Halladay tosses second no-hitter in postseason history, Phight'ns take 1-0 series lead

Hey guys, I'm sorry this was just posted late. I thought I had clicked the publish post button last night after I watched the Yankees game, but I guess not. Anyway, it's old news, but here it is.

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History.

One day into the 2010 MLB Playoffs and we have history and a topic for the watercooler.

Roy Halladay, who had never pitched in the playoffs before yesterday after spending 12 seasons as the Toronto Blue Jays' ace, made his postseason debut yesterday with the Philadelphia Phillies.

"It's no fun out there," Reds slugger Joey Votto said. "It's like trying to hit nothing. He's an ace among aces."

All Halladay did was throw the second no-hitter in postseason history, keeping the Cincinnati Reds' scoreless to gain a 1-0 NLDS series lead, 54 years after the Yankees' Don Larsen picthed a perfect game in the World Series against the Brooklyn Dodgers.

Talk about a postseason debut. When the stakes were high, Halladay did what he does best: he pitched.

Until last night, Larsen stood alone.

Better make room for some company Mr. Larsen.

"It's surreal, it really is," Halladay said after the 4-0 win. "I just wanted to pitch here, to pitch in the postseason. To go out and have a game like that, it's a dream come true."

"This is what you come here for," Halladay said. "It's a good team, they know how to win. ... It's been a great year, a fun year, we obviously have a ways to go."

Halladay, The former American League Cy Young Award winner, and the likely National League Cy Young Award winner this year, finished 21-10 with a 2.44 ERA in his first year with Philadelphia, living up the hype that surrounded him when he was traded over to the Phillies during the winter for a boatload of mega-prospects. Often regarded to as one of the best, if not the best pitcher in baseball, Halladay pitched like it last night.

However this no-hitter was not just Halladay's first no-hitter.

It was his second of the season, as he also threw a perfect game on May 29 against the Florida Marlins.

In a year that has been regarded as the "Year of the Pitcher," Halladay, along with Dallas Braden, Ubaldo Jimenez, Edwin Jackson, and Matt Garza have all thrown no-hitters. However it was Halladay, 34, who has stood out, throwing just the second no-hitter in postseason history.

We may never see this again.

Even Larsen, now 81 years young, had praise for Halladay.

"You work hard for certain things," Larsen said. "I guess if you work hard enough good things are going to happen to you and it did for me and Halladay. You have to appreciate these things because you never know what's going to happen in the future."

Friday will mark the 54th anniversary of Larsen's perfect game, still the only perfect game ever pitched in the playoffs. Halladay's was a no-hitter.

"It was just a great day. I think about it every day," Larsen said. "No one has to remind me what happened. I was just happy to be a part of it with the New York Yankees and against Brooklyn in the World Series, everybody was watching."

What/who was the key to Larsen's success?

His catcher, Yankee legend and Hall of Famer, Yogi Berra.

"I couldn't have done it without Yogi," Larsen said. "He was a hell of a catcher. He deserves a lot of credit for it."

One no-hitter and 54 years later, we're hearing the same thing.

Halladay responded in similar fashion, as he credited his catcher, Carlos Ruiz.

"I felt like we got in a groove early," Halladay said. "Carlos has been great all year, he helps me get into a rhythm early, throwing strikes."

Roy Halladay, a guy who just wanted to pitch in the playoffs for once, engraved his name on the game for years to come with just that one start that he wanted to make.

History to kick off the new decade.

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STATE OF THE PLAYOFFS:

TEXAS RANGERS LEAD TAMPA BAY RAYS IN SERIES 2-0

NEW YORK YANKEES LEAD MINNESOTA TWINS IN SERIES 2-0

PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES LEAD CINCINNATI REDS IN SERIES 1-0

SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS AND ATLANTA BRAVES TIED 0-0

Yankees clinch playoff berth, Sabathia wins #21

The "Ace" has struck again.

CC Sabathia led the Yankees to Clinch and Conquer over the Toronto Blue Jays tonight in a 6-1 win, resulting in a captured playoff berth, as well as his 21st win of the season.

The win ensures that the Yankees will make the playoffs as either the division champions or wild card champions, am ultimatum fans must be happy to hear after a tough stretch over the final few weeks of September. Tonight's win was just the eighth in the last 22 games.

But even better news to Yankee fans?

It eliminates the Boston Red Sox.

Tonight being his last start of the regular season, Sabathia, who is making a case to be the Cy Young award winner in the American League, pitched 8 1/3 innings of one run baseball, striking out eight as he sent the Yankees to the playoffs for the 15th time in 16 years. His season line finishes at 21-7 with a 3.18 ERA. Thought of to be the front runner for the Cy Young, Sabathia has been pitching like the eventual winner all season, with his biggest starts coming in September with the Yankees struggling down the stretch.

"CC has been our ace all year long," Girardi said before the game. "He's pitched extremely well, so we expect him to go out and do it every time." (Mark Feinsand)

However while all is good in "Yankee Land," two other teams captured playoff berths tonight.

The Tampa Bay Rays clinched a berth with a win over the Baltimore Orioles. The Rays are battling with the Yankees for the division in the AL East, but the playoff berth guarantees they will either be the wild card or division winner.

In dramatic walk-off fashion, Jay Bruce sent the Cincinnati Reds to the playoffs for the first time since 1995 with a walk-off home run in a win over the Houston Astros. The Reds' win eliminates the St. Louis Cardinals and makes them the NL Central Division Champions.

