Baseball

The Atlanta Journal Constitution's, David O' Brien is reporting that Atlanta may be close to making a deal. Frank Wren and Bobby Cox were holed up in an office for more than an hour on Thursday before the game, leading to rampant speculation about an imminent trade for the Braves.

According to O' Brien the Braves could get someone who is not a free agent next year for Vazquez.

At this time last season, Astros' first baseman Lance Berkman left many wondering if he could continue at his torrid pace when he led the NL Triple Crown categories heading into the All-Star break.

In what has turned out to be a tale of two seasons for Berkman, 2009 has been a struggle.  Flirting with the dreaded "Mendoza Line" for the better part of the season, Berkman (a career .300 hitter) has ignited the last ten games improving his average to a respectable .268.

Yes, I went for a tired old pun to start the article. The Bronx Bombers, the Evil Empire to those that are not supporters, are the dreaded baseball cap. But really, they and a few other teams are the ones who dread the cap, because it will infringe upon their ability to buy the players that other teams' farm systems have sculpted for years.

Here's how I came up with my cap concept:

Filed:July 3, 2009

Koyie Hill awaits the throw home, before tagging out Jeff Suppan at the plate. (Cubbie Nation)

Click here for the photo gallery from Friday's game

You know, I have a lot of respect for Pittsburgh Pirates fans. I really do. They have had nothing to be happy about for the past 17 years. The pitching has been awful, offense mediocre, and front-office moves questionable. And then, of course, the losing season after losing season.

But this year really might have been the one. There was a definite chance that this team could finish at .500, maybe a game or two over.

Homer Bailey did not deserve what he was served by Dave Weathers last night.

Bailey was pitching one of the best games you could imagine.  Through seven innings, he had limited the St. Louis Cardinals to just two hits and was ahead 3-0.

Bailey entered the eighth inning with the dreaded 100-pitch count just in sight.  After giving up a pinch-hit single to Cody Rasmus, he coaxed Brenden Ryan to fly out.  With a man on and one out, Bailey walked Skip Schumaker, giving Dusty Baker something to do besides chew on a toothpick. 

Team Name: Chicago White Sox

Year Established: 1901

City: Chicago

Ballpark: U.S. Cellular Field

League: American League

Division: AL Central

Number of Playoff Appearances: 9

Number of Pennants: 6

World Series Titles: 1906, 1917, 2005

All-Time Teams

Catcher: Carlton Fisk

First Base: Frank Thomas

Second Base: Eddie Collins

Third Base: Robin Ventura

Shortstop: Luke Appling

This is the fifth article in a series dedicated to selecting all-time teams for all 30 current MLB franchises. To view the others, click http://bleacherreport.com/users/67791-Schmitters

Team Name: Chicago Cubs

Year Established: 1870

City: Chicago

Ballpark: Wrigley Field

Previous Nicknames: White Stockings (1870-1889), Colts (1890-1987), Orphans (1898-1901)

League: National League

Division: NL Central

Other Leagues: National Association (1870-1875)

With the first half of the 2009 baseball season reaching an end, it is time to start looking towards the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline, as the the contenders begin to deperate themselves from the pretenders.
With the New York Mets, the story for this season has been one of in jury and inconsistent play. Still, despite hovering around the .500 mark, the Mets are only two games behind the Phillies for the NL East division lead, and will look to be buyers when the trade deadline comes around.
So who will be available? Who should the Mets go after?

New York Yankees backup catcher Jose Molina has been on the disabled list since May 8 with a strained left quadriceps. This is a significant injury for any player, let along a catcher. When he likely returns this upcoming week against Minnesota, Molina will have missed two months.