Today is July 1st, meaning that there is officially less than a month left till the trade deadline. With the Padres’ hopes for the season fading away, it seems likely that the team will be sellers and, over the course of this month, we here at The Sacrifice Bunt will try to stay on top of all the rumblings surrounding our team. Think of us as a low-rate, more specific version of M.L.B. Trade Rumors.

Speaking of that fine website, they gave a rundown of Peter Gammons‘ latest blog entry discussing the Cubs and their starting pitcher search. While there’s no talk of Greg Maddux becoming a Cub for the third time, there is mention of Randy Wolf.

Gammons reports that the Cubs have interest in Wolf and Wolf has interest in playing for a contender. And for good measure, Gammons mentions that the Padres still show interest in Matt Murton who’s been on our radar for a minute now. Of course, we already have a full outfield, complete with players who buy into the team’s philosophy of getting on-base. Where would Murton play? Would one of the outfielders have to change positions, possibly moving back to the position he played in the minors that is currently manned by a free-swinger? Hmm.

(jes’ sayin’)

In more Wolf news, the Phillies have demoted Brett Myers to Triple-A. Wolf is a former Phillie (Philly?) who rebuffed their attempts to bring him back after the 2006 and 2007 seasons. I have no idea who they’d give us in return, though.

Ray’s update: Of course, not if Wolf’s value plummets.

Was in attendance for the Padres-Rockies contest on Tuesday the 15th.  The 6 run 6th for the Padres was an absolute blast thanks to doubles from Brian Giles, Kevin Kouzmanoff, and Hollywood Jim Edmonds.  Though by far the most exhilarating play of the 6th inning was a walk from Khalil Greene.  You read that right.  No?  Fine, look it up.  It really happened.

edit (4/16): Far be it from me to admit being wrong about anything, but the guys at the ‘Snorts point out Khalil walked not once but twice that inning. I figure that this much discipline from Khalil is so rare it warrants an admission. Enjoy.

Not to mention the little no hitter our boy Randall Christopher Wolf took for 6 and 2/3rds.  It didn’t start until the 7th inning, but nervousness took over and my body was shaking watching the game.  It’s hard to imagine what Randall was going through on the mound.

I have now attended a couple near historic games at Petco.  Besides the Wolf almost no hitter, I also saw Mikey C’s near cycle, only to be denied the opportunity to finish it out due to his own awesomeness.  My dad mentioned witnessing a cycle hit by the Tigers’ Travis Fryman in ‘93.

But to the matter at hand.  Matt Holliday was booed loudly by the crowd of ~23,000 before and during each plate appearance.  I doubt the stadium harbored any deep resentment towards the guy, rather I’d like to think it was more of a fun boo than anything else.

We sat in left and witnessed a group growing both in numbers and obnoxiousness as the game progressed.  The chanting seen above went on like that for innings. They got their haggle on too.  It was a wonderful scene.

And I still have that stupid “guess the moving hat hiding the ball” music stuck in my head.

According to Ken Rosenthal, the Padres have signed Randy Wolf to a one-year contract.

Wolf, the star of TV’s “Airwolf,” has spent the better part of his career being hurt, having Tommy John surgery in July of 2005. Last season, with the Dodgers, he got hot in May (sounds like a Padre!), posting an ERA of 1.48, but ended his season early after having shoulder surgery in July. Obviously, there’s something about the seventh month of the year that makes Wolf severely hurt himself so I think that the team should get Stauffer/Germano/whomever ready to go around the All-Star break.

He doesn’t have any splits at Petco to really speak of, having only pitched five innings in his sole start there, although he did give up five earned runs. His numbers at Qualcomm are better, with an ERA of 3.42 in 26.1 innings. Although I suppose that’s a dumb point.

Wolf will be slotted in the rotation behind reigning Cy Young award winner Jake Peavy, Young, and Maddux. If he can stay healthy, Wolf will help make this team’s already formidable starting rotation even tougher, especially since Petco is a godsend for pitchers. And Wolf might be joined there by Mark Prior or Matt Clement. Personally, I’d like to see the team get Prior, as I get a real Chris Carpenter feeling from him. Bring him in, get two or three good-to-great seasons out of him, just don’t resign him before he blows his arm out again.

Melvin Update: Incentive Laden? Shaaaa buddy! $4 million base, $9 million if he meets the incentives.  It doesn’t get much better. A 102 career ERA+ back of the rotation starter, with the injury risk minimized by the contract works for me.

Despite the injury, Wolf was one of the most hotly pursued free agents on the market this offseason.

Umm, errr….. Que?