MLB breathes a sigh of relief over Clemens mistrial

The Roger Clemens mistrial was viewed with relief around Major League Baseball. Commissioner Bud Selig and his lieutenants weren’t as worried about Clemens’ standing as they were about new revelations that could have come up in sworn testimony. … The Cubs almost certainly will talk to Pat Gillick about his interest in taking on one more challenge in the off-season. He is not interested in being a general manager but would be a terrific addition if Chairman Tom Ricketts changes his mind about having an experienced baseball/pro sports guy in the chain of command. … Many in baseball think Heath Bell will be the next big name traded. The Cardinals were closing in on him before the Phillies jumped into the conversation after the Brewers landed Francisco Rodriguez. … The Yankees are among the teams looking for bullpen help. They were in on Rodriguez before the Mets got a better offer from the Brewers. … Some teams looking for starters are waiting to see if the Twins make Francisco Liriano available. He and the Giants’ Jonathan Sanchez might be the best arms on the board, as Ubaldo Jimenez and Felix Hernandez are so much pie in the sky. … Billy Beane is a bright, engaging guy, but I don’t see how “Moneyball” packs movie theaters unless they are letting Athletics traveling secretary Mickey Morabito play himself. … Brandon Allen, traded by the White Sox for reliever Tony Pena, is getting a second chance to be the Diamondbacks’ first baseman. He was hitting .306 with 18 homers in triple A. … MLB continues to study Bartolo Colon’s stem cell procedure for the possibility that he was treated with human growth hormone. MLB officials are also hopeful the NFL will remain firm in its demand that the union agree to blood testing for HGH, because that will make it easier for MLB to sell it to its players’ union.