digiblader

It's not all good in Boston--they can't find a decent arm in their bullpen right now..

Most likely it's: Redmond DFA/optioned Bonifacio DFAd DeRosa--unknown No idea on Kawasaki Josh Johnson traded--most likely, as he's an expiring contract and not part of the team's futre.

And boy are the Rays fans apathetic--they're down 3,069 from last year, despite being in contention. Texas is way down too, most likely due to no Josh Hamilton and a huge lack of stars. Stupid ESPN/TMZ generation.. they'd rather see stars then a fundamentally strong team.

Blame the drops across MLB on: -Bad US economy -Declines in the Yankees and Phillies--see the numbers: Yankees 39722 (-4,011) Phillies (-5,231) Red Sox 33,954 (-3,614) -Miami.

Well, we do have leverage re: Janssen--his value's pretty high. If we trade him, we could probably get some good pieces for him. Preferably, they should go after a team with a young 2B in their system(Wong of the Cards for Janssen? That might work.)

You can bet AA is looking at that right now on the trade market.. hey, at least we don't need multiple bullpen arms like Boston does(they're going to lose a number of prospects if they make trades.) Remember, there are sellers in Houston, Seattle, Chicago(how about Gordon Beckham?), Minnesota, Miami, New York, Philly(maybe), Chicago Cubs, Milwaukee(Rickie Weeks?), and the Giants and Padres.

Jeff Francouer has signed with the Giants...LOL. Why? That team's 6.5 back and showing no signs of improvement(40-48).. and they don't have the same chances as the Jays in contending--especially with the three-headed monster of St. Louis/Cincy/Pittsburgh in the NL Central and wild card race, and don't rule out Washington!

3-9 with a 4/2 BB/K ratio in NH.

Boston loses 11-4 to Seattle.. Red Sox are in trouble. That bullpen is becoming a problem--and Tazawa/Uehara need help, as they are likely to break down due to overuse and a lack of a quality closer at the back end because of Hanrahan's injury, Bailey's breakdown(although he's pitched better in his last 2 outings). Boston's bullpen is near the bottom of the AL--they won't make or get very far in the playoffs if they don't get help. Look at some of their numbers and issues: Bailey 1.27 WHIP, 4.15 ERA Tazawa 1.15 WHIP, 3.00 ERA Breslow 1.25 WHIP, 3.21 ERA Miller(out for season--Lisfranc tear) Morales (hurt), Hanrahan(TJ Surgery) Mortensen (DFAd), Alex Wilson 1.74 WHIP, 4.88 ERA 14 blown saves, 55% conversion rate, 4.30 ERA. Don't forget what happened in 2011.. it could happen again unless Boston either trades for relief help or moves a minors arm(De La Rosa, Workman) to the bullpen. Andrew Miller had a 14.1 K/9IP rate--losing him could be devastating to the Red Sox pen. They don't have the luxury of lefties the Jays have.

0-2, 2 BB in AA last night. I expect him to be activated by the Baltimore series--likely at Bonifacio's or a reliever's expense.

Like the Angels, we're not out of it by any means--Boston's no guarantee to stay in 1st(especially if they keep losing bullpen arms to injury), especially as Tampa is playing better. A good stretch and struggles by Boston in Seattle and Oakland could put us right back in the mix..

Well, we beat up Baltimore last time--and Cleveland hasn't exactly been a good team lately.

Good news for the Jays--Indians/Tigers are going to extras.

Boston needs to start fearing Tampa as well--they lost 2/3 to the Angels, are facing a rising Mariners team, and face the A's this weekend.. and their sked gets tough after the All Star Break. Don't write Boston for a playoff spot yet--especially with Buchholz still hurt and their bullpen taking major hits due to closer issues, Miller and Morales' injury, and Mortensen's DFA.

Check out this pathetic Yankees lineup they're sending out vs. the Royals--and this is a contending team? Brett Gardner CF Zoilo Almonte LF Robinson Cano 2B Travis Hafner DH Vernon Wells RF Travis Ishikawa 1B Luis Cruz SS Alberto Gonzalez 3B Austin Romine C Ewww.. and why did they send Adams to AAA? He was their best fielder at 3B..

Bet Adam Dunn or Nelson Cruz get the spot. Dunno if AA will let Bautista in after last year's injury.

Possibilities include: Adam Dunn, Nelson Cruz, EE, Bautista, Beltre, Trumbo. We'll see.

Afraid so. They've got boatloads of prospects on the way, including Xander Bogaerts, Rubby De La Rosa, Allen Webster, Brandon Workman, Anthony Ranudo, Drake Britton, etc. Yankees don't have that luxury, especially with the injury/regression of many of their prospects.

Agreed. All we need is to patch things up by getting a 2B and another pitcher. Regarding a catcher, remember we have AJ Jimenez on the way as well, who's tearing up AA and playing well defensively. Why haven't they promoted him to AAA yet?

Exactly. Rivera's gone, Jeter's no guarantee to return(he may retire), A-Rod is likely facing suspension, Tex is aging and has missed an entire season with Bautista's wrist injury, Kuroda's gone, Pettite likely retires--and they're far behind Boston, Toronto, and Tampa in depth and talent(Baltimore doesn't convince me--especially considering they won't be able to afford to make upgrades due to arb raises and cheap-a** ownership). Oh, and Cano needs a big contract, likely $20-25M a year. Baltimore stands to lose Jason Hammel, Scott Feldman, Brian Roberts, Nate McLouth, and have a massive arb raise coming to Chris Davis(he's looking at up to $10-15M if he hits 50-60 HRs)--and their farm is pretty dry after Gausman and INF prospect Johnathon Schoop(who's hurt BTW)--and of course Dylan Bundy is out until 2015. And they desperately need pitching..

If you think Beeston has it bad--imagine what'll happen to the Steinbrenners if the Yankees miss the playoffs, considering they haven't missed the playoffs since '08, and not for an extended period since 1993(they would've been in the playoffs in 1994 with Montreal had there not been a strike--imagine a Montreal/New York World Series then!) And don't get me started on the Angels..

Remember, the Cubs are paying some of the contract--unlike those cheap-a** Marlins and Jeffrey Loria.

Any team would've gone after Josh Johnson--not just the Jays. Remember, the Red Sox were on him and Jose Reyes during the winter before the Blue Jays made that deal--nobody knew Josh Johnson was going to struggle. You have to take risks sometimes. Besides, at least Reyes(when healthy) and Buehrle have worked out--so it's not all bad. Keep in mind those two are under control for several years yet. Here's proof: http://nesn.com/2013/05/report-red-sox-considered-trading-for-jose-reyes-josh-johnson-but-were-unwilling-to-deal-xander-bogaerts/ And it would've cost them Xander Bogaerts--whose position is unclear in Boston with Jose Iglesias and Will Middlebrooks in the system or on the MLB club.

Thanks for doing the NL for me BTW--and San Fran is closer to selling.

Based on the way it looks right now, the trade deadline looks like: Buyers Red Sox, Tigers, A's, Rangers, Indians? Unknown Blue Jays, Angels(weak farm), Royals, Orioles(money/lack of prospects--and they already brought in Feldman, which isn't exactly the kind of trade they need--they need someone like Cliff Lee or Matt Garza), Yankees(no decent prospects), Rays(no money) Sellers White Sox, Twins, Mariners, Astros