EDMONTON (AP) - Winning only 4 of their 31 games thus far, it's clear that the Edmonton Orcas are rebuilding. Young pitchers struggle on the mound as young hitters grapple at the plate, causing many a veteran to wonder why they are playing their last years on a team that won't compete for anything before they retire.

"It's crap," said closer Jay Powell. "I'll see about 20 save situations all season, if that!" In fact, only half of the saves for the Orcas belong to Powell. Remarkably, all four wins for the Orcas have been saved by the bull pen.

Veteran Aaron Boone has similar feelings. "I play hard every game. Recently, I've asked myself, 'Why? We aren't going to win a pennant this year. We aren't going to even be .500! Why play hard?' I can't play here. It's just a bad environment. I might as well retire."

They say the squeeky wheel gets the oil, and Edmonton Management has broken out the oilcans. Both defensive third baseman Aaron Boone and reliever Jay Powell found themselves on the trading blocks this week. Their fates were much nicer than those of pitchers Jose Colon, Donovan Osborne, and catcher Kelly Stinnett, all who were given their walking papers. Osborne commented to reporters just after hearing the news. "Cut? I've been cut? How the hell can they cut me? I can at least pitch! Those idiots on the mound toss a poor batting practice! Come on..."

Edmonton is interested in youth and draft picks, as if that hasn't been an obvious front office strategy since the team was purchased a year ago. "Our bright spot was Mel Ott," remarked GM Wurz about his plan, "but he wasn't going to win a hundred games all by himself. We have to be realistic about the future. It will take five years to flush out the talent in the minors, develop some key players, and possibly aquire some solid role players. But, with what this team was stocked, the only way to go was up."

Any interest in Boone or Powell should be directed to GM Wurz, who is reportedly looking to package both for a first round Ammy Pick. "We've scouted the talent out there and unless someone is willing to move a young stud, we aren't going to take second hand youngsters for proven veterans. We'll draft our own mistakes."