From the “Gotta Be a Misprint” department: Rotoworld suggested today that the Giants might be willing to trade stud starting pitcher Matt Cain for Joe Crede.

 My reaction? The following:

Crede For Cain

If the Sox can get Crede for Cain

I’d personally drive Joe to the train

When Crede proves he has no pain

The White Sox a pitcher will gain

If the Giants had interest not feign

The Sox in the Central would reign

But I’m guessing it’s all just in vain

Brian Sabean’s not completely insane

So while it’d sure be nice to get Cain

It’s surely on the Giants he’ll remain

Now, how many potential trades move me to poetry?

The truth is there is no way the Sox could trade Crede for Cain, even if Joe proves he’s 150% healthy this spring and hits .700 in Cactus League games. The Sox only shot at Cain, who, at age 23, owns a career 3.73 ERA, would be to dangle Josh Fields or Paul Konerko.

Fields isn’t going anywhere, but a deal centered around Paul Konerko for Matt Cain, give or take some secondary parts, is at least a starter.

As for Crede, it’s true the Giants are interested in acquiring the third baseman to shore up their infield, albeit at a cheaper price. The two names realistically in play are starting pitchers Noah Lowry and Jonathan Sanchez.

Lowry posted the softest sub-4 ERA ever in 2007, issuing as many walks as strikeouts (87). His home/road splits make him the left-handed Ervin Santana—career 3.42 ERA at home, 4.85 on the road; 4.34 BB/9 at home in ’07, 5.67 on the road; 1.40 K/BB at home in ’07, absurd 0.70 on the road.

He would likely get mauled if he came over to the AL and the Cell, but he is signed cheaply for three years and his solid 2004 and 2005 is worth lukewarm interest.

Sanchez, on the other hand, is more intriguing. On first glance, he’s been roughed up big time in his two major league call ups, to the tune of a 5.48 major league ERA. But a look at his peripherals offer some hope.

Over his minor league career, Sanchez owns a 3.43 ERA and, more importantly, an 11.88 K/9 rate and 3.50 BB/9 rate. In his brief big league appearances, nerves may have gotten the better of him, costing a K/9 rate drop to 9.29 and a BB/9 rise to 4.99.

Once Sanchez settles in, his dominating strike out rate and passable walk rate might return to his minor league levels, making him a decent prospect to turn things around in 2008.

But don’t hold your breath for a Crede-for-Cain swap anytime soon, no matter how many rhymes I can come up with.