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I think the Rockies' desire to deal Helton would be solely based on the financial impact on their team. They've made some pretty crappy decisions, keep in mind they are still paying Mike Hampton (I don't know how much) to play in Atlanta, Denny Neagle ($9mil) who isn't even playing right now, Charles Johnson who's a shell of the player he used to be ($9mil). Preston Wilson ($9) and Larry Walker ($11 mil) are also expensive players. they have a $70 million payroll this year (according to ESPN) and are playing very poorly. Can't hurt to shed some contracts...but they'll be stuck with Johnson and Neagle probably until their contracts expire...So guys like Walker, Wilson, and Helton top the rumor list.

I think the key for Lowe tonight (and every night) will be minimizing damage. His last 6 starts: In his last start he had ONE bad inning where Texas scored 6 runs, and he shut them out for the rest of the game. In Atlanta...Lowe had ONE bad inning. (6 IP) In NY...he gave up 9 runs (only 5 earned). (5 IP) Against Minnesota...gave up 4 runs (7 IP) In Colorado...Gave up 0 runs (7 IP) Againt LA...Gave up 0 runs (7 IP) Here are Washburn's last 6 starts (for comparison) @Chicago WS: 9 innings, 0 runs. @Oakland: 5.1 innings, 6 runs @LA: 7 innings, 0 runs. @Houston: 2 innings, 0 runs (left after 2 innings because he couldn't get loose, according to the story on ESPN http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=240620118) @Pittsburgh: 6 innings, 1 run. Against Milwaukee @ home (5 innings, 6 runs). Against Boston @ home (3 innings,1 runs). I included 7 starts because the one against Houston should be thrown out....doesn't really tell us much. The line I like here is the one against Boston obviously, where he got shelled. However, he's been very good of late (but he's been dominating teams that don't necessarily strike fear into the hearts of pitchers) My guess is if Lowe can hold Anaheim to 4 runs or less...Boston should win this game.

ACL, Depending on who you talk to....They either say Johson/Schilling are best friends, or that they NEVER really got along that well.... I don't know which report to believe, honestly.

This portion of the report was what I found MOST interesting of all. Now before we get too excited about Theo talking to Nero (Johnson's agent) is there a way to find out his list of clients? Perhaps a Red Sox player also has Nero as an agent and this is a non-issue. RE: Helton: I think a move for Delgado is more desirable at this point....Because of the financial implications (Delgado is a FA after this year).

I think I read somewhere that the Sox are trying to give Schilling a bunch of days off in a row so he can try to heal that ankle. If I remember properly, it was Wake, Lowe, and Arroyo who pitched the Texas series, so that gives Schilling about 10 days off in between starts. Pedro's on vacation. I don't think he's returning for a couple more games...Francona gave him a few extra days off. We'll see how it goes. A lot can happen in 9 games/8 days before the Yankee series.

Derek definately shot himself in the foot after turning down a pretty decent contract offer then playing like crap. Pedro's as good as people expected I think (not flat-out dominating, but a good pitcher nonetheless) Nomar's been hot lately, certainly doing enough to justify a big contract next year Varitek, despite the fact that he seems to struggle in key situations, is putting up decent numbers so far: 10 HR, .275 BA. His runners on stats are interesting too. He's hitting .429 in 1st and 3rd situations, but .167 with a runner on 3rd and http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/spli...tting&year=2004

Yessir, Trot. As usual, I agree with you. The first half is over, and the second half of 2004 starts tonight. The Sox have 76 (I think) games left on the schedule, and need to play 8 games BETTER than the Yankees. C'mon Lowe......turn things around buddy!

Hoss, I think you're right. Lowe's definately gone, Nomar's MOST LIKELY gone. IF Shoppach gets traded, I think the Sox try to sign Tek, otherwise let him go. Which leaves Pedro. A must sign in my opinion.

Trot, I guess I don't understand why this rumor becomes MORE credible than any others. Youk goes down, Mendoza comes up.... Please explain. The Todd Helton thing is VERY interesting.

This story from ESPN seems very biased toward the Yankees....and it's more about the Yankees than Johnson...but I figured I'd share it anyway. http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/stor..._bob&id=1840061

I REALLY like Soriano. His plate discipline needs work, but he is SOOO talented. He would be awesome in Boston.

I agree with Trot...makes no sense for Nomar to go to Pittsburgh. They're not gunna win in 04, and Nomar's going to be a free agent. The Cub/White Sox rumors make more sense.

Zenny, With the RJ rumors swirling...I really hope the Sox keep Shoppach...

That's true. I think Millwood has a higher upside (if they both returned to form) but the bottom line is that Millwood didn't get any good offers on the market, so he accepted arbritration and stayed in Philly....I think if the Sox were interested in him they could pick him up as a FA next year (his value is way down) Anyway, I would MUCH rather see Lowe go in a deal for Johnson...just don't know if it will happen

Trot, I agree with you 100%. I like the depth right now of having a very good infielder on the bench (be it Youk, Reese, Bellhorn) on the bench, but I think all are capable of playing every day (as they've proven). I think the Sox would have a significantly weaker bench if a trade like this went down, which would be a problem.... If I were Theo, I'd make this trade, but probably seek a solid bench infielder in another trade.... Or make a move for Cabrera (who's better than he looks this year)

Ortiz, That's a decent argument, and I think at this point it may not be too risky a move for either team, considering what they're currently getting out of their starter in question. Man, if the Red Sox could get the Kevin Millwood who dominated while in Atlanta....that would be HUGE.

