digiblader

Brett Wallace Ks for the 3rd time.. and to think, we wanted that guy up when Overbay struggled a few years ago.. there's a reason why he's struggled to stay on a big league roster.

Good, at least there's hope for 2014 in the pitching staff.

How long until AJ Jimenez is ready? I can't watch JPA continue to whiff for much longer.

Man, this Astros team is BAD... Buehrle's gonna have 10+ K's tonight with that alarming lack of plate discipline.

And the Red Sox's protection of their prospects will cost them a playoff spot--they need another pitcher, especially with Buchholz not due back until Late August/early Sept. when rosters expand. Texas and Baltimore aren't going away.

Could be worse--the Yankees are in a deeper stew than Toronto...facing A-Rod's suspension and the weakest offensive roster in 23 years(they may not even reach 600 runs this year, which would be the lowest since 1972 if they fail to reach that number.) They face a massively declining roster with even fewer reinforcements coming, as all their top prospects are in high A ball, and several top prospects have regressed. They also face a Robinson Cano who will want a lot of money--let's just say he's not Dustin Pedroia--he wants a large contract of near A-Rod level. At least Pedroia cared more about his team to take less money. And it could be worse---we could be the Angels--Mike Trout will be demanding a trade out of Anaheim in a few years when the teams fails to build a winning team around him(most of those contracts are backloaded, and that roster stands to get even more expensive next year due to arb raises, and several of those players are in serious decline. That roster need to be blown up heavily.. but nobody's taking Pujols or Hamilton for anything.)

And BTW, regarding LF--no love for Kevin Pillar? And Melky Cabrera is actually a decent player when healthy. We really only need SP, and a 2B. We also could use a better catcher. And regarding the Marlins trades--Loria is a scumbag. You know he's going to trade Stanton when he hits arb--and he's rushing top prospects like Fernandez(although he's pitched well), Ozuna, Yelich, Marisnick--who have yet to play in AAA, and need another year of seasoning.

More likely to spend. We need SP BTW.. and a 2B. Remember also we have AJ Jimenez on the way at C as well.

Can we see more Rays/A's/whatever games? It's painful to watch the Jays right now.. this series especially, although in reality, this is more what the Dodgers were supposed to be like. At least there's a decent chance of postseason ball at Chavez Ravine.. Angels fans are likely in the same negative boat as the Jays. Jays need to trade some relievers to get some decent young talent to retool(preferably a 2B, C, and controllable SP). There's talent on this roster--but they need help with SP and at 2B and C if they're going to contend next year. Don't expect the Astros to sweep the Jays--the Astros are a VERY bad team. We should take at least 2/3 against them. There's a reason the 'Stros are 34-66.

This feels like 2004 all over again--except with a better offense.

*Facepalm* Darn that bullpen..

1. Agreed--we need to get some help in pitching, either from within(Drabek? Stroman? Nolin? Hutchison?) or trades(Norris?). We also need another bat. 2. Agreed--Boston is a bad stretch away from being right out of the mix, especially against contending teams like the Rays and Orioles. Boston's got Tampa, Baltimore, a surging Seattle team(7 straight wins!), and the D-Backs coming up. And August/September look tough for Boston--they need Buchholz back soon. The Rays also have a more favourable sked as well. Keep in mind Texas still has many games vs. last place Houston as well. 3. Ellsbury's a Boras client--no way Boston's giving Crawford money again to an injury-prone OF. Iglesias is regressing(down to .351 now as he's getting exposed due to increased playing time--they need Bogaerts or Middlebrooks to come up soon to give a spark.) Lackey has been great--but gets no run support. Victorino can't stay healthy consistently. Don't forget Daniel Nava--his OPS has dropped every month, as he wears down due to a career-high in playing time(not to mention he's a terrible OF defensively). Gomes isn't any better.

True--they'll just slide Melancon into the closer role and call up a reliever. Remember, Melancon was a closer in Houston(and was supposed to be Mariano Rivera's heir in NY)

Desperation move. Yankees are 4.5 back of Baltimore and sinking fast. And with Texas getting Garza, playoff hopes are looking bleak for the Yankees. This move was made so they can at least have resemblance of an MLB offense..they got shut out vs. Darvish yesterday on only 3 hits.

Mark Buehrle hasn't really crashed--his current numbers are comparable to what he was like in Chicago, and his K rate has ticked up a little. And you have to understand why AA made these moves--expecting the farm system to develop tons of prospects a year isn't realistic. Heck, look at Tampa--despite all that pitching, they haven't developed an elite everyday player since Longoria. Wil Myers doesn't count(KC developed him). New York is in really bleak shape--worse than Toronto. None of their prospects have progressed as planned(Austin, Heathcott and Williams have taken steps back), and most of their pitching prospects have regressed or gotten hurt. And don't guarantee Boston a playoff spot yet--Texas, Baltimore, Tampa and Cleveland will determine that.

Hey, we were playing well when Cabrera was in the lineup.. maybe he sparks the team back.

Maybe we'll start winning with Cabrera back in the lineup---we struggled without him.

Just because they have a young core, Baltimore is going to have significant issues keeping it together--they stand to lose Jim Johnson, Matt Wieters, several pitchers like Hammel, McLouth in the next year or two. Worse, they have money sunk into Jones and Markakis, and Machado eventually looking at a huge contract.

Well, Baltimore's going to miss the playoffs as it looks like--the O's cannot afford to add anymore pieces because of cheapa** ownership that makes the Jays look good. http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/blog/jon-heyman/22829970/are-contending-orioles-tapped-out-after-landing-feldman Baltimore needs several things--but the payroll is maxed out. Remember, this is a small/mid market team. Makes you wonder if they'll even be able to afford Chris Davis long term.

Rios is Pittsburgh bound. Alen Hansen is part of the deal.. more to come.

Rios just removed from the White Sox/Braves game--trade?

Victorino got hurt yet again in Boston. What's new? Looks like Jackie Bradley Jr. will be playing RF tomorrow there..

Perez and Woj might see the majors in August or September. The other three are up in the air on whether they pan out.

Chris Dickerson has been DFA'd by the O's. Henry Urrutia has been called up, hoping to spark the O's to a playoff spot. However, that pitching needs to improve..

Andrew Bailey is done: Scott Lauber ‏@ScottLauber Farrell: "Fairly significant" damage to Andrew Bailey's labrum and shoulder capsule. Surgery a "definite option" #RedSox Bullpen issues like this could be an opportunity for Baltimore & Tampa to topple the Red Sox's playoff hopes--and with Texas likely getting Garza, Boston is going to have to continue scoring a ton to stay alive--Buchholz isn't due back soon either. As a result, Bailey has likely pitched his last game in Boston--that deal is officially a bust, as Reddick has become a key piece in Oakland, Raul Alcantara has been a great starter in A+ ball for Oakland--and is the A's #10 prospect. Miles Head is #8.. but has struggled in AA. Bailey will be non-tendered this offseason due to this injury, forcing Boston to seek bullpen help yet again this offseason, while trying to resign Napoli, Ellsbury, Salty, etc.