Inside Dish: A's explore trade involving Kendall
By Ken Rosenthal - SportingNews

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In addition to exploring trades for one of their top three starting pitchers, the A's are also involved in two- and three-team discussions regarding Pirates C Jason Kendall, who is guaranteed $34 million over the next three seasons. A straight trade between the A's and Pirates likely would involve the Pirates receiving LHPs Mark Redman and Arthur Rhodes, who are owed $16.15 million combined over the next two seasons. Kendall also could land with the Dodgers--straight up or via the A's--with the Pirates possibly seeking Dodgers CF Milton Bradley. The expected loss of free-agent CF Steve Finley makes a trade of Bradley unlikely. . . .

Braves officials scoff at reports that the team offered 2B Marcus Giles for one of the A's pitchers. Giles, however, is not untouchable, even though he is a favorite of Braves G.M. John Schuerholz. Nick Green filled in capably when Giles was injured last season, and 2B Pete Orr batted .320 at Class AAA Richmond.

> Here's yet another reason why the Cardinals covet Diamondbacks LHP Randy Johnson in a trade: Johnson is 12-0 with a 1.98 ERA in 13 career starts against the Cubs, including 4-0 with a 1.00 ERA in five starts at Wrigley Field. Cubs 1B Derrek Lee and 3B Aramis Ramirez are 7-for-39 combined (.179) against Johnson, with 25 strikeouts and two walks. > Though Jermaine Dye, Richard Hidalgo and Moises Alou are among the best second-tier free-agent outfielders, the Twins' Jacque Jones is attracting trade interest from several clubs. Jones might command $6 million in his final year of arbitration, but teams such as the Mariners, Orioles and Tigers could absorb that salary. . . .

It's a long shot, but the Royals could become a suitor for free-agent OF Magglio Ordonez if they fail to obtain a young corner outfielder and Ordonez fails to land a multiyear deal with another club. The Royals signed RF Juan Gonzalez under similar circumstances last offseason, but Ordonez figures to be in greater demand than Gonzalez was. . . .

The Tigers overpaid by awarding RHP Troy Percival a two-year, $12 million contract, but the closer should benefit from pitching at spacious Comerica Park. What's more, Percival never has allowed an earned run against the division rival Twins, a streak that spans 40 innings. His 6.68 career ERA against the Indians, however, is his highest against any A.L. opponent. . . .

The Devil Rays are willing to trade any of their five highest-priced players--IF Aubrey Huff, C Toby Hall, IF Julio Lugo, RF Jose Cruz and closer RHP Danys Baez--but not for cost-cutting reasons. "If we could get the right young player or two and free up money to get another player, then we're getting two or three for one," G.M. Chuck LaMar says. Huff is the least likely to depart. . . .

Look for the Padres to make a run at free-agent RHP Woody Williams if they fail to re-sign LHP David Wells. Williams, 38, is three years younger than Wells and keeps himself in better shape. Plus, he pitched for the Padres from 1999 to 2001. . . .

The Tigers' signing of SS Carlos Guillen to a three-year, $14 million extension last June is starting to look like a steal. Guillen, 29, is a better player than Omar Vizquel, 37, who negotiated a three-year, $12.25 million contract with the Giants, or Cristian Guzman, 26, who received a four-year, $16.8 million deal from Washington. Their career on-base/slugging percentages: Guillen, .767; Vizquel, .699; Guzman, .685.