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

Or Marlins president David Samson talking about how the contract Seattle gave Ichiro is bad for the game. "I don't know what he's talking about, but obviously he doesn't know much about baseball," agent Tony Attanasio responded.

Or Indians designated hitter Travis Hafner talking about how the fans in Cleveland were "a big part" of his decision to sign an extension with the Tribe. The guess here is that the $57 million over 4 years had a little more to do with it.

Enough, already.

BY THE NUMBERS:

4: Votes of confidence for Astros manager Phil Garner from owner Drayton McLane this season; general manager Tim Pupura has gotten three.

8: Players who have batted third, generally reserved for the team's best hitter, for the Devil Rays this year.

.117: Combined batting average of the three Cubs catchers on the roster, along with one homer in 94 at-bats, before Jason Kendall was acquired from Oakland on Monday.

UP NEXT: There are only 11 shopping days remaining until the non-waiver trading deadline and there should be at least one blockbuster. At the moment, the most likely big name to be on the move is Rangers first baseman Mark Teixeira, with the Dodgers, Angels, Red Sox, Braves, Yankees, Orioles and Giants all believed to have expressed interest.

Weeklies

QUOTE OF THE WEEK: Reds outfielder Ken Griffey Jr., on whether he'd like to go back to Seattle, where he began his career: "I can't answer that without getting myself in trouble."

STAT OF THE WEEK: Even after pitching in the All-Star Game last week, Mariners closer J.J. Putz doesn't have a big national profile. But he's on his way to a pretty spectacular season. Putz earned his 28th save Wednesday. He's also allowed only 27 baserunners all year. Dennis Eckersley was the last reliever to have more saves (48) than baserunners allowed (45), for the 1990 Athletics.

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.