The Dodgers are likely to claim Fuentes, along with the St. Louis Cardinals and Tampa Bay Rays, the two teams that pushed hardest to acquire him last month. If Fuentes is claimed, the Rockies can work out a trade or pull him back. They have made it known they want a premium young starting pitcher, which they consider more valuable than the two compensatory picks they would receive when Fuentes departs as a free agent.

I love the bold part.  The Rockies want a top pitching prospect instead of two picks in a crapshoot? Is there a team that would say  "Oh, no thank you sir, I'll take my two lotto tickets instead of my paycheck."?

Troy Renck reports:

Both teams have a need and interest in acquiring the reliever. But Tampa Bay is preparing to make the most aggressive play for the Rockies' closer, according to a major-league source. The Rays had a scout at Coors Field again Saturday. Opposing executives who have spoken with Tampa Bay say the Rays are determined to bolster their bullpen in an attempt to create separation between them and the Red Sox.

The Rockies are eyeing one quality player in return for Fuentes, and have liked Tampa Bay Double-A starters Wade Davis and Jeremy Hellickson in the past.

I really can't see it costing Davis or Hellickson in return, but I suppose we could see within the week. Fuentes ERA is unlucky, per BERA and PECOTA doesn't have him falling off until age 38 or so, even if he becomes a LOOGY only at that point.

Coming soon?

Via MLBTr comes this from Tracy Ringolsby:

Tampa Bay's interest in left-handed reliever Brian Fuentes picked up in light of Rays closer Troy Percival returning to the disabled list after aggravating the left hamstring that originally forced him to the disabled list.

The Rays are looking for a left-hander to work late innings and to provide late-inning protection for Percival in their bid to claim a postseason bid for the first time. Al Reyes, Tampa Bay's other experienced closer, has been out since June 9 with left elbow tendinitis.

Just yesterday this came up:

ESPN’s Peter Gammons weighs in on the market for Indians ace LHP C.C. Sabathia, writing that: “Tampa Bay has lurked, but Rays people say there’s no way they can sign him after the season, and their focus is on a right-handed bat with (Pittsburgh’s Xavier Nady) and (the Cubs’ Matt) Murton on their radar.’

So, essentially the same names we've debated on here since spring training, but it's interesting to see how this will work out in the next 29 days. Also do remember the Rays were in talks with the Rockies about Jeff Baker last trade deadline, not sure if that could factor in whatsoever.

Today it's the Colorado Rockies' reliever Brian Fuentes. Ken Rosenthal had this to say about the possiblity of Fuentes landing by the bay:

The Mets, Phillies, Yankees and Rays are among the clubs interested in Fuentes. For the Rays, Fuentes could provide more potent left-handed stuff than J.P. Howell and Trever Miller and serve as a capable closer if Troy Percival wore down later in the season.

Like Sabathia Fuentes is a free agent at season's end, but on a scale of 1-10 I would say he's an 11 far more re-signable than Sabathia. The only question, again, is what's his price and what's the team's price in acquiring Fuentes.  One problem I see with Fuentes is that his K rate has declined going on four straight years, but so has his walk rate so that somewhat evens out.

Also, while we will post rumors from reliable sources, I do strongly urge everyone to remember that the Rays will likely call just about every team concerning a player or two, but talks usually don't proceed too far. Another note: we're going to be included in almost every trade rumor from here until the deadline, it's the contenders tag rumor curse so to speak, but I don't think anyone will mind after years and years of being labeled sellers.