Possible Breaking News

Howard Eskin from 610 WIP radio in Philadelphia is reporting that Guillermo Mota has failed his physical with the Cleveland Indians and the much reported deal between Cleveland and Boston is off the table. His report has not yet been verified. As I find out more about this, you will too.

UPDATE: The Philadelphia Inquirer confirms WIP's initial report:

The Phillies' trade was contingent on a six-player trade between the Indians and Boston Red Sox becoming official. The Red Sox would receive outfielder Coco Crisp, reliever David Riske and catcher Josh Bard. The Indians would get top prospect Andy Marte, catcher Kelly Shoppach and relief pitcher Guillermo Mota. But Mota failed his physical today in Cleveland, which means the Sox will have to try to satisfy the Indians some other way.

It's believed the Sox will try to make that happen because Mota wasn't the key figure in that trade: Crisp and Marte are the key pieces.

So if the Sox can provide the Indians with another piece, most likely bullpen help, the Michaels-Rhodes deal could still happen. The Phillies and Indians have been talking about Michaels for Rhodes for several weeks.

So there you have it. The Indians-Red Sox trade is on hold for now, but it is still very likely that the original deal (the one involving Mota) can be reworked in such a manner (no more Mota) that both sides are satisfied enough to agree on. Maybe the relievers being exchanged by the two teams will be eliminated completely or maybe a different reliever will be subbed in for the banged up Mota. So long as that end is worked out, Michaels for Rhodes should still be on.