The Yankees, Rays and Reds join the AL Central Division Champion Minnesota Twins, AL West Division Champion Texas Rangers and NL East Division Champion Philadelphia Phillies as the teams who have made the postseason. Two spots remain: The NL West and NL Wild Card.

The West and the Wildcard has been a back and forth dog-fight between the San Francisco Giants, San Diego Padres and Atlanta Braves the last few weeks. It'll be interesting to see who wins both berths. I'm sticking with my belief that the Giants will win the West, but I do think (and would love to see) a one-game playoff between Atlanta and San Diego. I'd pay to see that.

Well, that's all for tonight. If you haven't heard, the Carmelo-Anthony-to-the-Nets-trade got called off, other than that it's been a quiet night.

It's good to be back and I'm sorry I've been absent. I've been busy like nobody's business with apps, homework, essays and my job. Hopefully this is just the start to getting back on track.

News & Rumors: Oswalt's & Happ's debuts, Lilly, Theriot, Yankees, Cubs, Dodgers, Dunn, Jackson, ChiSox

- Roy Oswalt made his Philadelphia Phillies debut tonight after coming over yesterday in a blockbuster trade with the Houston Astros. His first start with his new team, Oswalt looked to make a good first impression.

So much for that.

Oswalt gave up five runs, four of which were earned, seven hits and walked two while only getting four strikeouts while hitting two batters over 6.0 innings in his debut against the Washington Nationals, leading to an 8-1 loss.

"I came out amped up, held the ball a little tight," said Oswalt, "Didn't really start feeling better until the last two innings. Didn't really go my way."

Oswalt now falls to 6-13 with a 3.53 ERA. His 13 losses lead the majors.

- On the other hand, J.A. Happ, the young left-handed pitcher who was traded for Oswalt, also made his debut tonight for the Houston Astros. Happ also looked to make a good first impression with a new ballclub that valued him so highly as to trade Roy Oswalt for him.

How'd his night go?

Happ, for lack of a better term, dominated the Milwaukee Brewers in his first start for the Astros. Over 6.0 shut-out innings, he gave up two hits, walked four and struck out six. The Astros would hang on to beat the Brewers 5-0 to get Happ his first win as an Astro. It was also Lance Berkman's last game as an Astro, though he did not play.

Happ is now 2-0 on the season with a 1.27 ERA and 15 strikeouts over 21.1 innings.

- According to MLBTradeRumors, the Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers are discussing two trades: one that would send LHP Ted Lilly to the Dodgers, and one that would send Lilly and SS Ryan Theriot to the Dodgers. Ed Price of AOL FanHouse and Jayson Stark of ESPN report that the New York Yankees are also involved in the Lilly-Theriot talks, as they could either be involved as a third team in a three-team deal, or they could acquire Lilly and Theriot for themselves.

Lilly, a former Yankee, Expo, Athletic and Blue Jay, is 3-8 with a 3.69 ERA in 117.0 innings on the season for a dismal Cubs team. A workhorse who pitched over 200.0 innings back-to-back from 2007-2008 before missing some starts in 2009 with injury, most of his losses are due to poor run support and a lackluster bullpen. Lilly is a free agent at the end of the season and is making $4.3 million for the rest of the year.

Theriot, an infielder who has played mainly second base and shortstop in his career, is a "grinder." He's got wheels, stealing 16/22 bases in 95 games this season, and has stolen over 20 the past three seasons. A slap hitter, Theriot is a career .288 hitter who doesn't hit for much power, his career-high seven home runs coming last season. This season, he's hitting .285 with 1 home run and 21 RBIs as well as having 110 hits. Theriot is owed $867,000 for the remainder of the year and is under team control through 2012.

For the Yankees, Lilly, 34, would slide into Andy Pettitte's spot in the rotation until he returns from injury and join his former team, while Theriot, 30, would be the Yankees' utility infielder. If the Yankees were to acquire Lilly and Theriot, in addition to Berkman and Austin Kearns before the deadline, that would be one hell of a haul. Nothing's imminent yet.

Update, 10:53 - The Dodgers and Cubs are nearing a deal reports ESPN's Buster Olney.

- With the idea that they would flip him for slugger Adam Dunn of the Washington Nationals, the Chicago White Sox acquired RHP Edwin Jackson from the Arizona Diamondbacks for top pitching prospect Dan Hudson and another pitcher. The Nationals, who coveted Jackson, stated that E-Jax was key in a trade for Dunn, who the White Sox have been linked to. However, when the White Sox approached the Nationals about a trade for Dunn, Nats' GM Mike Rizzo was unsure if he still wanted Jackson, according to Buster Olney.

The White Sox, obviously frustrated, broke off negotiations with the Nationals for Dunn late Friday night and took themselves "out of the running."

You can imagine how upset they must be, trading their top pitching prospect for a pitcher that they never wanted. Ouch.

Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal finds it difficult to see an Adam Dunn trade happening, especially with the Yankees, who were interested in Dunn, acquiring Berkman today, and the White Sox taking themselves out of the running. The only team with "some" interest left is the Tampa Bay Rays, who balked at a demand of RHP Matt Garza (who just threw a no-hitter) for Dunn. It's unlikely at this point that Dunn will be moved.

Phillies acquire RHP Roy Oswalt from Astros for LHP J.A. Happ and two prospects

After an agreement was reached this morning between the Houston Astros and Philadelphia Phillies to send Astros' ace RHP Roy Oswalt to Philadelphia for LHP J.A. Happ, OF Anthony Gose, SS Jonathan Villar and $11 million. All that was needed was for Oswalt to waive his no-trade clause.

