Jim Leyland said in the Tigers’ pregame radio show that Todd Jones, the heart-stopping closer, would no longer be his end-game option and that hard-throwing Fernando Rodney would replace him.

Though Rodney has had a tough time of things this season, including a DL stint for shoulder problems, he seems to have improved of late. After notching his first save of the season on July 3 against the Mariners—taking over when Jones was on the verge of losing the game—he also blew his first save of the season two nights later, giving up two runs in two innings. He coughed up another run in his next outing on July 10, but has been spotless ever since, giving up two hits and three walks against nine strikeouts in 5.2 IP.

In the month of July, Jones has given up seven ERs and blown two saves, with just one strikeout against ten hits and three walks. He’s never been a particularly dominant closer, more known for doing just enough to get a save. His ERA has been below 4.00 only once in the past three seasons with the Tigers (3.94 in 2006) and registered less than a strike every two innings. This season, the 40-year-old has had a 4.99 ERA and 1.54 WHIP, and his removal as closer has been long anticipated.

The Tigers still might go get a closer before the trade deadline, but for now, Rodney is their stopper.

…Dodgers GM Ned Colletti was on MLB Live Weekend Edition on XM 175 and had this to say about the Dodgers deal to get Casey Blake.

“We were looking for a little more offense out of third base. We’ve had a couple of young players over there that have played very well defensively, and held their own for the most part, but at this time of the season, getting someone of veteran status like Casey, and someone who can contribute both offensively and defensively, and in the clubhouse, was too good a deal to pass up. He is somebody who has a great resume, and obviously has been a winning player, and a key player in a real good franchise in Cleveland.”

…In the Diamondbacks 5-3 win yesterday over the San Fransisco Giants, DBacks starter Brandon Webb passed 1,000 strike out mark striking out 8 Giants. He’s now the 57th active pitcher to reach a 1,000 K’s.

…Peoria Chiefs pitcher Julio Castillo was released from jail yesterday, just one day after being arraigned on Felonious Assault charges after he threw a baseball into the stands hitting a spectator.

…Is there something in the water in Peoria Arizona? Former #1 pick and Padres farm hand Matt Bush was involved in an altercation at pub/grill located across from the San Diego Padres training complex.

Here’s what Grady Fuson Farm System Director of the Padres had to say.

“Obviously people are going to know he was in a fight,” Fuson said. “To the extent of that fight, people are going to have to guess. How it was caused, there was support there for him.

“Obviously, there are some consequences out of this. But those are in-house.”

Fuson said there are “no comments to make” on the specifics.

…Susan Slusser of the San Fransisco Chronicle is reporting that things aren’t going well for Oakland A’s Third baseman Eric Chavez. According to Chavez his labrum is shredded and that his career is at a ‘crossroads’ and that a move to first base might not be out of the question. Though the team has yet to explore that option.

…Not only did the Pirates loose to two Minor Leaguers to PED suspensions, but now the United States Army has activated Cole White and Chris Simmons. There were some thoughts in the Pirates camp that they would be back by spring training, but now they’re not so sure about that.

Saturday saw one more race impacted by a trade as the Los Angeles Dodgers acquired Casey Blake from the Cleveland Indians.  With five days left, our look at the Trade Deadline possibilities turns to the NL East where the Marlins tied the Cubs in the eighth and won in 12, the Phillies overcame a 9-3 deficit to win 10-9 and the Mets tied it up in the ninth against the Cardinals only to lose in 14.  Now, with the Mets just one game in front of the Marlins and Phillies, will someone in the East step up and make a move to sway the balance of power in this tight playoff race.  In Part Two of Six, we look at the National League East teams, where their needs lie and how they might change the make-up of their teams prior to the July 31 Non-Waiver Trade Deadline.

NEW YORK METS

The Mets are back on top of the NL East but still face the memory of last September’s collapse should they stay on top.  While the team improved in the offseason, this version of the Mets looks more flawed than last season’s version with an injury ravaged outfield and an inconsistent bullpen.  Also, injuries to Pedro Martinez have kept the team from forming a solid five-man rotation.

STARTING PITCHING – The Mets look mostly set with Johan Santana (8-7, 3.05 ERA), Mike Pelfrey (9-6, 3.67 ERA), Oliver Perez (6-6, 4.15 ERA) and John Maine (9-7, 4.20 ERA).  Martinez’s health and overall performance (3-2, 6.25 ERA) has been a huge question mark this season.  While the first four mentioned made an average of 20.75 starts each in 2008, Martinez has made just nine and of those, only two were quality starts.  One potential replacement for Martinez — Orlando Hernandez — suffered a setback in a rehab assignment and his return is uncertain.

