Kuzul

The voting period for the final All-Star Game spot ended yesterday, and New York Yankees OF Nick Swisher won the vote in the American League, while Cincinnati Reds 1B Joey Votto won the vote in the National League.

It’s great to see a wrong being righted with Votto. As I said last week, if you didn’t vote for Votto for the final spot in the National League, then you shouldn’t be allowed to vote for anything again. He went into last night’s game leading the NL in HRs (22) and first in OPS (1.012).

I would say he is the first half MVP of the National League.

At the age of 29, Swisher is having perhaps his best year in the major leagues. Coming into last night’s game, Swisher was hitting .298 with 14 HRs and an .894 OPS.

Is he having a better year than Kevin Youkilis? Not even close. But I would imagine Youkilis will somehow find his way onto the team.

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Now let’s look at the American League Central and the trade deadline needs of the buyers in this division. Going into last night’s games, three teams were separated by a game and a half. A player acquisition by any of the contenders could decide the division.

Here are the trade deadline needs of the Detroit Tigers, Minnesota Twins, and Chicago White Sox…

Record:46-37, first place in AL Central

Needs: Bullpen, Shortstop, Starting Rotation

The Tigers have been a very consistent team all year and have jumped past the Twins in the AL Central. But heading towards the trade deadline, the Tigers could use a couple of things.

The first thing they could use is a shortstop who is an upgrade over Ramon Santiago and Danny Worth.

A couple of guys that come to mind are Miguel Tejada (move back to short), Cesar Izturis, or Alex Gonzalez. The Tigers have talked about Stephen Drew, but I would be surprised if they could pry him from Arizona.

With the season ending injury to Joel Zumaya, the Tigers really could use a power righty out of the ‘pen. I also feel they could some starting rotation depth.

In a playoff series, do the Tigers really trust Max Scherzer or Jeremy Bonderman in games two and three? I don’t think they will be in on Cliff Lee, but I have always felt they have been a sleeper for Roy Oswalt.

Potential Targets: Roy Oswalt, Miguel Tejada, Cesar Izturis, Alex Gonzalez, Stephen Drew, Yunel Escobar, David Aardsma, Kyle Farnsworth, Matt Capps

Chicago White Sox

Record:46-38, second in AL Central. Third in Wild Card

Needs: Starting Pitching, DH

The White Sox went from a season that was headed to the garbage to a team that has legit playoff aspirations.

But losing Jake Peavy for perhaps the season was a big blow to the Pale Hose. Now I feel they really need another starter.

The White Sox could be in play for Oswalt as well. Oswalt and Peavy are very tight, so I would imagine Oswalt would approve a trade to Chicago if something went down.

The White Sox could desperately use a better option at DH. Mark Kotsay or Andruw Jones is just not going to cut it. Recently, the White Sox have been linked to Adam Dunn.

Potential Targets: Roy Oswalt, Adam Dunn, Jose Guillen, Aubrey Huff (if Giants become sellers), Xavier Nady, Luke Scott

Minnesota Twins

Record:45-30, third in the AL Central. Fourth in Wild Card

Needs: Starting Pitching, Power Bullpen Arm, Third Base

These aren’t your father’s Minnesota Twins. Gone are the days when the Twins were known as a frugal franchise. Now, they are in it to win it every season.

The Twins need two things headed towards the deadline—starting pitching and a power bullpen arm. When I say a starting pitching, I mean an ace.

Francisco Liriano would be a solid Game 1 starter, but he would be even a better No.2. Guys like Kevin Slowey, Nick Blackburn, and Scott Baker pitch too much to contact to be reliable in the postseason. That is why the Twins need an ace like Lee.

The Twins could also use another power in arm in the pen. I like Matt Guerrier, but he is not a strikeout guy. The Twins need a guy who can come in during a cold October night and just blow people away.

Potential Targets: Cliff Lee, Dan Haren, Ted Lilly, David Aardsma, Todd Coffey, Miguel Tejada, Craig Counsell, Mike Lowell

I know I said there would be a double dip of trade deadline needs today, but I will cover the American League West tomorrow.

You can follow The Ghost of Moonlight Graham on Twitter @ theghostofmlg

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Call it the curse of the “Perfect game” Part Deux.

Earlier in the week, Oakland A’s LHP Dallas Braden was placed on the 15-day DL with a sore pitching elbow. Since Braden’s perfect game against the Tampa Bay Rays, he is 0-5 with a 4.31 ERA and teams are hitting .304 against him.

Now another “perfect game” brethren is suffering disappointing results.