At 2:30 PM Thursday, Oswalt waived his no-trade clause and will now join the Phillies for the players and money mentioned above.

Oswalt, 32, will now join a formidable Phillies' rotation that includes ace Roy Halladay and Cole Hamels. Oswalt will slide into the #2 stater role, giving the Phillies two aces. This season, Oswalt is 6-12 with a 3.42 ERA while playing for a terrible Astros' team who has blown many games for him by lack of run support and a terrible bullpen.

"I'm glad it worked out for both of us. I wanted to go to a contender, and Houston gets some good prospects in return who will hopefully allow them to build a winning team," Oswalt said.

"The hardest part about it is cleaning out my locker. I've been in the same place for 10 years and having to say goodbye and clean out the locker is the toughest part," he said.

"I'm at a point in my career where I just want a chance to get back to the World Series like I did in '05 with Houston," he said. "I'm excited to be going to Philly. I love watching Roy Halladay pitch and I think with him and Cole Hamels the three of us can feed off each other."

Oswalt, a back-to-back 20 game winner from 2004-2005, is a legitimate ace and will bolster a resurgent Phillies team. The Phillies sit just 3.5 games behind the Braves in the NL East and 2.5 out in the Wild Card behind the San Francisco Giants. Adding Oswalt should help the Phillies overcome either of these deficits.

In return, Houston gets LHP J.A. Happ, who finished second in the 2009 Rookie of the Year voting with a 12-4 record and a 2.93 ERA. A highly regarded left-handed pitcher, Happ helped the Philllies reach the World Series last year. Although he was defeated in his only World Series start, he was a dominant force and was the Phillies' best starter, along with Cliff Lee, during the regular season. Happ will immediately join the Astros' rotation as the #2 starter behind now #1 starter Brett Myers.

The Astros also get former 2008 second round pick and outfielder Anthony Gose. Gose, 19, was ranked sixth among Phillies' prospects by Baseball America going into the season. A player known for his speed and not so much his bat, Gose stole 76 bases for Single-A last season and has stolen 36 so far for Single-A+ this season. He has a decent bat, hitting a career-high .263 this season with a career-high 4 home runs. He plays solid defense and has an above-average throwing arm. Gose reminds me of almost a Brett Gardner/Juan Pierre type player.

Houston additionally receives young shortstop Jonathan Villar. Villar, 19, is currently at Single-A, sporting a .272 average with 2 home runs, 36 RBIs and 38 stolen bases. He's a solid contact hitter who won't hit for power at all. BaseballAmerica says that Villar has "plus tools across the board except for power," but he has yet to prove it. Villar also needs some serious work on his defense at shortstop, as he has committed 42 errors this season, through 99 games.

The Phillies will not pick up Oswalt's option for 2012 at $16 million and will instead buy him out for an additional $1 million which, when added to the original cost, is $2 million.

I think the Phillies got a steal in this trade. Happ is 27 already, Gose is mainly a speed/defense prospect, and Villar is terrible defensively and hasn't met expectations. I'm shocked that top first base prospect Jonathan Singleton wasn't included in the deal, ditto for pitcher Vance Worley. Being able to keep both of them is a steal. I don't think losing Gose or Villar will hurt Phillies' fans. I don't know what the Astros were thinking when they asked for these prospects, especially since they are also paying $11 million for Oswalt. Seeing as the Phillies get Oswalt for an additional year after this, and did not have to pick up his option, this was an absolute great trade and steal for the Phillies.

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In other news, the Baltimore Orioles hired former ESPN analyst and former Yankees, Rangers, and Dbacks manager Buck Showalter. Showalter brings his 882-833 managerial record back to the field and gets a contract that runs through 2013.

Phillies and Astros agree to Oswalt deal, now just needs Oswalt's OK

After months of speculation, a deal has been agreed upon. Now all that's needed is Roy Oswalt's OK.

This morning, the Houston Astros and Philadelphia Phillies agreed to a deal that would send Astros' ace Oswalt to Philadelphia for pitcher J.A. Happ and two other minor leaguers.

At the beginning of the season, Oswalt, 32, demanded a trade to a contender. He grew tired of the Astros and their losing seasons, along with their weak commitment to winning. Now he may finally get his wish, but he has to OK the deal first. Oswalt, who is making $15 million this season, $16 million next season, and has a $16 million option for 2012, has a no-trade clause in his contract. Oswalt, who has stated his preference to stay in the National League, would join a resurgent Phillies team which has been slightly improving and has found themselves in second place in the NL East, just 3.5 games behind the Atlanta Braves. Oswalt has stated that he wants his option for 2012 picked up by the team that acquires him, a request that other teams are not willing to agree to. It'll be interesting if the Phillies pick up the option. The Astros will also be paying $12 million for Oswalt's contract in the deal. Oswalt is 6-12 with a 3.42 ERA for a terrible Astros' team this year. A lifelong Astro, it will definitely be tough for fans to part with this great pitcher.

The Phillies will send young 27 year-old lefty J.A. Happ and two other minor leaguers (one of which has been speculated to be righty Vance Worley) to Houston. Happ, who went 12-4 with a 2.93 ERA last season, has been highly regarded by the Phillies and would join the Astros' rotation immediately. Worley, another young pitcher, was 9-4 with a 3.20 at Double-AA this season before being called up for one game, and then being sent back down to Triple-AAA. The other player could be first baseman Jonathan Singleton. Singleton, 18, has been the target for the Astros all along. He's hitting .312 with 12 home runs and 57 RBIs in 70 games for Single-A since being drafted in the 8th round of the 2009 draft. While the other two players are speculation, Happ is definitely in the deal.

