The Chicago Tribune has speculated this week that the Cubs would be interested in making a deal for San Diego Padres first baseman Adrian Gonzalez. The Tribune reported that a potential deal involving Derrek Lee could be offered in a blockbuster that also involves Padres ace Jake Peavy.

This entire line of thinking seems like a longshot, but you never know. What the Cubs gain is apparent — a legitimate top-of-the-rotation starter and a young left-handed power bat — but what they send back to San Diego is a mystery. Lee is a nice start, but may not be enough to lure Gonzalez, a franchise building block, away from the Padres. Read more »

The San Diego Padres are reportedly shopping Cy Young Award winner Jake Peavy, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune. Not a surprising move, considering the state of the Padres franchise, but the public search for willing trade partners is unusual. No more behind the scenes finagling; creating leverage has now required involving the national media.

General manager Kevin Towers is looking for young pitching - aren’t all GMs? - and his rallying cry has hit the television, radio and newspaper wires. So far, the Atlanta Braves have a small lead in a race that also includes the Chicago Cubs and Houston Astros. Read more »

The Arizona Republic is reporting that Cincinnati Reds left fielder Adam Dunn is on his way to Arizona as part of a four-player deal. The Diamondbacks sent minor league pitcher Dallas Buck and two players to be named later to the rebuilding Reds, who have now traded away veteran outfielders Dunn and Ken Griffey Jr. for prospects in the last two weeks.

While Buck is a nice addition to a resurgent Cincinnati farm system, Dunn is the only player of significance in fantasy. The move from Cincinnati into the National League West playoff race is likely a lateral one in terms of his overall value. But, for a player whose fantasy merits are derived almost exclusively from the home run ball — he’s tied for major league lead with 32 — it’s tough to see him leave Cincinnati’s Great American Ballpark. Read more »

After a series of speculative deals that went from likelihoods to distant possibilities, Manny Ramirez will be leaving Boston after all in a three-way deal with the Dodgers and Pirates, the Boston Globe reported on its Red Sox blog.

According to the site, Pittsburgh will send outfielder Jason Bay to Boston and receive third baseman Andy LaRoche and minor league pitcher Bryan Morris from the Dodgers and outfielder Brandon Moss and reliever Craig Hansen from the Red Sox. Read more »

If the New York Yankees fail to make the postseason, it won’t be for lack of effort. Less than a week after acquiring Xavier Nady and reliever Damaso Marte from the Pittsburgh Pirates, New York swung a deal to obtain veteran catcher Ivan Rodriguez from the Detroit Tigers. In the wake of Jorge Posada’s season-ending shoulder surgery, the Yankees filled a major need for an offensive catcher to complement Jose Molina.

The Tigers, desperate for an impact bullpen arm, had seen their relationship with Pudge sour over the past year, which made the surefire Hall of Famer expendable. They received Kyle Farnsworth from the Yankees, a veteran right-hander (and former Tiger) who could throw his name into the hat for the closer’s role. Read more »