MLB: July 7, 2005

White Sox general manager Ken Williams indicated Wednesday the club wants to re-sign designated hitter Frank Thomas to a new contract. And Thomas said he is ready to accommodate the team. -- Chicago Tribune

Are the Sox still trying to acquire a prominent reliever? If Seattle lefthander Eddie Guardado is a possibility, he has a limited no-trade clause and would have to sign off on any deal. Boston has also looked at Atlanta 's Danny Kolb (1-5, 5.63 ERA). -- Boston Globe

With Keith Foulke scheduled for surgery today on his left knee and Curt Schilling poised to replace him in the bullpen, the Boston Red Sox are improvising as fast as they can to find a way to stay atop the American League East ... Among closers who might be available to Theo Epstein in a trade are Danys Baez of Tampa Bay and Eddie Guardado of Seattle . -- New York Times

Strong play over that stretch would keep Omar Minaya optimistic and leave the Mets in position to seek a trade for proven performers, namely a power hitter and a relief pitcher ... A midsummer skid could leave the Mets shopping their veterans instead of searching for other teams' seasoned players. Contenders may show interest in a left-handed starting pitcher like Tom Glavine , who pitched Wednesday night. -- New York Times

The Marlins continue to search for relief help, and Kansas City left-hander Jeremy Affeldt is a possibility. -- Palm Beach Post

If the Angels are to make a deal by the July 31 trading deadline, it will likely involve some of the prospects that caused Baseball America to rank the Angels as the best farm system in baseball. -- Riverside Press Enterprise

Jim Leyland wants one more crack at managing, but on his terms. He doesn't want to stray too far from his suburban Pittsburgh home, which narrows his options. Leyland isn't saying, but he'd probably only return to Pittsburgh or go to Cleveland , Cincinnati , Philadelphia , New York , Washington or Boston . His best bet could be Cincinnati , which hired Jerry Narron as interim manager after firing Dave Miley last month. -- Phillyburbs.com

People close to Bret Boone have been told by the Seattle Mariners second baseman that the Twins would be his first choice if he is traded or becomes a free agent, as expected. -- St. Paul Pioneer Press

Pedro Martinez may be an All-Star in name only this season. Mets general manager Omar Minaya said last night that Martinez is leaning toward not attending the game in Detroit on Tuesday. -- Westchester Journal News

When Johnny Damon was told after the game that Terry Francona said Curt Schilling , along with Mike Timlin , would share the closer's role, Damon didn't back down. ''You've got a lot of upset people in here," said Damon about the feelings of teammates on the decision to insert Schilling and bypass what other team members feel are more deserving candidates. -- The Boston Globe