Steve "The Human Rain Delay" Traschel could have slowed down major league baseball for the last time. The Baltimore Orioles have DFA’d him, following what could be described as a poor start to the season.

For the year, Trax is 2-5 with a ERA of 8.39, spread over 10 games. Trax got rocked hard and knocked out early frequently, including 9 earned runs in less than two innings against the Rays, and a six run, three inning game against the Angels.

In six years with the Mets, Trax went 66-59, with a 4.09 ERA. Trax often benefited from a large amount of run support, and is best known for his slow delivery. That being said, he ate innings, going over 200 twice in his six years with the team.

New fifth starter anyone?

Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com reports that the Mariners and Orioles are moving closer to an agreement that will send LHP Erik Bedard out west. The Reds are also a candidate to land Bedard, but it appears the Mariners are willing to trade their top outfield prospect, Adam Jones, while the Reds will not part with their best minor-league outfielder, Jay Bruce.

The Mariners also are willing to include catcher Jeff Clement and third baseman Matt Tuiasosopo.

According to si.com, the Phillies sold 28-year old OF Chris Roberson to the Orioles yesterday.

Alright, were definitely scrapping for news but after the way the Phillies embarrassed us out of the playoffs last year we should be keeping an eye on their every move.

The AP reports Orioles 2B Brian Roberts has acknowledged that he used steroids once in 2003, before realizing he had made a “terrible decision”.

mlbtraderumors.com heard a report on 790 The Sports Animal, a Houston radio station, reporting that the Astros are close to a deal to acquire Miguel Tejada.

The Astros would send Adam Everett, Chris Burke, and a pitcher.

You can tune into The Sports Animal here.

Peter Gammons of ESPN has reported that the Mets don’t currently have the trading chips to acquire one of the Athletics pitchers, Dan Haren or Joe Blanton. They were also denied a trade for Erik Bedard late last week. With that said, it may be time for the Mets to look elsewhere. Here is a list of potential targets and what they are valued at.

LHP Dontrelle Willis (Florida Marlins) - The Marlins have stated that they are willing to listen to offers for Willis, though they are expected to retain him for the 2008 season, or at least until the July 31st trading deadline. Willis is coming off his worst season of his career, going 10-15 with a 5.17 ERA. Throughout the past three seasons, Willis’ strikeout to walk ratio has decreased each season. In 2005, Willis struck out 170 while walking 55. The following season in 2006, he notched 160 strike outs while walking 83. Finally, last season, he struck out 146 and walked 86.

Potential Suitors: Mets, Reds, Mariners, and Diamondbacks

Cost: Two young players

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Bartolo Colon (Free Agent) - Colon could definitely be a high-reward/high-risk signing for any team that picks him up. He has played only 28 starts due to his battle with shoulder and elbow problems since the beginning of the 2006 season. Omar once traded prospects Grady Sizemore, Cliff Lee and Brandon Phillips in a deal for Colon when he was general manager for the Expos.

Potential Suitors: Mets, Padres, Rangers, Diamondbacks, Phillies, Mariners, Nationals

Cost: One-year, $9 million deal or two-year, $16 million

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Carlos Silva (Free Agent) - The 28-year old Silva currently leads a very thin market of starting pitchers. He went 13-14 with a 4.19 ERA for the Twins last season and figures to cash in at around $10 million a season with another team. Plenty of teams remain interested in him, though most of them plan to use him as a fall back option and prefer to look to the trade market before committing a large contract to him.

Potential Suitors: Mets, Royals, Cardinals, Tigers, Phillies

Cost: 4-Years, $40 million

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Livan Hernandez (Free Agent) - Hernandez is an innings eater. He has not pitched less than 200 innings in any season since 1999. He went 11-11 with a 4.93 ERA for the Diamondbacks last season. The Mets lost a 200 inning pitcher in Glavine to the Braves via free agency and they need to find a way to fill those lost innings. The team have made it known that Livan is more likely a Plan C or D. The fact that his half-brother El Duque is on this team and his history with Omar in Montreal makes him a strong candidate to be a Met in 2008.

Potential Suitors: Mets, Astros, Cardinals

Cost: Three-years, $21 million

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Hiroki Kuroda (Free Agent) - The 33-year old right hander went 12-8 in 26 starts with a 3.56 ERA for the Hiroshima Carp last season in Japan. Scouts project him to become a middle of the rotation starter in the MLB. Conflicting reports have come out recently that the Mariners have have offered him a contract. One report says that it was for three-years, $30 million. The other states that they offered him four-year, $44 million.

Potential Suitors: Mets, Mariners, Dodgers, Royals, Phillies, Cubs, Rangers

Cost: Four-year deal, $45 million

Here’s a rundown of Hot Stove news this morning…

First, Ken Rosenthal has the latest information up from the hot stove. To lead off the report, Rosenthal has a bit on Omar Minaya, whose job security coming off an epic pennant race collapse is not as safe as it was a year ago. The value of the Mets prospects aren’t currently as enticing as other teams and this could make for a hard time for Omar if he cannot find a trade for a top pitcher.The San Diego Padres may sign C Mike Piazza if Michael Barrett rejects their offer of arbitration. Barrett is drawing interest from the Marlins, Rays and Orioles.

The Washington Nationals have asked the Milwaukee Brewers for 2B Rickie Weeks in return for closer Chad Cordero due to their pressing need for a closer. The Brewers have made Weeks close to untouchable.

Both the Mets and Yankees are showing interest in free-agent reliever Octavio Dotel.

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The Providence Journal is reporting that Johan Santana has told the Twins that he is willing to waive his no-trade clause only for the Boston Red Sox or New York Yankees. He has made it clear that he also will not accept an in-season trade. The report also states that yesterday, indications surfaced that the Sox have also had discussions with the Milwaukee Brewers regarding Ben Sheets. The Sox also see Dan Haren as an alternative if they fail to trade for Johan Santana.

The Washington Post reports that Orioles LHP Erik Bedard has informed the team that he has no interest in signing an extension to stay in Baltimore beyond 2009. The Mets and Dodgers have engaged in serious discussions with the 28-year old ace. Last week, the Mets offer of Lastings Milledge, Aaron Heilman and Philip Humber was rejected. The Orioles will likely require Matt Kemp from the Dodgers if they make any run at Bedard.

Despite a previous report, the Pittsburgh Pirates have denied that they have considered non-tendering Xavier Nady if they cannot trade him.

After trading starting catcher Brian Schneider to the Mets on Friday, the Washington Nationals failed to name Jesus Flores as the starting catcher. In fact, he may start the season in Triple-A. The Nationals are currently in the market for a starting catcher, likely for a one-year deal. They seem to expect Flores to become their full-time starting catcher by the 2009 season.