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July is when trade speculation escalates to a frenzy in Major League Baseball as clubs assess their current season prospects before the end of month transaction deadline.

The bullish clubs are the buyers and the bearish clubs are the sellers. It’s baseball’s month-long symposium on microeconomics at work.

Most of the airwaves, press, and blogosphere center on the big names that can push teams over the top and command a king’s ransom in return.  

This season, players such as Cliff Lee, Roy Oswalt, Derrek Lee, Adam Dunn, and Prince Fielder dominate the media—and for good reason.

But, often times, astute trades that involve players flying a little under the radar can have big impact on the pennant races. A perfect example is the Philadelpia Phillies acquisition of Tad Iguchi to fill-in for an injured Chase Utley that helped them win the NL East in 2007.

Here is a look at 10 “small” moves that could pay huge dividends for contenders down the stretch. Who might be this year’s Iguchi?

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In just a matter of days, things have gone from bad to worse for the Philadelphia Phillies.

Injuries and losses continue to mount, all the while the Atlanta Braves and New York Mets have increased their lead in the NL East.  And, division aside, the Phillies currently sit fifth in the Wild Card standings.

After a brief revival from the offense, it has seemingly gone back in the tank. Heck, pitchers must be starting to feel like they need to hurl a perfect game to win—although that almost didn’t work for Roy Halladay.

When the team does manage to get a lead, the pitchers seem to squander it away. Although it would be  premature to conclude, the back-end of the bullpen scenario is starting to evoke memories of 2009—which, if you were vacationing out the country last year, is not a good thing.  

The prevailing sentiment amongst the Phillies organization is that there is no need to panic, but these are quickly becoming desperate times for them.

Over the past few days, the team learned that they would be without baseball’s best second baseman for a minimum of eight weeks. And, that only speaks to time off the field rather than a return to Chase Utley’s normal standard of play—which may not happen at all this season.

They also learned that their regular third baseman (and best option to replace Utley) will be out for at least another four weeks. It adds insult to injury that Placido Polanco is the one player who has hit consistently for them all year and currently sits second in the National League batting leaders.

Additionally, the news on the rehabilitation of its other injured players hasn’t been particularly encouraging, either.

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A little more than 41 years ago, the New York Yankees announced the sudden retirement of one of the most determined and accomplished players in big league history. They also declared July 4, 1939 “Lou Gehrig Appreciation Day.”

The Yankee first baseman nicknamed “The Iron Horse” because of his incredible 2,130 game streak was stepping away from the game in which he excelled due to illness. Just weeks earlier, Gehrig was diagnosed with ALS, a particularly aggressive and fatal neurological disease.

That Independence Day, Gehrig indelibly touched the hearts of 62,000 fans, teammates, and coaches in Yankee Stadium by famously proclaiming himself “the luckiest man on the face of the earth.” Video and accounts of the ceremony and Gehrig’s address continue to touch baseball and non-baseball fans alike.

The slugger had a brilliant career that has been recognized by being voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame and the greatest first baseman on Major League Baseball’s All-Century Team. And, importantly, his long-time manager Joe McCarthy described Gehrig as “the finest example of a ballplayer, sportsman, and citizen that baseball has ever known.”

Although Gehrig had played 17 years—his career and life were cut far too short. On June 2, 1941, Gehrig passed away.

In honor of this great player, we recognize 10 baseball stars who also had their careers cut short due to injury, illness or death.

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Today marks eight years that have passed since the untimely death of former Major League Baseball pitcher Darryl Kile. Although his life was cut far too short at just 33-years old, Kile’s legacy as a player, friend, husband, and father remains alive and vibrant.

Wherever he went, whatever he did, Kile was highly respected and well-liked. All readily agreed that the three-time All-Star was an accomplished pitcher, but an even better human being.

The 6′ 5″ right-hander began his professional career with the Houston Astros and made his big league debut in 1991. Two years later, the soft-spoken Californian put together a breakthrough campaign when he went 15-8 with a 3.51 ERA that included his first All-Star recognition. 

That season, Kile also etched his name in the history books by firing a no-hitter against the New York Mets. He dominated hitters with his signature hard breaking curve ball and came just one fourth-inning walk away from a perfect game.

In his final season in Houston, Kile helped lead the Astros to their first playoff appearance in 11 years. He finished fifth in the Cy Young voting by virtue of his 19-7 record and 2.57 ERA. 

Kile departed via free agency that offseason when the Colorado Rockies would not take “no” for answer. Like many others before and after, he struggled in the “Mile High” city as his trademark pitch lost bite in the thin air, but he never made excuses. 

After two disappointing seasons, the Cardinals acquired the big righty, figuring that a change of scenery might get him back on track. The gamble proved to be tremendously astute as Kile recorded a 20-9 record and led the team on a run that finally ended in the National League Championship Series. 