RELIEF PITCHING – The team was tied to Damaso Marte for a long time before the Yankees officially pulled the trigger on a deal for the Pirates’ top non-closer.  While corner outfield is most likely their top priority, the Mets are in need of a bullpen upgrade.  Three of their most used arms out of the ‘pen — Aaron Heilman (1-4, 4.76 ERA), Pedro Feliciano (2-2, 4.14 ERA) and Duaner Sanchez (5-1, 4.06 ERA) — all possess ERAs over 4.00. 

NON-PITCHING – An expected Opening Day outfield of Carlos Beltran, Ryan Church and Moises Alou never materialized.  Alou battled injuries all season and is now out for the year and Church cannot shake complications from a head injury in May leaving only Beltran as the only outfielder to play in more than half of the team’s games this year.  Instead of Alou and Church, the team most recently used Fernando Tatis and Endy Chavez at the corner outfield positions and 11 different players have started in left field.  Eventually, Church should return but Alou is out for the year.    

WHAT MAKES SENSE – The Mets won’t mortgage their entire future to improve and they do expect Church and Angel Pagan to return and help in the outfield.  According to multiple sources, the Mets are unwilling to part with top prospects Fernando Martinez, Jon Niese and Robert Parnell.  However, picking up a corner outfielder and/or bullpen help is where the Mets should look.  Nady and Marte were rumored as potential Mets but they went to the Bronx instead.  The most recent names associated with the Mets are Seattle’s Raul Ibanez (considered to have too high of a price tag for the Mets), San Diego’s Brian Giles and San Francisco’s Randy Winn in the outfield and Colorado’s Brian Fuentes (the Rockies wanted Heilman), San Diego’s Cla Meredith, Cincinnati’s Jeremy Affeldt and Baltimore’s Chad Bradford. 

PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES

At one point, it looked like the Phillies might run away with the division.  Yesterday, with the score 9-3 after a nine-run fourth inning by the Braves, it almost looked like panic button time.  Somehow, the Phillies bounced back and won 10-9 and are with the Mets loss on Saturday got back to within one game of the Mets.  Many who watch the Phillies every day say this team might not be good enough to go all the way this year.  Will the decision-makers agree and make an upgrade for the stretch run? 

STARTING PITCHING – The Phillies already moved a few prospects to Oakland for starter Joe Blanton to move Adam Eaton to the bullpen.  Brett Myers (3-9, 5.82 ERA) returned to the rotation last week and did not set the world on fire.  Cole Hamels (9-6, 3.27 ERA), Jamie Moyer (9-6, 3.76 ERA) and Kyle Kendrick (8-5, 4.70 ERA) are entrenched in the first three spots in the rotation.  Myers is scheduled to start on Tuesday and another mediocre start might tempt the Phillies to rethink his spot in the rotation.

RELIEF PITCHING – Other than his failure to keep the Phillies within one run of the Braves on Friday night, closer Brad Lidge has been nearly perfect.  He set a new club record on Saturday with his 23^rd save in 23 tries.  Thanks to Lidge and Co., the Phillies are 44-0 when leading after eight innings.  The rest of the bullpen is an area the Phillies are frequently tied to in the rumor mill with Tom Gordon out indefinitely and many surprised that the team has combined for 23 wins and a Major League best 2.97 ERA.

NON-PITCHING – Situational hitting has been an issue for the Phillies.  They are second in runs per game in the National League at 4.96 per game but drop to seventh if you remove the two 20 run games they posted earlier in the season.  26 times this season, the Phillies have scored two runs or less and were shut out six times — the most of any National League team with a winning record.

WHAT MAKES SENSE – The Phillies continue to be tied to rumors associated with A.J. Burnett even after their pick-up of Blanton.  They have been often connected to every lefty reliever available in the league including Fuentes, Baltimore’s George Sherrill and Pittsburgh’s John Grabow.  The most intriguing rumor was one that would have sent Colorado’s Matt Holliday and Fuentes to the Phillies for Shane Victorino and a few top shelf prospects.  The Phillies are reluctant to move prospects Carlos Carrasco and Lou Marson.  According to Jayson Stark, the Phillies went after Blake but failed to deliver the offer the Dodgers made.  The only lineup move that makes sense is a big one like acquiring Holliday as a pick-up of another role player does not add a lot.

FLORIDA MARLINS

Many expected the Marlins to go away by now but they will not cooperate.  Just one game out, the Marlins are one of those teams that will not quit this year as evidenced by their nine walk-off wins this season.

STARTING PITCHING – Only the Pittsburgh Pirates have a higher starting ERA in the National League than the Marlins.  At 33-35 with a 5.13 ERA, Florida has relied on late-inning comebacks and not quality starting pitching to push their record to six games above .500.  However, the team is not often tied to rumors for a weak starting pitcher market.  They are happy with the return of Josh Johnson and rookie Chris Volstad who are recent additions to the rotation.

