Friday Rangers Trade Rumors: The Calm Before The Storm

Again, to be updated as the day goes along, and if/when more items of Rangers note come down:

● 12:00 p.m. CDT: In a column where he argues that Jon Daniels should swing trades for both a No. 1 starting pitcher and an impact hitter, lest the Rangers' "last, best chance" to win a World Series with their current core of players slip away, Jon Paul Morosi writes that the Rangers dispatched a scout to watch Thursday's Tigers/Indians tilt, "presumably to watch Indians right fielder Shin-Soo Choo — who may become available in the coming days" (FOXSports.com)

● ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick offers this admittedly strange update on the Marlins' asking price for Josh Johnson: "Sources say the Marlins are asking for each team's top 2-3 prospects in every trade scenario involving Josh Johnson ... We're talking Jurickson Profar-Travis D'Arnaud types just to get talks moving, then a lot more beyond that ... So unless the Marlins lower their sights considerably before Tuesday, that doesn't bode well for Johnson being dealt." (Twitter)

● Per Jon Heyman: "The Phillies plan to keep Cliff Lee, and won't trade him before the Tuesday trade deadline, sources say ... One person with ties to the Phillies said team higher-ups believe trading Lee would potentially undo most or all the good that was done by extending Cole Hamels and that the team's plan is to build around its trio of great starters, including also Roy Halladay, next year ... Lee's contract is such that he could probably clear waivers and be traded in August. But the Phillies have no plan or thought to consider a trade for Lee anytime during the year, and something would have to change for them to reconsider, sources suggest." (CBSSports.com)