NMO, I have to agree with you that Texas probably won't trade Soriano, but disagree that they'll win the west. Just don't think they have the talent to keep up with Anaheim AND Oakland in that division. That being said....onto the topic of second baseman/shortstops. NOTE: THIS IS JUST A BRAINSTORM. I am also going to say before I go into this, that I would be OK with Pokey playing SS and Bellhorn starting everyday at second, although I realize not all folks are. Here are the options that may present themselves. Jose Vidro: Off the market. The Expos locked him up for a few years, and need some quality players for when this team moves next year. Orlando Cabrera: On the market: Is a very solid player, although he's been playing poorly this season. Up for free agency after this season, probably no chance he'll re-sign with the Expos. Robby Alomar: Very much ON the market, but is he valuable? Has a bit of an atitude, and his performance has dropped severely. The perks: He might be able to come over in the same trade (currently plays in Arizona) and has a pretty cheap contract. Jeff Kent: This idea's been thrown around a little. Kent is in his final year of a contract, and is a solid bat. He has a no-trade clause though, which throws a monkey-wrench into things. If Houston falls out of the race, they MAY shop him. Jerry Hairston Jr/Brian Roberts: One of them's gotta be the starter in Baltimore, and one would think there's no room for the second. They've both been rumored to be going to the Yankees...Baltimore may move one, but since they're both pretty cheap, there's no motivation to do so before the deadline. Bret Boone: Expensive and underperforming in Seattle. He'd probably be easy to get, and may benefit from a change of scenery. Rich Aurilia: See Boone. That's all I can think of right now. What do you guys think?

I think Manny taking the day off got way overplayed in the media. So the guy takes a day off....who cares? Manny has played WAY harder this year than in years past and he can flat out HIT. If he takes a day off ones in a while, fine by me. He's still the best hitter in the lineup. Pedro's velocity is down, but he's still winning ballgames. The days of Pedro blowing his 98MPH heater past everyone are over... BUT, I'm glad he's playing in Boston because he's going to be a huge factor in the second half of the season.

Jon Lester may be interesting to watch throughout July. With the Red Sox in persuit of 2004 upgrades, Lester may be a casualty.

I read the Nomar to the Cubs rumor this morning. In the same article, it effectively kills the Nomar to the White Sox rumors. We're going to read a lot of wild rumors in the next few weeks, so don't believe everything you hear...but the Nomar/Prospects/Johnson deal makes sense: Chicago has 5 good starting pitchers. they only really need 3 or 4 in a potential playoff situation, and I don't imagine any of their current starters would be thrilled about being delegated to the bullpen. So Randy to the Cubs makes little sense to me. Some Chicago players (Alou, Sosa, Wood) were saying in an article I read that they wanted more offense. Nomar would certainly provide that, seeing as he's still one of the best hitting shortstops in the game. The way I see it, Cubs can improve offensively at 2 positions: Shortstop and Center Field. I still think they need a left handed hitter....but Nomar certainly is an upgrade over their current situation. There's no question what Johnson would mean to the Red Sox. They'll be hurt from the loss of Nomar, but I personally believe they ultimately have enough offense to succeed without him (especially with Johnson added to the staff). Arizona's going nowhere. They believe that they'll compete as early as next year, but the cold, hard truth is that they aren't getting any younger right now. Granted it's not a strong division, but I think San Diego's on the rise over there...Getting prospects (who knows which ones) certainly helps with the rebuilding process. The deal makes sense to me. That being said, I'm not the one signing the paychecks or negociating trades either....

Hey Trot, Thanks for sharing. I know I appreciate hearing what's out there. I have to admit I was the hardest on Nomar when he was struggling, but also I will be sad to see him go if this deal goes down. I liked the Lowe/Millar thing better.... Again, I'll believe it when I see it.

We're all a bit scarred from the A-Rod fiasco. Like Trot, I won't believe the rumors until I see him in the uniform. Remember A-Rod was as good as here, and now he's a Yankee.

It would hurt to give up Shoppach and Youk....But if the Sox actually won a world series in my lifetime...it would be worth it.

Trot- I hope you're right about the Dbacks not wanting to deal with the Yankees. NMO- That trade does sound too good to be true. Lowe, Millar, and a couple single-A guys for the best LHP in the game today?!? I think if Arizona agreed to an offer like that, Theo would have already taken it!

I think the RJ situation is gunna come down to what Arizona can get for Randy. They know they can get Robinson Cano and Dioneer Navarro from the Yankees (they were prepared to give them up for Garcia, why not Randy?), but I don't know if the Red Sox are prepared to give up Youk/Shoppach (a superior duo to that of the Yankees). Like Randy said, if Arizona can free up the $16 mill then spend it on someone who can help the team (Sexson?), he'd be happy to approve the deal. I'll be satisfied if he lands anywhere but New York, and thrilled if he ends up in Boston.