NL East

As the trade deadline inches closer and closer, it becomes more obvious which teams will be buyers and which teams will be sellers. It is obvious the Indians will be sellers this year. They are currently 13.5 games out of first place and are 16 games under .500 with a 26-42 record.

There has been talk about a few Indians pitchers being moved between now and the trade deadline. Jake Westbrook's name has been mentioned in connection with many teams. However, there is a more interesting name that has been circling in the trade winds.

With Jimmy Rollins set to come off the DL and return to the lineup on Tuesday, the Phillies will face a decision on which of their backup shortstops they want to keep on the bench, and which one they want to send down to Triple-A Lehigh Valley.

For me, the decision would appear to be an easy one.

Over the past few games Wilson Valdez has been clutch. Whether it's coming up with a key hit to get a rally started—or keep a rally going—or being a wall in the infield, Valdez has shown more than enough to warrant a spot on the bench.

The Mets have decided to return RHP Jenrry Mejia to a starting role and will initially send him to Double-A Binghamton to stretch him out. To replace Mejia they will recall RHP Bobby Parnell .

This is great news for Mets fans because Mejia, 20-years old, projects as a future starter and using him in the bullpen, in essentially a mop-up role, his development was being stunted.

The Phillies offense needs to find its rhythm quickly.

A game like the one the Phillies played in the series finale against the Twins is exactly why we can never be too quick to proclaim a funk over.

According to Adam Rubin of ESPN New York , the Mets have acquired outfielder Jorge Padilla from the Toronto Blue Jays and sent him to Triple-A Buffalo.

No word yet on whom the Mets are sending to Toronto to complete this trade.

I’m sorry folks, I think I jinxed this one. With former Phillie Jim Thome at the plate in the ninth inning with the Phillies up by five runs, I said to my dad and brother, “I wouldn’t mind if he hit a home run right here. We would still be up by three and I don’t see us losing this game.

"Plus, I kinda want Thome to have more homers than that lying steroid user Rafael Palmeiro.”

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