Possible trade

Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports has a veritable Appleton baseball alumni deal going in this post.

I found it through Brew Crew Ball, who had a post that picks up on a potential Brewer trade with the Padres that could affect a former Rattler. Follow that?

First information on ex-Rattler Jorge Sosa:

Jorge Sosa. Ramon Ortiz. Aaron Sele.
Those are the types of free-agent pitchers the Mets are considering as they continue their search for additional help for their starting rotation, with Sosa perhaps the leading option.

The Mets are not interested in right-hander Jeff Weaver, and they're not one of the two teams offering righty Tomo Ohka a two-year contract, according to major-league sources.

Ohka, 30, spent 77 days on the disabled list last season with a partial tear of his rotator cuff. The condition of his shoulder is a concern for several clubs.

Sosa, who turns 30 on April 28, intrigues the Mets because of the quality of his arm and his ability to work both as a starter and reliever.

The problem with Sosa — and virtually all of the remaining free-agent pitchers, frankly — is that teams can't be certain of what they're getting.

The Mets would want Sosa to start. He went 10-3 with a 2.62 ERA in that role for the Braves in 2005, 1-8 with a 5.53 last season.

Now, Ex-Appleton Fox Ryan Franklin:

A SLEEPER IN ST. LOUIS?
The Cardinals' signings of free-agent left-hander Mark Mulder and right-hander Ryan Franklin on Wednesday won't preclude them from giving Weaver a two-year deal at the right price, but such a move is less urgent than before.

The addition of Franklin was all but lost in the news about Mulder, but the Cardinals were impressed by the pitcher's determination to return to a starting role and desire to work with pitching coach Dave Duncan.

Franklin, 33, turned down more money from another team to sign with the Cardinals, according to his brother and agent, Jay Franklin. That team was the Blue Jays, according to a major-league source.

Finally, this little bit about ex-Rattler Termell Sledge as the Padres search for a left fielder:

For now, the Padres plan to go with Terrmel Sledge in left field while using Jose Cruz Jr., a switch-hitter, against certain left-handers. However, a trade for Brewers outfielder Geoff Jenkins remains possible.

Is Rosenthal from the Fox Cities?