The Friday Night Rumor Mill

Is the recent injury to Alfonso Soriano causing the Cubs to panic? It may be, if we believe the rumors that the Cubs put in waiver claims for both Scott Podsednik and Shannon Stewart earlier this week. The White Sox left fielder has been rendered a non-factor because of injuries, but the Cubs apparently consider him a stopgap solution with Soriano out for possibly a month with a strained leg muscle. Personally, I feel the Cubs would be better served going with internal solutions like Matt Murton and Cliff Floyd, both of whom are more productive players than Podsednik. As for Stewart, he has had a quietly solid season in Oakland, but has a history of injuries and would also have to make the adjustment to facing National League pitching on a fulltime basis. Stewart is better than Podsednik, but still not better than Murton…

The Giants and Dodgers raised a few eyebrows by making the first trade between the two teams since 1985. The Dodgers did well in acquiring outfielder/first baseman Mark Sweeney for either cash or a player to be named letter; he is an excellent left-handed pinch-hitter who will complement Olmedo Saenz on a deep Dodgers bench. Sweeney might also push James Loney for playing time at first base. Given the recent problems with their offense, the Dodgers need to find a hot hand at first base…

Another low-level pickup was made by the Phillies, who acquired Russell Branyan from the Indians for a bag of chips (well, actually some money). Branyan could help the Phils at two spots (third base and left field) while providing some left-handed power in the absence of the injured Chase Utley. Branyan will never hit consistently enough to be an everyday player, but his power and versatility figure to help a contender like the Phillies down the stretch…

As valuable a commodity as left-handed pitching remains, David Wells has pitched so poorly this season that it’s unlikely he’ll be able to latch on to another team. Designated for assignment by the Padres, the 44-year-old Wells has an ERA of five and a half for the season, and an ERA of over 14.00 in his last three starts. Wells might be able to help his value by pitching out of the bullpen, but it’s questionable whether he’d be willing to work in relief, something he hasn’t done extensively since his earliest days with the Blue Jays…

In contrast to Wells, the Yankees should be able to find a taker for Mike Myers, who was designated for assignment earlier this week. Myers has struggled against left-handers, but his low ERA will probably make him attractive to someone, perhaps the Phillies and maybe the Cubs. (Cash, or a low-level minor leaguer will get the deal done.) The Yankees would prefer to trade Myers to the National League, thereby keeping him away from wild card competition like the Tigers and Indians…

Finally, one hot rumor making the rounds in the northeast has the Red Sox sending Wily Mo Pena to the Orioles for Kevin Millar, who was part of Boston’s 2004 world championship team. This deal makes so much sense for both teams—the Red Sox getting a productive veteran and the Orioles retooling with a talented young outfielder—that it probably has little chance of actually happening.