It's when you see number like “3 years” and “$13 million” quoted in stories about your veteran free agents, such as in this story from The San Francisco Chronicle, that you start to realize that there is no chance that Rich Aurilia will be playing for the Reds next season:

Also, according to sources:

-- The Giants continue to talk to Rich Aurilia, whom they view as a potential third or first baseman. Aurilia is hearing from a lot of teams but is considering strongly a return to San Francisco and a reunion with manager Bruce Bochy, whom Aurilia admired during his brief 2004 stint in San Diego.

Aurilia could benefit from the three-year, $13 million deal the Cubs gave Mark DeRosa. DeRosa is younger but Aurilia is more versatile.

I would have though that if any of the Reds personnel interested the Fish, it would have been Pole.

According to this story on Sun-Sentinel.com, the Marlins are in the market for a young, cheap center fielder who can defend a few acres of outfield. The author of the story mentions Chris Denorfia:

It's not just a matter of swapping some excess pitching for an emerging outfielder with some speed, some sock and fewer than three years of service time.

The glove and the arm need to be there, too, in order to maximize the benefit of all that young pitching the organization has accumulated.
…
Lesser options include Chris Denorfia (Reds), Franklin Gutierrez (Indians), David Murphy (Red Sox) and Cory Sullivan (Rockies), although the latter two aren't much against lefties.

Though the author of the story lists Deno as a “lesser option” and only in the final paragraph of the story, there does seem to be love for the Heartthrob in the reader comments.

Per The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the Reds have expressed interest in Braves' second baseman, Marcus Giles:

The Braves are listening to offers for second baseman Marcus Giles, who appears likely to be dealt for several reasons — his salary ($5.5 million or more in 2007), his pending free agency after next season, and organizational depth in middle-infield prospects.

Schuerholz said restoring the pitching staff to an elite level remains his top priority — as difficult as that might appear considering the team's payroll constraints.

San Diego and Cincinnati are among teams interested in Giles. The Padres have a setup reliever the Braves covet, Scott Linebrink.

Presumably, if the Reds were to land Giles, they would start him at second with Brandon Phillips swinging over to shortstop, his “natural” position. Phillips was pretty darn good at second, and he was just learning the position, so I certainly don't hate the idea of seeing him showing off at short.

Then again, I don't really see what the Reds have to offer to restore the Braves' pitching staff to an elite level. I mean, Jason Standridge is already gone.

After yet another list of rumors of the Mets' interest in Rich Aurilia and the Phillies' interest in David Weathers, it's kind of nice to see a fresh face among the rumors.

According to the Detroit Free Press, the Tigers might be interested in pursing Scott Schoeneweis:

Free agent Jamie Walker, a Tiger since 2002, has said he would like to return to the club and challenge John Hiller's club record for relief appearances. Walker's agent, Phil Tannenbaum, said recently that Walker is seeking a three-year deal, and the Chicago Sun-Times reported Sunday that Walker is a top target of White Sox GM Kenny Williams.

If Walker signs elsewhere, Detroit would likely pursue Scott Schoeneweis (Cincinnati Reds) and Ron Villone (New York Yankees). The Tigers have already expressed interest in both left-handers.

Wouldn't you know it? And just when I figured out how to spell his name.

Jason Standridge was claimed off waivers by the New York Mets today, according to the guy who is not Marc yet writing at Marc's blog.

It was just over a year ago that Standridge was proclaimed The Hottest Red by Red Hot Mama. Now I guess I'll have to find someone new to drool over. I'll accept nominations.