Odds and Ends: Pokey, Lowe, Boss

Before you fire up the grill, check out these links.

• Dayn Perry has an enjoyable series at Baseball Prospectus called Mock Blockbuster.  He proposes trades that would benefit both teams.  His latest: Greg Maddux and Brian Giles for Jordan Schafer.
• Rays Index wonders whether Eric Hinske or Gabe Gross could be expendable once Willy Aybar returns.
• Joe Capozzi remembers Mike Piazza's five game stint as a Marlin.
• Pokey Reese sighting!
• Ned Colletti told struggling free-agent-to-be Derek Lowe the Dodgers aren't slamming the door on him coming back.
• The Red Sox signed an Australian teen named Boss Moanaroa.
• Athletics Nation chats with Billy Beane.
• Jerry Reinsdorf hasn't ruled out re-signing Joe Crede after the season.
• R.I.P. Geremi Gonzalez.  I remember him as a bright spot on the '97 Cubs.  I mailed him a baseball card for an autograph, and it came back signed.