The price isn't right for GMs

CLEVELAND -- The trade deadline goes through many ebbs and flows.

There's the "feeler" stage. There's the "kicking the tires" stage. And now the "show me the money" stage.

According to one American League general manager, his team is well beyond the "kicking the tires" stage. The price tags are still too high, which is why the Red Sox have not been able to make a deal. A major deal might be unlikely for the Sox, but the source said prices come down closer to the deadline.

According to a baseball official, the Red Sox are discussing several deals, mainly for hitters, but the price tag for the Rangers' switch-hitting first baseman, Mark Teixeira, is still prohibitive. The Rangers are looking for a combination of Clay Buchholz, Jacoby Ellsbury, and a third player.

The Sox have offered the Rangers a few packages, but they've been rejected.

There's the possibility of a deal with the White Sox for Jermaine Dye, but the White Sox are asking for a package too rich for Boston's blood.

The Red Sox have been asked for Ellsbury, Buchholz, and Jon Lester in virtually every trade discussion. Two names mentioned in smaller deals (Devil Rays infielder Ty Wigginton) are reliever Manny Delcarmen and Double A righthander Justin Masterson. But the Sox probably wouldn't surrender them for a player of Wigginton's caliber.

The Cubs entered the Wigginton hunt yesterday, joining the Red Sox, Yankees, Dodgers, and Twins. Wigginton is making $2.7 million this season and is projected to get in the $4 million to $5 million range in arbitration next season.

One industry source said the Red Sox are one of the most active teams as the deadline approaches, but will not surrender their top prospects in packages to obtain Teixeria or Adam Dunn from the Reds.

The Sox have also been looking at a reliever and the Royals' Octavio Dotel appears to be a target. Kansas City had a scout in Cleveland last night.

The Sox signed veteran outfielder Brady Clark to a Triple A contract with Ellsbury on the seven-day disabled list with a mild groin strain. Clark, 34, was released by the Dodgers June 18 after hitting .224 with five RBIs in 47 games. He hit .306 in 145 games for Milwaukee in 2005.

He's a fourth or fifth outfielder who can provide a righthanded bat off the bench. The Sox are also looking at Bobby Kielty, who was designated for assignment by the A's. Kielty's agent, Dan Lozano, has not heard of any activity on Kielty, but believes the Red Sox are interested.

If the Red Sox do not make a deal between now and Tuesday, which will be Curt Schilling's final rehab start, the team has prepared Jon Lester's agent, Alan Nero, of the possibility Lester could return to Pawtucket. One of the variables could be who pitches better: Lester, who is scheduled to pitch tomorrow in Tampa Bay, or Kason Gabbard, who pitches again Wednesday against Baltimore at home . . . Pitching coach John Farrell doesn't think there should be much of a transition back to the bullpen for Julian Tavarez, considering his experience as a reliever. Tavarez came on in relief of Gabbard in the fifth inning last night with the bases loaded, two outs, and the Sox leading, 9-5. He got Ryan Garko to fly to center and ended up going 2 1/3 innings and getting the win in a 14-9 romp. "I think what we've found with Julian is that it was the second, third, and fourth time in the order he was having less success," Farrell said. "I think by transitioning to the bullpen, for the most part he'll face hitters only once." There are three teams in the National League -- Colorado, Los Angeles, and Philadelphia -- interested in Tavarez . . . Although Alex Cora was upset with himself Wednesday night for missing a sign that got Jason Varitek caught off first base in a 1-0 loss to the Tribe, Francona wanted Cora to know it wasn't his fault. Cora said, "I missed a sign, I [made a mistake] and it cost us the game." Francona said, "The last thing I want is for him to feel that way. Those things happen and you certainly don't want them to happen all the time. I think he's tough on himself because he wants to play the perfect game." . . . Francona was talking about base running in light of Coco Crisp slowing up on his way to the plate, which cost the Sox the tying run in the sixth inning Wednesday night. "J.D. [Drew] is the best at it. He jumps up and he goes into the next base and his momentum is going in the right direction. Larry Walker was great at it. Jeff Bagwell was excellent and Scott Rolen is unbelievable." . . . With lefthander Cliff Lee pitching for the Indians, Drew got the night off. Francona said he needs to get some of the bench guys playing time. Wily Mo Peña played right field and had four hits and four RBIs, including a three-run homer in the seventh . . . Frank Robinson threw out the first pitch . . . The back-to-back 1-0 games Tuesday and Wednesday came 16 years after the Indians lost consecutive 1-0 games to Toronto, June 12-13 in 1991. The starting pitcher for the Blue Jays in one game was Mike Timlin.

Nick Cafardo can be reached at cafardo@globe.com.