JOSE CONTRERAS looks very much like a shot pitcher who is still owed a ton of money. Still, when the Rockies called to inquire about his availability, the White Sox asked for Colorado's two best prospects (third baseman Ian Stewart and lefthander Franklyn Morales) in return.
That says a lot about the going price for pitching and why the Phillies are unlikely to be able to land an impact starter before the non-waiver trading deadline, which arrives a week from Tuesday.
That doesn't mean general manager Pat Gillick and his aides are going to pull up some lawn chairs and sip lemonade between taking dips in the pool and games of badminton.
One alternative to bolstering the rotation, of course, is to shorten games by strengthening the bullpen.
As long as the Phillies still have a chance - and the Mets don't seem inclined to put them away - they can't even think about trading Aaron Rowand, even though he can be a free agent at the end of the season. Here are a couple of helpful hints, though, for what they could try instead:
Trade Michael Bourn. And why would they do that? Because, with lots of speed but not much big-league service time, he has value. And because, with Shane Victorino, it doesn't make a lot of sense to keep a pair of outfielders with little power.
So call the Pirates. See whether they will give up Shawn Chacon, who can be a free agent at the end of the season, plus either Damaso Marte or Salomon Torres (both signed through 2008) for an outfielder who could step into the Pirates' lineup tomorrow.
If that doesn't work, call the Royals about Octavio Dotel. The Dodgers are interested, but apparently won't give up infielder James Loney or outfielder Matt Kemp. Cleveland, Detroit, Boston and Atlanta have also made inquiries. But Bourn could well be Kansas City's next best alternative. And if they won't trade Dotel, ask about David Riske.
When that's done, call the Giants and find out what it would take to get veteran lefthander Steve Kline. Most likely, not that much.
And then, with the retooled bullpen in place, the Phillies can take their chances in the final 2 months.
