More trade analysis: Jayson Stark, ESPN.

Closer to home, The U-T this morning reports that the Padres are still working on a potential deal with St. Louis for disgruntled outfielder Ray Lankford. Personally, I don’t believe taking away playing time from Bubba Trammell to accommodate a 34-year-old expensive malcontent is such a hot idea.

Apparently the Pads also turned down an offer from the Reds of Dmitri Young and Ben Broussard for Phil Nevin. Talentwise, at least that’s reasonable. I think Broussard is going to be a stud hitter, in the Brian Giles mode. As much as I like Nevin, I would have been very tempted to pull the trigger on this one.

David Lundquist made it to San Diego but never was activated, so he headed back to Portland. Brian Lawrence got the call to replace David Lee instead, and started last night. Brian Tollberg will be recalled to take Sterling Hitchcock’s spot in the rotation. Presumably the Padres didn’t want to knock someone off the 40-man-roster to make room for Lundquist.

Junior Herndon, Carlton Loewer, and Jason Middlebrook are next in line for promotion, with Mike Bynum and Dennis Tankersley close behind them.