Odds and Ends: Lieber, Tavarez, Oswalt

We’ve got mostly smaller stuff today, so let’s kick it off with an odds and ends.

• The Mets designated Claudio Vargas for assignment.  I’m a bit surprised, I think he’s still a useful pitcher.
• Pitcher Jon Lieber may retire after the season.  130+ wins, that’s a nice career.
• With Tom Gordon’s shoulder barking, the Phillies’ desire to add a reliever has intensified.  Here’s a look at the relief market.
• When a 2.93 ERA is considered underperforming, expectations were never reasonable.  Anyone else get the impression that if Johan Santana’s record was 10-3 instead of 7-6, there wouldn’t even be a discussion?  Joel Sherman believes the Yankees (if under Brian Cashman) would not go six or seven years to sign C.C. Sabathia in light of the Barry Zito and Santana deals.  He wonders whether Sabathia could be lured with a shorter term and higher average annual value.
• Julian Tavarez chose to become a free agent, surprising the Brewers.
• Roy Oswalt reminds us that he has a no-trade clause and hasn’t been approached by management about any deals.
• The Adam Dunn-J.P. Ricciardi saga continues.
• I chatted with Ryan Henning about the Twins recently.
• T.J. Simers and Ned Colletti argue about the GM’s trading track record.
• The Pirates are looking for pitching.  Brett Tomko anyone?  Anyone?
• Evan Grant discusses the Rangers’ trade options in his mailbag.