Received Chipper Jones for Jorge Cantu.  My offense if fine, but could use help mostly in AVG and despite his current slump Chipper should help in that area.  Even if he misses a few games here and there (more like when) I still would rather have Chipper over Cantu.  I also have Aramis Ramirez on my DL, so I'll be able to put one of the two at CI or UTIL when he comes back.

I was getting some serious interest in Zack Greinke. Aside from Greinke my starting pitchers consists of Jon Lester, Yovani Gallardo, Matt Cain, Edwin Jackson, John Danks and Max Scherzer.  As you can see, pitching is pretty solid.  Since the offers were coming back fairly aggressive, I decided to see how high I could sell on Greinke as I have already had a half seasons worth of great production.  The deal ended up like this...

My team traded: Zack Greinke, Shane Victorino and Frank Francisco

My team received: Alex Rodriguez, Matt Kemp and Chad Qualls

The way I see it: A-Rod has started to find a little groove.  While I don't think he'll be the A-Rod of old for the rest of the season, he should be a great addition to Chipper/Aramis at 3B/MI/UTIL and makes one of them expendable should I want to try and deal for another position.  To me Matt Kemp>Shane Victorino.  They are the same type of player, but Kemp has more power and more speed.  Frank Francisco for Qualls is basically a wash at this point.  Francisco has not looked sharp since returning from the DL and Qualls is a low end closer.  My other closers include Jose Valverde, Kevin Gregg and Kerry Wood.  Not the best closer group in the world, but it's holding me above water. 

All in all these are the players I gave up and received:

I got:

Chipper Jones

Alex Rodriguez

Matt Kemp

Chad Qualls

I gave up:

Jorge Cantu

Zack Greinke

Shane Victorino

Frank Francisco

How do you think I did in my day of wheeling and dealing?

P.S. have a great 4th of July weekend!!!!

Crawford has been dangerous on the first pitch of at-bats. He's batting .467 against the first pitch, and not because he's sitting on fastballs:

Crawford vs. the first pitch
	Batting avg.	Slugging pct.
Fastball	.520	.600
Breaking ball	.364	.818
Changeup/splitter	.444	.778

If pitchers can get past the first pitch they may want to think about busting him hard inside. Crawford is batting .160 (8-for-50) against the next pitch after an inside heater.

It takes some good discipline and hitting skills to be able to swing on the first pitch. Certain hitters will rarely even think about first pitch swinging. Though some pitchers worst pitch in terms of location will often come on the first pitch. Crawford some how hits for more extra bases on a off speed pitch which is odd, likely most of those breaking pitches are hangers or ones he can flip in between the outfielders.

It doesn't really matter if Crawford takes a pitch for ball one or swings/takes strike one. His OPS after a 1-0 count is .789 and .784 after a 0-1 count. He gets more walks taking a first pitch ball but less power than getting behind early.

Crawford is set to have one of his best seasons as a Rays, leading the Majors in stolen bases with 40 which has been helped by his highest walk rates and OBP of his career.

BB-Ref

It looks like Homer could be back for a prolonged stay, but I don't really care too much about that. His command has been off in his limited appearances, but even if he does get it together, I think the Reds are going to need lots of offense (a tall order) to pull off a victory anytime he's on the mound. There's also the Dickerson v. Taveras debate. Dickerson obviously has the numbers advantage so far, not to mention his amazing defense in centerfield (Baseball Tonight couldn't get enough of Dickerson when he got those few starts awhile ago), but it doesn't look like Baker or the front office are going to change their minds for the long term. Sure, Dickerson will get his playing time, either in center or left, but money is money and orders are orders, so just let Taveras play and work himself out of his slump, which he is slowly but surely doing.

Votto's return prompts the question of when Ryan Hanigan will get any significant amount of playing time. He certainly proved himself in Votto's absence, as did Jonny Gomes from the DH spot in interleague play. Finding playing time for these players and good offensive combinations that can actually score runs are two huge problems looming over the second half of the season. But this problem isn't really a problem. Better to have too many people than too few. 

