Opinion

The Mets went on an 11-game road trip to try to fortify themselves as a contender in the National League.

After losing four of six on their last home stand before the All-Star break to the Reds and first-place Braves respectively, the Mets and everyone affiliated with them knew that this West Coast trip would be their toughest challenge of the season.

As the trade deadline approaches, it is becoming apparent that Adam Dunn has a better chance to be traded by July 31^st then to remain a long-term part of the Washington Nationals.

With the non-waiver trade deadline looming less than a week away (this Saturday), the Atlanta Braves are sitting in a pretty good spot.

Granted, they just lost two of three in South Florida from the now-.500 fourth place Marlins, but the club still holds the National League's second-best record (57-41) and a five game advantage over the Philadelphia Phillies.

But, there is a little room for improvement.

Well, that was and awful road trip. Two wins and nine losses is not the way to make a playoff run.

Not only did the losses mount on this road trip, but it's the way the losses came that tear the hearts out of Rockies fans. A walk-off homer, a walk-off single, a 3-4 loss on Sunday after being up 3-2, and the game ending with Ian Stewart striking out LOOKING with runners in scoring position, as well as the winning run coming on a wild pitch where Rockies pitcher Rafael Betencourt failed to cover home plate.

With the deadline quickly approaching, fans are wondering just what their team is going to do. That is, if they haven't made a move already.

There have been two big moves thus far and both have come in the American League's Western Division. The Rangers acquired left-hander Cliff Lee from Seattle and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim acquired Dan Haren from Arizona late Sunday night.

Trade speculation surrounding the Yankees in recent days has centered on starting pitching, but their most pressing need is bullpen help.

Today, the Major League Baseball hot stove got even hotter as the Arizona Diamondbacks dealt Dan Haren to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim for Joe Saunders and a couple of minor leaguers.  Certainly an unexpected deal.

On Sunday, the Angels acquired right-handed pitcher Dan Haren from the Arizona
Diamondbacks in exchange for Joe Saunders, minor league pitchers Patrick Corbin, Rafael Rodriguez, and a player to be named later (apparently left-handed pitcher Tyler Skaggs).

In this emotional sound clip, Joe Saunders speaks with Chris Myers after the Angels' announcement that he had been traded, along with three others, to the Arizona Diamondbacks for Dan Haren.

Saunders pitched for six seasons for the Angels, compiling a 54-32 record with a 4.29 ERA.

Since this season became a wash a really long time ago, there are still several things worth keeping an eye on the rest of the season. How will the rookies perform the rest of the season? What will the Pirates do at the trading deadline? Will this season’s team lose 100 games?

All of these areas could draw the casual fans interest, but for me there is one area worth keeping an eye on that will go a long way to determining what type of season the Pirates will have in 2011. Can these guys learn to win on the road?

There have been many rumours swirling about the Blue Jays, suggesting who they might be moving before the July 31st trade deadline.  Names like Scott Downs, Jose Bautista, John Buck, and Kevin Gregg are all being mentioned as possible trade chips.  The rumour mill on ESPN even suggests that they might be buyers.  So what are Jays fans supposed to draw from all of this?