A team official close to Jayson Stark of ESPN says that there’s been a “flurry” of early claims on prominent players, and virtually all useful bats and bullpen arms are getting blocked.

One source told Stark that Toronto Blue Jays’ Kevin Gregg and Seattle Mariners’ David Aardsma and Brandon League were all claimed on waivers and the teams pulled them back. However, the only “big-name” reliever known to have cleared waivers is Dodgers’ left-hander George Sherrill. Buyer beware – Sherrill has a 7.00 ERA and about $1.25 million left in salary.

A GM told Stark that the only deals on the horizon this month will be either “large contracts or very small trades”.

A few more tidbits from Stark:

• The Dodgers don’t sound too optimistic that Manny Ramirez will be back on the active roster in time to get placed on August waivers, so Stark wonders if Ramirez will be employable next season as a free agent. An official of one team predicted that Ramirez will get a DH job in the American League.
• The Washington Nationals and agent Scott Boras have not had a meaningful conversation regarding Bryce Harper in two months.
• The Minnesota Twins would be interested in bringing back both Jim Thome and Carl Pavano for next season.