Hopefully the Reds will be able to continue beating the Cardinals at home this weekend and occupy one of those spots at the top of the division. Once there, I think the Reds will be rejuvenated after the All Star break, then slowly extend that division lead into the fall. Of course there are some problems, but things are starting to fall into place: the bench players are contributing, the first baseman is an MVP candidate, and the starting rotation should be back to normal sometime after the All Star break. Granted, there's a big road trip before the break, but it's in the east against the Phillies and the ailing Mets. My 7-man baseball team with no uniforms and little to none athletic ability could beat the Mets right now, and the Reds played the Phillies hard back in May. This is a scrapping baseball team with lots of upside, but consistency is key to winning and the Reds haven't exactly proven to be consistent just yet. Even so, they've been contending all season long and will continue to do so, but from the 1st and 2nd place positions.

Tim Wakefield has never been to an All-Game and this year may be his best and last chance. With a 10-3 record, the few blips that bounced his ERA above 4.00 can be ignored along the way, especially with a win in a head to head duel with 8-3 Felix Hernandez (2.54 ERA) tonight.

Look, tonight's going to be a circus clusterfark of epic proportions. We know that. Just look around the media - you've got the Los Angeles Times practically needing a change of pants, (and it's not just me who's pointing that out) FOX ready to break into the national games to show his at-bats tomorrow, and most of the mainstream establishment taking the Plaschke line of "well I never!" disgust that most fans won't be burning effigies of Manny. Plus, there's whatever the hell it is that Kurt Streeter is doing.

As I said yesterday, I don't think we're viewing this situation through blue-colored glasses. We know that Manny's a jerk for a variety of reasons, and none of us deny that. I just think the mistake here is viewing the reaction to Manny's return as some sort of referendum on the moral fiber of America, as Mike Schmidt - who's apparently just gotten over the fact that teenagers are "necking" now - hilariously tries to stress.

I love baseball more than just about anything in the universe, but it's important to remember just that - it's baseball. Rooting for a player who broke the rules and paid the price is hardly the same as rooting for anarchy, socialism, and terrorists, no matter how loudly some members of the media like to squawk about it.

Just keep that in mind; no matter how ridiculous this weekend becomes - and have no doubt that it will - it's baseball. On this weekend of all weekends, it's important to keep in mind what's important, and what's entertainment.

Now let's all go off and drink until we can't feel feelings. Happy 4th!

(*Okay, one baseball note: Manny vs. Padres starter Chad Gaudin - a 1.500 OPS with 2 homers in 14 plate appearances.)

• There. I fixed it. The website. LINK HERE
• Yahoo picked up this story mid-week, so it may be stale. LINK HERE
• Watch this kid kick so much ass on the guitar. LINK HERE
• Cool bat tricks by a minor league player. LINK HERE
• The last true moonwalker left on earth. LINK HERE

Charlie runs fantasybaseball365.com in which he writes about, you guessed it, fantasy baseball 365 days a year.  He loves to write, play guitar and watch baseball.  You can contact Charlie at cs.fb365@gmail.com  

3 That's the number of Pelicans who were informed following the game they have been promoted to the Atlanta Braves double-A affiliate in Pearl, Miss. First baseman Freddie Freeman, outfielder Jason Heyward and lefthanded pitcher Tommy Palica are all moving up to the Mississippi Braves. They are being replaced today by three players from low-A Rome.

Romero is 6-3 with a 2.85 ERA and a 1.24 WHIP in 11 starts (72.2 innings) this season.  He has shown good strikeout ability (7.6 K/9) and exhibited solid control (3.0 BB/9) as well.  Romero spent some time on the DL himself earlier in the season due to an oblique strain, but has shown no lingering effects of the injury.

Over his last three starts, Romero has gone 3-0 with a 0.82 ERA along with a 20/8 K/BB ratio over 22 innings and over his last six starts he is 4-1 with a 1.91 ERA with a 40/14 K/BB ratio over 42.1 innings.  In his most recent outing on Wednesday, he went eight innings while allowing only four hits as he struck out seven and walked four and got the win against the Tampa Bay Rays.

In nine of Romero's 11 starts, including his last six outings, he has delivered a quality start by going at least six innings and allowing three runs or less.

Romero is definitely worth adding in all leagues if you need the help and he is available, which is becoming increasingly unlikely.  The Blue Jays' offense seems capable of providing adequate run support even if he doesn't continue his recent streak of 15 scoreless innings.

" I might've been given a bad break, but I have an awful lot to live for. Thank you."

