Adrian Gonzalez believes he will be traded to the Boston Red Sox in the next 10 days according to ESPN's Jorge Arangure.

Arangure states, "Source close to A Gonzalez believes he'll be traded to Red Sox within next 10 days." He's quick to add however, "Does this mean deal will happen?No. But momentum is there."

The first baseman would provide a big boost to the retooling Red Sox offense but would come at a steep price.

Clay Buchholz would almost certainly be a required part of the deal that could also include Jacoby Ellsbury as well as a high end prospect.

The Boston Red Sox and free agent pitcher John Lackey have reportedly agreed to a 5 year deal worth $82.5 million.

Lackey was considered by many to be the top starting pitcher on the free agent market this year.

Ken Rosenthall says the Red Sox will also attempt to extend Josh Beckett (likely to a slightly more expensive deal) and may even explore a possible trade for San Diego Padres first baseman, Adrian Gonzalez likely centered around Clay Buchholz.

Lackey's signing also ends the Red Sox's pursuit of free agents Jason Bay or Matt Holliday.

Lackey would also be the second high profile free agent to leave the Angels so far this offseason, following Chone Figgins out the door.

As you know, July 31st is known as the trade deadline. But in fact, teams can still acquire players after that, however the players involved in a trade must first pass through waivers.

When players are placed on waivers, any of the 29 other teams can claim him which usually results in the player's current team pulling him back off waivers. In some rare instances, teams will in fact allow players to leave via waivers although the more usual scenario is that teams will work out a trade for that player during the 48 hour window they're given to negotiate.

If a player passes through waivers unclaimed, he can then be traded to any team at any time. However, a player must be on a team's active roster by August 31st in order to be eligible for post-season play.

Now that we've explained the process, who are some of the players we might still see traded this year?

ESPN's Jerry Crasnick gives these starting 9 (which actually includes 14 players)  as the most likely to be dealt:

1. Jon Garland & Doug Davis
2. Heath Bell
3. Lyle Overbay
4. Justin Duchscherer
5. The "Matt Stairs" type which Crasnick says this year includes Nomar Gargciaparra and Kevin Millar
6. The "utility man" category under which Crasnick files David Eckstein, Mark Teahen, and Jamey Carroll.
7. Carl Pavano
8. Reds Relievers of Arthur Rhodes and David Weathers
9. Miguel Batista

Heath Bell would obviously the biggest target on this list and as Crasnick mentions, would probably be claimed. However, even if he's claimed by a team that's not in contention, the Padres may be able to work out a deal.

That being said, I think Rhodes or Weathers are the much more likely releivers to be dealt.

There are also plenty of contending teams that could use a back of the rotation starter like Pavano, Davis, or Garland so I wouldn't be surprised to see their names pop up on several different radars.

We also always seem to hear about one BIG name that passes through waivers making them elligible to be dealt (Manny was put on waivers a couple years back) but deals that big usually happen before August if they're going to happen at all.

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According to Jeff Baker of the Seattle Times. The Red Sox, Mariners, and Padres were discussing a 3 way trade that would send Felix Hernandez to Boston and Adrian Gonzalez to Seattle. At first Boston told Seattle they could pick any of these 5 players:

RHP Clay Buchholz
RHP Daniel Bard
RHP Justin Masterson
LHP Nick Hagadone
RHP Michael Bowden
LHP Felix Doubront
OF Josh Reddick
SS Yamaico Navarro

Seattle turned the offer down and in response, Boston got the Padres involved. The offer that emerged was:

Seattle gets: Adrian Gonzalez and Clay Bucholz along with a couple more Boston specs.

Boston gets: Felix Hernandez

San Diego gets: Brandon Morrow, Phillip Aumont and Carlos Truinful (from Seattle). They would also get a couple of top prospects from the Red Sox.

But the Mariners reportedly rejected this deal as well. My question to you is, would you have done the deal if you were the GM of the Mariners?

The trade deadline has come and gone and left a TON of trades in it's wake. We've compiled a list of all the trades that occurred during the entire month of July in one giant trade recap. One interesting note, unless I've missed something, 27 of the 30 teams completed at least one trade last month. The Astros, Angels, and Rangers were the thre teams to stand pat in July.