Armando Galarraga, who threw a “perfect game” against the Cleveland Indians was sent down to the minors yesterday. Though the move is only temporary according to Detroit Tigers GM Dave Dombrowsky, this only adds to Galarraga’s strange year.

Galarraga started the year in the minors, came up in May and won two of his first three decisions; then he threw the most controversial one-hitter in MLB history, went three straight starts after without getting a decision, and now he was sent to the minors again. That is a full year in two months my friends.

Galarraga had a 5.61 ERA since throwing his infamous one-hitter on June 2. He will be replaced on the roster by Robbie Weinhardt.

It could be possible that Galarraga returns to the Tigers for their July 20 series against the Texas Rangers.

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Tampa Bay Rays’ LHP David Price came into Wednesday night’s game against the Boston Red Sox as a pitcher who threw his fastball 70.8 percent of the time. I guess when you average 93 mph on your fastball, you can get away with throwing that pitch a lot.

However on Wednesday night, Price took that 70 percent and threw it out the window. He wasn’t satisfied with throwing it 70 percent of the time. On Wednesday night he wanted to throw his fastball all the time—well, almost.

In his 101st pitch, 7.2 inning effort against Boston, Price threw his fastball 90 percent of the time to Red Sox hitters. That is unbelievable!

He threw 65 four-seem fastballs, 35 two-seem fastballs, seven change ups, and four curveballs. Who needs to change speeds? Not Price, that is for sure.

Price was living in the mid-90s all night and the depleted Boston lineup didn’t have much of a chance. If you watched the game, Price had the attitude all night of “Hit me if you can.”

As you can see by the chart, nibbling was not in Price’s agenda last night. It was here it is—hit it.

Price did give up eight hits, but used the strikeout to get out of any trouble he was in. Price struck out 10 last night.

He is now 12-4 with a 2.42 ERA and has moved into the category of one of the elite pitchers in the game. Last night was just further evidence of that.

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The All-Star Game rosters usually have a way of working themselves out. Usually at the end of the day, thanks to injuries and whatnot, the players who are supposed to be there get there.

Two closers who many felt were snubbed when the original rosters were announced have found their way into the game.

With Milwaukee Brewers RHP Yovani Gallardo and New York Yankees RHP Mariano Rivera pulling themselves from the game, San Diego Padres closer Heath Bell and Tampa Bay Rays closer Rafael Soriano have been named to the NL and AL rosters respectively.

Soriano is 2-0 with a 1.65 ERA and 23 saves in 24 opportunities this season, and this will be the second straight All-Star selection for Bell, who was the loser in last year’s All-Star Game. He is tied for the NL lead with 23 saves and has a 1.72 ERA.

I feel bad for Gallardo that he won’t be able to pitch in this game, but Bell not being on the original NL roster was a joke. Really not sure how Brian Wilson got the nod over him, but like I said, these things usually have a way of working themselves out.

You can follow The Ghost of Moonlight Graham on Twitter @ theghostofmlg

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After we analyzed the National League earlier in the week, now it’s time to take a look at the American League. We will start with the powerhouses in the American League East.

When it comes to the July 31st trade deadline, the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox are usually “in” on all the top trade candidates. This year should be no different. The Tampa Bay Rays will be active this trade season as well.

Here are the trade deadline needs of the Yankees, Red Sox, and Rays…

New York Yankees

Record: 53-31, first place in AL East

Needs: Backup Infield, Starting Pitching

The Yankees are in a position where they really don’t “need” anything. However, there are a couple of areas where the Yankees feel they can approve on.

For instance, the Yankees could use a backup utility infielder. Right now, all the Yankees have is Ramiro Pena as a backup for Robinson Cano, Derek Jeter, and Alex Rodriguez. That won’t cut it if one of those three goes down for a significant period of time.

I put starting pitching as a need, but they really don’t need a starting pitcher. They will be in the Cliff Lee hunt, but I am not sure how serious of a contender they will be. Why give up prospects now when they can just sign him in the offseason?

Potential Targets: Cliff Lee, Ty Wigginton, Jeff Keppinger, Willie Bloomquist, John McDonald, Adam Kennedy

Tampa Bay Rays

Record: 51-33, second place in AL East. First in Wild Card

Needs: Power Bat, Starting Pitching

Despite being fourth in the AL in runs scored, the Rays could use another bat in their lineup. They really could use a more productive DH. Pat Burrell didn’t work out and neither did Hank Blalock.

Maybe Matt Joyce could be the answer, but someone like Adam Dunn would be more of a sure thing for the Rays to target.

Jose Guillen could be another option at DH.

The Rays have been kicking the tires on Lee and they might have a great trade chip in BJ Upton. The Rays could trade Upton to make room for Desmond Jennings.

