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Sporting News, The, Dec 6, 2004

If RHP Roger Clemens returns and LHP Andy Pettitte is deemed healthy, the ASTROS could trade RHP Wade Miller, though it might be difficult because he's coming off a rotator cuff injury. Miller was 45-25 from 2001 to 2003, but he's eligible for arbitration, and the team has cheaper alternatives. ... The GIANTS, who stole a major league-low 43 bases last season, want to place a greater emphasis on the running game. Adding SS Omar Vizquel, who had 19 steals with the Indians in '04, should help. And OFs Fred Lewis (33 at Class A) and Dan Ortmeier (18 at Class AA) could provide speed off the bench if they make the team. Both recently were added to the 40-man roster. ... The CUBS re-signed LHP Glendon Rusch, and he could start. Rusch would make a nice complement to RHPs Kerry Wood, Greg Maddux, Mark Prior and Carlos Zambrano. Rusch pitched well as a fill-in starter last season (4-2 with 3.50 ERA in 16 starts). ... MARLINS 1B Jason Stokes will get a look in spring training. He's prone to striking out and is suspect defensively, but some have compared his power to Jim Thome's. Stokes also could be used as trade bait. ... It appears unlikely LHP Al Leiter will return to the METS, but they did re-sign RHP Kris Benson. Benson has been inconsistent in his career, but the team is confident he will flourish working with pitching coach Rick Peterson. ... The ROCKIES have a crowd of talented young starters, meaning RHP Jamey Wright might not be brought back. That could be a mistake, considering Wright's 3.98 ERA at Coors Field last season. ... When the deadline passed for setting their 40-man roster, the PIRATES had a full allotment of players. That's an indication G.M. Dave Littlefield doesn't plan to add several low-priced free agents to fill gaps, something he frequently has done. ... If the CARDINALS lose Steve Kline, as expected, Carmen Call is a top candidate to replace him as a lefthanded specialist. Call showed strong command in the Arizona Fall League, striking out 15 and walking three in 12 1/3 innings. ... RHP Dennis Sarfate of the BREWERS was named to the AFL's all-prospect squad. He has one of the top fastballs in the organization and could win a big-league spot as a reliever in 2005. The same can be said of the REDS RHPs Daylan Childress and Todd Coffey, who were impressive in Arizona. The DODGERS got good fall league reports on OF Jason Repko, who showed good power and could battle Cody Ross for an extra outfield spot. OF Conor Jackson hit a league-high eight home runs, and C Corey Myers hit .400 for the DIAMONDBACKS. ... After splitting time at first base with Julio Franco last season, look for Adam LaRoche to have a larger role with the Braves in 2005. He got off to a slow start and then suffered a separated shoulder in the early going last season, but LaRoche hit .327 after August 1. ... The PHILLIES could go outside the organization to round out their rotation, but one in-house candidate is RHP Gavin Floyd, who was 2-0 with a 3.49 ERA in September. He doesn't turn 22 until January, though, so some think he would be better served by a full year at Class AAA. ... NATIONALS G.M. Jim Bowden thinks talented but volatile RF Jose Guillen has learned from past mistakes and won't be a disruptive influence. Bowden says Guillen has been helped by ongoing anger-management courses. ... The PADRES will take a long look at rookie RHP Brad Baker in spring training. The way he works off his changeup reminds some of Red Sox closer RHP Keith Foulke.

SPOTLIGHT: Trade talk

It would make sense for the Braves to trade 2B Marcus Giles for A's LHP Mark Mulder. The Braves would get an ace and would have a hedge against losing RHPs Russ Ortiz and Jaret Wright. The A's could trim payroll and get an elite second baseman. ... With a deal for Cubs RF Sammy Sosa stalled, the Mets have interest in Angels 1B/0F Darin Erstad. The Mets would like to part with LF Cliff Floyd ... There's a potential link between the Phillies, who covet a center fielder and leadoff hitter; and Milwaukee's Scott Podsednik The Brewers could target power prospect Ryan Howard, whose road to Philadelphia is blocked by 1B Jim Thome. There has been talk that the Brewers could move Lyle Overbay and/or prospect Prince Fielder from first base to left field.

Picking from the Big Apple

Several Yankees could wind up in the National League in 2005. The Phillies might be interested in acquiring CF Kenny Lofton and RHP Kevin Brown, assuming the Yankees are willing to pick up a large part of Brown's salary. The Nationals could be interested in a 1B Nick Johnson-RHP Javier Vazquez swap. Those two were part of the same deal last offseason.

Catching carousel

The Dodgers liked Damian Miller, but he signed with the Brewers. L.A. had been mentioned as being interested in trading for the Pirates' Jason Kendall, but he instead went to the A's. That could force the Dodgers, who got little production at catcher after dealing Paul Lo Duca to the Marlins at midseason, to once again pursue the Rockies' Charles Johnson. Johnson's refusal to waive his no-trade clause thwarted a potential move to LA. at last season's trading deadline.