Going Batty

THE INSULT is as old as the minor leagues themselves: We'd trade that guy for a bag of balls. John Odom (above) hasn't sunk that far, but he's close. Last week the Calgary Vipers of the independent Golden Baseball League traded the righty to the Laredo Broncos of the United League for 10 Prairie Sticks maple bats. Said Odom, "It'll make a better story if I make it to the big leagues."

Odom's self-worth may have taken a hit, but at least he knows exactly what it is: A Sticks bat sells for $65.50, putting his value at $655.00. At that rate, here's what it would take to trade for others whose '08 salaries have made headlines.

? ALEX RODRIGUEZ, Yankees $28 million: 427,481 bats

? ANDRUW JONES, Dodgers $18.1 million: 276,336

? CLIFF LEE, Indians $3.75 million: 57,252

? GEOVANY SOTO, Cubs $401,000: 6,122

? JOSH HAMILTON, Rangers (page 30) $396,830: 6,058