From Peter Gammons' Weblog on espn.com.

"One of the tough things in the Tigers' camp is that it appears Carlos Pena will get released so the club will have to pay him only a sixth of his $2.8 million salary. Pena still has great power, and when he finds his way to another team and makes some adjustments, he can still be a big offensive player."

Interesting to know. Although I think the Giants are committed to giving Niekro a shot.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/writers/john_donovan/01/27/team.needs/index.html .

It says here that the Champs need a centerfielder. How about Finley and Schmidt for Contreras and Brandon McCarthy? I'm not sure that Sox would give up a starter and there best prospect for an arguably better starter and an old OF, but they might just be running all crazy on a Championship defense binge and be willing to do anything.