• The Cubs traded for Jeff Baker from Colorado for Alberto Alburquerque.
• The Indians traded Joan Meloan from the Rays for Winson Abreu.
• The A's traded Ryan Webb, Greg Italiano, and a PTBNL (Sean Gallagher) for Scott Hairston from the Padres.
• The Orioles traded Ryan Freel to the Royals for a PTBNL.
• The White Sox acquired Tony Pena from Arizona in exchange for Brandon Allen.
• The Royals acquired Yuniesky Betancourt from Seattle for Danny Cortes and Derrick Saito.
• The Mets and Braves made a straight up trade of Ryan Church and Jeff Francoeur.
• Seattle acquired Jack Hannahan from the M's for Justin Souza.
• The Brewers traded for Felipe Lopez from the Diamondbacks for Cole Gillespie and Roque Mercedes.
• The Orioles and Padres made the second straight up trade of Oscar Salazar and Cla Meredith.
• With the third straight up trade, the Cards sent Chris Duncan to Boston for Julio Lugo. Lugo was recently DFA'd by the Red Sox.
• The Red Sox added another left-handed bat when they acquired Adam LaRoche from the Pirates for Hunter Strickland and Argenis Diaz.
• The Cardinals acquired slugger Matt Holliday for Brett Wallace, Shane Peterson, and Clayton Morentsen.
• The Giants trade Scott Barnes to the Indians in exchange for Ryan Garko.
• The Pirates and Mariners made a 7 player deal that sent Jack Wilson and Ian Snell for Jeff Clement, Ronny Cedeno, Nathan Adcock, Brett Lorin, and Aaron Pribanic.
• The Reds acquired Wladimir Balentien from Seattle in exchange for reliever Robert Manuel.
• The Yankees acquired Jason Hirsh from the Rockies for a minor leaguer and released Brett Tomko to make room.
• The Phillies traded for Cliff Lee and Ben Francisco for Carlos Carrasco, Jason Donald, Lou Marson, and Jason Knapp.
• The Giants acquired Freddy Sanchez from the Pirates in exchange for Tim Alderson.
• The Royals acquired Josh Anderson for cash considerations after he was DFA'ed by the Tigers.
• The Dodgers acquired George Sherrill from Baltimors for Josh Bell and Steve Johnson.
• The Cubs acquired both Tom Gorzelanny and John Grabow from the Pirates for Kevin Hart and Jose Ascanio.
• The Tigers acquired Jarrod Washburn for Luke French and Mauricio Robles.
• The Dodgers and Brewers swapped Vinny Rottino and Claudio Vargas.
• The Red Sox made the biggest trade by acquiring Victor Martinez in exchange for Justin Masterson, Nick Hagadone, and Bryan Price.
• The Blue Jays acquired Sean Smith from the Pirates for future considerations.
• The Yankees added Jerry Hairston Jr. from Cincinatti for minor leaguer Chase Weems.
• The Red Sox then went ahead and traded Adam Laroche to the Braves for Casey Kotchman straight up.
• The Marlins traded for Nick Johnson in exchange for Aaron Thompson.
• The Rockies added two pieces to their bullpen, a righty and lefty. Joe Beimel and Rafael Betancourt.
• The White Sox acquired Jake Peavy surprisingly and they traded Aaron Poreda, Clayton Richard, Dexter Carter, and Adam Russell for him.
• The Reds and Blue Jays exchanged third basemen, with Scott Rolen going to Cincinatti in exchange for Edwin Encarnacion, Josh Roenicke, and Zach Stewart.
• The Twins got Orlando Cabrera from the A's for Tyler Ladendorf.

Update 3:40 CST:

The White Sox have confirmed the trade for Jake Peavy. The Sox are sending Clayton Richard and minor league pitchers Poreda, Russell and Dexter Carter to the Padres for the injured ace.

Jon Heyman, who scooped the story, is also reporting that Peavy has approved the trade this time so the deal is official.

The Padres are likely to end up paying some of Peavy's large contract but it appears the team was desparate to unload some payroll and when they couldn't find acceptable deals for Adrian Gonzalez or Heath Bell, the Peavy trade became an option again.

It's certainly a risk by the White Sox but one that could pay of BIG time if Peavy can come late in the year.

Sports Illustrated Jon Heyman breaks the most surprising news of the trade deadline, Jake Peavy has once again been traded to the Chicago White Sox for minor league prospects.

As you may remember, Peavy, who has a full no trade clause, rejected a trade to the White Sox this past offseason but it appears the deal is back on again.

