Wheelin' and dealin'

Teams are still busy on the trade market right now, but not necessarily for the same reasons. The San Diego Padres acquired Pirates' center-fielder Brian Giles yesterday, with a view to re-building. They want to bolster not only their offensive and defensive capabilities, but also their attendance for next season, when they will be playing in their brand-new stadium, Petco Park. Giles is a genuine star and a San Diego native, and it's hoped that these factors - combined with his numbers (an average of 35 HRs and 100+ RBIs over the past 4 seasons) - will bring fans out to the ballpark.

Giles' arrival in San Diego meant that outfielder Rondell White was suddenly surplus to requirements. Royals' GM Allard Baird lost no time in picking up White in an attempt to get Kansas City into the playoffs. The Royals may not have the Yankees' budget, but they seem to be making the right moves at the right time and for the right price. They picked up pitcher Brian Anderson from the Indians two days ago, and he won his first start in a Royals' uniform last night, giving up just two runs in six innings. Now they've added White, whose .278 batting average, 16 HRs and 66 RBIs could help the Royals down the home stretch.