1:40pm: The latest from Peter Schmuck of the Baltimore Sun (with an assist from Jeff Zrebiec)…

• The Orioles want a first base candidate who can also play other positions, since they want to use Aubrey Huff at first sometimes.  Ty Wigginton remains on the radar, but the Orioles don’t want to go beyond one year.  The O’s have apparently moved on from the Richie Sexson idea.
• The Orioles signed former Yankees outfielder Justin Christian to a minor league deal.
• The O’s finalized their two-year contract with Koji Uehara.

Dan Connolly says the Orioles offered Brian Roberts a multiyear extension at about $10MM per, but the two sides have not made progress and Roberts doesn’t want talks dragging into the season.  Andy MacPhail said he hasn’t had trade talks for Roberts for at least a month.  As for Nick Markakis, the sides were about $10MM apart on a possible six-year extension.

11:31am: Orioles notes…

• As you know, the Orioles reached an agreement with their first-ever Japanese player, Koji Uehara.  It’s a two-year deal worth $10MM guaranteed, with another $6MM in incentives and bonuses.  Patrick Newman offers commentary on the signing, which is not getting a ton of press in the Japanese media.  Keith Law wonders if Baltimore was a wise choice for Uehara.
• Dan Connolly says the Orioles’ immediate priority is now to add a catcher, with Gregg Zaun and Ivan Rodriguez the candidates.
• Peter Schmuck says the O’s are looking for a reserve infielder as well.  They’ve talked to Chris Gomez’s agent and Willie Bloomquist "might be another possibility."

According to Schmuck, "Club officials apparently have had at least one conversation with Sexson’s agent, Casey Close, though the depth of their interest is uncertain."

• Mets Geek takes a look at three recent rumored deals that may be sitting on Omar Minaya’s desk and ponders whether or not the Mets should make each trade.
• The Detroit Tigers Weblog breaks down what a Jack Wilson trade would mean for the Tigers.
• Fire Brand of the American League feels that with the recent additions to the bullpen, the Red Sox may be better suited to insert Justin Masterson into the rotation, rather than sign a high-priced free agent.
• Ump Bump suggests that the Angels could get more bang for the buck if they sign Adam Dunn over Mark Teixeira.
• The ’Burgh Blues picks through the scraps and identifies eight players they would like to see the Pirates invite to Spring Training, including Richie Sexson, Sidney Ponson, Mark Prior and Matt Clement.
• MLB Notebook takes a look at the big guns in the free agent market and feels that the Yankees are no longer in a position to set the pace. Rather, they argue that the Angels now control the market.
• East Windup Chronicle feels that some are underestimating the amount of potential Major League talent playing in Japan, noting the number is "at least 30" and considerably more if they had the opportunity to start in the minors out of high school.
• Bernies Crew likes the Jorge Julio signing by the Brewers, noting the move gives the team much needed flexibility and depth in the bullpen.

Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex.com. If you have a suggestion for this feature, Cork can be reached here.

