The Brewers are going all in to steal the NL Central in 2011, as it proved by sending 2008 first-round pick Brett Lawrie to the Blue Jays for Shaun Marcum. The Brewers would still like to add another starting pitcher to the mix that includes Yovani Gallardo, Randy Wolf, Chris Narveson and Marcum, and is monitoring the Zack Greinke situation. Center-field prospect Lorenzo Cain could be a key to that deal. … If Greinke is traded, Toronto is a more likely landing spot. Scouts say the Blue Jays expect to add a proven starting pitcher to replace Marcum, who was their No. 1 starter. GM Alex Anthopoulos believes the Jays can compete with the Yankees, Red Sox and Rays in 2011, even though the Adrian Gonzalez trade significantly improved Boston. … Padres GM Jed Hoyer says Casey Kelly (3-5, 5.31 ERA in 21 Double-A starts at age 20) was the guy he had to have in the Gonzalez trade. He believes he’ll benefit greatly from pitching in spacious Petco Park. … Hoyer insists he’s not throwing in the towel for 2011, but since missing out on the playoffs on the last day of 2010, they’ve lost Gonzalez, Miguel Tejada, Yorvit Torrealba, Jon Garland and Kevin Correia, among others. For some reason, he’s hanging onto closer Heath Bell. The Padres did sign former Reds pitcher Aaron Harang. … David Hernandez’s 98-mph fastball was the key to the deal that sent power/strikeout king Mark Reynolds from the Diamondbacks to the Orioles. The Diamondbacks likely will replace Reynolds at third base with former Rockie Melvin Mora. … The Nationals are not through after signing Jayson Werth to the $126 million contract. They’re talking to every conceivable free agent, including Cliff Lee, and are discussing trades for Josh Willingham. Teams are approaching them about Roger Bernadina, whom manager Jim Riggleman says is going to be “fighting for at-bats” alongside Werth, Nyjer Morgan and Willingham. … The Twins remain in negotiations to sign Japanese hit man Tsuyoshi Nishioka, who would probably play second … Manager Dusty Baker says the Reds’ surplus of starting pitching leaves Aroldis Chapman in the bullpen.