RELIEF PITCHING – The bullpen has good numbers (22-14, 3.68 ERA) but the team is frequently tied to rumors for relief help.  Lefty Mark Hendrickson recently moved to the bullpen and is the only other left-handed option beyond Renyel Pinto in relief.

NON-PITCHING – The Marlins lead the Majors in home runs with 146.  They also lead the National League with 85 errors — 10 more than the Cincinnati Reds who are second.  Jorge Cantu has struggled defensively at third base with 17 errors but his .292 average and 18 homers keep him in the lineup.  The one area the Marlins are interested in making a move for is behind the plate.  With Matt Treanor slowly recovering, Florida is using John Baker and Paul Hoover behind the plate.  Of the three, none of them are lighting the world on fire at the plate.

WHAT MAKES SENSE – While a number of bigger bullpen names keep tying back to the Marlins, a move to pick up a pitcher like Seattle’s Arthur Rhodes is more feasible.  The team was apparently interested in three Rockies — outfielder Willy Taveras, catcher Yorvit Torrealba and Fuentes — but offers are not matching up.  The Tigers are on the verge of being swept by the White Sox which could make catcher Ivan Rodriguez available.  Rodriguez played for the Marlins in 2003 — the last time Florida appeared in the postseason where they went on to win the World Series.  Might Rodriguez be someone the Marlins take a run at?

ATLANTA BRAVES

When Sunday’s action begins, the Braves start 6 ½ games behind the Mets and behind the Marlins and Phillies in the East.  The next five days will decide if the Braves become “buyers” or “sellers” before the Deadline.  Atlanta is 18-34 on the road where they lost their Major League record 25^th consecutive one-run game dating back to August 2007.  If they sell, Mark Teixeira is their number one commodity.  Yesterday’s loss to the Phillies was huge.

STARTING PITCHING – The Braves saw Mike Hampton return on Saturday and pitch four innings — his first action since 2005.  Tom Glavine is also on track to return before the end of the season and Tim Hudson (11-7, 3.17 ERA), Jair Jurrjens (10-5, 3.02 ERA), Jorge Campillo (5-4, 3.31 ERA in 12 starts) and Jo-Jo Reyes (3-9, 4.95 ERA) currently round out the staff. 

RELIEF PITCHING – Mike Gonzalez’s successful return is a boost to a bullpen that is 11-16 with a 3.58 ERA.  If the team sells instead of buys at the Deadline lefty Will Ohman is one of the most sought after pitchers around the Majors.  The team referred to interest in Ohman as “massive.”

NON-PITCHING – In addition to Teixeira, the Braves are shopping outfielder Mark Kotsay.  If they decide to stay in the race and make a move to improve the Braves could use a fourth outfielder to spell struggling outfielder Jeff Francoeur but it is more likely they stand pat here.

WHAT MAKES SENSE – Injuries this season are often tied to the Braves struggles this season but they went into the season with their hopes relied on a pitcher who was returning from a two year absence and two pitchers — John Smoltz and Tom Glavine — over 40.  Now, Atlanta faces what looks like the fairly obvious decision to begin looking forward to 2009.  While the company line is they are happy to take the two draft picks that would come their way if they play out the string with Teixeira and he departs via free agency, moving Teixeira is a possibility.  Both ESPN’s Buster Olney and Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal will not back off of Teixeira-to-Arizona as a possibility but an East Valley Tribune report quoted an unnamed Arizona executive who called the rumor “baseless.”  If the Braves lose to the Phillies on Sunday, expect the team to look a little more serious at offers for Teixeira, Kotsay and Ohman.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS

Right now, they own the worst record in baseball and injuries have depleted their possible trade chips in the seller’s market.  What else needs to be said?

STARTING PITCHING – One name surprisingly not getting more attention in the Trade market is Tim Redding.  Redding is 7-5 with a 3.98 ERA, is 30 and makes $1,000,000 which should be appealing to those looking for a starter.  Redding is the only starter with a winning record on the team.

RELIEF PITCHING – The Nationals already moved their most sought after player in Jon Rauch.  The Nationals are the only team with five relievers to accumulate 45 innings or more this season so it is possible that teams would look at any other Nationals’ reliever with caution due to the amount of work they have put in.

NON-PITCHING – The one player with possible value here is Felipe Lopez.  The team’s second baseman is also able to play a number of other positions but has been disappointing since joining the club in 2006.  Other than Lopez, Wily Mo Pena was another name floated around but his season-ending injury ended any talk there.

WHAT MAKES SENSE – Whatever the Nationals can do to make their future brighter definitely makes sense.  Should they get any value for Lopez who is likely to not return next year, expect him to move.  A number of teams need rotation help and it is doubtful the Nationals would turn down a moderate offer for their top pitcher in 2008.  Unfortunately, what usually comes with such a poor record is a limited amount of talent to help those looking to play in the postseason.