• The biggest move of the month was the Diamondbacks’ acquisition of slugger Adam Dunn for Dallas Buck, Micah Owings, and Wilkin Castillo.  I can’t remember any August trades of this magnitude.
• Bronson Arroyo told the media Dunn would be seeking over $100MM this offseason; Dunn denied the report wholeheartedly. I’d be surprised to see him get $100MM, but I also certainly don’t think it would be the worst signing we’ve seen in the past few offseasons.
• The Red Sox acquired Paul Byrd from the Indians. Boston will pay the remaining portion of Byrd’s salary. Byrd has been very good lately, and you can never have too much pitching depth. Not a bad move for Boston, in my opinion.
• The Twins were very active in discussions this week, though nothing surfaced as of yet. Minnesota claimed Jarrod Washburn off waivers from Seattle, but a deal wasn’t worked out. Boof Bonser and salary relief was originally thought to be the offer, but that report was later denied. Passing a chance to unload Washburn’s salary makes no sense to me. The Twins also claimed Alan Embree from Oakland, but he was pulled back.
• Freddy Garcia signed a minor-league contact with the Tigers. They must have liked what they saw at his audition. If he can return to be as effective as he was in his Chicago days, that would be a great signing. Nice low-risk move for Detroit.
• We’ve seen a lot of teams signing their young talent to long-term deals, but it looks like San Francisco ace Tim Lincecum will not be one of them. He’d prefer to go year-to-year.
• Minor moves happening around baseball: The Reds DFA’d David Ross, the Blue Jays released Shannon Stewart, and the Twins signed Bobby Kielty to a minor-league deal. The Giants DFA’d Jose Castillo, and Richie Sexson’s time in New York was cut short when he was released after just 35 plate appearances. The Rockies added another arm, signing Oscar Villareal.
• And now, for the draft-pick signings! Here are all the signings and not-signings teams made with their top picks this week: The White Sox signed Gordon Beckham, the Orioles signed Brian Matusz, the Padres signed Allan Dykstra, the Rangers signed Justin Smoak, the Giants signed Buster Posey, the Pirates signed Pedro Alvarez, the Royals signed Eric Hosmer, and the Reds not only signed Yonder Alonso, but Venezuelan outfielder Yorman Rodriguez as well. The Nationals failed to sign Aaron Crow, and the Yankees failed to sign Gerrit Cole.
• And to cap things off, since we just covered a bunch of guys who probably weren’t even alive when Jamie Moyer first started pitching in the Majors… he didn’t deny the possibility of pitching until he’s 50. He’s 45 right now with 11 wins and an ERA of 3.64, who knows?

Sexson received 35 plate appearances from the Yankees, hitting .250/.371/.393.  He did what he was supposed to do, hitting .273/.393/.455 against lefties.

• The Phillies acquired Joe Blanton from the A’s for a package of three minor leaguers: Adrian Cardenas, Josh Outman, and Matthew Spencer. Cardenas and Outman were the Phils’ #2 and #4 prospects. Personally, that seems like a lot to bring a pitcher who’s already struggling to a much smaller park. Blanton is a much better pitcher than he’s showed this season, however.
• Francisco Rodriguez will test the free-agent market this offseason. I don’t think anyone would be surprised to see K-Rod sign a record-setting contract for a reliever.
• The Yankees signed Richie Sexson.
• Francisco Liriano – or at least his agent – is not pleased that the Twins still have him in AAA. The Twins won’t blame Liriano for the investigation. Upsetting a player who’s that young and that talented seems like a bad idea to me…
• The Padres traded Tony Clark to the Diamondbacks for minor leaguer Evan Scribner. The D’Backs have looked like they can use all the help they can get lately.
• A.J. Burnett likes Toronto and doesn’t want to be traded. My advice: Don’t talk to Chicago reporters anymore, A.J.
• Tim updated the third base and second base markets.
• Erik Bedard’s injury looks like it will keep him in Seattle. And if you don’t believe me yet, here’s another one for you.
• The Twins balked at Seattle’s asking price for Adrian Beltre. And considering they asked for one of Scott Baker, Nick Blackburn, Glen Perkins, or Kevin Slowey as well as other minor league prospects, can you blame them?

• Given Richie Sexson’s expected part-time role, the Yankees are in the market for an everyday outfielder to replace Hideki Matsui’s bat.  Barry Bonds is not under consideration.  Heyman tosses out names such as Matt Holliday, Xavier Nady, Jason Bay, and Adam Dunn, while noting that the price on most is too high (the Pirates deny this).
• Heyman is still saying the Cardinals will consider trading Colby Rasmus, despite various denials.
• The Yanks are also looking to add a #3-4 starter type.  Here’s a look at the market.
• Manny Ramirez probably isn’t going to get what he wants – free agency, an extension, or a trade. 
• The Nationals are supporting GM Jim Bowden despite his recent problems.  Heyman reported rumblings last month that Bowden "could be in trouble."
• Despite the Marlins’ interest, the Tigers are unlikely to trade Ivan Rodriguez.  Jon Paul Morosi agrees, while noting that Pudge’s salary might be too high for Florida anyway.

There’s little risk, so you can’t blame Brian Cashman for the move.  However, it should be noted that Sexson didn’t hit lefties much in 2006-07 and only faced them 70 times this year.

By the way, the Yankees aren’t interested in Barry Bonds.

