Paul Hagen | Bourn to shop: Speedy Phillie is ideal trade bait

CREATIVE SOLUTION OF THE WEEK: Cubs righthander Carlos Zambrano is 5-0 with an 0.40 earned run average in his last six starts against Houston. But Astros manager Phil Garner has a plan for next time they meet. "I'm going to try to find somebody. I'm going to voodoo Zambrano. I'm serious," he said. The teams next meet Aug. 6 to 8 in Houston.

PREDICTION OF THE WEEK: After signing their first-round draft pick, lefthander Ross Detwiler from Missouri State, the Nationals sent minor league field coordinator Tim Foli to watch him pitch a simulated game Monday. "I know you can't base it off a sim game. But from what I saw, he'll be the best pitcher you've ever been associated with," he said, according to general manager Jim Bowden.

Finally

Most people have heard by now that Curt Schilling has a blog (www.38pitches.com). Many fans may not realize, though, that more and more players are warming to the idea.

Tigers outfielder Curtis Granderson blogs three times a week and does a Q & A every other week for ESPN.com. He also has a MySpace page. "It's amazing how many people want to get inside you and know just a little bit about you," he told the Minneapolis Star-Tribune.

Twins reliever Pat Neshek (www.patneshek.com) started his site while still in the minors because he enjoys trading memorabilia. He said he had 150,000 hits when called up from the minors a year ago and now has more than 650,000.

"I think it's going to be a big part of the game, and I think a lot more athletes will do it just for the exposure to fan bases," he told the paper. "I think it will generate a lot of interest for that individual athlete and make a name for players. And some might use it to make money, too." *