by Ken Rosenthal

The Sox discussed sending Saito to the Rangers for infielder Hank Blalock, major-league sources say. The talks, however, were tabled after Rangers center fielder Josh Hamilton underwent right-abdominal surgery on June 2. They are unlikely to revive, sources say, in part because of the resurgence of Sox designated hitter David Ortiz, who has a 1.001 OPS in June.

Saito, however, remains in demand, with several teams expressing interest. At this point, the Sox probably would prefer to trade him for a prospect, according to one source. The motivation for such a deal would be unrelated to the team's logjam in the starting rotation, another source said.

The Rangers envisioned Saito as a setup man who would have served as insurance for closer Frank Francisco, who is on the disabled list for the second time this season, this time with shoulder tendinitis.

But the departure of Blalock — in addition to the loss of Hamilton for five to seven weeks — would have cost the team too much offense.

Nats' Johnson on Rangers' radar

The bullpen is the Rangers' biggest concern — the team's relievers have allowed the second-highest opponents' OPS in the American League, ahead of only the Angels.

The Rangers, however, also would like to upgrade their rotation, and remain the leading contender to sign free-agent right-hander Ben Sheets, who is recovering from elbow surgery.

Another issue is the offense, which is averaging only 3.25 runs per game in June.

Club officials have discussed making a run at Nationals first baseman Nick Johnson, sources say. Such a move, however, appears unlikely.

If the Rangers replace Chris Davis — who leads the majors with 92 strikeouts and owns the lowest OPS of any regular first baseman — they are more likely to choose an internal solution.

Blalock would be one possibility, Class AA first baseman Justin Smoak another. Promoting Smoak in the middle of a pennant race, however, would not necessarily be the wisest move.

The Rangers, like most teams, harbor concerns about Johnson's history of injuries. Their greater need is still pitching; even if they signed Sheets, there is no guarantee he would pitch effectively this season.

As one rival general manager points out, Sheets could diminish his value if he returns at less than full strength to pitch in the hitter-friendly Rangers Ballpark in Arlington.

The Nats' Nick Johnson could help the Rangers and the Giants. (Christian Petersen / Getty Images)

Brewers mull options

One scout from a team with interest in Erik Bedard suspects that the Brewers will make a strong play for the Mariners left-hander, noting the presence of a Brewers scout at several of Bedard's recent starts.

Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik, the Brewers' former scouting director, certainly is familiar with the team's farm system. Bedard's durability, however, remains a concern for all interested clubs — he was scratched from his most recent start with slight shoulder inflammation.

The Brewers' depth at shortstop increases the team's trade options. J.J. Hardy is in a 1-for-33 slump, dropping his batting average to 207. But he still should be attractive to teams in need of a shortstop.

Hardy's .228 batting average on balls in play at the start of the week was 68 points below the league average, an indication that he was hitting into poor luck. He also had remained consistent in the field, ranking sixth among regular shortstops in the plus-minus rankings on Bill James Online.

The Brewers could trade Hardy for a starting pitcher and promote top prospect Alcides Escobar; the Red Sox, Mariners, Royals and Twins are among the teams with needs or potential needs at shortstop.

The Red Sox "sniffed around" on a Penny-for-Hardy deal, one source said, but such a trade makes little sense for the Brewers — Penny is a potential free agent, while Hardy is under club control through next season.

Teams constantly ask about Escobar, but the Brewers would be reluctant to trade him unless they secured Hardy long-term. Promoting Escobar, too, could be problematic — he would figure to struggle offensively as he adjusted to the majors.

Joba: Still a starter, always a starter?

While Yankees GM Brian Cashman says that the return of right-hander Brian Bruney could make the team's bullpen whole, there also is sentiment within the organization for acquiring a setup man to end the clamor over Joba Chamberlain's role once and for all.

On Saturday, while meeting with the MLB on FOX broadcasters, manager Joe Girardi grew animated defending the Yankees' plan for Chamberlain to remain in the starting rotation.

"It's worse than the presidential debates," Girardi said of the constant discussion over Chamberlain. "This never ends. At least (with the debates) you get a hiatus."

The previous night, Chamberlain had lasted only four innings while issuing five walks and hitting two batters. Girardi, though, pointed to Chamberlain's 3.84 ERA as proof of his ability to succeed as a starter.

Among the Yankees' starters, only CC Sabathia has a lower ERA than Chamberlain. A.J. Burnett has a higher ERA, and so do the Red Sox's Josh Beckett and Jon Lester.

Chamberlain ranks 22nd in ERA among AL starters overall.

"He's a four-pitch pitcher. He can be dominant. How many guys can you say that about?" Girardi said.

The Yankees' Joba Chamberlain remains a starter. For now. (Chris McGrath / Getty Images)

Progress of a sort in San Francisco

The Giants ideally need to add two bats — imagine what the Nationals' Nick Johnson and/or Adam Dunn could do for their offense. Still, one rival GM points out that the team's hitters are starting to relax, knowing their pitchers do not require much offensive support.

Statistics support that claim. While the Giants rank 15th in the NL in scoring, they have increased their run production in each month, averaging 3.85 runs in April, 4.0 runs in May and 4.43 runs in June.

The addition of a first baseman would make sense because the team eventually wants to move Pablo Sandoval back to third. Still, beggars can't be choosers, and the Giants are staying open-minded on which position to upgrade.

The team ranks 10th in the NL in OPS in right field, 12th in left, 13th at shortstop and 16th (last) at second base.

Rockies' Barmes: a new man

One scout says the Rockies' Clint Barmes is "the best I've ever seen him" — a breakthrough that can be attributed, in part, to new manager Jim Tracy's commitment to Barmes as his No. 2 hitter.

Clint Hurdle, the team's previous manager, never considered Barmes an everyday player. Barmes knew it and his confidence suffered, according to one source.

There are other factors in Barmes' surge — he has learned to hit to the opposite field under the tutelage of hitting coach Don Baylor and is seeing more fastballs hitting in front of the resurgent Todd Helton.

Before the managerial change on May 29, Barmes' batting average/on-base/slugging line was .234/.305/.430. Since then, it's .384/.405/.575.

Clint Barmes has blossomed since Jim Tracy's arrival in Colorado. (Doug Pensinger / Getty Images)

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