After 485 days between starts, you’d expect Chris Carpenter to look a little rusty. And he did take a while to get going, but he worked his way out of trouble several times in his return to the hill tonight, producing a workmanlike result, going four innings while giving up only one run on two walks and five hits.

He began the game very shakily, walking Gregor Blanco to lead off the game and missing the plate (and the catcher’s mitt) badly a few times. But Atlanta helped him out by swinging at some bad pitches, and he retired the side without any damage. In the second, Atlanta notched its only run on a Jeff Francoeur RBI single, the third straight hit off Carpenter.

Undaunted, he pressed on and put down the next three hitters easily. The Braves got two more hits in the third, but to no avail, and Carpenter retired the side in order in the fourth, with his only two strikeouts. He didn’t really get into a groove until this point, but it would be the last inning he’d work. He’d needed 67 pitches to get to this point, and manager Tony LaRussa had already indicated he’d only ask for four or five innings from his starter.

All in all, it was a good return to action for a guy who hadn’t faced live hitting in almost a year and a half. And LaRussa and the Cards desperately need pitching, with starters Adam Wainwright and Mark Mulder on the DL (Mulder won’t return this season) and injuries keeping relievers Tyler Johnson and Josh Kinney out, too.

Closer Jason Isringhausen has been either injured or ineffective, and he’s only recently regained the closer spot when Ryan Franklin couldn’t handle the job, either. Closer of the future Chris Perez is back in AAA after struggling at the big-league level, and the Cards, who have been relatively quiet in the trade market, could certainly use some ninth-inning help.

As the Cubs and Brewers slug it out for the NL Central lead, making big trades for front-line starters, St. Louis has merely swapped Anthony Reyes, another struggling Cardinal arm, for a minor-league arm that won’t help them anytime soon. If anything, they’ve depleted their pitching ranks instead of bolstering it. Brian Joseph pointed out in his NL Central breakdown yesterday that Atlanta’s Will Ohman is a possibility, but there’s not much else out there for them to trade for in relievers or starters.

At the start of the season, the biggest concern in St. Louis was how long they’d wait before declaring themselves out of contention so that Albert Pujols could get season-ending surgery on his elbow. But LaRussa’s been putting together wins with smoke and mirrors all year long, and Albert’s been producing, and The End hasn’t arrived yet. Still, without pitching help, either from a healthy Carpenter and Wainwright, a deadline acquisition, or both, you’ve got to think that Tony’s going to run out of managerial magic soon.

The Houston Astros announced tonight that the club has acquired right-handed pitcher LaTroy Hawkins and cash considerations from the New York Yankees in exchange for minor league infielder Matt Cusick.

Hawkins, 35, is 1-1 with a 5.71 ERA (26ER/41IP) in 33 games for the Yankees in 2008.  In 14 career Major League seasons with Minnesota (1995-2003), the Chicago Cubs (2004-05), Baltimore (2006), Colorado (2007), and the Yankees (2008), he is 57-77 with 75 saves and a 4.72 ERA (584ER/1113IP).

Cusick, 22, has hit .285 (100-351) with nine home runs and 38 RBI in 94 games for Class A Lexington of the South Atlantic League.  Drafted in the 10th round of the June 2007 Draft, the left-handed hitter attended the University of Southern California and hit .306 (68-222) with three home runs and 35 RBI for Short-Season A Tri-City in 2007.

You have to believe the Yankees are definitely in the market now to replace Farnsworth and/or Hawkins. There doesn’t appear to be any immediate help in the farm system.
 

A five game winning streak vaulted the Jays to a 53-51 record with four games left in a homestand. They were a game away from a sweep and the three game set against the road worrier Rays with a red-hot A.J. Burnett and ace Roy Halladay set to pitch the first two of the series.

The Jays came into the final game of the Mariners’ series winners of six of seven, were batting .305/.395/.469 over that stretch and won their first extra inning game at home after giving up a run in the top of the tenth last Friday night against the M’s.

Winning three of four and going into the trade deadline at 56-52 seemed distinct possibility and who knows–with the Rays struggling away from home; certainly 57-51 wasn’t out of the question. The Jays pitchers stepped up over the four games posting an ERA of 2.75.

Well, the Jays will not play another game until after the trade deadline and are again a .500 team.

Once again, the hitting tanked, batting an anemic .192/.227/.344 leading up to the break with a mind-boggling .030 (1 for 33) with runners in scoring position.

