Buster Olney reports Padres close to trading for Wells.

[HollywoodLeo]

Stole this from CincyRedsFan30's thread in the transactions/rumors forum...

Updated: Aug. 30, 2006, 9:03 PM ET
Red Sox, Padres close to completing Wells trade

By Buster Olney

ESPN The Magazine


The Red Sox moved steadily toward the completion of a trade of veteran left-hander David Wells, identifying Class AAA catcher George Kottaras as the player they want if they complete a deal with the Padres. Boston has continued to talk to the Dodgers and Cardinals and perhaps the Reds, but it appears that San Diego is the front-runner to get Wells.

"I don't think there's any doubt now that he's going to be traded," said one source familiar with the conversations.

Wells is from San Diego and has pitched for the Padres in the past, and it may be best for all parties that he winds up going where he wants to go, because there is the possibility that at age 43, Wells would simply retire if he didn't like the team to which he was traded.

Kottaras is playing for Triple-A Portland, where he is hitting .233 with two homers and 13 RBI. The Red Sox organization is in need of catching, and Kottaras has a reputation as a solid defender.

The idea that the Red Sox might trade Wells would've seemed absurd two weeks ago, but Boston has now dropped six straight games; after losing to Oakland on Wednesday afternoon, the Red Sox were 10 games behind the Yankees in the loss column in the AL East.

[HollywoodLeo]

Of course, Buster's the same guy who spread the Peavy-Lowell trade rumors.

[padrefanforever]

Looks like he was right about this

[HollywoodLeo]

Scott Miller says Padres and Dodgers lead the race for Wells. They want Matt Kemp from LA.

http://www.sportsline.com/mlb/story/9628960

Of course, this does not contradict Onley's report. He also said the Dodgers were in the talks, also pointing out Matt Kemp, he just said the Padres were the more likely destination. Of course, they said the same about Maddux.

I was dissapointed at first that we were offering Kotteras, but i've looked at his minor league stats and it makes me wonder why he's a top 100 prospect...

[padrefanforever]

This is why I was never opposed to trading him.......he's a very movable commodity for some reason......so do it.......

I'm not rehashing this dead horse, but.......my thoughts were he should have been moved with Wells & Linebrink for Fields when we had the chance.......providing that rumor was true....

[padrefanforever]

Now just get something for him........he has no place on this ballclub and in all likelyhood wont........if Wells gives us 5 solid starts the rest of the season......and if we make the playoffs, and Wells is solid.......it will have been a good deal.....and you never know....Wells might resign next year for cheap just to pitch in SD

[realmofotalk]

Kevin Towers should do it. Gogogo

[HollywoodLeo]

Wells was scratched from his start today.

http://www.sportsline.com/mlb/story/9630224

MLB.com reported that Wells is likely headed to San Diego for catcher George Kottaras, a defensive catcher who was hitting .233 with two homers and 13 RBI with Triple-A Portland.

[Fishercat]

All I can say is that Wells has looked superior upon his return and he would be of use to a good team (which the Sox aren't at this point).

[Rufio181]

This is a good deal. We need Wells back here.