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.

Teams getting very active as mid-season battles heat up

The Major League Baseball Trade Deadline isn't until July 31, but several teams are getting a head start on making moves.

After seeing early season trades that landed Ryan Freel in Chicago in exchange for Joey Gathwright, as well as a deal that put Nate McLouth in Atlanta, the past four days have seen plenty of action.

The Cardinals finally landed Mark DeRosa, something was heavily discussed among Cardinals fans and media. In exchange for the utilityman DeRosa the Indians receive relief pitcher Chris Perez and a player to be named later.

The Cardinals needed another strong bat to back up Pujols, as well as someone that could possibly be an everyday player at third base. However, DeRosa's versatility was the main thing that drew Tony La Russa to him. He can be used everyday and play pretty much anywhere on the field. With the injury to Troy Glaus and Khalil Greene's anxiety issues, this was a huge pickup. It also sends a message to the other teams in the Central that the Cardinals are making moves to stay atop the division.

DeRosa said he is excited to be in St. Louis and contend for a Championship.

The Pirates were very active today in making two deals. In the morning the Bucs moved Eric Hinske to the Yankees for two minor leaguers and in the afternoon they agreed to a deal that sent Nyjer Morgan and Sean Burnett to the Nationals for relief pitcher Joel Hanrahan and Lastings Milledge.

The Pirates welcome two guys who have struggled in the past and give up what many see is an up and coming young prospect in Nyjer Morgan. Milledge has struggled to find consistency with the Mets and most recently the Nationals.

I'm having trouble seeing what benefits the Pirates saw in either of these trades. Their fans cannot be happy. At this time last year, their outfield consisted of Jason Bay, Xavier Nady, and Nate McLouth, three dynamic players. It's no secret why they're a consistent cellar dweller in the Central.

Staying in the Central, the Brewers have shown interest in one time stud Brandon Backe, a guy who was just put on waivers after a very bad start to this season in Houston. Backe has really only had one good season in his career, and would not likely make much of an impact for the Brewers.

The Brewers have also expressed some interest in Braves pitcher Javier Vasquez. He is 5-7 on the year with a 3.04 ERA and stellar strikeout count of 125. Any team would be grateful to have his services.

Fantasy baseball a good way for fans to stay engaged

As a baseball fan, it’s a must every year that I join at least one, and
often multiple, fantasy baseball leagues.

It’s the ultimate hobby for any baseball guru, like myself. It helps me
stay more engaged throughout the long and tiring 162 game season.

However, the fact that it makes fans feel like a part of the game and sometimes even
like a real Major League manager are major reasons fans are becoming addicted to the game.

I’m in a league where our teams have 34 men rosters. It really offers a realistic sense of being a manager.

Fans can put together their own unique set of players, rules, and scoring categories, Teams can be comprised of players from every team in the league and managers compete for a championship in a league with friends, family members, colleagues, or even people from clear across the world.

Fans also have the option of adopting an actual teams roster and managing it. and compete for a championship in a league with friends, family members, colleagues, or even people from clear across the world.

There’s really no better way to follow baseball and learn a lot about
certain players, and have fun while doing it.

Baseball loses three of its own in past week

They say bad things come in threes.

Major League Baseball proved that it is not immune to this, as three baseball figures past away just in this past week.

The first was Angels pitcher Nick Adenhart, who was killed in a car accident by a drunk driver. Andrew Thomas Gallo was reported to be nearly three times the legal limit when he collided with a car containing 4 people, including Adenhart. Two other passengers died, and one went to the hospital and was in critical, but stable, condition.

Adenahrt had just pitched the night before against the Oakland A’s, where he threw six scoreless innings in his season debut. The young pitchers life became just another tragic story of an irresponsible person taking a promising life.

Mark Fidrych, a former pitcher for the Detroit Tigers, past away Monday at the age of 54 in what appeared to be an accident on his Massachusetts farm.

Fidrych was known for his on-the-field antics, such as manicuring the mound or talking to the ball. He was only in the league five years, but won American League Rookie of the Year Honors and was named to the All-Star team.

On the same day as Fidrych’s death, Phillies long-time announcer Harry Kalas died at the age of 73.

Kalas collapsed in the broadast booth before the Phillies’ game against the Washington Nationals. He was the voice of the Phillies for nearly four decades, and also provided the voice over for NFL Films.

It was only fitting that the man whose wonderful captured so many memories in Philadelphia was able to see his team win the World Series in his last full season with them.

Fantasy baseball update: Players to watch for

TOR OF Adam Lind: Lind is currently one of the hottest players in league. He's gone 10-21 with 3 HR and 11 RBI in the first four games of the season. He recently switched to DH, so is only focusing on hitting. Lind is still available in a lot of leagues, so if you're in need of an OF don't hesitate to pick him up. He's only going to get better, and with the pace he's on, could very well earn a spot on the American League All-Star roster.

FLA 2B Emilio Bonifacio: Bonifacio has put up multi-hit games in each of the first four this season. According to CBSSportline, Bonifacio is the early front runner for the NL MVP. He is hitting .578 with 1 HR, 4 RBI, and 4 SB so far.

TB 3B Evan Longoria: Since failing to homer in the season opener, Longoria has homered in the last three games since then, including two in Friday's game. The reigning AL Rookie of the Year is hitting .444 with 4 HR and 8 RBI.

ARI 2B Felipe Lopez: Lopez is a very valuable player on any fantasy team because of his ability to play up to four positions. He's also a guy that is still available in a lot of leagues. He's hitting .313 with 2 HR and 4 RBI on the season so far.

Although it's still very early in the season, and still too early to tell trends in players, but these players are good early season additions in you're looking to jump out to an early lead in your leagues.