Those were the final words Lou Gehrig ever spoke to the hearts of America. His succinct and supple speech on Lou Gehrig Appreciation Day at Yankee Stadium on July 4, 1939 remains one of the most beautiful bits of poetry our ears have ever heard.

Saturday, July 4, 2009 marks the 70^th anniversary of Gehrig's farewell speech, and it will be celebrated around Major League Baseball. MLB is launching the "4ALS Awareness" campaign to raise money for ALS research in an attempt to help fight the illness that has become commonly known as Lou Gehrig's Disease.

Throughout MLB, players will wear "4ALS" patches, first bases will be auctioned in memory of Gehrig (he played 1B), and every major league ballpark will read Gehrig's speech during the seventh inning stretch.

Gehrig stepped up to the microphone in front of more than 60,000 people, baggy uniform cascading down a feeble and slumping body, and barely spoke for 30 seconds. Politicians need hours, weeks, and months to get a message across to a nation. Gehrig needed 30 seconds.

In a time of economic recession, heartache, worry, and bleakness, the world could use a little bit of Lou Gehrig. The world could use a little reminder that we still have an awful lot to live for. Gehrig's life was blessed with the underlying power that it also represents a message that can resonate with any family in any suburb.

One day not too long ago, I stood just outside the third base dugout on the diamond of a neighborhood park. The dugout sat adjacent to a McDonald's that was perfect for an after practice cheeseburger.

The all-dirt diamond kicked up some of the nastiest hops a nine-year-old boy would ever want to see. You better have had a good dentist if you were going to roam shortstop there.

It was the first practice of the summer, and my Pony League coach asked me what number I would like to wear for the upcoming All Star season.

"I would like No. 4, please," I told Coach.

"Okay, any specific reason?"

"Yeah, because that's the number Lou Gehrig wore for the Yankees," I told him, confidently.

My coach had this wry smile that he held for three long seconds, pondering how a nine-year-old boy could idolize a baseball legend that played some 60 years prior. "Okay, well No. 4 is yours then."

And that was where it all began for me, the moment Gehrig's life and legacy seeped into my soul. All the way up through high school ball I proudly donned '4' on my back.

It wasn't until my freshman season in college that I had to change. Number 4 went to a 5'9" middle infielder. So naturally, I have worn '44' for the last two seasons. If you can't have one Gehrig, you might as well have two then, right?

Gehrig was a great, great baseball player, but he wasn't the best to ever live. That could easily be said about his teammate, Babe Ruth.

What makes Gehrig truly spectacular is that he accomplished some astonishing things in his career, and yet he is still remembered for how he played the game and the way he carried himself as a man.

Gehrig was born in New York City to German immigrants, and was the only child of four to survive. He grew up like most people with immigrant parents; both parents worked long, hard hours and he was raised on the principles of hard work and perseverance.

His road to becoming a legendary icon began at Columbia University in 1921 at the request of his mother, Christina. She was adamant that Lou received an education. After all, she and her husband didn't struggle to get to the United States for nothing.

But after two seasons at Columbia, Gehrig decided to sign a professional contract with the New York Yankees when scout Paul Krichell approached him and offered a $1,500 signing bonus. Christina wasn't happy, but she supported her son's decision to chase his childhood dream.

It wasn't long before Mrs. Gehrig could watch her baby boy play in The Bronx. Gehrig was called up to the big leagues that September, and hit so well that Yankees manager Miller Huggins petitioned for Gehrig to be added to the World Series roster in place of injured Wally Pipp.

But New York Giants manager John McGraw exercised his right to refuse Huggins' petition, and therefore Gehrig was left off the roster. The Yankees won the World Series, anyway.

Gehrig spent 1924 playing in the minor leagues at Hartford, and then joined the Yankees for good in the spring of '25. When Gehrig took over for Pipp at first base, he would never leave. Fourteen seasons later, and a legend had been cemented.

If you want history, Gehrig made it. If you want stats, Gehrig has it. With a .340 career batting average, 2,721 hits, 493 home runs, and 1,995 RBI, Gehrig was one of the most pure hitters of his time.

Over a modern 162 game season, Gehrig's career numbers would project out to .340, .447 OBP, 37 homers, 149 RBI, 141 runs, and almost twice as many walks as strikeouts.

