Tired of thinking about the fires. Doesn’t keep me from doing it, but every now and then I need a break. My continued thoughts and prayers to everyone impacted.

In baseball news, the list of six-year minor-league free agents is out. Usually there are a few interesting names in the slush pile. Here are some of this year’s more intriguing possibilities:

• Benny Agbayani, OF, KC
• Bruce Aven, OF, Tor
• Willie Banks, P, ChN
• Nick Bierbrodt, P, Cle
• Raul Casanova, C, Bal
• Mike Colangelo, OF, Tor
• Wayne Gomes, P, Phi
• Dicky Gonzalez, P, Bos
• Erik Hiljus, P, Oak
• Mitch Meluskey, C, Hou
• Jon Nunally, OF, StL
• Calvin Pickering, 1B, Cin
• Ruben Quevedo, P, Mil
• Olmedo Saenz, 1B/3B, Oak
• Rudy Seanez, P, ChN
• Mike Sirotka, P, ChN
• Chuck Smith, P, Atl
• Tanyon Sturtze, P, Tor
• Marcus Thames, OF, Tex
• Ed Yarnall, P, Oak

If I’m Kevin Towers, I give serious consideration to the likes of Agbayani, Hiljus, Meluskey, Nunnally, Quevedo, Saenz, Sirotka, Thames, and Yarnall. No world beaters, but a few guys who could contribute if healthy and given a chance. The kind of players that small-market teams need to gamble on.

The biggest names on the list of Padres who have become six-year FAs are pitchers Jose Nunez, Rob Ramsay, and Brian Tollberg.

Also, ESPN has a list of more conventional free agents. We’ll be revisiting this list later in the off-season.