Commitment to winning? Check. Contending team? Check. High payroll team? Check. Everything seems to be in order and Oswalt seems the perfect fit for the Phillies. If he were to not waive his no-trade clause, it would make Oswalt look hypocritical. One can imagine that if acquired, Phillies' GM Ruben Amaro Jr. will have to answer questions as to why he did not keep the more affordable Cliff Lee, who he acquired at the deadline last season. When it all becomes official, I'll post everything.

Phillies call-up top prospect Domonic Brown

Today, after centerfielder Shane Victorino hit the disabled list with a strained left abdominal muscle, the Philadelphia Phillies called-up top prospect and promising outfielder Domonic Brown.

Brown, who was ranked the 15th best prospect in baseball prior to 2010, became ranked the best prospect in baseball through mid-season (All-Star Break 2010), has a great amount of potential. A left-handed swinging outfielder, Brown, 22, has the ability to put power and average together. Before being called-up, Brown split time at Double-AA and Triple-AAA, hitting a combined .327/.391/.589 with 20 home runs and 68 RBIs, whiling getting 112 hits in 93 games. A 20th round pick in the '06 draft, Brown began to flash power during the 2009 season, when hit 14 home runs (his previous career-high was 9 in 2008) to go along with a .299 average and 64 RBIs. Brown also has speed, stealing 17 bases this season, 23 in '09 and 22 in '08.

The Phillies are expecting great things from Domonic Brown, especially with All-Star rightfielder Jayson Werth expected to depart via free agency. If Werth leaves, Brown would take over everyday duties in right field. When Victorino returns, the Phillies (most likely) would move Jayson Werth to left field, allowing Brown to stay in right field and Victorino to resume duties in center field. Brown has potential to be the next great Phillies' player, joining an amazing team of homegrown talent that includes Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley, Ryan Howard, Cole Hamels and Shane Victorino.

UPDATE: Domonic Brown made his debut tonight in right field, going 2-3 with a double, 2 runs scored, and 2 RBIs, all adding up to a .667 batting average to start his career.

"It feels great," Brown said. "I just want to go out there tomorrow and do it all again."

"I was just overwhelmed and couldn't hear anything out there," Brown said. "But once I stepped in that box, I was so focused on what I had to do."

When asked, Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said Brown is "an exciting player who has tools. He swung the bat good."

Good luck to you, Mr. Brown.

Mets notes: Francoeur, Cordero, Oswalt

- According to Mike Puma of the New York Post, the New York Mets are trying to trade right fielder and now fourth outfielder, Jeff Francoeur. Francoeur, 26, has been the Mets' starting right fielder since coming over in a trade from the Atlanta Braves in 2009 and was the starter this year. However, a starting outfielder his whole career, Francoeur has lost substantial amounts of playing time to sit on the bench in favor of Carlos Beltran, the Mets' highest paid player and star center fielder, who returned from arthroscopic knee surgery on Thursday.

Angel Pagan, who was acquired before the 2008 season in a trade with the Chicago Cubs, replaced Beltran in center field until his return and now has taken over everyday duties in right field due to his breakout season and strong play. In 2010, Francoeur is hitting a measly .243/.295/.378 and has an OPS of just .673 (the second lowest of his career) with 8 home runs (he hit 29 in 2006, but hasn't hit 20 since) and 42 RBIs while striking out 56 times in 336 plate appearances compared to the 28 year-old Pagan's line of .311/.367/.480, .847 OPS, with also 8 home runs, 44 RBIs, 20 stolen bases, and just 50 strikeouts in 359 plate appearances while also playing better defense with a .991 fielding percentage compared to a .984 %. Francoeur strikes out an average of 117 times per season.

Mets' Manager Jerry Manuel has also shown a greater liking to playing Pagan. Pagan is a better defensive player who is also faster on the base paths as well as in the outfield. He's also a better selective hitter than the free swinging Francoeur. Francoeur is also a good defensive player who has a Roberto Clemente-esque type arm, meaning it's a cannon. "Frenchy" started the season on a tear, but cooled off in May and has slumped since.

According to Puma, "the team is trying to trade the right fielder, and could have a deal in place by the time the Mets finish their series in Los Angeles this weekend.

Francoeur would welcome a trade, according to a person friendly with the right fielder, if it gave him a chance to play every day."

Francoeur makes $5 million this season, with just $2 million remaining for the season. He's a eligible to be tendered a contract through arbitration, but most think that he could be a non-tender candidate if he continues to struggle. Once a promising top prospect in the Atlanta Braves' organization (and he's from Georgia, how much better could it get? Can you say Jason Heyward?), a first round draft pick who went 23rd overall, Francoeur showed flashes of potential early in his career from 2005-2007, his best years, but he lost his power to try to improve his plate discipline and has been a below 20 home run hitter with a poor average ever since.

2005, his rookie year, he hit .300 with 14 home runs and 45 RBIs in 70 games, impressing scouts and finishing third in the NL Rookie of the Year voting after being named the Braves best prospect before the season by Baseball America. 2006, his first full season, he hit .260 with a career-high 29 home runs while driving in 103 RBIs, living up to the hype that surrounded him coming out of the minors. It looked like the best of Frenchy was to come. In 2007, Francoeur's average rose to .293, but the home run total went down to 19 and his RBI total was finalized at 105 for the season. For the 2008 season, many thought it would be the season that Francoeur would put average, power and driving in runs all together for a monster season. However, Francoeur struggled in 2008, hitting just .239 with 11 home runs and 71 RBIs. 2009 wouldn't get any better for Frenchy, as he struggled early and hit .250 with 5 home runs and 35 RBIs for the Braves before being traded to the Mets for Ryan Church on July 11. New York was where he improved, hitting .311 with 10 home runs and 41 RBIs putting his season total at .280, 15 home runs and 76 RBIs. Francoeur has driven in just an average of 63 RBI since 2008 and hasn't driven in 100 or more RBI since 2007, when he drove in a career-best 105.

