Winnin Ugly

The Giants, once favored to win the NL West with owner Peter Magowan predicting a World Series appearance, now are on the verge of giving up. They are reluctant to make a trade before July 31 because of their weak division, but they still are 10 games out of first place with a 37-50 record. "If we were closer to .500, I'd feel better," Giants GM Brian Sabean says. "But we know the people above us are really struggling and nobody can take control of this thing." Still, despite the faint optimism, the Giants are listening to offers for ace Jason Schmidt and just about anyone else on the team. The Giants simply don't believe that Schmidt is the same pitcher, with his velocity dropping about 4 mph this year, and they don't want to pick up his $10.5 million option. The White Sox and Nationals have shown the most interest. The Giants deployed scouts this past week to get the latest on the White Sox farm system.

Hands on hips and back to the plate, a stunned A.J. Burnett stared into the Citizens Bank Park left field stands. He had just given up the third of three second-inning home runs. Chances are the no less than half dozen scouts in attendance wore similarly perplexed expressions. Any of Burnett's remaining starts before the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline could be his last as a Marlin. Yet the coveted right-hander didn't do much to inspire prospective bidders Thursday. hoping to set the second-half tone, Burnett yielded six runs through five innings as the Phillies beat the Marlins 13-7. In what is now a four-game losing streak, the Marlins have allowed eight or more runs in each of those losses (39 total). Burnett's availability will continue tantalizing contenders who can afford the asking price. Among the teams with high-level scouts at Thursday's game: the Red Sox (special assistant to the General Manager Bill Lajoie), Rangers (Director of Player Personnel Dom Chiti), and Twins (assistant GM Wayne Krivsky).

QUOTE(Gene Honda Civic @ Jul 14, 2005 -> 10:31 PM) For a young, good pitcher. Contreras is neither. yeah but B Mac is

I meant Shea

QUOTE(Gene Honda Civic @ Jul 14, 2005 -> 10:30 PM) Contreras hasn't rounded into form. He'll crap his pants as soon as you feel comfortable with him again. Probably next outing. I meant to double quote... From the last post on the previous page... Why would Toronto give up Chacin? and who is Shane? Gustavo is rumor to be going to Fla in the Burnett deal

Ross Gload will remain at Triple-A Charlotte for now, thanks to the emergence of Timo Perez as a valuable left-handed pinch-hitter and the recent three-day All-Star break. The Sox postponed activating Gload, a left-handed-hitting first baseman-outfielder, because Perez finished the first half 6-for-10, including a pair of pinch-hit doubles. Manager Ozzie Guillen also believes the recent break gave first baseman Paul Konerko a rest, although Konerko played in Tuesday's All-Star Game as a reserve. "When we feel it's time to get help, I think we will," Guillen said Thursday. "It's not easy to make that decision, but right now we just want to go with what we have. "There are a couple Latin kids who look up to Timo, and all of a sudden Timo has a job (pinch-hitting) that's not easy to do. His average (.250) isn't like it was last year, but Timo had more at-bats last year. Timo can play all three outfield positions and pinch-hit." Guillen acknowledged third baseman Joe Crede's lower back problems played a role in retaining infielder Willie Harris, who has a minor-league option. Gload's rehab assignment is scheduled to end Monday.

If I was KW I would trade the Count,Crede, B Mac and a lower prospect to Toronto for Gustavo Chacin, Shane Hillebrand& Miquel Batista

Marte looks awesome

Could this be the last time the Count pitches for the Sox

While the Giants won't blow up the roster — they plan to field a contending team in'06 — it's possible they could soon make the decision to move forward to next year. That means, for starters, unburdening themselves of the $7 million player option Durham has for next season. And perhaps cutting ties with longtime franchise stars such as Snow and Kirk Rueter. It also might mean trading Jason Schmidt, though the Giants would require two major leagueready pitchers in return. That means Jon Garland from the White Sox, Erik Bedard from the Orioles or John Patterson from the Nationals — trades that would be counterproductive for contenders looking to bolster their staff. Giants GM Brian Sabean said he continues to be "as active as we could be" about adding a starting pitcher. He continued to assert that he has not discussed any "premium players" on the 25-man roster, and that picking up Schmidt's $10.5 million option remains a strong possibility.

I wouldnt called Borchard a bust out yet.. The dude is still young While Caruso just suck period god was he awful to watch

Has there been any chicago reports about this trade

Miles would be a better backup than Harris..

