The Padres are playing respectable baseball this season, a development that has some of baseball's contenders worried. San Diego was expected to struggle mightily in 2010, making first baseman Adrian Gonzalez and closer Heath Bell trade candidates at midseason. "If they're competitive, and they're anywhere within striking distance in July, they'll hold," said an official of one club. "I get the sense that ownership looks at Gonzalez in particular as a very difficult player to trade. He's from there. He's got the link to that Mexican-American community. They're trying to create some identity in that community. So he's not an easy guy to move." San Diego enters Tuesday's action with a record of 11-8, good enough for a first-place tie with San Francisco in the National League West.

The trade market for Padres first baseman Adrian Gonzalez has yet to develop because San Diego is playing well, but a new suitor could emerge. The Red Sox have long been considered the front-runner to land Gonzalez, but FOX Sports writes that the Braves could have interest in the slugger. Atlanta has a great pitching staff, but their hitting can be sub-par at times. "They won't score many runs once teams realize that you shouldn't pitch to (Jason) Heyward ? except inside," a scout said.

The Phillies are looking at Blue Jays left-hander Scott Downs, according to the Boston Globe. Philadelphia wants to add a lefty to the bullpen with J.C. Romero out due to injury. Nothing is imminent with Toronto playing well, but things could change if they begin to struggle.

Phil Rogers of the Chicago Tribune writes that Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz's struggles could accelerate trade talks between Boston and San Diego. "David Ortiz's horrible start could accelerate the timetable for the next round of talks between the Red Sox and Padres regarding Adrian Gonzalez," Rogers wrote. Ortiz is hitting .171 without a home run and just two RBIs.

The Nationals considered dealing for a variety of players in their search for a right fielder, according to MASNSports.com. None of the talks were serious, but Washington discussed Milwaukee's Corey Hart, Tampa Bay's B.J. Upton and Chicago's Kosuke Fukudome. Washington is likely to use the combination of Willie Harris and Willy Taveras in right.

Mike Lowell's limited mobility may prevent the Red Sox from trading him anytime soon. The third baseman's name has been mentioned in trade rumors for the better part of the last year, but Boston has yet to find a taker. Lowell had right hip surgery 17 months ago. An American League scout said recently that he hasn't heard much buzz about Lowell, while a National League scout observed that the veteran infielder's mobility remains limited.

Corey Hart was not worried about his job status until he saw that others were. GM Doug Melvin has reportedly shopped Hart to the Nationals. Ken Macha has said he's unsure if Hart will start the season in right field for the Brewers. "I wasn't really worried about it until I realized they were worried about it," Hart said. "I've had bad springs and good springs. Last year was my best spring and I didn't really turn out. You can't really worry about it. "It's tough, though." Hart wasn't thinking he could be involved in a trade but said the reports won't be a disctraction for him, mostly because they are out of his control. Hart has struggled this spring, but feels as though he is getting closer. "I didn't get any hits yesterday but I felt like my at-bats were better," he said. "It's just trying to get a few good at-bats to get the confidence. But I don't feel defeated in the box. I feel like I still got a good chance. "There's always negative things around so you try not to worry about it so much. ... I expect (to play opening day) but I don't write the lineup so we'll see."

Talks between the Boston Red Sox and Texas Rangers over infielder Mike Lowell had accelerated and a trade remained a possibility, according to a source. But by late Wednesday night, the source reported the sides were no closer to a deal. "I don't think it's going to happen,'' the source said. The Rangers have been scouting Lowell regularly since he started playing this spring, and have a clear need for a backup first baseman and insurance behind Vladimir Guerrero as a right-handed designated hitter. But the circumstances have changed since last December, when the Rangers agreed to a deal for Lowell in which they were willing to absorb $3 million of the $12 million on the infielder's contract, a deal later voided when it was discovered Lowell needed surgery to repair a torn ligament in his right thumb.

The Orioles have agreed to acquire utility infielder Julio Lugo from the St. Louis Cardinals for a player to be named, a team source confirmed. The deal, which was first reported by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, is pending approval by the commissioner's office. The approval is necessary because Lugo still has $8.6 million left on his contract that's being paid by the Boston Red Sox, who traded him to the Cardinals last July with Boston assuming all of his contract. The Orioles will pay Lugo the major league minimum.