Hammond is in the deal
By Tom Haudricourt
Sunday, Jul 20 2008, 11:33 AM

San Francisco - I've just heard from a very reliable source that Class AAA Nashville left-hander Steve Hammond is in the deal the Brewers are working out with the Giants.

So, if Hammond is in the deal and Class A Brevard County centerfielder Darren Ford is in the deal, you've got to believe the Brewers are getting more than just second baseman Ray Durham. It makes me believe that left-handed reliever Jack Taschner is in this deal as well.

Apparently, everything is on hold until Durham OKs the deal. As a "10 and 5" player (10 years in the majors, at least five with his current team), he must approve any deal. And, as I reported earlier, I've got to believe he will do it.

Hammond, 26, was a sixth-round draft pick in 2005. A finesse pitcher once considered one of the organization's better prospects, he has back-tracked some in recent years, going 7-9 with a 4.69 ERA last year at Class AA Huntsville.

Back at Huntsville this year, Hammond performed well, going 7-4 with a 3.45 ERA in 15 starts. That earned him a promotion to Nashville, where he has struggled badly in his first four starts, going 0-4 with a 7.41 ERA.

So, this is what we know: Ford and Hammond are waiting to hear if they've been traded (in other words, waiting for Durham to OK it). I've heard the names of Brad Nelson and Angel Salome but that's all it is so far, a rumor. I haven't confirmed that they would be in the trade, and if they were, the Brewers would be getting back more than Durham and Taschner.

This might end up just being Ford and Hammond for Durham and Taschner. The Giants are out of the race and just looking to re-stock a thin farm system.

The Brewers are in a different mode. As GM Doug Melvin said after the Sabathia deal, "We're going for it."