Red Sox in the middle of active day in trading

It's been a rather busy day for the Boston Red Sox, to say the least.

Early Wednesday morning the Sox acquired 1B Adam LaRoche from the Pirates for Double-A shortstop Argenis Diaz and Class-A right-hander Hunter Strickland, an 18th-round draft pick two years ago.

Later on in the afternoon, after much speculation, the Cardinals and Red Sox agreed on deal that sent struggling OF/1B Chris Duncan and a player to be named later to Boston for aging SS Julio Lugo.

Everyone knew the Red Sox were going to add a bat, it was just a question as to who it would be and when. Adrian Gonzalez was also mentioned as a candidate.

I like the LaRoche deal for the Sox. They get an everyday guy who can hit and play very solid defense. His average is struggling a little bit this year, hitting just .247, but he's hit 12 HR and 40 RBI. Mike Lowell is coming off an injury, so he can't be trusted everyday just yet. This move will allow Kevin Youkilis to spend some time at third base and LaRoche get some time at first base. Also, they now have a bat that can slip in to the DH hole if David Ortiz needs a day off.

It was also reported that the Red Sox are still scouting Victor Martinez. Cleveland has shown a great interest in pitching prospect Clay Buchholz, so keep your eyes on that situation as something may unfold in days to come.

However, I don't understand the Duncan/Lugo deal at all. I don't see what either of these two teams gain from it. Duncan has struggled all season and has seen his playing time decrease significantly from Opening Day and was designated for assignment just before this trade went down . He's hitting a measely .227 with just 5 HR and 32 RBI. That's not at all the kind of production Tony LaRussa and the Cardinals were expecting out of him this season.

Boston is more than happy to part ways with Lugo, but I don't understand why any team would be interested in him at all. He's struggled in just about every opportunity he got this year in Boston, and though his average is high, he doesn't hit for power and doesn't have much speed. Also, his defense has been a little suspect at times.

The thing that sticks out in my mind most of all is that the Cardinals already have two young shortstops that are playing very well. Brendan Ryan is slowly becoming one of the best defensive shortstops in the National League, and is also hitting near .300. Also, Tyler Greene has shown positive signs on the defensive end.

The Cardinals made it clear that they wanted to add another bat, but if they thing Lugo is the answer, my gut feeling is that they will be thoroughly disappointed.

If they were that eager to trade Duncan, it would have made more sense for their team to go after a LHP of some sort, be it a reliever, or a starter. Todd Wellemeyer has to be the next guy out given his constant inconsistency throughout the course of this season.

Cardinals don't need Halladay

The Cardinals are among the list of teams that are interested in Roy Halladay.

However, they simply don't need him.

The Blue Jays have made it very clear what they want in return: A set of star prospects. In the case of the Cardinals that would likely mean Rookie of the Year candidate Colby Rasmus, future closer Jason Motte, and minor league star and future third baseman Brett Wallace, who is ranked the No. 21 best prospect by Baseball America.

In my opinion, giving up those guys for Halladay would possibly be one of the worst moves in Cardinals history.

Think about it.

These guys are the future of St. Louis Cardinals baseball. We all know what Rasmus is capable of, and he can only go up from here. Motte is arguably the next Eric Gagne (when he was good, of course), and Brett Wallace is simply a stud.

Cardinals GM John Mozeliak said "there's always a chance to make a deal." He also said he would call the Blue Jays, but suggests some in the organization would not consider dealing Wallace, a guy the Blue Jays wanted in last year's draft.

I'd rather see the Cardinals go after a low-end lefty, something they need in their all right handed rotation. Todd Wellemeyer might be the streakiest pitcher in baseball, and Chris Duncan doesn't bring much to the table when he's in the game. That being said, those two guys have to be the top guys to be traded as the deadline approaches.

Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Doug Davis has been rumored as a possible target for the Cardinals. However, I'd rather see them go after Jarrod Washburn of Seattle, or Paul Maholm of Pittsburgh. Washburn was rumored to be on the block, and since Pittsburgh is pretty much cleaning house, I don't see why Mozeliak wouldn't go after Maholm, a solid lefty who just needs a good offense to back him up.

The Cardinals will likely make at least one more move before the deadline, but dealing for Halladay should not be one of them. The asking price is just too high and in my opinion, the Cardinals would lose more than they would gain.

Braves getting more serious about trade talks

It was reported earlier last month that the Brewers had interest in Javier Vasquez.

After those initial discussions, trade talks revolving the Braves has diminished, until now.

Dave O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution has reported that Vasquez and shortstop Yunel Escobar are possibly two players the Braves could part ways with by the July 31 deadline. They said they don't really want to get rid of Vasquez, but would consider it if it meant bringing in an "impact" player, presumably a bat. Escobar's contract is affordable for pretty much any team, and with the recent problems between manager Bobby Cox and the young shortstop, Escobar could be shipped away.

Escobar has hovered around the .300 mark all season, and is very serviceable with 7 HR and 40 RBI. Teams that could have some interest in him are the A's, Reds, Padres, and possibly the Pirates if they choose to deal Jack Wilson.