Colonel Sanders' - Secret Recipe?

Hmm, how 'bout a nice bucket of genetically-engineered fried chicken?

Kidding aside, an A's fan posted on AN that WGN Radio in Chicago reported the Cardinals are working with the A's in a trade to move left-fielder Reggie Sanders for Eric Byrnes and a minor leaguer. So then yesterday, BP's Will Carroll said the following in his "Under the Knife article:

Larry Walker is dealing with a sore groin and while it isn't serious, the fragile Walker is being held out as a precaution. There's some talk about a Cards/A's trade in the works, but no one with any credibility has scared anything up"

Finally, Mychael Urban(is he making a name for himself or what?!) has addressed the rumor:

According to a credible out-of-town source whose information was substantiated by a National League scout, there have been talks about Eric Byrnes and a low-level prospect being sent to St. Louis for Reggie Sanders.

Once you move past the fact that Urban lists a 10-batter lineup, the only reason why I think a minor leaguer is involved is so that the Cardinals can cover the rest of Sanders' contract.

Now, why would we go for a guy who has never played in the AL and who is not much of an improvement over Byrnes as far as production is concerned right now? As Kotsay in 2004 and Kendall this year have shown, there is an adjustment period from the National League. So not only would Sanders have to break out of his current slump, he would have to adjust on the fly. Oh and there's that little problem of him being up their in age as he would become the oldest player on the A's roster.

However, there is another twist to this story; with the Yankees hitting the panic button in putting Tony Womack in left-field, who's to say that they wouldn't take Sanders in left-field? While this is far from a confirmed rumor, according to someone from within the Clippers FO, (not those Clippers, these Clippers) , the Yankees are apparently talking to the Reds over a deal where they would get Austin Kearns for pitcher Chien-Ming Wang and second-base prospect Robinson Cano. Austin Kearns is known as a corner-outfielder so there goes the idea that Matsui would move back to left-field.

One has to wonder that if this deal has legs to it whether a four-way trade could occur where the A's get Kearns and the Yankees get Sanders. Seeing as how Sanders was a part of the magical 2001 World Champion D-Backs squad, Reggie has a name that the Boss would override any collection of average stats Sanders has. With the A's going to Yankee Stadium, it's possible some players may be show-cased for a trade.