Among Gehrig's many accomplishments, he holds the career record for grand slams with 23; he won the Triple Crown in 1934; his 184 RBIs in '31 are the most ever in a single season in the American League, and are second most in baseball history behind Hack Wilson's 191 RBIs in 1930 with the Chicago Cubs; he is the only player ever to drive in 500 or more runs over a three year span (1930-'32).

And remember, Gehrig spent those years hitting behind Babe Ruth, arguably the most prolific power hitter in baseball history.

Of course, the Iron Horse is most known for his 2,130 consecutive games played streak, which was a record until Cal Ripken Jr. eclipsed the mark in 1995. During the streak, Gehrig played through broken toes, fingers, and back spasms.

Once late in his career, Gehrig's hands were X-rayed and doctors were able to spot 17 different fractures that had fused back together during his streak.

But the end came abruptly in the summer of '39, with Gehrig retiring at 36 years old after being diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS. The disease destroys the nerve cells controlling muscles and causes complete paralysis. Most patients die within 3-5 years of being diagnosed.

The Hall Of Fame waived its customary two-year waiting period and opened up its doors to Gehrig in 1939, the same year as his retirement. They wanted Gehrig to be able to accept the honor before his illness captured him.

Gehrig passed away on June 2, 1941, 17 days shy of his 38^th birthday, but the sadness placidly surrendered to the joy and grace of his name.

Gehrig was ahead of his time in social activism, saying, "There is no room in baseball for discrimination. It is our national pastime and a game for all." Jackie Robinson wouldn't come along to officially break the color barrier in baseball until 1947.

Mostly, though, Gehrig is remembered for his humility and honesty while living in a city that craves showmanship, and working for a franchise that defined the American sports celebrity.

Gehrig spent most of his years living in the shadow of Ruth, an iconic figure equally know for his womanizing and party habits in addition to his tantalizing baseball talent.

And Gehrig spent his last years playing in the shadow of Joe DiMaggio, The Yankee Clipper who, when not on the field, stayed in the public spotlight by marrying Marilyn Monroe and later becoming a famous line of Simon & Garfunkel's 1968 number one single, "Mrs. Robinson."

But all the while, Gehrig remained a symbol for the working class of New York, and the middle class of America. He was a loving family man, and that image waltzes with everyday reality.

You don't need to be Ruth to have it made. You don't need the glamour of DiMaggio to have happiness. Even in the face of struggle, you don't need to be rich or famous to make it through. You simply need to stay true to your core, and follow Gehrig's path of dignity.

"Today, I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the Earth."

That Gehrig line will forever rest in baseball lore.

But it's kind of funny, because that's how I feel when I get to dive into and celebrate the illustrious life and legacy of Lou "The Iron Horse" Gehrig.

Teddy Mitrosilis is the author of Ballpark Banter. He also writes for Bleacher Report. You can reach him at tm4000@yahoo.com.

Francisco Rodriguez blew the save, his third in 10 days.  Nothing new here.  Frankie has averaged 5.5 blown saves per season since becoming a full time closer, which is about the norm. 

This is what I worried about with Kevin Correia.  His fastball velocity was back a little yesterday, but not where it was during is hot streak.  You can see from the chart below (via fangraphs.com) the upward trend in Correia's average velocity and how it dropped significantly his last outing.  Yesterday's outing is represented with the red dot, which indicates an average fastball velocity of just over 91 mph.

A.J. Happ is becoming an interesting starter to watch.  Since converting to a full time starter he has shown a nice progression in K/BB rate.  Also, Happ's velocity is showing signs of progression as well.  He's currently owned in only 37% of Yahoo! Leagues.  

Franklin Gutierrez stays hot.  He hit .304 with 4 homers and 3 stolen bases in June. 

Pitchers are not giving anything to Albert Pujols and he'll take his walks all day long.  The beneficiary?  Ryan Ludwick.  It's been a struggle this season with healthy and a prolonged slump, but he has 7 hits in his last 5 games and 3 RBI in his last 2 games with Pujols getting on in front of him.

Derrek Lee didn't just hit 2 homeruns last night.  He hit 2 pure bombs last night.  One was a grand slam and Lee collected 7 RBI on the night.  Lee hit .333 and slugged .973 in June. 

Will there be a place for Jake Fox to play once A-Ram returns from the DL?

I think I'm done betting against Mark Buehrle.