The winning pitch

No blog Wednesday because I was on the beach. So sorry.

I'm writing this blog while watching Cubs/Cards on WGN. This isn't going to be a live/real-time blog, but I might make reference to the game, so I thought I'd give you a heads up. It's a four-game weekend series, so I'm pretty stoked.

This week was full of sporting news, but I was most interested in the Roy Halladay trade talks because (a) he's on my fantasy team and (b) I don't think this trade's a possibility. I'm going to go through each league and explain why.

AL East

(Albert Pujols is such a good base runner. He just tagged from first on a pop fly to right because he knew that the Cubs' right fielder was going to throw home to try to get Schumaker.)

Usually the Yankees and the Red Sox would be the first teams to look to in a situation like this, but there's no way the Jays trade Halladay within the division. That'd be like the Packers giving the Vikings Brett Favre's phone number. While I'm here, I'm surprised that Halladay is on the block at all. Toronto has had a surprisingly good season; I can name twice as many of their players this year than I could last season because a lot of their players are having career years. Two problems: they play in the American League East, and they play in America North.

AL Central

We've already determined that the Indians are dealing, not improving. So, pending a three- or four-team deal involving a mid-1990s UNC men's basketball player and multiple draft picks, Cleveland won't be involved. KC won't do anything because, let's face it, two great players at a time is way too many for the Royals. The other Central teams – Minnesota, Chicago, and Detroit – are all in play. It's hard to believe that anybody in Detroit is spending money right now, and I have to assume that Toronto would only trade to save money. (Halladay's making $14.25 million this season.) The White Sox could use some pitching help, but I'd guess they wait out this Bartolo Colon thing first. As for Minnesota, trading for a big-time player like this just isn't their style. They're like the China of the MLB: they don't really accept outsiders, they have a lot of home-grown talent, and they only let that talent out when it's beneficial to the entire organization.

AL West

Oakland is 11.5 games out. Seattle is in the running, but they have a pretty good staff with King Felix and Eric Bedard (fresh off the DL). LAA could be a serious contender, considering they don't seem afraid to spend money and Jered Weaver leads their pitching staff in wins, ERA, and strikeouts. That'd be like upgrading your Bat Signal from Robin to Batman, so I could see that happening if the Angels are willing to give up the prospects. Texas, as usual, could improve their pitching staff, but I don't think the Rangers cared about starting pitching since Nolan Ryan left. If they can lead their division with Kevin Millwood, Vincenta Padilla, and three guys I've never heard of, then I don't think they need to add pitching.

NL East

The NL East is by far the worst division in MLB, thanks in part to the 25-59 Washington Natinals, er... Nationals. The only teams to consider are the Marlins and the popular choice for Halladay's landing spot, Philadelphia. (Pujols has a triple and a home run. The cycle is only downhill from there.) The Marlins problem – other than their history of dealing rather than picking up star players – is that their best prospects are already on their team. I don't think the Marlins would necessarily want to trade away players on their major league roster. As for the Phillies, we'll have to see what they decide about Pedro Martinez, who they watched pitch again today. Considering they're in the NL East, the addition of Pedro, along with the eventual return of Brett Myers, should be enough for them to contend in and/or destroy their division.

NL Central

Every team in the NL Central should be interested in Halladay, except for the Pirates. Considering the Cubs are on the block themselves, I doubt they make any major moves before the deadline. Milwaukee is another possibility considering Ryan Braun just called out their pitching staff and management, but I don't know what they could offer, since their best prospects are batters, and Toronto probably wants some pitching in return. I don't see the Reds spending the money. I go to Matthew for my Astros news, so I'll let him explain why that won't happen, but I'm guessing it won't. As for the Cards, they've made their move, and they tend to go after low-end pitchers, letting Dave Duncan turn yesterday's hamburgers into today's sloppy joes. On the plus side for St. Louis, Halladay has already proven he can grow a mustache.

NL West

Arizona and San Diego are out. The Rockies don't really need pitchers, since they can just put balls in humidors, instead. The Giants have already hit the league maximum for former Cy Young winners on one team, so Bud Selig would have to veto any trade that sent Halladay there. The Dodgers don't really have to do anything. They could use a starting pitcher, but it's probably not worth it to them since they really just have to stay the course.

Bottom line: I don't see Halladay moving anywhere. Besides, he's only 0-2 with a 4.50 ERA in his three starts since coming off the DL. Who would want that?

QotD:

Another old-school Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles game is coming to Xbox Live Arcade in about two weeks, presumably with full online four-player co-op. Will you play it with me?

My take: I can't. I am me.