D-backs had talks, but not always trades

ST. PETERSBURG -- Like most teams heading into Wednesday's non-waiver Trade Deadline, the D-backs had several discussions regarding players in which no deal came about.

"We were in on some other deals," said D-backs GM Kevin Towers, who declined to specify what those deals were. "But as it's duly noted, we were not going to do a deal where we were going to have to move some upper-level prospects and some of the other players that we were kicking the tires on; they wanted some of our top guys, and we weren't willing to do that."

The D-backs did talk with the Cubs about Jeff Samardzija but found the Cubs' asking price too steep.

Though Arizona was linked to right-hander Jake Peavy, who was dealt from the White Sox to the Red Sox in a three-team swap, a baseball source said the D-backs and White Sox were never in serious negotiations.

Late in the process, the D-backs were involved in negotiations with the Astros for right-hander Bud Norris, who wound up going to the Orioles. Once again, a source said the asking price for Norris was just more than the D-backs were willing to pay.

The Angels were interested in Ian Kennedy, who eventually went to the Padres, but the Mariners were a surprise team that jumped into the Kennedy sweepstakes before the deal with San Diego was completed.

The D-backs got a couple of calls on veteran outfielder Jason Kubel, but nothing serious.