Terrence

Long

With Jermaine Dye out indefinitely, Long is making a play to be the regular right fielder.

''I like what Long can do with the bat,’' manager Tony Pena said. ''He can move the ball around, and we’re going to need to manufacture runs.’' It’s going to be tough scoring runs with Long getting regular playing time in an outfield corner whether the Royals are manufacturing them, growing them or importing them.

Long isn’t happy with the way A’s manager Ken Macha treated him and wants to become a regular elsewhere. The A’s are sure to try and move him, but they’ll probably have to take another overpaid player back in return. With Chris Singleton also expected to depart, the A’s should have two vacancies in their outfield next season, one of which could be filled by Eric Byrnes.

Because he makes his home in New Jersey, Peterson is interested in becoming the Mets’ pitching coach. However, since he has two years left on his contract, the A’s will want compensation. Long has two years left on his four-year, $12 million contract and the A’s would love to dump him.

Shortly after the All-Star break, manager Bruch Bochy reported that Long had a different look about him. It’s hard to believe the same player that posted a 675 OPS before the break has a 990 OPS since. Long should be taking just about every at-bat from Jay Payton while he’s hot.

Long is owed $7 million over the next two years, which probably takes him out of the Cubs’ plans. Orioles’ third baseman Tony Batista is another possibility the Cubs may consider.

''He has had a different look since the break,’' manager Bruce Bochy said. Still, it’s hard to know why Long keeps getting opportunities that should go to Xavier Nady. In any case, it’s a moot point once Phil Nevin returns on Wednesday, forcing Ryan Klesko back to left field.

His high RBI game of the season. He also has a couple of homers in the last 11 days, so it seems unlikely that he’ll be benched anytime soon.

We’re already picturing him in a Nationals uniform. Long hit .167/.250/.194 with two RBI in 36 at-bats for the Yankees.

Long was hitting .229/.260/.292 in 48 at-bats for Triple-A Louisville before the Reds released him earlier this month. It would be bad news if the Yankees need him at any point.