Jeff is a great clubhouse guy, is very durable (he played 162 games, two full seasons, back to back years in 2006/2007 which were his best seasons), and could still be a great player. He's still just 26 and is still loaded with the potential that he had earlier in his career. I could see him going back to being a 30 HR and 100 RBI guy if he can fix up his swing and his plate discipline. Always one of my favorite Mets (I don't have a lot), I hope he does well elsewhere and gets to start if he is traded. I also hope he proves the Mets wrong. A contending team could definitely use him.

The Bleacher Report suggests that a trade of Francoeur to the New York Yankees makes the most sense in that Francoeur, who could greatly help the Yankees improve their bench, can rotate with center fielder Curtis Granderson and start against lefties, Granderson's weakness, while Granderson starts against right handers, Francoeur's weakness. In essence, if it were to happen, Francoeur would play left field on days lefties would pitch, pushing Brett Gardner to center field on those days. Frenchy, according to the article, would be filling an Eric Hinske-type role for the Yankees. He would come cheaply and would be a great clubhouse guy to go along with Nick Swisher to form great chemistry in the Yankees' clubhouse.

- In other news, the Mets signed right handed relief pitcher and former Montreal Expos/Washington Nationals stellar closer Chad Cordero to a minor league contract. He will head to Triple-AAA Buffalo. Cordero, 28, had labrum surgery two years ago after the start of the 2008 season. The rehab time and uncertainty of his effectiveness led to his release from the Nationals. Cordero, who was one of the top National League closers before the surgery, saved 128 games for the Nats/Expos, including 47 saves in 2005 as a 23 year-old with a 1.82 ERA, his best season. Cordero missed the entire 2009 season rehabbing and was signed by the Seattle Mariners prior to the start of the 2010 season. In nine games with Seattle, Cordero-as most pitchers who have shoulder surgery do-struggled, posting a 6.52 ERA while allowing 10 hits, 7 earned runs, 5 walks, 1 home run, and getting 6 strike outs in 9.2 innings before being optioned back to Triple-AAA on July 15th. Rather an accept another minor league assignment, Cordero opted for free agency and the Mets pounced, hoping Cordero would be the missing piece to improve their bullpen. Omar Minaya, former Expos' GM and now Mets' GM, drafted Cordero 20th overall in 2003 and always liked Cordero. The Mets expect a short-term minor league assignment before Cordero joins the team's bullpen.

- According to multiple sources over the past few days, the Philadelphia Phillies, who sit just a half game back of the Mets in the NL East standings at 48-46, have inquired on Houston Astros' pitching ace Roy Oswalt to try to trade for him to improve their rotation. Oswalt however, recently expressed his preference to play in St. Louis for the Cardinals, who, reportedly, are in talks to acquire the right hander built around a package that includes top pitching prospect Shelby Miller. Talks are currently at an impasse over salary, but officials suggest that a deal could get done. The Phillies are still monitoring the talks and are actively involved in trying to trade for Oswalt. If acquired by the Phillies, Oswalt joins a potentially threatening rotation that includes Roy Halladay, Cole Hamels, Joe Blanton and now J.A. Happ/Vance Worley. The Mets would need to trade for another top flight pitcher if Oswalt were to be acquired by the Phillies (it looks more like he's going to St. Louis) in order to maintain second place. Around The Horn Baseball thinks that Francoeur, along with top pitching prospect Jenrry Mejia, could be headed to Houston soon so that the Mets could acquire Oswalt.

More on the Cliff Lee front

The Cliff Lee Sweepstakes are beginning to take form.

During last night's Yankees-Mariners game in which Lee pitched, scouts from the Yankees, Mets, Rangers, and Phillies were in attendance, but not scouts from the Twins or Dodgers reports Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports.

He pitched a complete game against the Yankees, going 9 IP while giving up 4 runs, 2 being home runs by Yankees' right fielder Nick Swisher. Scouts are wondering if he's being overused by Seattle, seeing as his velocity dropped from 94-95 mph in his previous start, to topping out at just 92 mph last night. However, the lack of scouts hardly means that their a lack of interest in the ace left-hander.

It's been reported that Seattle would require a blue-chip prospect from what ever team they trade with. That means either C Jesus Montero from the Yankees or SS Wilmer Flores from the Mets. I wrote yesterday that Seattle wants a catcher in whatever deal they make, so for the Mets, building a deal around Flores and Josh Thole would surely net them Lee. It's known that the Mets need Lee, while the Yankees are are just interested.

The Mariners have been said to like Yankees' 2B top prospect David Adams, who is in Double-AA Trenton. Adams is currently blocked at the major league level by some guy who's leading the league in batting, I think his name is like Cano or something? Adams' future is best in another organization. Initially the Yankees would have to package Adams with a catcher, such as Montero or Austin Romine. Many would prefer the latter, as Montero is ranked as one of the top prospects in baseball, but Romine is not far off. If it's me, it's gonna hurt either way, but I'm giving up Romine. He just can't hit as well as Jesus.

So it seems as though the most likely destinations for Lee are Queens and the Bronx, we'll just have to see. I'll keep you updated.

