MIAMI -- Joe Randa is skeptical he will be traded, no matter how hard the Pirates try.

And he has cause: There is not much demand for third basemen around Major League Baseball as the July 31 trading deadline nears. On top of that, he still is owed $1.6 million of his $4 million salary and can become a free agent at season's end.

But there is a chance.

Two, perhaps.

	MINOR-LEAGUE REPORT Thursday's results INDIANAPOLIS (54-42) beat Norfolk, 5-4. RHP Britt Reames (3-1, 2.74) allowed two runs and six hits in 6 1/3 innings. RHP Jonah Bayliss (1.73) recorded the final out for his 13th save. RF Adam Boeve (.290) went 2 for 3 with two doubles, a walk, a run and a stolen base. He also threw out a runner at second base. CF Chris Duffy (.288) went 1 for 4 with an RBI and a run. ALTOONA (56-40) won at Bowie, 1-0. LHP Shane Youman (7-2, 1.43) pitched seven scoreless innings and allowed four hits while striking out nine. 3B Brandon Chaves (.246) hit his fourth home run. LYNCHBURG (39-55) beat Winston-Salem, 7-5. LHP Kyle Bloom (5-5, 4.12) allowed one run in five innings. C Neil Walker (.250) went 1 for 3 with a double, three RBIs and a walk. HICKORY (46-51) lost to Lakewood, 6-3. RHP Jared Hughes (1-1, 8.00) allowed six runs in four innings. LF Jason Delaney (.311) went 3 for 4. C Steve Lerud (.240) hit his ninth home run, a two-run shot. CF Andrew McCutchen (.284) went 0 for 3 with a walk. WILLIAMSPORT (9-18) lost at Staten Island, 2-1. RHP Mike Crotta (0-2, 2.18) allowed two runs, one earned, in five innings. 2B Greg Picart (.317) went 3 for 4.

One involves San Diego, where he was employed for the second half of last season.

The Padres are desperate for help at the position and, after cutting Vinny Castilla, are rotating Geoff Blum and Mark Bellhorn there, not an ideal solution for a team that fancies itself a contender. One source indicated yesterday Randa is a possibility, though not a firm one.

The other scenario would represent a homecoming for Randa.

The Milwaukee Brewers are seeking a third baseman after learning Corey Koskie is having complications with a concussion. One option, as Brewers general manager Doug Melvin acknowledged to reporters yesterday, is pursuing Shea Hillenbrand, the $5.8 million third baseman designated for assignment by Toronto after a disagreement with Blue Jays manager John Gibbons. But Melvin sounded leery of that level of commitment, with Koskie's status uncertain.

Randa -- born and raised in Milwaukee -- could be a fit, though there has been no confirmation of contact between the Pirates and Brewers.

No showcase?

If the Pirates are trying to showcase their veterans for a trade, they are doing so in an unusual way: Neither Randa, Jeromy Burnitz nor Craig Wilson was in the lineup last night, continuing the trend since the All-Star break.

Manager Jim Tracy had a twofold explanation:

"No. 1, we're trying to do the things necessary to win games. No. 2, we are keeping them involved, and Randa is a great case in point. And, to a certain extent, you're using them in roles where maybe other clubs are looking at them. They're getting a view as to how they respond in certain situations."

Which means coming off the bench.

"That's not to say teams aren't interested in some of our players as a starter. They might be. But they also might not be."

Torres wants to stay

Some people simply say they hope not to be traded. Reliever Salomon Torres just reached a sales agreement to buy a house in suburban Pittsburgh.

"We're supposed to close on it next month," Torres said. "I really hope I'm staying."

For more reasons than one, he added. One is that he has family in Pittsburgh who are receiving long-term medical treatment. Another is what he describes as a genuine desire to remain part of the team.

"I'd love to be part of what we have here."

Buried treasure

Colorado's desired return for first baseman Ryan Shealy -- a player the Pirates have discussed with the Rockies -- is a young middle reliever.

Jose Bautista has had two fairly rough weeks in center field, but Tracy, who earlier in the season compared Bautista's work there to that of Jim Edmonds, sounded unshaken by it: "With the limited amount of time he's played there, you don't expect perfection. Overall, are you satisfied with what you see? You have to be."

Tracy, on shortstop Jack Wilson's .400 average -- 12 for 30 -- since the break: "He has played extremely well in all phases of the club. He's a centerpiece on this club, let's face it, and he's doing everything."