Tomorrow - Part Three: American League Central

• Chris Volstad allowed just 2 runs while striking out 6 over 6 innings, and Jeremy Hermida doubled, hit 2 home runs, and scored the winning run in the 12th inning as the Marlins continued to frustrate the Cubs, 3-2. Rich Harden was brilliant for Chicago, giving up just one run on 2 hits and striking out 10 in 5 innings of work.
• Chris Coste went 3-for-4 with 3 RBI, Ryan Howard drove in 2 runs, and Greg Dobbs hit a pinch-hit 3-run homer as the Phillies scored 7 runs in the 5th inning to overcome a 9-run Atlanta 4th and beat the Braves, 10-9. Mark Texeira hit a 3-run home run for Atlanta.
• Chris Davis doubled, homered, and drove in 2 runs, and Josh Hamilton hit a 3-run home run as the Rangers roughed up Justin Duchscherer and the A’s, 9-4.
• Carlos Quentin and Jermaine Dye each had 2 hits, a home run, and 2 RBI to lead the White Sox past the Tigers, 7-6. The homers were #27 and #24 respectively for Quentin and Dye. Magglio Ordonez singled, doubled, homered and drove in 2 runs for Detroit.
• Brian Buscher went 3-for-5 with a home run and 5 RBI, and Delmon Young added 3 hits and 2 RBI as the Twins pounded Cleveland’s Fausto Carmona in his return to the mound, 11-4.
• Jorge De La Rosa gave up just one run on 2 hits in 6 2/3 innings, and Troy Tulowitzki and Yorvit Torrealba led the offense with 3 hits apiece as the Rockies hammered the Reds, 6-1. Cincinnati’s Homer Bailey took one for the team, allowing 5 runs on 15 hits, yes 15, in 4 2/3 innings.
• Carl Crawford hit 2 triples and drove in 2 runs, and Carlos Pena launched his 17th home run of the season for good measure as the Rays outlasted the Royals, 5-3.
• Derek Lowe threw one-hit ball for 8 innings, and Nomar Garciaparra and Matt Kemp each homered and drove in 2 runs as the Dodgers blanked the Nationals, 6-0.
• Joe Inglett singled, doubled twice, knocked in 2 runs, and scored 2 more, and Alex Rios contributed 2 home runs and 3 RBI as the Blue Jays cruised to an 8-3 win over the Mariners.
• Andy Pettitte tossed 6 solid innings, and Robinson Cano continued his hot hitting by going 3-for-4 with a double, home run and 3 RBI to lead the Yankees to a convincing 10-3 victory over the Red Sox.
• Torii Hunter went 3-for-3 with 2 walks, 2 home runs, 5 RBI, and 4 runs scored, Casey Kotchman and Juan Rivera hit “big flies” of their own, and the Angels scored 5 times over the last 2 frames to put away the Orioles, 11-6. Aubrey Huff hit a 3 run homer for Baltimore.
• Ray Durham doubled twice and scored 3 times, and Ryan Braun hit his 27th home run of the season and drove in 4 runs as the Brewers scored 2 runs in the 7th and 2 more in the 8th to sneak past the Astros, 6-4. Miguel Tejada went 4-for-4, and Hunter Pence added a double and home run for Houston.
• Adrian Gonzalez went 3-for-4 with a double, 2 home runs, and 4 RBI, and Kevin Kouzmanoff hit a 3-run blast as the Padres scored early and often and held on to beat the Pirates, 9-6. Nick Hundley had 2 hits, a home run, and 2 RBI for San Diego while Jason Michaels had 2 hits, a homer, and 3 RBI for Pittsburgh.
• Skip Schumaker went 6-for-7 and scored 3 runs, and Albert Pujols contributed 5 hits, including the game winning 2-run homer in the 14th inning, as the Cardinals edged the Mets, 10-8. Jose Reyes singled, doubled twice, and homered, Fernando Tatis added a single, double, and home run, and Carlos Delgado belted 2 more home runs for New York in a losing  effort.
• Brandon Webb allowed 3 runs over 7 solid innings, and Chris Snyder contributed 2 hits and drove in 2 runs to lead the Diamondbacks past the Giants, 5-3. Tim Lincecum gave another impressive performance for San Francisco, giving up just 2 runs while striking out 13 in 7 innings.

Saturday’s Scoreboard

Sunday’s Probable Pitchers

 **Note - Due to inefficient code, we have changed the scoreboard to what you see above. Click through for full boxscores and play-by-play courtesy of MLB.

BDD’s daily recaps are provided by founder and managing editor Joe Hamrahi. Joe’s a CPA, a financial executive, a baseball analyst, and a proponent of using all available information (read stats and scouts!) in order to make better baseball decisions! Joe can be reached at jhamrahi@baseballdigestdaily.com.