From MLB.com’s Scott Merkin (link swiped from MLB.com)


One of the newest rumors making its way around the Swan and Dolphin Resort on Monday involved the movement of White Sox southpaw Mark Buehrle (above) via trade to the Mets in return for outfielder Lastings Milledge.

It’s a rumored connection between teams mentioned previously during the current offseason, but in its past incarnation, the trade focused more on Javier Vazquez or Freddy Garcia switching to New York. And after hearing White Sox general manager Kenny Williams list pitching as his top priority for upgrading his Minor League system Monday afternoon, despite already possessing up-and-coming young arms such as Brandon McCarthy, Charlie Haeger and Lance Broadway, it’s clear no trade will be made without top young pitching coming back in return to the South Siders.

If this deal is out there, I say Omar oughta throw in Mike Pelfrey and snapshots of the former Mrs. Steve Traschel and get it done. The 6 years for Barry Zito has Mike Hampton Pt. II written all over it (though Surfin’ Barry being a bachelor probably means he won’t have much to say about the DFW-area public schools).

The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jim Salibury listens to alleged Phillies employee Dallas Green do his best to lower Pat Burrell’s trade value (link swiped from Repoz and Baseball Think Factory)

“I think Pat’s going to have a hell of a year (in 2007),” Green said. “But it’s up to him. He has to recognize where his career is. I like the kid an awful lot. I always have. I talk to him all the time. I tell him, `You’ve got to get your act together and know what your priorities are.’ “

Not that this makes him a bad guy, but Burrell has a reputation for enjoying the Philadelphia nightlife.

“Probably well-earned,” Green said. “I’ve been out with him a couple times in Florida. We have a secret (watering) hole every now and then.

“There’s nothing wrong with that. There are tons of guys in the Hall of Fame that were like that.

“It’s neat to have money, it’s neat to have good looks, and it’s neat to have broads all over you. Every place I’ve managed, I’ve talked to kids about the same thing. It’s a hell of a life. But there comes a time in every player’s life when he needs to get his act together.”

If you’re wondering why Green is still on the Philly payroll, mystery solved : the younger players can’t wait to party with him.

While the New York Post’s Mark Hale reports the Mets have interest in Miguel Batista and Mark Mulder, Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal tips Greg Maddux to continue looking for a deal after earlier indications the righty had reached an agreement with the Padres.

Not only does the Journal News’ Peter Abraham get much better email than I do on a Monday afternoon, but the guy’s a geography wiz.