Kile followed that up with another superb campaign in 2001, combining with Matt Morris to provide a formidable one-two punch at the top of the rotation. Many credited the veteran’s leadership with transforming Morris into a 22-game winner.

After two consecutive trips to the postseason, the Cardinals were back atop the National League Central Division standings on June 22, 2002. When Kile did not arrive at Wrigley Field, hotel personnel found him motionless in his room. The game was postponed and later it was determined that the beloved Cardinals player had suffered cardiac arrest as a result of blocked coronary arteries.

A pall swept over the team. Morris lost 15 pounds over the next several weeks. Suddenly the heat of a pennant race lost its importance, but eventually the team somehow transformed their grief into motivation to make a return trip to the NLCS.

For his widow, Flynn, and their three small children left behind, it was surely even more difficult. 

All were comforted by the great memories of the kind, supportive man who drew a following without even trying. As good as he was performing on the baseball field, all agreed he was even better in everything else that he took on or touched in his tragically shortened life.

As testimony to his exemplary traits and the universal respect that he commanded, both the St. Louis Cardinals and Houston Astros annually recognize a teammate with the “Darryl Kile Good Guy” Award. The name itself speaks volumes about the player that was viewed as the consummate teammate, friend and father. 

In his first major league start, Kile was gracious despite being lifted after six innings while in the midst of a no-hitter. Perhaps that game serves as a metaphor for the outstanding individual who was taken away far too soon in the prime of doing something very special.

Gary Suess is the founder of the Philadelphia Sports blog I’m Just Saying, Philly

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So, let’s do the math. Heading into tonight’s game, the Philadelphia Phillies were 9-3 with Jimmy Rollins in the game, and 23-27 without him. 

Additionally, the hometown team has outscored opponents 74-35 with him, but have been outscored 226-201 with him idle. 

That’s a 290-point differential in winning percentage.

Breaking it down a little further, that represents a 3.75 swing in run differential per game. With Rollins, the Phillies recorded 3.25 runs more than their opponent, but have scored .50 runs less than their opponent without him. 

The numbers seem to serve testimony to the importance of Rollins in the Phillies formula for success. 

The Gold Glove shortstop has had a difficult time living up to expectations after his phenomenal 2007 MVP season. He set the bar at such a high level with a campaign that hit on all cylinders, magnificently displaying his five-tool skills, that perhaps his value to this Phillies ball club has been underestimated ever since. 

That season, J-Roll did everything but sing “God Bless America” during the seventh inning stretch, and handle the tarp during rain storms. Oh, yeah, he did that too, on one excessively windy day in Colorado.

Because his batting average and OBP have been down the past two seasons, it might be easy for critics to overlook all the other ways Rollins contributes to the team’s success. 

When J-Roll is swinging the bat well his value to the team is highly apparent. A leadoff man capable of spraying line drives around the yard, racing to take extra bases, swiping bags at a near perfect success rate, and going yard 30 times in a season will surely jump start any offense. 

When you layer on the fact that the same player grabs his glove to assume the most important position in the field and has been recognized as the best glove man in the business three years running—it becomes even easier to see why he is so sorely missed. 

But perhaps the Phillies recent slide points out that despite how talented Rollins is offensively and defensively, his greatest contribution might lie elsewhere. As much as players look up to Chase Utley, Ryan Howard and now Roy Halladay, none of them provides the spark supplied by Rollins. 

For much of his absence, the team has looked lifeless and listless. Levity throughout the ranks seems clearly AWOL without J-Roll’s infectious smile. A suffocating tightness seems to envelope the team.  

It is unclear when Rollins will be fit enough to return. Considering his premature return the first time around, the organization is rightfully taking a cautious approach. 

What is clear, though, is that Rollins is the type of difference-maker who could jolt a moribund team. The Phillies and their fans can only hope that comes sooner rather than later.

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Last week, a historic piece of baseball memorabilia officially was put up for auction to the highest bidder. The 34-inch Mizuno bat was used by banished former star Pete Rose in 1986 when he recorded his final and major league record 4,256th hit of his career.

The auctioneer, Lelands.com, expects that the collector’s item could potentially fetch the highest price ever obtained for a baseball bat, perhaps exceeding the $1.3 million paid for the one Babe Ruth used to hit his first home run at Yankee Stadium.

It is interesting that the fallen star’s bat could command a greater price than that of the universally acknowledged greatest player in baseball history.

Although Rose broke another legend’s all-time record when he passed Ty Cobb on his way to establishing his hit mark, the former Reds and Phillies player quickly fell from grace after his playing career ended. The gritty, gamer led a checkered existence and, of course, was ultimately banned from the National Pastime for betting on his own team’s games.