Potential Targets: Cliff Lee, Adam Dunn, Jose Guillen, Josh Willingham

Boston Red Sox

Record: 49-36, third place in AL East. Second in Wild Card

Needs: Bullpen, Healthy Bodies

Where do I even begin with the Red Sox? They currently have 10 players on the DL and when you have that many players hurt, it’s hard to predict needs. The one need the Red Sox have regardless of health is in the bullpen.

The only reliable arms Terry Francona has are Daniel Bard and closer Jonathan Papelbon. Other than those two, it’s a crapshoot out there. Hideki Okajima is not what he used to be and Ramon Ramirez hasn’t been reliable since the first half of last year.

I think if Theo Epstein does go out and acquire a position player, it will be for a veteran outfielder.

Potential Targets: Scott Downs, Jason Frasor, David Aardsma, Kerry Wood, Will Ohman, Kyle Farnsworth (that would be a disaster of epic proportions), Joel Hanrahan, Willie Bloomquist, Xavier Nady, Jason Michaels

Tomorrow, we will have a double dip, as we will cover the AL Central and the AL West.

You can follow The Ghost of Moonlight Graham on Twitter @theghostofmlg

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When the Cleveland Indians traded CC Sabathia to the Milwaukee Brewers back in the summer of 2008, the key player they received in the trade was 1B/OF prospect Matt LaPorta. LaPorta was a top-10 draft pick (No. 7 overall in 2007) and was one of the best prospects in all of baseball.

The Indians hoped LaPorta would blossom into their next young star, but it has been rough sledding for the former Florida Gator since the Sabathia trade. Through 87 games over the last two years, LaPorta hit just .236, with eight HR’s and a .299 OBP.

Things got so bad for LaPorta that he was sent down to the minors at the beginning of June.

However, LaPorta has been on fire since he’s returned to Cleveland.

Since being recalled from the minors, LaPorta is hitting .333, with four HR’s, a .412 OBP, and a 1.178 OPS in 30 ABs. While that may be a small sample size, Indian fans take it as a hopeful sign that LaPorta has finally figured things out.

As I have said many times before, small market teams maintain success over a long period of time through the players they get back after trading their stars away.

One of the main reasons the Kansas City Royals have stunk for the past 15 years is because they got nothing back for Johnny Damon, Carlos Beltran, and Jermaine Dye.

If the Indians want to get back to where they were in 2007, they need players like LaPorta to become what the team thought he could be when they traded for him. It’s starting to look like LaPorta is becoming that player.

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The first six participants in the 2010 State Farm Home Run Derby have been announced.

Representing the American League are the Boston Red Sox’s David Ortiz, the Detroit Tigers’ Miguel Cabrera, the New York Yankees’ Robinson Cano, and the Toronto Blue Jays’ Vernon Wells.

The two National League participants so far are the Milwaukee Brewers’ Corey Hart and the St. Louis Cardinals’ Matt Holliday.

The other participants will be announced when Major League Baseball is done begging them to participate. That should be any day now.

I am looking forward to seeing Cabrera put on a show. He has the fifth longest home run in baseball this year at 468 feet, and look at his true home run landing spots chart courtesy of Hit Tracker Online…

Outside of a 342-foot home run at Kaufmann Stadium, all of Cabrera’s home runs have been manly man home runs.

I am also interested to see how Cano does in this. I don’t consider Cano a “home run” hitter, so it will be interesting to see how he does and if participating in this event will hurt his swing in the future. That being said, Cano does have a 451-foot home run this year.

The Home Run Derby will be broadcast live on ESPN, ESPN HD, ESPN Deportes, ESPN 3D, and ESPN Radio beginning at 8 p.m. ET on Monday, July 12.

Of course, the derby on ESPN will be cut away from in the event that LeBron James goes to the bathroom.

You can follow The Ghost of Moonlight Graham on Twitter @ theghostofmlg

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As we make our way across the National League, it’s time to look at the trade deadline needs of the buyers in the National League West.

The NL West might be the most competitive division in baseball top to bottom, as four out of the five teams are over .500.

Here are the deadline needs for the San Diego Padres, Los Angeles Dodgers, Colorado Rockies, and San Francisco Giants.

San Diego Padres

Record: 49-34, first place in NL West

Needs: OF

We all know what the Padres need—offense, offense, and some more offense. In particular, the Padres need help in the outfield.

Will Venable and Kyle Blanks are on the DL, and Tony Gwynn is batting .227 (I guess that apple falls very far from the tree). The Padres could especially use a left fielder. Their LFs have combined to hit .193/.289/.279 this season. That is pathetic.