I know you're all so unhappy that these Cliff Lee rumors are keeping me from writing my Ty Wigginton post (sarcasm).

In other news, NBA free agency kicks off tonight at midnight. Most of the buzz surrounds the big three: LeBron James, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh. They met in Miami the other day to discuss their futures together, so we'll just have to see how that all plays out.

Mike Axisa over at RiverAveBlues has a column up about why the Yankees should go after Cliff Lee. It's a good read so have at it.

A Tale of Two Teams

For the first time since 2004, the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers will square off this weekend in Los Angeles.

But oh lord, how things have changed since 2004.

For the first time since 2007, the Yankees will be on the same field as Joe Torre. Although this time, Torre will not be managing the Yankees and trying to help them win. He'll be on enemy lines, trying to defeat them with the Dodgers.

Torre took over as manager of the Yankees in 1996, a move that many people questioned, due to Torre's lack of success as manager of the Atlanta Braves, New York Mets, and St. Louis Cardinals. Torre however, shut the critics up. He led the Yankees to a world title in 1996, their first in almost 20 years. Then, he led the Yankees on the improbable run of three straight titles ranging from 1998-2000, as well as World Series appearances in 2001 and 2003, which both ended in losses. In his 12-year career with the Yankees, Torre was 1173–767, while winning four World Series Championships. It was a shame though, that it had to end so abruptly.

October 2006 -
After being eliminated from the first round of the playoffs for the second year in a row in 2006 by the Detroit Tigers, Joe Torre's job was in jeoperdy. His decision to bat Alex Rodriguez, the team's best player, eighth in the batting order due to a postseason slump, became an outrage. Rumors spread that Torre was going to fired and replaced by former Yankee Lou Pinella. The rumors were eventually put to rest by Yankees' General Manager Brian Cashman, as he stated that Torre was not going to be fired. Many were aware that principal owner George Steinbrenner was losing his patience with Torre, especially since it had been six years since a World Series title.

October 2007 -
The 2007 season was not much kinder to Torre. The Yankees finished the season 94-68, two games behind the Boston Red Sox in the AL East. The Yankees failed to win the AL East division, ending a streak of nine consecutive division titles since 1998. However, they still managed to reach the postseason by outlasting the Seattle Mariners to win the Wild Card. Sadly, the postseason would be short lived for the Yankees, as they lost in the ALDS to the Cleveland Indians in four games. Alex Rodriguez, who slugged 54 HR that season while earning AL MVP honors, only hit .267 in the series with 1 HR. Many blame Torre for the series loss, especially in Game 2. With Joba Chamberlain on the mound, and the Yankees leading 1-0 in the eighth inning, a swarm of midges swarmed Chamberlain and the rest of the Yankee team on the field. The midges distracted Chamberlain, as he allowed Cleveland to tie the game and eventually win it in extra innings despite a strong showing by Andy Pettitte. Many criticize Torre for not pulling the team off of the field, and waiting for the midges to leave. The series loss would lead to the end of an era in New York Yankees history, as the Yankees dismissed Torre as manager.

Torre wouldn't be unemployed for long. On November 1, 2007 the Los Angeles Dodgers announced that they had reached an agreement of $13 million over three years, for Joe Torre to be Manager for the 2008-2010 seasons. It would be the first time in twelve years that Torre would manage another team, and his first time managing on the west coast. There would be no more "Subway" ads with former Mets' manager Willie Randolph, no more advertising for Bigelow Tea, and no more Yankee swagger for Torre.

The Yankees would later sign former player and coach Joe Girardi to a three-year contract to be the next Yankees Manager. In 2008, Girardi's first year as manager of the Yankees, the Yankees finished in third place, and missed the playoffs for the first time in thirteen years. Fans called for Girardi's head, and regretted losing Torre. It wouldn't last for long however, as Girardi and the Yankees would win the World Series a year later in 2009.

In 2008, his first year as Dodgers manager, Torre led the Dodgers to the NL West division title. However, the Dodgers were eliminated in the ALCS in four games to the Philadelphia Phillies. In 2009, Torre led the Dodgers to a second consecutive divison title, but were again eliminated by the Phillies in the ALCS, this time in five games. Meanwhile, his old team, the Yankees, led by Girardi, would win 103 games that season, en route to their 27th World Championship.

Controversy struck prior to the 2009 season, when Torre released his tell-all book about his years with the Yankees titled "The Yankee Years." In his book, Torre criticised Steinbrenner, as well as 3B Alex Rodriguez. He went on to say that Rodriguez was looked at as a fraud in the Yankee clubhouse, and that his teammates did not respect him. He also went on to tell that Steinbrenner was often unfair, and acted somewhat as a tyrant. Torre also portrayed bad reputations on the Yankees' front office, including Cashman, who came to his aid in 2006 to defend Torre's job. Torre wrote that the Yankees had never given him a substantial offer to return as manager. After the release of his book, Torre appeared on talk shows to explain his decision to write the book and defended everything he wrote. The Yankees were offended by the way Torre portrayed the team.

Derek Jeter, whose first manager was Torre, will be facing against Torre for the first time in his career. Torre and Jeter always shared an almost father-son-like relationship during their years in New York together, and still keep in touch. Torre has often called Jeter his favorite player.

