"The signs that baseball's summer shopping season is fast approaching are no harder to detect than radio stations heralding the Christmas holidays by switching to full-time caroling in November.

Scouts are the prime indicator but only the visible tip of the iceberg. They show up in greater numbers for games, particularly those involving clubs viewed as prospective sellers, for updated eyewitness assessments.

"Every contender is looking for that guy who can put you over the top," one scout said. "Sure, you'd like to get a star but, a lot of times, it's the reliable part-time guy who fills a role who ends up being the difference."

Royals right fielder Jeff Francoeur proved to be just such a player last season when acquired by Texas from the going-nowhere New York Mets. He batted .340 after the deal and helped the Rangers reach the postseason for the first time in 11 years.

"You start hearing all sorts of rumors around now," Francoeur said. "I'm to the point now where I don't listen to that stuff anymore. It doesn't benefit you. It can only get you worrying about this or worrying about that."

Francoeur went to the Rangers last season after the July 31 nonwaiver deadline. Those deals are possible but only if the players involved clear waivers, which makes them much tougher to pull off.

Trades before the deadline are straight swaps.

Francoeur was involved in one of those two years ago when the Mets, seeking to reverse a midseason slide, acquired him from Atlanta. That one didn't work. The Mets finished 18 games under .500.

This season, Francoeur is likely to be among the Royals drawing interest in coming weeks. So, too, are outfielder Melky Cabrera, infielder Wilson Betemit, catcher Matt Treanor and veteran pitchers Bruce Chen and Jeff Francis."