Despite not having a true “ace” in the rotation, I think their pitching is good enough to get by. Mat Latos, Clayton Richard, and Jon Garland are a good threesome in the playoffs if the Padres get there.

Nobody is worried about their bullpen, as it is the best in baseball.

Potential Targets: Coco Crisp, David DeJesus, Josh Willingham, Cody Ross, Jose Bautista, Jose Guillen.

Los Angeles Dodgers

Record: 46-37, second in NL West, second in Wild Card

Needs: Starting Pitching

We know the Dodgers need another starter, but do they have the financial flexibility to pull off the move? That is the question. In a Buster Olney piece last week, he mentioned that people in the Dodgers organization say there is “little or no hope” that money will be available for the team to make moves. I am going to say that is never a good sign.

While they might be able to afford the likes of Cliff Lee or Dan Haren, there are a couple of more cost-effective options on the market. How about Shaun Marcum at $850K? Or how about Brett Myers at $5.1 million?

Potential Targets: Shaun Marcum, Brett Myers, Livan Hernandez, Doug Davis

Colorado Rockies

Record: 45-38, third in NL West, fourth in Wild Card

Needs: Second Base, Starting Rotation

With Clint Barmes sporting a .314 OBP and being a less than average fielder, the Rockies have been in the market for a second baseman for quite some time. Luckily for them, there are some quality two-baggers on the market.

Acquiring a second baseman would allow the Rockies to move Barmes into a super utility role, which he is more suited for.

While staff ace Ubaldo Jimenez is having a Cy Young-caliber year, the rest of the rotation is really struggling. Jason Hammel has been really good at times this year, but he is more of a No. 3 or 4 than a No. 2. Usual steady hands, Aaron Cook and Jeff Francis, have been inconsistent this year.

The Rockies should get some help when Jorge De La Rosa returns from the DL, but I still think they need another pitcher.

Of course, in Colorado you need groundball pitchers. Some groundball pitchers that are available—Jake Westbrook (52.8 percent), Brett Myers (48.5 percent), and Ben Sheets (45.3 percent).

Potential Targets: Dan Uggla, Kelly Johnson, Ty Wigginton, Willie Bloomquist, Jose Lopez, Jake Westbrook, Brett Myers, Ben Sheets.

San Francisco Giants

Record: 43-40, fourth in NL West, sixth in Wild Card

Needs: OF

The Giants have gotten some pretty good production from guys like Aubrey Huff (.294/.380/.536 with 15 HRs), Buster Posey, and Andres Torres. However, the same problem that is plaguing the Giants this year is the same problem that has plagued them since Barry Bonds retired—they just don’t have the ability to score runs in bunches.

Where the Giants need help the most is in the outfield. Giant outfielders rank 11th in the NL with a .257 average and eighth in OPS.

It will be interesting to see what the Giants do at the trading deadline. They could just as easily be sellers if they have a mediocre July.

Potential Targets: Josh Willingham, Corey Hart, Jose Bautista

Tomorrow, we will look at the American League and the big three in the East.

You can follow The Ghost of Moonlight Graham on Twitter @ theghostofmlg

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Let’s go old school for a second. Old school as in a game starts at 7:05 and ends at 9:14. That’s old school and means a very well-pitched game took place.

With the Philadelphia Phillies struggling, losing five of their last seven, they needed one of their pitchers to step up. That pitcher was Roy Halladay.

In a crucial three game series with the first-place Atlanta Braves, the Phillies drew first blood as Halladay outdueled Derek Lowe 3-1 in front of 45,000 plus at Citizens Bank Park.

It took Halladay only 93 pitches to toss his seventh complete game of the season. He scattered five hits while whiffing seven in the winning effort.

Watching Halladay pitch was a thing of beauty last night. He was busting lefties down and in and had righties flailing down and away all night. Halladay forced the Braves to swing at his pitches and nothing else. That is what happens when you throw 74 percent first pitch strikes.

Look at his pitch chart from last night…

The Braves featured five lefties in the lineup and Halladay just killed them inside all night. Halladay barely threw any pitches inside to righties or outside to lefties.

The Braves did have a game plan to combat Halladay, but Halladay had none of it. The game plan was to try to get to Halladay early in the count. Five of the first seven batters of the game swung at the first pitch.

I thought it was a good game plan to be honest. If Halladay has a tendency to throw first pitch strikes, then why not try to get to him early? The odds are they were not going to wear Halladay out, so it was better early than never in this case.

The Phillies moved within four games of the Braves last night. Halladay’s brilliant pitching was the reason why.

You can follow The Ghost of Moonlight Graham on Twitter @ theghostofmlg

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