I, for one, cannot blame Gregg Zaun for wanting out.

Yes, Zaun hasn’t been hitting well lately, but the big question is–this isn’t a new issue, the Jays hitting has been its Achilles heel all year. Zaun wants more playing time but he also wants to win and when he looks at J.P. Ricciardi, he sees a general manager who will not get him there.

Why is Brad Wilkerson in right field? He’s hitting .167/.333/.238 since Cito came on board. A corner OF slugging .238? Seriously? Matt Stairs is batting .206/.322/.361 since mid-May even with his three game burst from July 25-28 (6 for 11 with a double, triple and two HR) and has struck out 55 times in his last 158 AB.

This is your best option at DH?

Hitters are being made available; even if Ricciardi lacks sufficient testicular fortitude to go mano a mano with the real GM’s is there nobody in the entire organization than can play RF and slug over .250? Is there no bat in the bushes capable of batting .250 and slugging .400?

The Yankees pick up Xavier Nady, the Angels pick up Mark Teixeira, Manny Ramirez is rumoured to be available, Adam Dunn has hit more HR in his last 28 games than any Blue Jay has hit all year and is batting .281/.377/.698 over those games. He’s hitting .259/.387/.600 with RISP this year had has just 12 fewer long balls in that situation than the entire Jays’ roster combined but Ricciardi says he’s not an option since he doesn’t sleep with his glove under his pillow.

Every time somebody mentions a slugger that’s available, ol’ J.P. is quick to tell us why it’s a bad idea.

Is a .500 team a good idea? Is a club that’s first in MLB is hitting into double plays and being 25th in slugging percentage a good idea? Is having the best bullpen ERA in the major leagues but tied with the team with the worst relief ERA in wins a good idea?

I’m openly questioning J.P. Ricciardi’s desire to field a winning team–he clearly isn’t putting his best effort into assembling the 25-man roster. He’s making no moves to upgrade a problematic offence and not using the best organizational options on the major league roster. If there is nobody in the minors that can out hit Brad Wilkerson and Matt Stairs then Ricciardi should never be allowed to run a major league organization again.

However, there are better options–Ricciardi simply refuses to use them.

Fifteen games have been lost where the opposing team scored three or fewer runs–a little more offence and even if the Jays won seven of them they would be 61-47 and tied with the Red Sox. That’s potentially the difference an Adam Dunn, a Barry Bonds etc. could have made–that’s the difference between a proactive and inactive GM; that’s the difference between a Theo Epstein, a Brian Cashman and a J.P. Ricciardi … It’s the difference between a winner and a loser.

I have followed the Toronto Blue Jays since their inception and this is, bar none, the most frustrating edition of the club. If I had to pick one season where I felt the general manager was the biggest difference between success and failure–well, this is it.

I will always remember 2008 as the year J.P. Ricciardi tanked the season. He can blame injuries, he can blame off years and he can blame bad luck–but guess what? The Rays lost Scott Kazmir for a time. Carl Crawford, Carlos Pena and Jonny Gomes have all underperformed. The Red Sox lost David Ortiz and Curt Schilling. They have offensive black holes at short, catcher and sub par production in centerfield. The Yankees lost Alex Rodriguez, Jorge Posada, Johnny Damon, Hideki Matsui, Chien-Ming Wang, Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy. Robbie Cano and Derek Jeter and Melky Cabrera have all struggled.

Yet all are at least 10 games over .500–the difference? Their GM’s make things happen, the only thing Ricciardi makes are excuses. The Yankees just picked up Pudge Rodriguez … the next thing Ricciardi should pick up is a pink slip.

Best Regards

John

According to Buster Olney at ESPN, the New York Yankees have acquired catcher Ivan Rodriguez from the Detroit Tigers in exchange for Kyle Farnsworth. More to come. Hat tip to MLB Trade Rumors.

…Once again Old Tiger Stadium has been given a stay of execution, or at least partially. Part of the stadium between first and third base will remain and turned into a sports museum and the field will also be saved. The Old Tiger Stadium Conservancy Group has until March to raise $15.6 million for the renovation project.

…Former Seattle Mariners Reliever Julio Mateo who’s been pitching for San Fransisco’s Triple A farm club has been arrested on suspicion of forgery. According to police reports out of Albuquerque Mateo tried to use a counterfeit $100 bill to pay for a $26.80 cab fare. This marks more legal trouble for Mateo who was traded to Philadelphia from Seattle after admitting to hitting his wife in a Manhattan hotel in 2007.

