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.

Yankees acquire "The Big Puma" Lance Berkman from Astros for Mark Melancon and Jimmy Paredes

Just a few moments ago, the Houston Astros and New York Yankees agreed to a trade that will send power-hitting first baseman Lance Berkman to the Yankees for Triple-AAA RHP Mark Melancon and Single-A INF Jimmy Paredes. The Astros will also pay $4 million of Berkman's salary.

I profiled Berkman as a possible trade target back in June, so I'll just re-post that post here with some slight adjustments of course.

By adding a power bat in "The Big Puma" Berkman, the Yankees will now have a very dangerous offense. The face of the Houston Astros since the retirement of Craig Biggio, Berkman has slugged 21 or more home runs every full season in the big leagues, including a career high 45 in 2006, his best year, in which he batted .315 with 136 RBI and finished 3rd in the MVP voting. Berkman has slugged more than 40 home runs twice in his career, 42 in 2002 and 45 in 2006, as well has slugging over 30 or more three times, 34 in 2001, 30 in 2004, and 34 again in 2007. Add that to five seasons of 20 home runs or more: 21 in 2000, 25 in 2003, 24 in 2005, 29 in 2008, and 25 in 2009. He's also driven in over 120 RBI three times: 126 in 2001, 128 in 2002, and a career high 136 in 2006. He's also had six seasons of over 100 RBIs. He's had four seasons of over .300 batting averages with a career high .331 in 2001, .316 in 2004, .315 in 2006, and .312 in 2008. Add that all together and Berkman has a career batting line of .297 AVG/.409 SLG/.549 OBP, .959 OPS, 319 HR, 1070 RBI, and 1622 hits. A first round draft pick (16th overall) in 1997 out of Rice University, Berkman is a slugger to say the least.

But Berkman's not that slugger anymore.

This season has been Berkman's worst career season, having career lows in AVG, SLG, OBP, and HR. He's hitting .245 with 13 home runs and 49 RBIs in 85 games - not his usual standards - and has just an .808 OPS, a landslide fall from a .907 OPS in 2009. However, vs. righties this year, the switch-hitter is hitting .261 with 12 home runs and 45 RBIs, but is terrible against lefties, hitting .188 wih 1 home run and 4 RBIs. Berkman has always been known for having great plate discipline, walking over 100 times in three seasons, and had totals of 91, 98, 94, 99 and 97 since 2005 as well as 60 so far this season. There's no doubt he'll get on base.

Berkman had a no-trade clause in his contract, but waived it in order to go to the Yankees. He has 10-5 rights, meaning he can still decline the deal, which is unlikely, so the announcement will have to wait 24 hours due to the rights. Berkman makes $14.9 million this year, but hasn't been earning it. The Astros are said to pay $4 million of Berkman's contract, as well as his buyout, while the Yankees are going to pay $3 million. The Yankees can definitely afford it, as Berkman is owed just $7.1 million more this season, but it's nice to get a little salary help. Berkman has a $15M option for 2011, which he required the Yankees to not pick up in order to waive his no-trade clause which is absolutely fine by me. He'll be 35 next season and is a Type-B free agent who is declining. A half year of Berkman is perfectly suitable.

Riveraveblues says that "Another encouraging factor lies in his splits. Even with his poor performance early in the season he has crushed righties this season, to the tune of a .382 wOBA. Presumably this has gotten better lately, too. He’s spraying the ball to all fields as a lefty, hitting 56 to left field, 55 to center, and 65 to right. His opposite field power has not faded, as he has a .482 ISO when hitting the ball the other way. He does seem to have some trouble pulling the ball, as he has a 67.7 ground ball rate when going to right field, with only 13.8 percent fly balls (and 22.2 percent of those are infield flies, though another 22.2 percent left the park). I’m not sure if this is something he’s also improving on, but if it is he’d be the complete package in New York: a lefty who can spray the ball the other way but still take it over the short porch."

If that's not encouraging news, I don't know what is. If Berkman can hit the ball to all fields, he'll use Yankee Stadium as a definite advantage.

The Yankees, reportedly, have traded the Astros RHP Mark Melancon, 25 and INF Jimmy Paredes, 21. That eliminates (and soothes) fan's worries that top prospects Jesus Montero and Austin Romine could have been traded.

