7 Morgan Ensberg, Astros 3B 6
MARKET REPORT
The Padres have checked out every third baseman except Brooks Robinson. But officials of two teams that have spoken with them said Monday they believe Ensberg is their No. 1 choice. Well, we'd advise they move on to Plan B (which is thought to be Atlanta's Wilson Betemit), because one baseball man who has spoken with Houston GM Tim Purpura says he would be "shocked" if Ensberg winds up getting traded. Scott Linebrink (San Diego's big chip) might be the best setup man available. But the Astros aren't going to trade a 30-homer, everyday player even up for a setup arm. Houston also doesn't expect to re-sign Aubrey Huff, which means Ensberg still looms as their long-term third base solution. Plus, Ensberg is still on the disabled list with a sore shoulder, and there are doubts he'll even make it off the DL before the trading deadline arrives. So if we were setting odds in Vegas, a much more likely bet is that the Padres will end up dealing Linebrink for Betemit (or for an even cheaper option, such as Cleveland's eminently available Aaron Boone).