2010 has been a shaky season for Torre's Dodgers. The Dodgers stumbled out of the gate early, but have regained themselves and are currently 38-33, third place in the NL West. The Yankees stand at 45-27, first place in the AL East. While this is the first time in six years that the clubs will meet, they are all but unfamiliar with each other, dating back to the days of when the Dodgers still played in Brooklyn, New York. The two teams have played each other in the World Series eleven times: 1941, 1947, 1949, 1952, 1953, 1955, 1956, 1963, 1977, 1978, and 1981, with the Yankees winning eight times and the Dodgers three. Before the Dodgers' move to Los Angeles, the two teams were perceived as two of the best clubs in New York baseball history.

The past is over, the present is now, and these two clubs are likely to both make the playoffs. While it'll be awkward to face Torre, the Yankees cannot let that alone distract them. The action kicks off tomorrow, as CC Sabathia faces Vincente Padilla in Game 1, as the action will take place from Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. Get ready baseball fans, one of baseball's most ancient rivalries is yet to be renewed.

Halladay gets hammered, Yanks win 8-3. Mets beat Tribe 7-6.

(41-23) Yankees - 8, Phillies - 3 (32-20)
W - CC Sabathia (7-3)
L - Roy Halladay (8-5)
HR: (NYY) Curtis Granderson (5), Nick Swisher (11), Mark Teixeira (10)

The Yankees did what they needed to do. They got to Roy Halladay early, and didn't look back. Halladay came into tonight's game 18-6 with a 2.84 ERA lifetime vs the Yankees, along with bringing in a 8-4 record with a 1.96 ERA on the season. The way he pitched tonight however, didn't make it seem like that was the same pitcher. In the second inning, with Nick Swisher and Jorge Posada on base, Brett Gardner hit a triple to break open a 2-0 Yankee lead. To lead off the bottom of the third, Curtis Granderson sent a pitch sailing into the second deck in right field for a towering home run to give the Yanks an early 3-0 lead. After Mark Teixeira flied out, Robinson Cano reached on a double. The next batter, Nick Swisher, would send out his own bomb, clocking a pitch into the bleachers in right field, staking the Yanks out to a 5-0 lead over Halladay. In the top of the fourth inning it looked like the Phillies were making a comeback. They scored 3 runs off of Sabathia, but those would be the last runs they would score. In the bottom of the fifth, Mark Teixeira would look to regain some runs as he sent a homer just around the foul pole in right field to increase the Yankees lead to 6-3. The Yankees would score again in the bottom of the seventh, when Francisco Cervelli singled home Mark Teixiera and Jorge Posada to make it 8-3. The Yankees would not look back as David Robertson and Chan Ho Park shut down the Phillies for the eighth and ninth to give the Yankees an 8-3 win.

Sabathia pitched 7 innings, giving up 3 runs and 5 hits, but also getting 7 K's while his counterpart Roy Halladay only lasted 6 innings, while giving up 8 hits, 6 runs, 3 home runs, and only getting 5 K's. Many thought that Halladay's success against the Yankees would contribute to a win.

The Phillies only scored 3 runs in tonight's game, they have scored 3 runs or less in their last 21 games. The Phillies continue to slide, now only 2 games over .500 and in the 3rd place. The Yankees moved to 18 games over .500, still tied for 1st and with a Tampa loss tonight, can take over sole position of 1st place. Alex Rodriguez was not in the lineup tonight due to hip tendinitis and is scheduled to play tomorrow.


(36-28) Mets - 7, Indians - 6 (25-28)
W - Johan Santana (5-3)
L - Justin Masterson (2-6)
HR: (NYM) Ike Davis (8)
(CLE) Travis Hafner (8), Shelley Duncan (2)

While I didn't follow this game as closely as I did the Yankee game (c'mon it was Sabathia vs Halladay!) I understand Johan Santana's struggles continued against the tribe. Dating back to 2007 with the Twins, Santana was 0-5 against Cleveland. Through 7 innings today, he gave up 4 runs, 1 HR, 7 hits and only got 1, make that ONE, strikeout. That's very un-Santana like. As for Justin Masterson, he went 7 innings, giving up 7 runs (6 earned) on 10 hits and 1 home run while getting only 2 strike outs. So not a great performance out of either side. In the 9th, Francisco Rodriguez continued to be shaky, giving up a home run to Shelley Duncan to cut the lead to 7-6. Nonetheless, the Mets would hang on for the win. Barring an Atlanta loss, the Mets will be .5 games out of first place. Who woulda thunk it?

7 of the Mets' 12 hits tonight were infield hits.

So a win for both New York teams as they both push towards 1st place. That'll be all for tonight.

You again! Yankees vs Phillies World Series Rematch

Are you ready for the intensity of the Yankees vs Phillies?

Only this time it's not for a world championship, but just for regulation.

Yes, it was only eight months ago that the Yankees defeated the Phillies in Game 6 of the 2009 World Series. Today however, the Yankees play the Phillies for the first time since that World Series game (unless you count Spring Training) and look forward to another victory.

The teams are different. No more are the components that propelled last year's World Champions in World Series MVP Hideki Matsui and Johnny Damon. Likewise for the Phightin's. Cliff Lee, perhaps the Phillies post season MVP, has since been traded. But while old faces have since departed, new faces have entered with the same determination in the likes of Curtis Granderson, Javier Vazquez, and most notably, Roy Halladay. Nonetheless, the goal is still the same: Win.

The Phillies, losers of the World Series last year, look for redemption tonight against the Yankees as they send ace Roy Halladay to the mound. Halladay, who was nearly a Yankee but was acquired in the 3-team trade that sent Cliff Lee to Seattle, is without a doubt the best pitcher in baseball, along with being a notorious "Yankee killer." In his career with the Toronto Blue Jays, Halladay is 18-6 with a 2.84 ERA against the Yankees. The Phillies look for Halladay to shut down the Yankees offense in tonight's game.

