ESPN reports that the Astros are "very close" to winning the Carlos Beltran derby. It would be part fo a three-way trade with the Astros sending closer Octavio Dotel to Oakland and the A's would send third-base prospect Mark Teahan and two others to the Royals.

Actually, MLB.com just confirmed that it's a done deal. The Astros also send catcher John "Don't Call Me Jack" Buck to the Royals, so they do get a thrid baseman and a catcher in the deal. The A's also got Mike Wood and some how cash from the Royals. Buck was batting .296 with 12 HRs and 33 RBI with 21 K, 38 BB, and 223 ABs.

Teahan was batting .275 with no homers and 10 RBI at Triple-A Sacramento with 22 strikeouts (and just 11 walks) in just 69 at-bats. He had been ripping up the league at Double-A Modesto: .336, 6, 36 bit still 44 Ks (and 29 BBs) in 197 ABs. Wood is 11-3 with a 2.80 ERA at Triple-A with 66 K/25 BB in 90 IP (and 14 unearned runs).

So it looks like the Royals got three decent prospects, one at third and one catcher, just as they wanted. The A's got their closer. The Astros replaced Richard Hidalgo (CF Biggio will move to LF).