Odds And Ends: Belliard, Atkins, Ayala

"ESPN.com's Rob Neyer says Luis Ayala is far from irreplaceable."

Wow, Rob is really going out on a limb on that one. I look forward to his future columns: "Royals have struggled over the last decade" and "Albert Pujols may be a good hitter"

Looks like Tim should have bought ad space on Mark DeRosa's B-R.com page instead of Matt Holliday's.

You know things are slow when 4 of 6 posts contain "Luis Ayala" rumors.

Ben, are you from the STL area? I've noticed you have had appearences on two local radio shows.

"I'd deal Spilborghs, especially since Murton is languishing in AAA and can play the 5th OF role with ease."

Yeah, Spilborghs doesn't really have a spot there, especially if they decide to keep Brad Hawpe around, because they need to get Fowler and Gonzalez everyday at bats, and Seth Smith deserves some time as well.

And then of course there's Matt Murton, who inexplicably is in AAA still.

The guy has a career line of .287/.353/.438 in 1051 MLB plate appearances, and a .396/.459/.676 line in 159 AAA plate appearances this year.

And he has a career UZR/150 of +8.1 in the outfield.

I can't imagine why the Braves don't go after this guy, there's your cheap LF solution right there.

I don't see the Marlins going after Ayala. Their front office has shown a willingness to go out and get a quality arm if they are in the race and you can't say they are out of it. Waiver wire guys aren't their thing at this time of the year, normally (though picking up scrubs like Julio and Benitez has been). Maybe they try Fossum though. I'd like to see them try to get Hawkins or Sampson from the 'stros, Baez from the O's, or somebody from the A's bullpen...