Many baseball artifacts have commanded large prices through the years— from Lou Gehrig’s $451,000 uniform to Honus Wagner’s $2.35 million baseball card to Mark McGwire’s $3 million record 70th home run ball. Other more unusual items such as Babe Ruth’s Sale Contract garnered almost $1 million and Joe DiMaggio’s personal journal was listed with a $1.5 million starting bid.

But, seeing the Mizuno bat used by the controversial Rose listed for sale evoked thoughts of what other— shall we say, less conventional— artifacts might be in great demand?

Although these baseball memorabilia items may not commemorate a historic milestone, they surely would draw a great deal of interest due to the controversy surrounding them.

Here is a countdown of the 12 most desirable, off-beat baseball memorabilia should they be made available. Think of it as the list of items that would provide countless content for an MLB show produced by “TMZ” or “Inside Edition.”

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Tonight, one of the most hyped rookies in major league history launches his career. Stephen Strasburg makes his big league debut for the Washington Nationals when he takes the ball to pitch against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The attention and interest focused on him is unprecedented. Besides playing in front of a capacity crowd in the nation’s capital, the MLB Network will broadcast the game nationally with their “A” team of Bob Costas, Jim Kaat, and John Smoltz calling the action.

After being chosen with the first pick in last year’s draft, Strasburg has dazzled in the minor’s, displaying the dominant stuff that has had the baseball world buzzing since early in his college career. While scouts and baseball pundits drooled over him, the Nats had the courage to select the Scott Boras represented prospect and pony up a record four year, $15.1 contract.

And, make no mistake, the hulking right-hander looks and acts the part. The 21-year old phenom stands 6′ 4″ tall with a solid 220 pound frame capable of registering triple digits on the radar gun.

Besides his explosive 100-mph fastball, Strasburg possesses a classic, hard-breaking curve ball and a change-up that has already been labeled a “Lincecum” as its deceptiveness rivals that of the signature pitch of the Giants two-time defending Cy Young Award winner. And, importantly, the rookie displays a demeanor and command more typical of an accomplished veteran hurler.

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Pitching perfection is one of the rarest feats in the world of sports. Just 20 times in the long history of the national past-time have perfect games been recorded.

And, for the first time in 130 years, two pitchers have accomplished the remarkable feat in the same season— less than three weeks apart to boot.

First, it was Dallas Braden becoming the 19th player to enter his name on the historic list with his Mother’s Day masterpiece.

Then, it was baseball’s reigning pitching master—Roy Halladay—matching that feat just 20 days later.

While Braden is just trying to establish himself in his young career, Halladay has been recognized as a pitching stud for the past decade. Regardless of what each has or has not done thus far in their careers, both pitchers have now crossed into baseball immortality by placing their names on this highly exclusive list.

In order to provide some backdrop, and highlight this truly improbable feat, we count down the 20 pitchers that have achieved this landmark accomplishment. We reach back to the days of mitts the size of ski gloves and franchises with names such as “Ruby Legs” and the “Bisons” to find this score of historic pitching performances.

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Coming off his worst outing of the season and surrounded by a team struggling to score runs, Roy Halladay was determined to get things righted tonight with a strong performance against the Florida Marlins. 

Although his Phillies teammates could scratch out only one run, Halladay etched his name in the  baseball annals by hurling the 20th perfect game in Major League Baseball history. 

27 up, 27 down! 

The big right-hander added his name to the prestigious list in convincing fashion. Halladay pounded the strike zone, relying heavily on a 93-94 mph fastball with heavy action from start to finish. 

Marlins’ hitters were largely over-matched throughout the contest, with very few balls even having a chance to be a hit. On the few occasions they were, Halladay’s defense was up to the challenge.  

Phillies’ shortstop Wilson Valdez ranged deep into the hole in the bottom of the sixth inning and gunned out speedster Cameron Maybin at first by half a step. In the eighth inning, it was third baseman Juan Castro stabbing a sharp one hopper with a dive to his left and spinning to nail Jorge Cantu to end the frame. 

Then, with two outs in the ninth, Marlins’ pinch-hitter, former Phil and reigning Phillies killer Ronnie Paulino struck a bouncer that initially appeared that it might be headed through the hole on the left-side of the infield. Again, Castro ranged far to his left to make the grab, wheeled and fired to Ryan Howard for the final out. 

Interestingly, the biggest plays on defense were made by two offseason free agent pick-ups filling in for two reigning Gold Glovers shelved by injuries. 

Castro was making his first start of the season at third with regular Placido Polanco sidelined with a sore elbow. Valdez was making his second consecutive start at shortstop for the injured Jimmy Rollins. 

Overall, Halladay retired eight Marlins on ground balls and the same number on fly balls. The other eleven he set down via strikes, primarily by painting the corners with hard, sinking fastballs.

After the game, Halladay proved himself to be almost as eloquent off the field as he was elegant on the field.

