MLB

Before I go any further, let me say that Lou Piniella is not the main reason why the Cubs are 41-42. 

That said, at some point a manager must be held accountable for his teams struggles. 

Coming into the season the Cubs were once again heavy favorites to win the National League Central, and many saw them as the favorite to represent the National League in the World Series. While the Cubs have endured plenty of injuries, they still find themselves in almost every game. 

A trade that was just announced: The New York Mets have traded right fielder Ryan Church to the Atlanta Braves for struggling right fielder Jeff Francoeur.

I'd have to say the Braves win this trade, as they get a good young hitter in Church.

This is the second outfielder the Braves have acquired, the first being Nate McLouth.

So far this season, Church is hitting .280 with two home runs and 22 RBI. Church has 65 hits in 67 games.

In a move that truly surprised me, the Atlanta Braves traded Jeff "Golden Boy" Francoeur to the New York Mets for Ryan Church.

From all I can gather, the two are a wash on defense.

Francoeur has the better arm, but Church has the better range.

The issue lies with the bat.

Is Church an upgrade at all? Or is he going stick his left-handed bat in the lineup and stink up the place like Jeff did from the right side?

Let's look at the stats, shall we?

(age) Games/AVG/HR/RBI/OBP/SLG

Church (30): 67/.280/2 (in Citi)/22/.332/.375

All three starting outfielders for one major league team are heading to the All-Star game for the first time since 1995, when the Cleveland Indians sent Manny Ramirez, Kenny Lofton, and Albert Belle.

This season, the Philadelphia Phillies will be the club sending its starting outfielders to the Midsummer Classic with the group of Shane Victorino, Raul Ibanez, and Jayson Werth.

Ibanez was the top vote-getter among National League outfielders, while Victorino was voted in by the fans in the final vote, garnering about 15 million votes.

Of course it would happen on the day that I come in from work and instead of writing and getting caught up on the day's news I grill out and mow the lawn. So, when I checked my cell phone for text messages around 9 p.m. I finally found out that Jeff Francoeur had been traded.

When I found out whom to and for I was shocked and perplexed, but ultimately pleased. While trading a former top prospect to a bitter division rival, the Mets, seems a little risky getting Ryan Church in return makes it a little better.

Prior to tonight’s game against the Cincinnati Reds, Mets GM Omar Minaya made an unexpected move when he announced that he traded away RF Ryan Church to the Atlanta Braves for RF Jeff Francoeur.

As many of you probably know, the Royals traded two minor league pitchers for Seattle shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt.

The Royals did have to give up Double-A pitcher Daniel Cortes, who has been tagged by some scouts as the best pitcher in the Royals' farm system. They also gave up Single-A reliever Derrick Saito.

I have talked to some Mariners fans, and they say this is a major win for Seattle. I beg to differ.

Center fielder Torii Hunter and left fielder/designated hitter Vladimir Guerrero were officially placed on the 15-day disabled list today.

Guerrero tweaked his hamstring and strained a muscled behind his left knee when he landed awkwardly after making a catch in Thursday night's game against the Rangers.

Hunter will be resting a a strained abductor muscle in his side that he's been nursing since slamming into the wall at Dodger Stadium on May 22.

Now, after the screaming dies down, pay attention. 

With all the talk lately about Bowker coming up, Sandoval getting screwed in the All-Star vote, Schierholtz getting his chance to play almost every day, the Big Sadowski, Tim Lincecum, and Matt Cain doing so well, I believe that we are forgetting someone who is quietly producing for the Giants.

Travis Ishikawa.

Most of his accolades concern his stellar fielding, which is possibly the best in the National League. Hell, maybe in all of baseball.

But I'm here to talk about his bat. Yes, you heard me right, his bat.