…For a guy who can hardly field his position, Raul Ibanez of the Seattle Mariners is being brought up time and time again in trade rumors. Some of the teams interesting include the Mets, and now his name is being brought up by the Cubs. Of course this is coming from Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com. The Mariners are seeking high quality prospects in return for anything in regards to Ibanez.

…Scott Miller, Senior Baseball Writer at CBSsports.com is reporting that Greg Maddux of the San Diego Padres nixed a deal that would’ve sent him to the Philadelphia Phillies. Maddux has a no trade clause in his contract and wishes to remain on the west coast close to his family. Another team that is being floated around, is a possible return to the Dodgers.

…According to reports from Troy Renck of the Denver Post - it seems that the Yankees aren’t the only ones interested in Seattle Mariners southpaw Jarrod Washburn. You can now throw the Colorado Rockies into the fray. They’re also interesting in Josh Fogg and and Washington Nationals Tim Redding.

…It seems if a lot of teams are looking for catching depth, and no team in the majors has more depth than the Texas Rangers. The Yankees have been looking at Gerald Laird and now the Red Sox are interested in Rangers farm hand and Olympian Taylor Teagarden. This coming from ESPN’s own Peter Gammons.

It probably gets lost in the Yankees / Orioles box score from last night.  The Yankees rallied late in the game to cut the Orioles’ lead to 1-run before Robinson Cano and Wilson Betemit ended the game with back-to-back strikeouts off of closer George Sherrill.

But just prior to Bobby Abreu doubling-in two runs to bring the game within reach, Alexander “The Great” Rodriguez bombed in the Bronx.  A-Rod had a chance to tie the game with one swing of the bat and it was quite obvioius he was doing just that, taking huge cuts against the tough lefty Sherrill.  But with a 2-2 count and the Yankees needing runs, the AL Slugging Pct leader whiffed on a fastball.  He didn’t cut down his swing, choke-up to put the ball in play, or make contact.  That 2-2 pitch was either going to end up in the catcher’s glove or in Monument Park.  There was no in-between and Sherrill won. 

 Granted, A-Rod is one of the best (if not THE best) player, statistically, since Babe Ruth.  He’ll likely shatter the home run record and is a sure 1st-ballot Hall of Famer.  He has a .409 OBP, .602 Slugging, and is hitting .326 with 22 HR and 63 RBI (and that’s including a brief injury back in May).  But as long as A-Rod doesn’t consistenly produce in pressure situations when the game is on-the-line, he’ll simply continue to dig himself into a deeper hole and solidify his reputation as a great player who couldn’t produce in the clutch. 

The occasional walk-off home run or go-ahead RBI won’t do it anymore.  It will take a meaningful game on a huge Broadway stage that only New York can produce.  It’ll take a huge September to carry the Yankees into the playoffs and it will certainly take a post-season average better than his current .258.  Whether its warranted or not, A-rod will never truly gain the respect of Yankee fans until he succeeds in those situations.

“Teixeira Tuesday” came and went with the newest Angel acquisition having baseball analysts handicapping the rest of the season singing “I Love L.A.”  The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim trumped the Brewers move earlier in 2008 as the move most likely to impact the postseason.  With the Angels coasting toward their fourth postseason appearance in five years, the Angels sent the message to the rest of the league that making the playoffs this year is not going to be enough and acquired Mark Teixeira from the Braves.

In other events affecting the Trade Deadline climate:

• In “Sox Wars II: The Phantom Manny Trade” every rumored team went on the record with a “no interest” statement in their pursuit of Manny Ramirez.  The main rumored destinations were the Los Angeles Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies.  Many weighed in after the Teixeira trade that the remote possibility of a Ramirez trade became even more unlikely with the Angels improving their already potent lineup.
• Gregg Zaun of the Blue Jays leaked his desire to be traded.  Zaun wants to play for a contender.
• Jose Guillen of the Royals did the same… maybe.  ESPNdeportes.com reported that, according to an unnamed source, Guillen was unhappy with his relationship with manager Trey Hillman.  About four hours later, Guillen denied the report in an interview with Bob Dutton of The Kansas City Star.
• Astros general manager Ed Wade assured shortstop Miguel Tejada that he was not going anywhere.
• Huston Street, LaTroy Hawkins, John Grabow and Ron Mahay were the rumored relievers of the day.
• A number of reports said the Padres were set to approach Greg Maddux and ask him to accept a trade away from the west coast.
• Hank Blalock went on the DL and removed from trade talks.