The Yankees will respond with one of their own: ace left-hander and ALCS MVP, CC Sabathia. Sabathia, who is 6-3 with a 4.01 ERA this season has struggled recently, is arguably one of the game's best pitchers with Halladay. The Yankees will look for CC to keep them in the game, even though it will be difficult to score runs off of Halladay.

Could you truly ask for a better pitching match-up then this? Sabathia vs Halladay has to be the best match-up of the year. This will be a very interesting game tonight. The Yankees are hot right now. They swept the Astros, scored what feels like dozens of runs, and strolled into first place. You can only imagine the momentum carrying the Yankees tonight. The Phillies on the other hand are not hot right now. They've been offensively challenged of late and find themselves in 3rd place in the NL East behind the Mets and Braves. I really can't wait to watch this game!

First pitch 7:05! Yankees vs Phillies World Series Rematch! Sabathia vs Halladay! Who will be the victor? Stay tuned!

Jeter belts 2 homers, Posada a Grand Slam as Yanks crush 'Stros 9-3

(39-23) Yankees - 9, (25-28) Astros - 3
W - Javier Vazquez (6-5)
L - Wandy Rodriguez (3-9)
HR: (NYY) Derek Jeter 2 (7, 8) Jorge Posada (7, gr. slam)
(HOU) Hunter Pence (10)

While the home runs overshadow today's win, one can easily forget about how well Javier Vazquez pitched today. Over 7 innings, Vazquez gave up 3 runs, 6 hits, 2 HR, and got 6 strike outs on way to another quality start for the Yankees' pitcher. Over his last 7 starts, Vazquez has been dominating, going 5-2 with a 2.93 ERA, after starting out 1-5. Derek Jeter led off the game in the bottom of the 1st inning with a solo home run, staking the Yankees to an early 1-0 lead. As if almost to say "take that," Hunter Pence sent a solo homer out in the top of the 2nd inning to tie it 1-1. After giving up another run, it was 2-1 Astros. That would all change in the 3rd inning when Jorge Posada sent a pitch into the right field seats for a grand slam to give the Yanks a 6-2 lead from which they would never look back. As if to increase the damage, the killing blow came when Derek Jeter hit his 2nd homer of the game, a 3-run shot in the 6th, to make it 9-3. The Yankees go for the sweep of the Astros tomorrow before the defending National League champion Phillies come to town. Stay tuned.

Strasburg dominates, lives up to hype

Nationals - 5 (28-31), Pirates - 2 (23-25)
W - Stephen Strasburg (1-0) 14 K's!
L - Jeff Karstens (1-2)
SV - Matt Capps (19)
HR: (WAS) Ryan Zimmerman (12), Adam Dunn (11), Josh Willingham (11)
(PIT) Delwyn Young (3)

Stephen Strasburg lived up to hype. Over 7 innings, Strasburg gave up 4 hits, 2 runs (on the Young home run), 1 HR, 0 BB and 14 SO. Talk about a debut. No walks and 14 K's! He threw 94 pitches in this game. Perhaps the most exciting part of this game: he hit 100 mph on the radar gun. Along with some of the most devastating curve balls I've ever seen, Strasburg went above the hype tonight. Strasburg's 14 K's put him second on the all-time strike outs list in a major league debut behind J.R. Richard with 15 in 1971. His 14 K's gave him the most in one game by a Nationals player in franchise history. As I watched this game, I was stunned by the movement on Strasburg's pitches. His pitches were moving like crazy and hitters just had no chance. Congrats to Stephen Strasburg and here's to continued success! What a great night for major league baseball.

On a side note, Mike Stanton, the Marlins top prospect, went 3-5 in the Marlins' loss to the Phillies, 10-8.

Ready for the next Generation

Tonight the baseball world will be watching as the Washington Nationals take on the Pittsburgh Pirates. It's the start of a new era. Tonight, Stephen Strasburg, the #1 overall pick in last year's draft, makes his major league debut tonight. Strasburg was called, even before he was drafted, the best pitching prospect of all time. Most would say that it could be a fluke and prospects are just that, prospects (see Mark Prior and Todd Van Poppel). However, Strasburg has proved that otherwise. After making just 11 starts in the minors, and zipping through AA and AAA, Strasburg was 7-2 with a eye-popping 1.30 ERA in 55.1 innings with 65 strikeouts. Pure dominance. The world will be watching tonight to see how the game's best prospect debuts. Tonight we will see if Stephen Strasburg can continue to live up to the hype. Stay tuned.

My prediction for Strasburg's line:
6 IP, 0 runs, 4 hits, 8 SO and 2 BB.

Strasburg will not be the only future star debuting tonight. The Florida Marlins called up top prospect OF Mike Stanton and he will be starting tonight against the Philadelphia Phillies. Stanton, who was one of the minors' best hitters, was always ranked in the top 5 prospects and was drafted in the 2nd round of the 2007 draft. The amazing part of all this: he hasn't even played in AAA. After crushing AA with a .311 average, 21 home runs (!) and 52 RBI, the Marlins felt Stanton was ready to come up. Stanton has always been a power hitter, hitting 39 homers in '08 and 28 in '09 with 21 already this year! We will see the new era of the Florida Marlins. Stanton might just be the best prospect out of the Marlins system since Miguel Cabrera. While most of the attention will be on Strasburg tonight, make sure to also keep an eye on Mike Stanton. This will be a fun night.

Stanton's line tonight:
2-4, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 1 BB.

Enjoy the games!
(both will be aired on MLB Network for live look-ins)