MLB Rumors, July 1st

• The Brewers appear to be the frontrunners in the C.C. Sabathia sweepstakes. Milwaukee has plenty of young players/prospects to offer. The Rays, Red Sox, Dodgers, and Cubs have also expressed interest, and one must believe that the Yankees will at least inquire about the 2007 Cy Young Award winner.
  
• The Marlins are looking for a catcher and some bullpen help. Matt Treanor is simply not getting it done for Florida, batting only .241 with 14 RBI. Mike Rabelo was performing so badly that he was sent down to the minors. The cheapest available options include Yorvit Torrealba, Paul Lo Duca, and Paul Bako. There is a possibility that the Tigers make Ivan Rodriguez available for the right price, and I wouldn't discount Kansas City's Miguel Olivo making a return to Miami, either. In terms of relief pitching, players such as David Weathers and LaTroy Hawkins are believed to be on the market. Other than that, I can't see the Marlins picking up anyone extraordinary due to the value of relief pitchers around the league. The best reliever being shopped around is probably Colorado's Brian Fuentes, but whether Florida is willing to pay up for him is the question.
  
• Could Colorado be shopping Matt Holliday, a player whom they just gave a two-year contract extension? It seems like a pretty big possibility considering that the Rockies have all but fallen completely out of contention. The Dodgers are probably not an option because they are a division rival of Colorado's, but you would have to think the Yankees are a possibility. They currently have Johnny Damon in left and Melky Cabrera in center, but with Hideki Matsui's knee problem becoming a serious issue, I could definitely see them making a run at Holliday. Should Matsui need surgery, New York could keep Damon in left and insert Holliday at DH. Maybe a package of Cabrera, Alan Horne, and another prospect for the 2007 NL MVP runner-up?
  
• It's no secret that the Rockies have put Fuentes on the trading block. Interested parties include the Yankees, Mets, Red Sox, and Phillies. As stated before, the Marlins may make a push for the closer depending on how much Colorado is asking for him. Fuentes, however, has blown two consecutive saves and has a 3.94 ERA this season. Not really all that great for a closer.
• The Cubs will almost definitely do something before the deadline, and their top priority appears to be adding a pitcher. Sabathia is on their radar, but Chicago does not want to part with young pitcher Sean Gallagher, a player who might have to go in any deal for Cleveland's left-hander.