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Surprise suitor emerges for Manny
Several big-market clubs, including the Red Sox, Diamondbacks and Mets, are waiting to see what the Cleveland Indians will do with Manny Ramirez before the trading deadline Monday. The Indians are not optimistic about re-signing Ramirez, but they can contend for the wild-card spot with him. There is also one surprise team that's ready to deal with Cleveland: the Athletics. With DH John Jaha out for the year and rightfielder Matt Stairs having a down season, Oakland is willing to pick up Ramirez strictly as a rental player. The A's would be responsible only for the $1.5 million left on Ramirez's contract for this season. They can offer a package of young players from what's been a productive farm system, but they won't let anyone near Barry Zito, Mark Mulder and Tim Hudson -- their three young starters who could be another Braves staff in the making.
Trader SteveNew York Mets GM Steve Phillips has an itchy trigger finger. He showed that when he was willing to overpay to rent Barry Larkin for two months. Now he is likely to do the same for Ramirez or shortstop Mike Bordick, who then could return to Baltimore as a free agent, just as Harold Baines did after a 28-game sabbatical in Cleveland last year.Why is Phillips so intent on making a deal? One American League GM said that's what happens when a GM is working on the last year of his contract. Alex Escobar, the Mets' top prospect, won't help Phillips get a new deal, but Ramirez or Bordick can.
Arms buildupWhile the Giants are in the market for a pitcher to help their bullpen, don't look for San Francisco to make a deal. The Giants expect righthander Joe Nathan back shortly from shoulder weakness, and he could briefly pitch out of the bullpen while regaining arm strength, especially now that Mark Gardner has emerged as the Giants' hottest starter. The way the Giants see it, they won't find anybody better on the trade market than Nathan, so there's no use making a deal.
Deals in the CardsThe Cardinals figure to be one team that will make a deal before Monday's deadline. St. Louis has struggled all season to find a situational lefthanded reliever to get key late-inning outs. The Cubs' Felix Heredia may just be their man. Chicago executive Andy MacPhail will listen to offers for just about any of his players, though he expects Sammy Sosa to remain a Cub through at least this season and into next. The Cardinals also are looking to improve their catching, with Baltimore's Charles Johnson atop their wish list.Sports Illustrated senior writer Tom Verducci covers the baseball beat for the magazine and is a regular contributor to CNNSI.com. Click here to send a question to his mailbag.
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