In Part Five of Six, we look at the American League West 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:

LOS ANGELES ANGELS OF ANAHEIM

With their foot pressed firmly on the neck of the American League, the Angels decided to apply more pressure on the American League and the rest of baseball when they acquired Teixeira.  To pick up Teixeira, the Angels traded away first baseman Casey Kotchman and Double-A pitcher Stephen Marek.  Arguably it was the trade of the season and the Angels are now the favorites to win the World Series.  But are they done?

STARTING PITCHING – Their rotation is solid one through five.  On Tuesday, John Lackey and his “dead arm” nearly pitched a no hitter at Fenway.  There are no issues here.

RELIEF PITCHING – Closer Francisco Rodriguez is on track to destroy Bobby Thigpen’s single-season saves record.  The only lefty available out of the ‘pen for Los Angeles is Darren Oliver.  He is solid but there is always room for another lefty.

NON-PITCHING – Let’s play devil’s advocate for a second.  Maybe the addition of Teixeira throws off the team’s chemistry.  Enough of that silliness — this is a huge acquisition for the Angels.  After being swept last year in the ALDS, the Angels are taking the necessary steps to prevent a repeat performance. 

WHAT MAKES SENSE – When I read the rumors of the Angels’ pursuit of Teixeira yesterday, it made too much sense for it to be a reality.  With their track record of not making the impactful deadline deal, many were caught by surprise by the Angels’ decision to make this move.  After such a bold step in the right direction, it would not surprise me if the Angels go out and make a deal for one of the second-tier left-handed relievers available. 

TEXAS RANGERS

It is difficult to be objective here because this is such a fun team to watch.  Sure, pitching wins in the postseason and the Rangers are deficient in that category but it is fun to watch the Rangers pile on the runs game after game.  The Rangers trail the Angels by 11 ½ games but are just 5 ½ games out of the Wild Card race.  Realistically, the Rangers would have to have to win at least 90 games and that is probably not enough.  To get to 90 wins, their record from now until the end of the season would need to be 35-20 — three losses less than their impressive April 30 to July 1 run of 35-23.  Is 90 wins enough and can the Rangers repeat their May and June success in August and September?

STARTING PITCHING – Kevin Millwood is on the 15-day disabled list, Vincente Padilla’s 12-5 record is a product of the Rangers amazing lineup and the rest of the rotation goes downhill from there.  If the Rangers are seriously considering a run at the postseason, it is highly unlikely this rotation can get it done.  When they made their run in May and June, Sidney Ponson was 4-1 with a 4.11 ERA before he was released due to inappropriate conduct.  They also had Kason Gabbard who occasionally gave the team a good start here and there.

RELIEF PITCHING – If you are unsure of closer C.J. Wilson’s ability, ask White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen.  Guillen is not high on the celebratory antics of Wilson who is 0-2 with 23 saves and three blown saves and a 5.02 ERA.  Wilson’s performance this season is reminiscent of Joe Borowski’s performance last year with the Indians.  Should the Rangers decide the ground they need to make up is too much, a handful of teams have shown interest in lefty Eddie Guardado but, according to ESPN’s Jayson Stark, he is not on the market.

NON-PITCHING – Their depth at catcher — most notably Gerald Laird — is getting the most attention.  Hank Blalock was another trade chip the Rangers could have used to try and improve their pitching or build for the future but he went on the 15-day disabled list on Tuesday thus removing him from trade talks.  The Dodgers are so desperate for a shortstop that a rumor circulated on Tuesday they inquired about Michael Young.  The 31-year old All-Star is signed to a five-year $80-million deal which kicks in next year and has Young inked through 2013 which makes him an unlikely candidate to move.  Milton Bradley is another name that occasionally is floated but little more than who might be interested in Bradley is discussed.

WHAT MAKES SENSE – The Rangers should move a catcher with Laird for young starting pitching a possibility.  The team most often tied to Laird is the Florida Marlins.  The Milwaukee Brewers are also a team mentioned as a suitor for Laird.  There was a rumor floated by Peter Gammons that the Red Sox inquired about Taylor Teagarden.  Texas also has Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Max Ramirez with Major League talent behind the plate.  The biggest question — do the Rangers chase the long shot and try to boost their rotation and bullpen or is it too broken to fix for a stretch run?  The answer should be no but they share Texas with the Astros — maybe there is something in the water there that distorts reality.

