ESPN’s Buster Olney has a few interesting tidbits in his blog today.  Here’s a rundown: 

• It’s pure speculation, but Olney sees a potential fit between the Indians and Rockies, involving Garrett Atkins.  Of course, it should take a bit more time before the Rockies even consider trading off veterans like “The Diet.”  But if the Rox do enter the “seller” mode before the trade deadline, Atkins’ name is sure to be brought up because prospect Ian Stewart would be able to take over the Colorado 3rd base job immediately.
• Olney believes that Ken Griffey, Jr. will eventually be traded this year, but does say this: “Rival scouts are not unanimous in their opinion that he can help a contender, at age 38. He’s hitting .238 in an exceptional hitters’ park, with a .377 slugging percentage, and some scouts think his defensive play - once extraordinary - has become a liability. The Mariners are scrambling for offensive options, and the return of Griffey to Seattle would make for a nice story. But it’s not a slam dunk that this is the right player move for the Mariners to make.”
• By the way, apparently it’s not a given that the M’s are after Griffey. (I’m going to call FALSE on that, though.  The M’s front office absolutely sweats Griffey.  In fact, the Reds should move on this NOW in order to maximize their fleece potential before either Griffey gets hurt or the M’s fall too far out of the race.)
• Regarding another aging, struggling outfielder - Jim Edmonds - Olney writes, “It would not be surprising if it turned out that he is in his last hours with the Padres.”
• Perhaps in an effort to make himself more marketable, Brandon Inge is becoming more accepting of his role, and is willing to take on more catching duties, as per Lynn Henning.
• Olney relays an Evan Grant piecewhere we learn that Ben Broussard may be on his way out of Texas.

Filed under: Cincinnati Reds, Cleveland Indians, Colorado Rockies, Detroit Tigers, San Diego Padres, Seattle Mariners, Texas Rangers