Peavy would still have to approve the trade, but it appears the teams have agreed on a trade that would send the injured ace to the south side of Chicago.

We'll continue to update this post as more information comes in, especially if or when Peavy waves his no trade clause.

The Oakland A's have acquired Scott Hairston from the San Diego Padres for pitching prospects Ryan Webb and Craig Italiano as well as the proverbial player to be named later.

While the Padres and A's are both considered "sellers" for this year's trade deadline, Oakland has attempted to land Hairston for quite some time now. The outfielder is under team control through the 2011 season at a very reasonable rate, making him a natural fit for Oakland's Moneyball GM, Billy Beane.

Also, by landing Hairston who's in the midst of a career year batting .299 with 1o HR before the break, the A's may now be more willing to trade hard hitting outfielder Matt Holliday.

The Mets, Reds, Giants, and Phillies were also rumored to be interested in Hairston but all would likely become suitors for Holliday if Oakland decides to come off their demand of two "high impact" prospects in exchange for the soon to be free agent slugger.

The Padres, for their part, are said to view the PTBNL as the key to the deal. The player will reportedly be one of two Oakland pitchers one of whom is said to have Major League service time.

The player will be announced next month but landing 3 decent arms for a formerly mediocre player having a career year seems to define "selling high" for the Padres.

Update: The Chicago Sun Times is reporting that Peavy has rejected the trade to the White Sox, citing a desire to stay in the National League. It probably wouldn't hurt if his new team was willing to pick up the pitcher's $22 million option for the 2013 season either. Don't be surprised if we start to hear Peavy to the Cubs rumors again soon.

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Update: ESPNchicago.com is reporting that the Padres will receive "left-handed pitcher Clayton Richard and former No. 1 draft pick Aaron Poreda, ... a 6-6, left-handed pitcher" in exchange for Peavy.

One of Peavy's former teammates, Scott Linebrink, now with the White Sox reportedly spoke with Peavy about the possibility of playing on Chicago's south side. Linebrink was quoted as saying "Right now, I'd say it's 50-50 as to whether he accepts it or not. He'll get with his family today and make a decision."

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The last off-season was filled with rumors that Jake Peavy was headed to Chicago. And, if reports out today are accurate, he may finally complete that journey in short order. Unlike the winter rumors, it appears to be the White Sox, not the Cubs, who have landed the Padre pitcher.

While the deal between the Padres and the White Sox has reportedly been agreed to in principle, Peavy must still wave his no-trade clause in order for the deal to be finalized.

ESPN is reporting that a fellow Padre "believes Peavy respects the White Sox for pursuing a trade for him, but may have reservations about playing for White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen."

We'll keep you updated as more information on this possible blockbuster trade becomes available.

The Chicago Cubs have reportedly traded once highly heralded outfielder Felix Pie to the Baltimore Orioles for southpaw Garrett Olson and right handed minor leaguer Henry Williamson.

The 24 year old Pie hit just .223 in 130 games in the big leagues and became expendable when the Cubs signed Milton Bradley. The 25 year old Olson started 26 games last year for the O's compiling a 9-10 recored with an ERA above 6.

Olson was rumored to be on the San Diego Padres' list of players they'd want in return for ace pitcher Jake Peavy earlier this offseason and the trade could signal a renewed attempt by the Cubs to trade for the Padres' Cy Young award winner.

The Milwaukee Brewers have reportedly inked the career saves leader, Trevor Hoffman to a one year deal worth a guaranteed $6 million and includes $1.5 million in incentives as well as a team option for a second year.

Hoffman had been expected to return to the San Diego Padres where he'd pitched for the last 13 years, however, the team retracted their initial one year offer of $4 million, a move which angered the closer.

The Brewers, who lost last years closer Salomon Torres to an unexpected retirement and already signed former closer Jorge Julio, but are expected to use Hoffman as the closer with Julio as a setup man. The 41 year old converted 30 of 34 save opportunities last year and should become a much needed anchor at the back of the Brewers pen.

The Los Angeles Dodgers had extended Hoffman an offer for more than $4 million in hopes of giving Jonathan Broxton a chance to grow into the closers role. They'll now have to either toss the young reliever into the fire, or perhaps turn to former closers Takashi Saito, Guillermo Motta, or even Chad Cordero who is apparently ahead of schedule in his recovery from surgery last summer (pure speculation on my part).