LATEST UPDATE:
(ed. note - "What follows is the day in rumors as recorded here at Federal Baseball.com, in the end the Washington Nationals traded both Nick Johnson and Joe Beimel, receiving 3 minor league pitchers in return. More news when it's available...")
3: 25 pm EST -
Marlins Reportedly End Pursuit Of Nick Johnson...35 Minutes To Change Their Minds....
"With less than an hour to go to the non-waiver deadline, the Marlins ended their quests to land Nationals first baseman Nick Johnson and Padres closer Heath Bell, according to major-league sources.
"Dead and over," one source said of both pursuits.
3:17 pm EST -
Nationals Journal - Washington Post writer Chico Harlan reporting on Joe Beimel being dealt to Colorado in an article entitled, "Beimel Traded To Rockies".
- No Report On Return.
3:11 pm EST -
MORE TWITTERING:
"Some of the Nationals are having batting practice right now, but there is no sign of Nick Johnson."
2:41 pm EST -
MORE TWITTERING: About Someone Other Than Nick Johnson This Time...
"The Rockies continues to have interest in left-hander Joe Beimel, but Colorado will not part with Eric Young Jr. for him."
2:20 pm EST -
MLB Marlins Beat Writer Joe Frisaro Twitter:
ed. note: ("Not confirming a trade, but..."):
"The way Hanley hits with runners on, getting Nick Johnson makes a lot of sense..."
1:58 pm EST -
SI.com's Jon Heyman via Twitter:
"marlins still pursuing nick johnson. said to be "getting closer'' to a deal. the fish dont fool around."
SI.com's Jon Heyman following up on SI.com's FanNation:
"The Marlins are said to be "getting closer" to a deal for Nationals first baseman Nick Johnson. They have been offering pitcher Ryan Tucker. Florida will probably need to add one player to that offer."
1:12 pm EST -
TWITTER TALK:
MLB Marlins Beat Writer Joe Frisaro Twitter:
"...spoke with MLB.com's Bill Ladson. He just talked to Nick Johnson about three mins ago. Nick says he hasn't been traded ... yet."
1:08 pm EST -
Yahoosports.com's 'Duk, Kevin Kaduk is hosting a live blog this afternoon, Yahoo!Sports writer Gordon Edes wrote earlier:
"gordon edes: Be assured, Marlins fans, that LHP Sean West is not part of any Nick Johnson deal..."
I put in a question for Mr. Edes asking if he had any idea which prospect was included and received this response:
"gordon edes: Ed, i haven't IDd lefty prospect yet, but i'm working on it..."
• Florida Marlins | Sun-Sentinel Blogs: Florida Marlins- Juan C. Rodriguez talks to the MLB Network about the Marlins' plans:
"...right now they have Emilio Bonifacio there(3B), a speedy kid that they really like, but he really just hasn't provided that on-base presence that a Nick Johnson would. So they're hoping they can land him, put him at first base, shift Jorge Cantu over to third, and that's really going to help their run production..."
12:38 pm EST -
"Marlins want Nick Johnson, but 'may move on'" - CBSSports.com - Danny Knobler
"The Marlins could be the latest team to talk trade with the Nationals, only to come away frustrated.
"The teams have been talking about a deal for first baseman Nick Johnson, but a source familiar with the negotiations said the Marlins are tiring of the slow pace of talks and 'may move on.'"
(ed. note - MLB Network just said they're going to focus on the NL East coming up next, and they'll talk about the Mets, Braves, Phillies and Marlins next...uh...?")
12:30 pm EST -
"The Marlins have improved their offer for Nationals first baseman Nick Johnson, offering another minor leaguer in addition to Class AAA right-hander Ryan Tucker, according to a major-league source."
(ed. note - "Of course, the "major-league source" doesn't mention how the deal may have been sweetened...")
The Rest Of The Morning's Updates After The JUMP...
12:15 pm EST -
• MLB Baseball Rumors - MLB Rumors - Major League Baseball Rumor Central - ESPN - Peter Gammons
"Washington hasn't made a trade since its June 30 trade for Nyjer Morgan and has told teams it's content to take draft picks for its impending free agents...
"But Johnson probably wouldn't qualify for free-agent compensation because he has missed so much time with injuries. So the Nats appear more motivated to trade Johnson than some of their other available players this week."
11:30 am EST -
• SI.com's Jon Heyman - "Marlins shift to Nick Johnson; Bell's price too high"
"The Marlins are focusing on Nationals first baseman Nick Johnson now, as they've deemed the price too high on the Padres star closer Heath Bell...
