Fresh relievers will be in demand for pennant races

Edmonds started standing taller last season in an attempt to pullthe ball more at the new Busch Stadium, where he struggled to hitthe ball out to the opposite field. At that point, he was comingoff surgery on his left foot, and his back leg was not strongenough to support a wider base. Edmonds, though, said he was movinghis head and hands more in his straight-up stance, leading to otherproblems. Now, with the wider base, he is compact and quick again.
Cubs manager Lou Piniella says he would be satisfied if Edmonds hit.275 with some power; otherwise, the team will be back in themarket for a left-handed hitting center fielder — someone likethe Rockies' Scott Podsednik, who could platoon with Reed Johnson,bat second and keep the defense intact.
The Cubs' No. 1 need, though, is a starting pitcher. Right-handerRyan Dempster, starting for the first time since 2003, has notpitched more than 120 innings in a season since '01. Lefty TedLilly and righty Jason Marquis have been inconsistent, andGallagher has made all of six major-league starts.
Rich Hill, the original No. 4 starter, is currently at Class AAA.Ideally, the Cubs would want another left-hander if Hill fails toreturn to form. Here's one to fantasize about: A pairing of CarlosZambrano and C.C. Sabathia at the top of the rotation. Combinedweight: 545 pounds! Joba, Jason and A-Rod
The most impressive thing about Joba Chamberlain's performanceSunday, according to a scout who attended the game, was that hemaintained his stuff through 78 pitches — an encouraging sign,even if Chamberlain lasted only 4 2/3 innings against the Royals.
The same scout says the home runs by the Yankees' Jason Giambi andAlex Rodriguez on Saturday were two of the hardest-hit balls thathe has seen in years. Giambi hit another home run Sunday — his14th — and his .957 OPS now ranks third in the AmericanLeague.
"Giambi's, it was truly like a missile — that's the kind oftrajectory it had," the scout says. "The ball off A-Rod's bat justjumped like it was shot out of his cannon.
"He is in a league of his own. You talk about hearing a certainsound when you get it on the sweet spot. This sound was a levelabove that, very distinctive. You don't hear it very often. Butwith this guy, you hear it a lot." Around the Horn
The Red Sox did not consider signing Barry Bonds even when theywere unsure of David Ortiz's prognosis, and will not considersigning Bonds even if Ortiz is sidelined long-term. One name toremember if Ortiz's wrist problem lingers: Adam Dunn. The Red Soxcould explore a trade for the Reds' slugger if the price wereright. Dunn, a left-handed hitter like Ortiz, is a free agent atthe end of the season. By declining to re-sign him, the Red Soxcould collect two draft picks in return . . .
Derek Lowe enjoyed pitching in Boston, but after spending fourseasons in Los Angeles, he might prefer as a free agent to returnto a more energized environment. Both New York teams will haveopenings in their rotation, and Lowe's sinker also would make him agood fit for Philadelphia's Citizens Bank Park. The Tigers could beanother possibility; Lowe is a native of Dearborn, Mich. . . .
The Dodgers have more control over right-hander Brad Penny, whomthey can keep by exercising his $8.75 million option for 2009— a $6.75 million decision, considering that their alternativeis a $2 million buyout. The team could trade Penny before July 31if it is reluctant to pick up the option — or exercise theoption and make Penny pitch for his next deal as a potential freeagent next season . . .
A's general manager Billy Beane might not get the deal he wants forright-hander Joe Blanton, whose strikeout rate has plummeted to acareer-low 4.24 per nine innings. Another concern with Blanton isthat he is not the same pitcher on the road as he is in Oakland. Hehas a career 3.60 ERA and .684 opponents' OPS at home, a 4.68 ERAand .774 opponents' OPS on the road . . .
A comparison that might surprise you: Milton Bradley(.340-.456-.640) vs. Josh Hamilton (.315-.362-.596); Bradley leadsthe A.L. in OPS and Hamilton is second, but Hamilton is receivingfar more attention. Here's another: Aaron Rowand (.330-.396-.526)vs. Torii Hunter (.268-.335-.442). Rowand went for $30 million lessthan Hunter as a free agent last off-season . . .
Maybe Phillies right-hander Adam Eaton will not turn out to be abust, after all. Eaton, who flopped in his first season of athree-year, $24.5 million contract, has produced four straightquality starts and eight of 13 overall. Eaton, 30, is healthierthan he was a year ago, displaying good body language and pitchingat a better tempo . . .
Ask Dodgers bench coach Bob Schaefer about shortstop Angel Berroa,and he says, "I'm very happy to be his coach again." Schaefer, theRoyals' bench coach from 2002 to '05, says Berroa was "demoralized"by his demotion to Class AA in '04, the year after he was namedAmerican League Rookie of the Year. Berroa could stick with theDodgers as a utility infielder even after shortstop Rafael Furcalreturns from the disabled list. However, a scout who saw Berroarecently at Class AAA says he looked "awful . . . lethargic . . .like he didn't even want to be on the field."