Either Nady is experiencing a breakthrough at age 29, or he eventually will regress to his previous levels. Bet the latter: Nady's .361 batting average on balls in play — 66 points above the N.L. average — indicates that he's benefiting from good luck.

Rival clubs, mindful of such numbers, continue to balk at the Pirates' asking price for Nady. The Rays, Yankees and Phillies are among the teams interested.

K-Rod: A different look

Earlier this week, I noted that while Francisco Rodriguez is on pace to break the single-season saves record, his strikeout rate is at a career-low while his walk rate and walks and hits per innings pitched (WHIP) are at career highs.

Those trends are indicative of a pitcher in decline, but some suggest that Rodriguez is merely a pitcher in transition — a work-in-progress as he makes greater use of his changeup and overhand curve.

Rodriguez, 26, is throwing 90-91 mph rather than in the mid-90s, though he reaches back for greater velocity when necessary. In the long term, he should benefit from his ability to throw four pitches, and in the short term, he's 40-for-43 in save opportunities this season. Not too shabby.

Around the horn

The Cardinals, whose bullpen has become almost a nightly issue, had two scouts in Baltimore on Tuesday night, presumably to watch Orioles closer George Sherrill. The Orioles want either a shortstop or outfielder for Sherrill, but the Cardinals don't have a shortstop who is close to the majors, and they're not going to trade Colby Rasmus for a reliever . . .

The A's continue to talk with the Pirates about left fielder Jason Bay, but a trade remains unlikely — the Pirates want more than the A's are willing to give. The A's are trying to build a long-term contender as they prepare for the opening of their new ballpark in 2012. Acquiring Bay for the rest of this season and next season would do little to help them accomplish that goal.