"It's interesting that the Marlins, winners of seven of nine, are seriously considering a rental player. Johnson's contract expires at year's end."
TWITTER TALK:
Links provided by - RoscoeNats:
USA Today Sports Writer Bob Nightengale Twitter Post:
"The Nats meanwhile have narrowed their GM candidates to two or three. Mike Rizzo, unfortunately, appears to be a longshot."
MLB Marlins Beat Writer Joe Frisaro Twitter:
"Hearing the Nationals may be reluctant to move Nick Johnson for Ryan Tucker."
10:50 am EST -
• Florida Marlins Top 20 Prospects for 2009 - Minor League Ball - John Sickels
(ed. note - "Ryan Tucker and Aaron Thompson Notes, From Minor League Ball's John Sickels' preseason rankings"):
6) Ryan Tucker, RHP, Grade B: He needs another pitch if he wants to start, but the ceiling stands out as excellent.
15) Aaron Thompson, LHP, Grade C+: Could be a C. I don’t like the way his Double-A numbers slipped and I worry about health.
"Marlins: Awaiting word on whether the Nationals will accept their offer of Class AAA right-hander Ryan Tucker for first baseman Nick Johnson; the Nats want Class AA lefty Aaron Thompson..."
• MiLB.com Player Page: Aaron Thompson.
-- Ryan Tucker Link:
• Tucker wins debut as Marlins roll | marlins.com: News - Alden Gonzalez
"Following Tucker's MLB Debut: '...Tucker was taken by the Marlins as a compensation pick following the first round of the 2005 First-Year Player Draft. After posting a 4.45 ERA in his first three years in the Minor Leagues, the California native broke out in a big way with the Mudcats this season, going 4-2 in 12 starts with a Southern League-leading 1.41 ERA.'"
10:08 am EST -
"The Washington Nationals’ first baseman, Johnson is the Marlins’ biggest target as the clock winds down, a source that has spoken with the club confirmed this morning. The Marlins hope to land Johnson and his gaudy .408 on-base percentage, and plug him in the two spot in front of Hanley Ramirez."
9:48 am EST - Washington Post writer Chico Harlan included this link to a San Francisco Chronicle article by Henry Schulman entitled, "UPDATE: A few pre-pre-pregame notes plus a lineup with no Freddy Sanchez or Randy Winn", where Mr. Schulman writes:
"I do believe the Giants made a push for Nick Johnson or Josh Willingham from Washington, but I heard that the Nationals decided they wanted to hold on to Willingham and Adam Dunn because, really, the only solid thing they have moving forward is their middle-order trio of Ryan Zimmerman, Dunn and Willingham. The source also said the Nats were demanding a ton for Johnson, which surprised the source given that the first baseman is a pending free agent..."
9:10 am EST - This is ridiculous (imho)...The Nationals Enquirer found this link to a Star-Telegram.com article by Jeff Wilson entitled, "Roy Halladay still in play for Rangers, but Jays want Derek Holland, others", wherein Mr. Wilson writes:
"...Other pitchers who might be available are left-handers Zach Duke and John Lannan."
Excuse me?
Tim Kurkjian Coming Up On ESPNRadio...9:15 am EST. (ed. note - "I'll publish notes soon...")
8:33 am EST -
Late last night, the Florida Marlins, according to FOXSports.com's Ken Rosenthal, offered Triple-AAA right-hander Ryan Tucker to the Nationals for 1B Nick Johnson, and Mr. Rosenthal writes, in his article entitled, "MLB trade deadline buzz", that the Marlins:
"...would send Class AAA right-hander Ryan Tucker to Washington, with the Nationals paying part of the approximately $1.8 million remaining on Johnson's contract."
Ryan Tucker -
• Marlins’ 1st Round pick, 34th overall in 2005.
• Recovering from knee injury…Ryan Tucker - (1-1, 4.09) 2 GS, 11.0 IP, 9 H, 5 ER, 7 BB, 5 K’s since returning from injury.
• Ranked as Florida's 5th Best Prospect in Baseball America's Mike Bernadino's 12/17/08 article, "Top 10 Prospects: Florida Marlins."
LINKS:
• Washington Post writer Chico Harlan, "Down To The Final Hours".
• Washington Times' Ben Goessling, "Nats' deadline deals likely to be minor."
• Federal Baseball.com's John Quinn, "Nationals News, TRADE DEADLINE IMMINENT Edition"