Melancon was the Yankees' 9th round draft pick in the 2006 draft, a draft in which many consider the Yankees' best draft of the decade due to the success of the drafted players. Sadly, Melancon, who was deemed to be the next Joba Chamberlain, never lived up to the hype. Melancon was ranked the Yankees' 15th best prospect by BaseballAmerica, but while dominating in the minor leagues, he could never translate the success to the majors. In 2008, his breakout season, Melancon went 8-1 with a 2.27 ERA in 95.0 innings/44 games with an 8.4/9 strikeout rate for A+/AA/AAA. His ridiculous 2008 carried into 2009, as he was 4-0 with a 2.89 ERA in 32 games/53.0 innings while striking out 54, increasing his strikeout rate to 9.2/9. His dominance warranted a call-up in April of 2009. Melancon struggled in the big leagues, pitching to a 3.86 ERA in 13 games while allowing 13 hits and 10 walks in 16.1 innings before being sent back down. In 2010, Melancon has spent most of the season in the minor leagues pitching in 40 games/56.1 innings with a 3.67 ERA, 6-1 record, 58 strikeouts and a 9.3/9 K rate. He appeared in two games for the Yankees, posting a 9.00 ERA while giving up 7 hits, one being a home run, in 4.0 innings.

Paredes, an international signing out of the Domincan Republic, is a switch-hitting infielder. In the minors, he has played second base, third base and short stop. A player who has relied more on his speed than his hitting, Paredes has stolen 36 bases in 46 attempts in 2010 while posting a .282 average with 5 home runs as well as driving in 36 RBIs with 114 hits in 99 games, all of which are career highs for a full season. Paredes does need to work on his defense, I can't stress that enough: he's committed 36 errors this season after committing 34 in 2007, 13 in 2008 and 12 in 2009.

By giving up an average pitcher who the Yankees have no place for and a young infielder who will probably never wear the pinstripes, this deal is a steal for the Yankees.

While the Yankees offense has been solid this year, Mark Teixeira (who is heating up) and Alex Rodriguez have not been contributing at their expected rates and the team, which was expected to be carried by its offense, has been carried by its dominant starting pitching. Since free-agent signing DH Nick Johnson went down with a wrist injury that required surgery, the Yankees have had a revolving door at DH which has included Jorge Posada, Marcus Thames, Juan Miranda, Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter, Mark Teixeira, Nick Swisher, Robinson Cano and now Colin Curtis. Clearly the Yankees needed another bat to solidify the DH role, and acquiring Berkman does just that. It also ends trade speculation that has been going on for months. For once, Yankee fans won't have to see a minor leaguer using the DH role.

"We've used [the DH] to rotate our guys and try to keep our guys fresh, but if we have an everyday guy, we have an everyday guy," Manager Joe Girardi said. "I can't tell you what's going to happen, but it has helped giving Alex a half-day and Jeet a half-day, and Tex and Swish. But if you get an everyday guy that can swing it, that could help our club. ... However we can improve our club, I'm all for it."

"I never thought I would be in this position, never had to go through it," Berkman said. "It's unsettling because you just don't know what's going to happen and there's all sorts of possibilities. I guess in one sense, it's good because there's teams that want me to play for them, particularly in a down season."

"No matter what happens, this is my home and my organization," he said. "I'll be a Houston Astro no matter what happens in the next 24 hours. If something does happen, I would certainly want to leave myself open to a return to the team if that made sense for the organization and for me as well."

"That's great, because we're a team that's all about winning and anyone who can come in here and help us score more runs," said New York's Mark Teixeira. "[They are] two quality guys. I know both real well. They're great guys, and it's going to be great for this clubhouse."

"We have so many dynamic players on our team," Teixeira said, "and we have a lot of guys that can hit in the middle of the order, but we also have a lot of guys that can draw walks. I see him hitting in the top of the order or the middle, and he can drive in runs anywhere, too."

"Not one guy has to carry this team, and that's the great thing about the Yankees," Teixeira said. "They're always going to do what it takes to win and you see it today getting two players like that.

"It's great. The Yankees fans deserve it and the city of New York deserves a winner every year. That's what we're trying to give them every year."

In the postseason, Berkman is a career .321 hitter with 6 home runs and 26 RBIs in 29 postseason games in 2001, 2004 and 2005 combined. In 2005, the year the Astros reached the World Series but were swept in four games by the Chicago White Sox, Berkman hit .385 with 6 RBIs. His tremendous postseason hitting could be another reason why the Yankees acquired Berkman as they look to lock up the AL East.