My brother lives in Colorado and he has heard on the radio that the Whitesox have been intersted in trading for Aaron Miles so not to sure if he will be part of this trade... Maybe Willie Harris is on his way out

Zach Day Stats the last 3 seasons Year Team W L ERA G GS CG SHO SV SVO IP H R ER HR BB SO 2002 MON 4 1 3.62 19 2 0 0 1 2 37.1 28 18 15 3 15 25 2003 MON 9 8 4.18 23 23 1 1 0 0 131.1 132 64 61 8 59 61 2004 MON 5 10 3.93 19 19 1 1 0 0 116.2 117 53 51 13 45 61

heres the whole article PHILADELPHIA, July 8 -- The Washington Nationals are involved in serious discussions with the Colorado Rockies about a deal that would bring outfielder Preston Wilson to Washington, several sources said Friday. The Nationals would part with right-hander Zach Day and minor league outfielder J.J. Davis, though any deal hinges on how much of Wilson's $12.5 million salary Washington would pay. One club source, who spoke on condition of anonymity because negotiations are ongoing, said the Nationals would be willing to pay $2.5 million for the remainder of the season. Another source said the Rockies are continuing to shop Wilson, hoping to find a suitor who will pay more money. Wilson becomes a free agent at the end of the season. Preston Wilson, who has 15 home runs and 47 RBI for Colorado, could be coming to Washington for pitcher Zach Day, who has been rehabbing a broken arm at Nationals General Manager Jim Bowden, who was attending his grandmother's funeral Friday and didn't travel with the team to Citizens Bank Park, was unavailable to comment. Bowden, who believes the first-place Nationals need more power, has inquired about Wilson since spring training but has turned down potential deals before, including one involving outfielder Ryan Church. Though Bowden repeatedly has said his priorities are "pitching, pitching, pitching," the deal for Day and Davis could make sense for both clubs. Wilson is hitting .258 with 15 home runs and 47 RBI in 260 at-bats. Though there are concerns about his knees and his high strikeout rate, the Nationals are convinced he is healthy and could play center field, moving Brad Wilkerson to left and making the bench much deeper, with Church and Marlon Byrd as fourth and fifth outfielders. Also, if first baseman Nick Johnson -- on the disabled list with a bruised heel -- continues to have health problems, as he has throughout his career, Wilkerson could play first base and the Church-Byrd platoon could return to left. Johnson is scheduled to come off the disabled list after the all-star break. Wilkerson said before Friday's game in Philadelphia he would welcome playing left. "I think it would be a big help," Wilkerson said. "Center field takes a lot out of you. You're running around a lot more. . . . As long as we can stay healthy enough to do that, I think it'd be great for me." The trade wouldn't take away anybody from the Nationals' current roster, though it would further deplete the pitching. Day, who broke his right arm after being struck by a comebacker off the bat of Cincinnati's Ken Griffey Jr. on May 24, is on a minor league rehabilitation assignment with Class AA Harrisburg but appears nearly ready to return. He went just 1-2 with a 6.75 ERA in Washington this season, and felt Manager Frank Robinson lost confidence in him. Still, he has an effective sinker, a pitch that could be attractive to the Rockies, who play at homer-friendly Coors Field. Davis, who began the season with the Nationals but hit .227 with seven strikeouts in 26 at-bats, likely would become a fourth outfielder with the Rockies. He is a tremendous fastball hitter, but has struggled with breaking pitches. Since being sent to Class AAA New Orleans on May 8, he is hitting .282 with 12 homers. Because the deal wasn't complete Friday night, Nationals officials were working on creative ways to get Wilson, including a three-way deal that could involve Day going to the Chicago White Sox, who would in turn ship prospects and money to Colorado.

Because the deal wasn't complete Friday night, Nationals officials were working on creative ways to get Wilson, including a three-way deal that could involve Day going to the Chicago White Sox, who would in turn ship prospects and money to Colorado.

Im suprised Gload isnt with the Sox already

I think Patterson needs a change of scenery. Baker has play head games with him the last few years... I wouldnt mind Patterson coming off the bench anything to get Timo off the team

How about we trade a prospect for Corey Patterson and released Timo

Is our magic# after KC beat Minnesota way to go Royals

Rob Dibble had this to say Baseball wants the All-Star game to have meaning? I don't get it. If the game means so much, why are some of baseball's best players not in the game? Derek Jeter just lost out on the internet vote to Scott Podsednik. That never should have happened. And Michael Young is more deserving than Jeter??? Don't make me laugh. If I were starting a team right now, the first player I'd take would be Jeter. No one is more clutch in big games than him, no other shortstop in baseball has more championships, and no other shortstop has to play in a tougher media town. You'll never find a better person to represent baseball than Derek Jeter. His numbers easily warrant him being in Detroit, and the fact that he had to be on the list of five players that had to beg for votes is a disgrace to the game. First, the fact that home-field advantage is decided by this game is a joke. Second, can you imagine an NBA All-Star game without Michael Jordan or Magic Johnson? Neither can I, and Jeter is the Jordan of baseball. Third, if this game means so much to the outcome of the World Series, then put the best players out there on the field and forget the "player from every team" concept. Some teams don't have All-Stars, and fans don't want to see those players anyway, especially if they don't deserve it. If you want to do that stupid internet vote, let the fans of those non-deserving players vote their player onto the team, that way, when some team doesn't have a player, only the fans are to blame. The All-Star game is a joke, especially when the best players are not going to be there. Derek Jeter is better than the All-Star game. It makes me sick that he won't be there.

QUOTE(Gene Honda Civic @ Jul 7, 2005 -> 05:52 PM) I don't think Pods should be going to the ASG. Why do you think Pods shouldnt be there..

Piersall thinks Pods isnt a great player... this guy is still f***in crazy

QUOTE(DBAH0 @ Jul 7, 2005 -> 05:29 PM) So where's Steve Phillips going? Hopefully sitting right next to Jimmy in hell