OAKLAND ATHLETICS

With Billy Beane at the helm, another trade to bring in young talent is not out of the question.  Beane already dealt Rich Harden to the Cubs and Joe Blanton to the Phillies and there are a number of players still on the roster with value.  Since moving Harden and Blanton, the team has stepped aside and allowed the Angels to run away with the West.  Many speculate Beane is not done.

STARTING PITCHING – Justin Duchscherer is 10-7 with a 2.37 ERA but had his worst start of the year against the Rangers on Saturday.  The Rockies’ interest in Duchscherer hit the rumor mill this week but it is still unsure whether the Rox are serious about a playoff run.  Duchscherer is the only Athletics pitcher considered to be able to impact a playoff race.

RELIEF PITCHING – Will Huston Street be the closer of the Athletics after 4 P.M. on Thursday?  Street is the most rumored player on the Athletics to be available as the Deadline nears.  Street has converted 18-of-23 save opportunities and a 4.00 ERA.  The teams often rumored to be interested in Street are the Dodgers, White Sox, Mets, Brewers and Rays.  Alan Embree is a lefty… need I say more? 

NON-PITCHING – This is an area the Athletics were mentioned as possible buyers prior to the Deadline with Beane interested in Pirates outfielder Jason Bay.  Is there a bat on the roster that teams might be interested in?  Probably not.

WHAT MAKES SENSE – Beane has made 80 trades as the general manager of the Athletics.  If Street were in a different uniform on August 1, no one (including Street) would be surprised.  As far as Duchscherer, if Beane thinks this season is a fluke, he might deal him for the right package, too.  Looking through the roster, there is no other player that would make a major impact on a playoff contender or heavily rumored to be on the move so these are the two likely candidates to become Beane’s 81^st trade.

SEATTLE MARINERS

Was the five-for-one deal for Erik Bedard the worst deal of the offseason?  The Mariners are 26 games out, Bedard is on the DL and basically untradeable and they gave up Adam Jones, George Sherrill and three prospects to the Orioles to get him.  Ouch!  Now, the Mariners are ready for a fire sale and only Ichiro Suzuki, Felix Hernandez and Brandon Morrow are considered untouchable.

STARTING PITCHING – Before his trip to the DL, it looked like the Mariners were ready to cut their losses with Bedard and move him for some prospects.  Now, Seattle cast Jarrod Washburn into the trade waters to see if there are any playoff contenders biting.  The Yankees have shown the most interest but consider Washburn a salary dump and are unwilling to offer up much more than they did for Bobby Abreu a few years ago. 

RELIEF PITCHING – 38-year old Arthur Rhodes is considered the equivalent of a Wal-Mart value lefty on the market.  In 35 games, Rhodes is 2-0 with one save and 2.53 ERA and has to be considered a nice free agent pick-up by the M’s.  Now, they need to turn their gamble into a prospect or two. 

NON-PITCHING – Raul Ibanez is often tied to the Mets but the Mets continue to stress their satisfaction with Fernando Tatis.  ESPN’s Buster Olney weighed in strongly on Tuesday night that there might be progress made in a possible trade of Ibanez to the Mets.  For the record, Olney also said the most likely landing spot for Teixeira was Arizona and the Braves wanted pitching.  Adrian Beltre was a popular name last week but his name has disappeared from rumors. 

WHAT MAKES SENSE – There is definite interest in Rhodes and the Mariners would be crazy to not move the veteran lefty.  Let’s make a bold prediction here and say Rhodes goes to the Brewers.  The one issue with the Ibanez-to-New York deal is the questionable status of Ryan Church.  If the Mariners keep Ibanez and he leaves after the season via free agency, it is likely he will be a Type A free agent and bring the team two compensatory draft picks. 

Tonight: Part Six – The National League West

Unfortunately I lost Internet access for most of the evening last night and was unable to write up my regular recaps. So today I’m just passing along the scoreboard and probable pitchers. There’s enough information in the boxscores and play-by-play to fill you in on Tuesday’s activities. We’ll return to our regularly scheduled recaps tomorrow!

Tuesday’s Scoreboard

Wednesday’s Probable Pitchers