Rumor Mill, First Edition

By KYLE KEOUGH
Double Day AP

Long before the trade deadline, several teams from the NL East appear to be looking to make a splash on the trade market:

- Sources have confirmed that the Toledo Maumees (19-7) are indeed deep in their search for an impact bat. Their are rumblings within the organization that they are looking for the lefthander that would further increase the potency of their lineup, and one anonymous source floated to me the name Albert Wall from Omaha, though no confirmation of this can be made.

Toledo is purported to be dangling two superstar prospects: 21-year-old AAA phenom SP Harry Bennett and ML-level 1B/DH Ronald Webb, who is among the NL's best hitters but seems better suited for an AL club.

No agreements have been made, but my sources are confident that Toledo could make their move soon.

- Also through the grapevine has emerged information regarding fellow NL East team Tampa Bay. The Seminoles' (13-13) front office is reportedly unsatisfied with the play of their pitching rotation thus far this season. The Seminoles rank 10th in team ERA this season (4.26) but have witnessed less than stellar performances from the back end of their rotation.

My source told me that "jobs may be on the line if we can make a major deal before the trade deadline," and it seems clear that Tampa is indeed searching for another top pitcher. No word yet on any existing discussions between the Seminoles and other teams.