Pads, Rox being stalked

Someone is hoping someone isn't watching that someone watch the Rockies and Padres. At least that's the feel you get from the author of this blog post, who casually mentions that there were scouts at Coors Field this week, scouts who apparently are under the witness protection program.

Actually, there's been a handful of scouts here in Denver this week, not only watching Wolf but Greg Maddux (who pitched Monday) and Rockies' closer Brian Fuentes.

It's very likely that at least one of those scouts had a Cardinals hat on, as we've been linked to a few of those names in the past week and a half.

Are Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright truly going to be healthy in the near future? And what to make of Todd Wellemeyer? Because there seems to be a lot of interest heating up in the starting pitcher market for the Cardinals. This might just confirm those rumors more.

I still like this guy, who certainly will be available and probably cost less than Brian Fuentes:

Also look for left-handed reliever Damaso Marte to draw substantial interest. Marte's $6 million option for 2009 will almost certainly not be exercised by the club, meaning that the Pirates would benefit from shipping Marte off elsewhere now. And as one of the best in the game against left-handed hitters, Marte would be an immediate asset on a team making a playoff push.

A commenter suggested a Damaso Marte and Jason Bay trade combination, and I'm beginning to believe that that could be the better deal than a Fuentes/Holliday trade. More fuel for the fire, I suppose.