Fenway facts  —  Jon Lester has been at Fenway since about 1 p.m. getting treatment on his cramping forearm from trainer Mike Reinold and working out.  —  Lester hadn't been seen yet by Dr. Thomas Gill who was expected closer to the 6 p.m. hour, but neither Lester, Terry Francona nor anyone …

Nationals Trade Snelling To A's  —  The Washington Nationals traded outfielder Chris Snelling to Oakland for outfielder Ryan Langerhans on Wednesday night, a move that gives the club a superb defensive outfielder less than a week before center fielder Nook Logan is slated to come back from a foot injury.

Catfish Stew: Instantaneous Trade Analysis  —  The Chronicle reports, via blog, that Jack Cust is the A's answer to the latest injury woes.  (When Jack Cust is the answer, you are, perhaps, asking uncomfortable questions...) The Chronicle further notes that Cust is "a longtime favorite of Oakland GM Billy Beane."

Mets option righthanded pitcher Chan Ho Park to New Orleans (AAA); Select the contract of righthanded pitcher Lino Urdaneta  —  The New York Mets today selected the contract of righthanded pitcher Lino Urdaneta from New Orleans (AAA) of the Pacific Coast League and optioned righthanded pitcher Chan Ho Park to the Zephyrs.

Lieber For Farnsworth?  —  At this point, the rumor appears more speculation than actual confirmed talks between the Yankees and Phillies.  But plenty of folks see the logic in a Jon Lieber for Kyle Farnsworth swap, including Peter Abraham.  —  The Yankees find themselves with a rotation of Mussina …

Future Shock: Unpaid Hazards by Kevin Goldstein  —  Unpaid Hazards  —  In Sunday's draft notebook, I characterized Missouri State southpaw Ross Detwiler as a "safe and solid pick."  For saying so, I got taken to task by a reader, who asked just how safe any pitcher can really be.

Fitness guru takes walk  —  George Steinbrenner finally found somebody to fire yesterday, a scapegoat bereft of any significant following.  His name is Marty Miller, a 34-year-old director of performance enhancement who isn't ever going to have his own plaque at Monument Park.

Stark: Rumblings and Grumblings  —  Reyes could steal 100 bases, but he won't … Our favorite Mets speed demon, Jose Reyes, is on pace to steal 106 bases.  It says so right there on his ESPN.com player card.  —  There are 20 teams right now that aren't on pace to swipe that many.

Put a lid on it, Tom!  But please, make it a Sox lid  —  Say it ain't so, Tom!  —  The ever-vigilant paparazzi snapped New England Patriots [team stats] QB/QT Tom Brady [stats] sashaying through the streets of New York City yesterday shamelessly sporting a New York Yankees cap!

Baseball Economics Roundtable - May 2007  —  Baseball is awash with revenues these days.  From lucrative television deals at the national and local level, to MLBAM's steady stream of money, to satellite radio deals, naming rights, and new or redeveloped stadiums going online, owners are bathing in the green stuff.

Was the 1990s Home Run Production Out of Line?  —  In the last five years, baseball fans have read and heard a lot of commentary from politicians and the media about what a travesty the home run totals have been since the mid-1990s.  The average fan, having heard this mantra so much, has come to believe it is true.

Prospect Q&A: Chase Wright  —  Chase Wright was a part of baseball history at Fenway Park on April 22, although not in a way he'd have preferred.  Making the second appearance of his big league career, the Yankees lefthander gave up home runs to four consecutive Red Sox batters in the third inning.

Perez Trade Ranks as One of Mets' Best  —  Is there any pitcher in baseball more liable to inspire someone to punch a wall than Oliver Perez?  —  Generally, you can tell how good a pitcher is by how well he repeats his delivery.  The next time you're at the ballpark watching a really good pitcher …

Tigers interested in free-agent pitcher Lawrence  —  The Tigers are one of three teams interested in free agent Brian Lawrence, according to agent Page Odle.  —  Odle said Wednesday that the right-hander could decide where to sign by this weekend.  —  Lawrence was cut Monday by the Colorado Rockies …

Thinking about Jon Niese  —  First, the book comment:  —  Niese is currently 2-1, 2.35 in five starts for St. Lucie, with a 14/6 K/BB ratio in 23 innings, 22 hits allowed.  He's held lefties to a .059 mark so far this year, although righties have had more success (.296).