait until the waiver period to get that. Jon Heyman says it would cost the Yankees Joba Chamberlain or Phil Hughes and I think that's a non-starter (pun intended).
• The Mets are still not sellers according to GM Omar Minaya. That is a shocker to Rob Neyer, FanGraphs and most of the civilized/educated world.

In moves that have occurred:

• The Colorado Rockies went to fill an obvious empty spot in the bullpen with Manny Corpas going down by picking up Rafael Betancourt. I like this deal and so does Baseball Musings.
• The Brewers got Felipe Lopez to play second and hit at the top of the order. Solid, small move.
• The Red Sox actually got something for Julio Lugo. Not something currently useful, but something. And I think in a different environment, Chris Duncan could actually be something useful. Not sure if that environment is Boston, however. Now the Duncan brothers play for rival teams AAA affiliates. Let the rivalry ensue! FanGraphs breaks down the swap. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch says that it ends an unhappy ending for the 28-year-old in St. Louis.
• Some people wonder why the Red Sox actually made the LaRoche deal. One of those is Deadspin. Rob Neyer and Peter Gammons think he'll be useful (I do too).The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette says there was no cash included by the Pirates so the Red Sox will be paying LaRoche $2.95 million and all of Lugo's salary. It's a good thing that the Red Sox don't spend money like the Yankees...
• Speaking of the Yankees, Tyler Kepner says that the Hinske deal is already working out really well.

Fun times! I always like the trade deadline rumors. Let's see what ends up happening...