Latest trade-market talk (cont.)

In search of relief

Indians closer Kerry Wood could be available, but he's struggled this season. John Biever/SI Jon Heyman's Mailbag Got a question or comment for Jon? Name: Email: Hometown: Question: SEND Follow Jon Heyman on Twitter

The trade market for relief pitchers, potentially pitiful, could improve substantially if the Indians and Diamondbacks become sellers.

That's ironic in that both teams have awful bullpens. The Indians are 25th with a bullpen ERA of 4.80, the D-backs 26th at 4.86. Yet, cherry picking the right piece from those 'pens could still make things very interesting.

Indians general manager Mark Shapiro is still telling teams he isn't ready to begin his sale, and that he hopes his biggest star, Grady Sizemore, will be back the first week of July. But by then a seemingly star-crossed Indians team may be out of it. In his tenure as Cleveland's GM, Shapiro has already conducted a few very successful sales: the CC Sabathia and Casey Blake trades were solid, but the Bartolo Colon deal (which netted Cleveland Sizemore, Cliff Lee and Brandon Phillips) worked best of all. He could consider deals for closer Kerry Wood, in addition to his long litany of other trade candidates, including Mark DeRosa, Victor Martinez, Lee and Carl Pavano. Wood's $10 million salary and current 5.59 ERA and 1.60 WHIP probably won't add up to bonanza for the Indians, though.

The D-backs' bullpen appears overtaxed and outmanned since ace Brandon Webb went down, necessitating many more innings from relievers who aren't ready, including talented former first-rounder Daniel Schlereth. But word is that if the D-backs become sellers, solid veteran Chad Qualls surely will become available. Some wonder whether Tony Pena will, too, though one National League GM said he'd still be surprised if Pena hits the market since he has three years to go before free agency.

Meanwhile, the Rockies' Huston Street has seemingly been available since coming over to Colorado from the A's in the Matt Holliday trade, and insiders believe the Astros wouldn't mind unloading closer Jose Valverde, who is trying to return from a calf injury and whose $9.5 million salary limits his value.

The Yankees (4.75 bullpen ERA, 24th), Mets (2.91, 2nd), Rangers (4.87, 27th), Angels (5.82, 30th), Twins (4.16, 15th) and Cubs (4.42, 20th) are among several contenders that could be in the market for relief help.

Could Hawpe be available?

Colorado general manager Dan O'Dowd is aggressive by nature, and he now appears willing to listen to trades on just about anyone on his roster in an effort to find the right mix. That includes the usual suspects plus even outfielder Brad Hawpe, who's seventh in the National League with a .998 OPS. One scout says he believes Hawpe is "feasting on bad pitching,'' but there's apparently enough of it to make him very successful.

The Rockies would love to find takers for failing former star Garrett Atkins, whose annual slow start has been taken to an extreme this year with that .194 batting average, as well as high-priced first baseman Todd Helton. But deals for them will be difficult (though a hot streak for Atkins could help in his case). They'll have a much better chance of finding fits for center fielder Ryan Spilborghs, starting pitcher Jason Marquis and Street. Marquis, who has a surprising 73 victories since 2004 and ranks near the NL leaders in that period, has been a consistent and underrated winner. Veteran catcher Yorvit Torrealba also is available.

Getting Miggy with it

The Giants and Cardinals are looking for a third baseman in a pretty fair market at that position.

DeRosa, Miguel Tejada and Adrian Beltre are all expected to be available. While Tejada's currently playing shortstop for Houston, as one scout said, "Everyone knows he'd be better at third. His range isn't what it used to be.'' He can still hit, though, as evidenced by his NL-leading .357 mark.

The Giants need to punch up their offense if they're going to try to contend, and Pablo Sandoval's arm issue looks like it'll keep him at first base this year. The Cardinals might also want to consider Beltre, a well-known second-half player whose slugging percentage rises to .490 after the break, compared to .424 before. But Beltre's salary is rather high at $13.4 million, and St. Louis is notorious for not making mid-year expenditures.

One scout who recently watched the Cardinals marveled at their style. "They play the game right,'' that scout said. That doesn't mean they couldn't use a little help.

Two Yankees people said they "loved'' local product DeRosa. But they don't appear to have any room for him, particularly with Xavier Nady progressing nicely in his comeback from elbow trouble.

Chipper has big bat, loose lips

Take that, Chipper Jones.

Jones lit into cavernous Citi Field on the Ripken Brothers show on Sirius XM radio, suggesting the ballpark plays way too big. But the Phillies and Mets combined for seven home runs in the Mets' 6-5 victory on Tuesday.

Jones complained about his own Citi misfortune, then revealed that when he was on the base paths after one drive stayed in play for a double, Mets star David Wright sarcastically muttered to him, "Nice Park,'' suggesting Wright doesn't like it, either

First of all, hasn't Jones done enough damage to the Mets (40 HRs, 126 RBIs, .330) without repeating what's obviously a private conversation?

Naturally, Wright downplayed Jones' remark when asked about it. But his frustration would be understandable. He had only three home runs total (two at Citi) before going deep Tuesday night in that rare homer-happy contest for the big park.

"You can't try to hit homers and you can't be intimidated,'' said Carlos Beltran, one of the seven homer hitters on Tuesday. Beltran's been one of the better Citi hitters, but even he is much better on the road (three HRs, 13 RBIs, .292 average at Citi compared to 5, 22, .383 on the road).