SELLERS AND BUYERS AND THE FRINGE CROWD

Rumors persist that three west coast teams are in the running for the Brian Giles sweepstakes. Two of the teams are willing to take on Jason Kendell in addition to Giles while one team is willing to give up a top starter and half it's farm system to get him.

For awhile it was just the A's in the running for Giles. Then rumors popped up about Seattle wanting a piece of the action and including Freddy Garcia in their deal. Now, it seems Kevin Towers has thrown San Diego into the mix, or possibly Billy Beane is just setting up a three team deal while everyone else panics.

Beane has also shot down every trade rumor as either 'fiction' or 'fantasy'. What do you expect him to do?

A team like San Diego jumping into the fray actually makes sense, as Beane could drag a player through a team and dump additional salary from Giles or Kendell's contract for a AA pitcher or surplus outfielder.

EXAMPLE: BRIAN GILES and CA$H from PITTSBURGH to SAN DIEGO for XAVIER NADY - - - GILES and CA$H from SAN DIEGO TO OAKLAND for TED LILLY and JOE SCHMOE

Why would Seattle even want Giles? Mike Cameron, ICHIRO and Randy Winn aren't enough?