This trade is not going to happen quickly. While all indications are that the process is well underway one of the major pieces is not yet in the country.

Just heard from Adam Jones via email. Said that he is still in Venezuela but obeying orders from his MLB team and not playing. He says that he said nothing about being traded to the Venezuelan press. Something may have been lost in translation somewhere. Like the last time he was pulled from the lineup by the Mariners, Adam says he does not know what is going on, and that with his winter league team in the finals, it sucks to not be able to help them.

Confused yet? Add to this George Sherrill's denial of being instructed to report to Baltimore for a physical it would appear that we got wind of this trade in the very early stages. Things most likely are still being hammered out and players won't be getting on planes until they do.

Now other than confirmations we have received earlier, the clearest signal that this is approaching the final stages is that if Jayson Stark of ESPN's source is correct, Peter Angelos was informed of the particulars of the deal Sunday night. If it is on his desk then we are in the home stretch.

Of course Angelos is famous for nixing trades so nothing is sure at this time. As always, will keep you posted as I learn more.