Boston was strongly pursuing Mark Buehrle but now seems comfortable with Kason Gabbard at the end of the rotation (and Jon Lester in the wings), shifting its focus to a right-handed-hitting center fielder and bullpen help, maybe even a shortstop to replace Julio Lugo. … The Pirates hope to sign Shawn Chacon to a contract extension, but could put him on the market alongside relievers Salomon Torres and Damaso Marte if they can’t reach an agreement. … Tony Graffanino and Craig Counsell, who opened the season as a third-base platoon in Milwaukee, now are splitting time at second base after manager Ned Yost made a tough decision. He is sitting Rickie Weeks, who says his surgically repaired right wrist is fine. But he was only 10-for-62 after coming off the disabled list May 31. Weeks eventually could get sent to the minors, but for now is yet another weapon on the Brewers’ deep bench. … With Alex Rodriguez appearing to have one foot out the door, the Yankees are talking to the Dodgers about Wilson Betemit. The Yankees have had talks with the Royals about Zack Greinke but probably won’t meet the asking price, and are looking for upgrades at first base and in the backup catcher’s spot. … B.J. Upton, a second baseman when the season began, has returned to the Devil Rays as a center fielder and No. 3 hitter. The top five in the Devil Rays’ lineup — Akinori Iwamura, Carl Crawford, Upton, Carlos Pena and Delmon Young — are better than the top of some contenders’ lineups. Would the Rays trade Pena, a huge surprise who entered the weekend hitting .296 with 22 homers? …
Don’t be stunned if the Indians slip out of the playoffs again. They entered Saturday with a 4.48 staff ERA, ranked 11th in the AL, while the Twins (4.09) and Tigers (4.25) were fourth and fifth, respectively. The Tigers have a serious advantage over the Indians in terms of starters; the Twins have one in terms of bullpens. … David Wells (a knucklehead) is experimenting with a knuckleball. … Jose Guillen, with his eighth team in 10 years, is talking to the Mariners about an extension. … The Angels wouldn’t trade Ervin Santana last winter but have demoted him to Triple A after he went 5-11 with a 6.22 ERA in 19 starts. He was leading the majors in home runs allowed (23) when Mike Scioscia gave his spot in the rotation to lefty Joe Saunders. … In addition to Dmitri Young, the Nationals are hoping to move second baseman Ronnie Belliard. … Thumbs up to the Braves for signing Julio Franco, who had been released by the Mets. The 48-year-old Franco will start some at first base, but it was his ability as a pinch-hitter that sold GM John Schuerholz on bringing him back.