I like this trade a lot, especially because the Yankees didn't have to give up a prospect with much caliber and got some cash. I'd definitely would have preferred Adam Dunn, who the Yankees were rumored to earlier today, but Berkman, a five-time All-Star, is a great hitter - his days of hitting 40 home runs are over - but perhaps a change of scenery, as well as the short porch in right field, can help "Big Puma" improve his season and up his power numbers. He'll probably slide into the no. two spot in the lineup, making for this lineup:

1. Derek Jeter, SS
2. Lance Berkman, DH
3. Mark Teixeira, 1B
4. Alex Rodriguez, 3B
5. Robinson Cano, 2B
6. Nick Swisher, RF
7. Jorge Posada, C
8. Curtis Granderson, CF
9. Brett Gardner, LF

That's ridiculous and incredibly deep.

It's been a tough two days for Astros fans, who saw franchise pitcher and Astro-lifer Roy Oswalt get dealt yesterday to the Philadelphia Phillies for a terrible package of players (besides Brett Wallace, who they got from the Blue Jays) and now one of the best hitters in franchise history and Astro-lifer get traded today to the Yankees for two prospects, one of which who has lost the confidence of the Yankees. It'll definitely be tough for Astros fans to watch both players with different teams in the postseason.

Berkman is a huge offensive upgrade and should be a great addition to the Yankees for an extremely low price.

Good move by GM Brian Cashman.

Astros trade newly acquired OF Gose to Blue Jays for 1B/3B Brett Wallace

What a whirlwind of a day for Anthony Gose.

After being acquired today by the Houston Astros from the Philadelphia Phillies in the Roy Oswalt trade, reportedly, the Astros have traded Gose to the Toronto Blue Jays for top prospect third/first baseman Brett Wallace.

Wallace, a power hitting batter, was traded from the St. Louis Cardinals to the Oakland Athletics for Matt Holliday last year. During the off-season the Phillies traded OF Michael Taylor and other prospects to the Blue Jays for Roy Halladay. The Blue Jays then traded Taylor to the Athletics for Wallace. Now Wallace has been traded yet again for another Phillies' prospect, this time Gose, and will head to Houston.

Ranked the 27th best prospect in baseball, Wallace is hitting .301 with 18 home runs and 61 RBIs through 95 games this season while playing only first base. He originally was drafted a third baseman by the Cardinals, but after being traded from Oakland to Toronto, he made the switch to first. Wallace, 23, was the Cardinals' first round draft pick in 2008 out of Arizona State, going 13th overall. He has a career .304 average in the minors and was called a "hitting machine" by Astros GM Ed Wade. Wallace could be the best player the Astros got in this deal. Getting Wallace for Gose is definitely a better upgrade.

So technically, the Roy Oswalt trade will be remembered as Oswalt for J.A. Happ, Anthony Gose, Justin Villar and later Brett Wallace. Good flip of prospects by the Astros.

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.

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.

Yankees 2010 Trade Target: Lance Berkman

Lance Berkman, 1B/OF Houston Astros
2010 season: 55 G, .237/.341/.384, 6 HR, 29 RBI

As recently as last week, we heard rumors that the Yankees had scouts following the Houston Astros watching Lance Berkman, just in case the Astros decide to make him available via trade. By adding a power bat in "The Big Puma" Berkman, the Yankees would have a very dangerous offense. The face of the Houston Astros since the retirement of Craig Biggio, Berkman has slugged 21 or more home runs every full season in the big leagues, including a career high 45 in 2006, his best year, in which he batted .315 with 136 RBI and finished 3rd in the MVP voting. Berkman has slugged more than 40 home runs twice in his career, 42 in 2002 and 45 in 2006, as well has slugging over 30 or more three times, 34 in 2001, 30 in 2004, and 34 again in 2007. Add that to five seasons of 20 home runs or more: 21 in 2000, 25 in 2003, 24 in 2005, 29 in 2008, and 25 in 2009. He's also driven in over 120 RBI three times: 126 in 2001, 128 in 2002, and a career high 136 in 2006. He's also had six seasons of over 100 RBIs. He's had four seasons of over .300 batting averages with a career high .331 in 2001, .316 in 2004, .315 in 2006, and .312 in 2008. Add that all together and Berkman has a career batting line of .297 AVG/.409 SLG/.549 OBP, .959 OPS, 319 HR, 1070 RBI, and 1622 hits. A slugger to say the least.

