Rays join Red Sox in pursuit of Indians' Martinez | MLB Trade Deadline 2009

The Red Sox have some company in the pursuit of star hitting catcher Victor Martinez, and it comes from one of their two main competitors in the AL East. The Tampa Bay Rays are now also considering a run at Martinez, league sources say.

Like Boston, Tampa Bay matches up well with the Indians in that it has several very good pitching prospects. The Rays have Jeff Niemann, Wade Davis, Jeremy Hellickson and several more quality pitchers at lower levels.

It isn't believed Tampa and the Indians have exchanged names yet, but there's plenty there to interest the Indians. Tampa Bay is pretty protective of its young pitchers, though, and ultimately decided they didn't want to part with top pitching prospects like Wade Davis in talks last year at this time for Jason Bay, who eventually went to the Red Sox. While Bay is starring in Boston, Tampa remains pleased with its prospects.

The Red Sox are well-stocked with minor-league pitchers, as well, though competitors have said they appear very reluctant to trade them. Clay Buchholz is Boston's top young starting prospect, while Junichi Tazawa, Casey Kelly and Michael Bowden also have potential. Boston and Cleveland have been discussing Martinez for weeks, so one competing GM questioned whether they'd come to an agreement. "I think they would have done it weeks ago if they were going to get it done,'' he said. The Red Sox acquired Adam LaRoche on Wednesday but remain interested in Martinez.

While Dioner Navarro was an All-Star for Tampa Bay last year, he is only hitting .223 with five home runs and 25 RBIs this year.

Buzz leading up to July 31 non-waiver deadline

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