Rosenthal on Wells

If both Zito and Astros righthander Roger Clemens stay put, Pirates righthander Kip Wells could become the focus of intense trade interest before July 31. But guess what? Wells might not be available, either.

The Pirates have won consecutive series against the Marlins, Braves and Orioles, moving into third place in the N.L. Central with a 28-30 record. Wells, 28, could help them attain their first winning season in 1992. The Pirates then could retain him in '06, though it would cost them at least $5 million in arbitration.

That money would be well-spent, even though the Pirates might land the young center fielder and/or third baseman they need for Wells, who has posted a 2.15 ERA in his last nine starts. The Pirates have two starters at Class AAA who could be in next year's rotation--lefthander Zach Duke (10-3, 2.86) and righthander Ian Snell (9-0, 2.93). It would behoove the team to pair Wells and lefthander Oliver Perez at the top of the rotation to help ease the development of the younger starters.

Link here.

Winning as much as possible right now - today, tomorrow, next week, next month - is the most important thing for this franchise.