It's not a secret that the Yankee offense right now is struggling. They got bombarded by the D-backs last night, after a great pitched game by Rodrigo Lopez, limiting the Yankees to four runs in last night's 10-4 loss. However, a case can be made that Berkman, 34, may not be able to help the Yankees. This season has been Berkman's worst career season, having career lows in AVG, SLG, OBP, and HR. There's also the contract issue. Berkman makes $14.9 million this year, and also has a no-trade clause, meaning he'd have to waive his clause to be traded to the Yankees. I'm not sure that the Yankees would be so willing as to pay all of that contract. That may not be a problem however, as recently Astros' owner Drayton McLane said that the organization would be willing to absorb salary in a trade depending on the offer. Perhaps if the Yankees made the Astros a strong enough offer, the Astros would eat Berkman's salary.

But there is yet another issue with trading for the Rice University graduate Berkman. It's well known throughout baseball that McLane likes to keep his favorite players, Berkman being one of them. Over the years he's shown resistance to trading players such as Jeff Bagwell, Craig Biggio, and Roy Oswalt. However, due to the Astros' past under .500 seasons, including another one this year at 26-44, McLane may be forced to trade the switch-hitting Berkman in order to rebuild the organization by acquiring prospects with high potential.

Yet there are still more issues, the most important being where would Berkman play on the Yankees? First base is occupied for the next seven years, and the Yankees already have two corner outfielders who play better defense than Berkman. The obvious position for Berkman would be DH on the Yankees. This presents another problem due to the health questions surrounding Jorge Posada, who has shown his signs of age and cannot catch everyday, forcing him to DH. The Yankees would like to keep his bat in the lineup on days he does not catch, but if they acquire Berkman, Posada would be forced to ride the bench a few times per week. To me, it seems as though Berkman may not have a spot on the team, similar to Adam Dunn, who I profiled a few days ago.

Then there is always the issue of prospects. I'm pretty sure every Yankee fan knows that the Astros starting point would be with Jesus Montero or Austin Romine. The Astros would require a top prospect in the deal, but most likely two if the Yankees wanted the Astros to eat Berkman's contract. I think a deal would have to consist of at least an A-level prospect, a Bminus-level prospect, and at least two C-level types. That means a deal of C Austin Romine, RHP Mark Melancon, LHP Wilkin De La Rosa and 2B David Adams.

If I were the Yankees I would not trade for Berkman. I think that the offense could survive with another bat that could cost less prospects-wise. I also think that the salary is an issue. The Yankees are reportedly on a "budget" and I'm sure they don't feel like adding $14.9 million to the payroll. I don't think it'd hurt the team if they acquire Berkman, but he's not having a good year and not having a good year playing in the weak NL Central, meaning he'd most likely have difficulty adapting to the strong pitching of the AL East. And he's 34, meaning his best days of hitting 30 home runs are probably behind him. While I've always liked Berkman, I do not think he has a place on the Yankees and I'd rather spend the prospects and money on someone else who's having a better year and is less expensive. Sorry Puma.

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.

Today's News

Hey everyone! Here are some of the top stories in today's sports news:

Baseball
- The Yankees resigned pitcher Chad Gaudin after he was released from the Oakland Athletics. Gaudin was a part of the 2009 Yankees that won the World Series. Boone Logan has been optioned to AAA.
- The Texas Rangers have confirmed interest in Roy Oswalt, however the Astros are not looking to deal him yet.
- The Washington Nationals will call up Steven Strasburg, the #1 overall pick in the 2009 draft, around June 8-10 as the Nats host the Pirates. It was early said that he would make his debut June 4th.

Basketball
- The Phoenix Suns beat the Los Angeles Lakers last night to tie the series at 2-2. The next game is tomorrow night.
- The Orlando Magic are currently leading 37-33 over the Boston Celtics in the 2nd Quarter.
- President Obama has projected the Lakers to make it to the NBA Finals.

Football
- Superbowl 2014 in New York/New Jersey!

Hockey
- Stanley Cup Final Game 1 on May 29th.

Be back with more after the games!