He praised catcher Carlos Ruiz for a superb job behind the plate and indicated that he followed his lead on pitch selection. Halladay also credited Castro, Valdez, and Chase Utley with making fine plays behind him. 

He even passed credit to Jamie Moyer for helping him right his mechanics in a bullpen session yesterday.   

As much as he wanted to share the credit, make no mistake about it though— this night belonged to Halladay. With the aid of one unearned run and a few nice plays, arguably baseball’s best pitcher further cemented his legacy with a truly masterful game for the ages. 

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As the Philadelphia Phillies prepare to open a nine game road trip against NL East rivals tonight in New York, it’s a good time to check in on the division race. 

With the season just past the quarter mark, it’s early, but there are enough data points and trend lines to get a feel for what to expect over the balance of the year. 

It is not surprising to see the Phillies leading the pack with a 26-17 record considering they have been the consensus favorites to not only win the division but also the National League pennant. 

What is a little surprising, though, is the manner in which they have done it—especially considering the rash of injuries they have had to endure in the early going.

Brad Lidge and Jimmy Rollins have served two stints on the DL, while J.A. Happ, Joe Blanton, J.C. Romero and Ryan Madson have landed there as well. 

All are considered key players in General Manager Ruben Amaro’s formula for success in 2010. Blanton and Romero have returned to action, but have yet to hit their stride while the others remain in various stages of rehab. 

Overall, the team has shaken off the injury bug through players on the depth chart stepping up to make solid contributions and starting pitchers working deep into games. 

On offense, batters have displayed improved plate discipline and hitting. As a team, they are currently second in the NL with a .269 batting average, 11 points higher than a year ago. And, they have morphed from one of the easiest to fan in 2009 to the most difficult in the NL this season. 

Ryan Howard and Chase Utley have played like the universally recognized stars they are now regarded. Meanwhile, Jayson Werth and Carlos Ruiz have elevated their games to another level— with the former looking like an early MVP candidate and the latter looking like an All-Star.

Two of Amaro’s offseason free agent acquisitions, Juan Castro and Wilson Valdez, have turned out to be important additions, especially with Gold Glover J Roll shut down with a troublesome calf injury. Both are significant upgrades over Eric Bruntlett at shortstop and at the plate. 

Another free agent pickup has turned out to be a revelation so far. Veteran Jose Contreras has proven Amaro and Phillies scouts astute as he appears dominant in his newly found relief role airing out his mid-to-upper 90 mph splitter. 

In fact, Contreras has been so good, there has been speculation that he could remain as the closer even after Lidge returns to the playing field. Considering skipper Charlie Manuel’s sense of loyalty, it seems more likely he will give Lidge every opportunity to resume his former job, but it’s great to know that an insurance policy is waiting in the wings. 

The spring training conundrum of six pitchers vying for five starting slots has turned out to be a fortuitous situation for the club. Jamie Moyer and Kyle Kendrick have been solid over the past month after getting roughed up early on this season. However, Happ and Blanton have passed each other like ships in the night on trips to and from the DL. 

Importantly, Cole Hamels is projecting positive. After looking a lot like the 2009 edition in April, Hamels has more resembled the 2008 ace in May. With his fastball touching 94-95 mph, and better command of his curve ball, Hollywood could yet be the strong No. 2 that Amaro and Manuel envisioned. 

The No. 1, of course, is ace Roy Halladay— who has been as good as advertised. Although he is coming off a rough outing Sunday (which might have turned out differently with a couple plays behind him), the big right-hander is destined to resume his dominant ways and finish the year somewhere north of 20 wins. 

The rest of the division is bunched up behind the Phillies, separated by just 1.5 games.

The Mets fell on some hard times recently, but with two big wins against the World Champions from across town, they appear poised to compete hard in the three game series that opens tonight. With big name talent such as David Wright, Jason Bay, Johan Santana, “K-Rod” and Jose Reyes— along with high ceiling rookie Ike Davis— New York is capable of making some noise.

After a slow start, the Atlanta Braves look to be finding their legs. They are back in second place after recording 15 wins in their past 22 games. 

The Washington Nationals continue to be one of the surprises of 2010 and should compete all season long. With one hot pitching prospect already elevated to the big club and a flame throwing stud soon to follow, the Nats have the look of a contender. 

The Phillies head to Florida for the weekend to face a Marlins team that seems to perennially have enough young talent to hang around. 

The current trend line projects a 98-win season for the Phils, a number that should be enough to take a competitively balanced division. Of course, pennants are not won by mathematicians and many factors will influence the actual outcome. 

In order to remain on the current trend line, the Phillies would seem to need meaningful contributions by Rollins, Lidge, Madson and Happ. Meanwhile, expect the rest of the NL East rivals to up the ante— starting this week. 

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