• We’ll have our weekly live chat here today at 2pm CST.
• R.J. Anderson of DRays Bay writes the Rays Comprehensive Trade Post.
• Brian Cashman confirmed interest in Richie Sexson.
• Danny Knobler quotes Francisco Rodriguez as saying that the Angels offered him three years, $34MM in November.
• Josh Hamilton called all his friends to tell them he was a Cub, then had to call them all back.
• People in Pedro Alvarez’s neighorhood expect him to sign.
• Blue Jays ace Roy Halladay wants to see the team make some progress.
• Viva El Birdos would like to see the Cardinals acquire Jarrod Washburn.
• Ichiro’s profane, annual AL All-Star team pep talk.

• The Brewers completed a deal for C.C. Sabathia, sending Matt LaPorta and other prospects to Cleveland in return. Sabathia’s looked great so far, and LaPorta’s already making an impact in the Indians minor league system. Looks good for both teams right now if you ask this guy.
• The Cubs answered their division rival quickly, landing Oakland ace Rich Harden along with Chad Gaudin in exchange for Matt Murton, Sean Gallagher, Eric Patterson, and Josh Donaldson. Harden was brilliant in his debut. I think this could be another win-win trade, if Harden stays healthy.
• It was once again made clear that no one has interest in Barry Bonds, even at this juncture of the season. Seems like we’ve heard this once or twice before…
• It was a long time coming: The Mariners released Richie Sexson. Could the Yankees be interested?
• With likely season-ending injuries to both Eric Byrnes and Moises Alou (possibly career-ending in Alou’s case), both the D’Backs and Mets are in the market for corner outfielders. Raul Ibanez should be appealing to both clubs, though the Mariners may not be interested in trading him, Jim Riggleman says. Carlos Beltran voiced his support of acquiring Ibanez. I personally don’t see why Seattle wouldn’t pull the trigger, but I’m not a Major League GM, I suppose.
• Tim updated both the first base and catcher markets in the Trade Market Series.
• The Twins had internal discussions on Adrian Beltre. A third base upgrade would certainly be nice, but they’re not known for making big moves at the deadline. Could Bill Smith change that reputation in his first year as GM?

• Olney’s Speculation: Will the Red Sox will express interest in Khalil Greene with Julio Lugo on the DL for 4-6 weeks? Olney also wonders if the Dodgers will seek Huston Street if Takashi Saito is seriously hurt.
• Scout Speculation:  Huston Street and Matt Murton to the Rays for prospects? 
• Bobby Kielty was granted release by the Red Sox.
• Richie Sexson could decide where to go based on greatest offered playing time.  I’d say that’s expected for a veteran starter.
• Olney says that requests for Max Scherzer are keeping the Dbacks from making any moves, such as for Raul Ibanez.
• David Ortiz is slated to return to the lineup on July 25th, which leaves the Red Sox less than a week to evaluate him and make a move if necessary.  Olney details some options:
  • Acquire a hitter during the waiver period after the deadline.  This would rule out comparable replacements such as Matt Holliday or Mark Teixeira.
  • Make a "preemptive strike" for Holliday or Teixeira costing them "at least one of their best prospects".
  • Target a "second or third tier bat" such as Ibanez or Xavier Nady.
  • Continue on with or without an effective Ortiz, hoping their offense is good enough.

Sherman says the Rockies are interested enough in Ian Kennedy to deal Brian Fuentes for him and the Yankees will need to choose both whether they’re in it and how much they want to retain Kennedy.  A cheaper option they’re considering is Damaso Marte, says the Pittsburgh Post Gazette’s Dejan Kovacevic.  The fact that Marte is now closing in Pittsburgh may have either decreased his availability or increased his price tag, or both.  The Cardinals, Mets, Rays and Red Sox are all in the hunt for the lefty.

Kovacevic says the Yankees are suitors for Xavier Nady as well. Nady is a career .320 hitter against lefties and has played in New York before.  And then there’s Richie Sexson, who Tim discussed here, and who George A. King III of the New York Post says the Yankees could sign if/when he clears waivers this week.

A compromise of sorts could be to make a move for A.J. Burnett.  The opt-out risk at the end of the year is alarming, but the Yankees could use his services this year and beyond, as well as manage his salary and the upside is still tremendous.