Rays' Matt Garza throws no-hitter, Dan Haren leaves start early due to injury in Angels' debut

It's truly been the "Year of the Pitcher."

Yesterday, Matt Garza, a right handed starting pitcher from the Tampa Bay Rays, no-hit the Detroit Tigers and helped his team to a 5-0 win.

It was the first no-hitter in Tampa Bay Rays/Devil Rays history.

The no-hitter was also the 5th (!) no-hit game this season, alongside Dallas Braden and Roy Halladay's perfect games, and Ubaldo Jimenez and Edwin Jackson's no-hitters. It's the first time five no-hitters have been thrown since there were seven no-hitters in 1991. I would say Armando Galarraga had a perfect game, but we all know how that ended up...

In front of a crowd of just 17,000 at Tropicana Field in Tampa, the 26 year-old Garza only faced 27 batters, the minimum, and allowed just one walk to Brennan Boesch that would break up the perfect game bid in the second inning. He also struck out six and improved his record to 11-5 wit ha 4.06 ERA.

''It was one of those days where everything lined up,'' Garza said. ''The defense made great plays. I really can't say enough about them.''

The Rays have been involved in three of the five no-hit games this year: Edwin Jackson's no-hitter vs the Rays, Dallas Braden's perfect game vs the Rays, and now Garza's perfect game. They were also the team that Mark Buehrle defeated last season for his perfect game.

Garza's no-hitter is surely just one of possibly a few more no-hitters to come.

HAREN EXITS GAME EARLY WITH INJURY

Dan Haren made his Angels' debut Monday night, his first start since being acquired on Sunday in a trade with the Arizona Diamondbacks. However, Haren's debut didn't go as expected.

In the fifth inning, with the Boston Red Sox leading 2-1, first baseman Kevin Youkilis hit a sharp line drive that hit Haren square on his right forearm, his pitching arm. Haren tried to field the ball, but it ended up being an infield single as Haren fell to his knees in obvious pain.

Haren has what seems to be a right forearm contusion and will go for an additional examination by Angels' team orthopedist Lewis Yocum. Haren pitched 4.2 innings, allowing two runs on seven hits. As of now, he has been listed as day-to-day. Or as Yankees' radio announcer John Sterling would say "He's listed as day-to-day...aren't we all?"

In turn of events, Angels, not Yankees, acquire RHP Dan Haren

After reports earlier this week suggested that Arizona Diamondback's pitcher Dan Haren was headed to the New York Yankees, negotiations took a different turn of events.

Yesterday it was reported that the Yankees and Dbacks were not talking about a trade. That opened the door for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim to jump in.

In a move that stunned baseball (it looked like Haren was just about ready for pinstripes) the Angels acquired Haren from Arizona for LHP Joe Saunders, LHP Patrick Corbin, RHP Rafael Rodriguez, and 2009 first rounder LHP Tyler Skaggs. It's a decent package but all I have to say is...

...Joe Saunders? Really?

Don't get me wrong, Saunders is a fine pitcher, but he's the best Arizona could get? Besides Skaggs and Corbin, this is an AWFUL deal for the Dbacks. Even Skaggs and Corbin aren't anything to get that excited about. The Dbacks could have had a ridiculous package from the Yankees, but the Yankees bluffed at Arizona's ridiculous demands. The trending topic this year at the trade deadline: #onepricefortheyankeesonepriceforeveryoneelse.

MLBTradeRumors on Saunders says that, "Saunders, a former first round pick of the Angels, will change teams for the first time in his career. The lefty owns a career-high 4.62 ERA with 4.8 K/9 and 3.4 BB/9 on the season. The 29-year-old will earn a shade over $1MM for the rest of this season, after which point he is arbitration-eligible. The D'Backs will control his rights in 2011, but Saunders will hit free agency after 2012." Saunders had a career year in 2008, going 17-7 with a 3.41 ERA in 198.0 innings. He's not a strikeout pitcher and doesn't have overpowering stuff, but he's serviceable and is a good fit for a young Dbacks' rotation. He's 54-32 in his career, a winning percentage of .628.

Anyway, let's get into the analysis. You all know who Haren is, I've wrote about him for the past week so let's dive into the prospects.

Corbin, who just recently turned 21, is a left handed pitcher who is holding his own at Single-A+, going 5-3 with a 3.88 ERA. There's not really a lot of info on the kid, seeing as he just has two years in pro-ball. He projects to be a #3 or #4 starter.

MLBTradeRumors says that, "Skaggs was the Halos' supplemental first-round selection (40th overall) in 2009. The 19-year-old signed for $1MM in early August. According to Baseball America, Skaggs is armed with a fastball in the 88-91 mph range that could reach 91-93 mph when his upper body matures. Skaggs, in their estimation, projects as a solid mid-rotation starter." Skaggs is 8-4 with a 3.61 ERA in Single-A.

Rodriguez, 25, projects to be just another bullpen arm. He's pitched at the big league level this season, pitching to a 4.50 ERA in one game.

I'm really shocked that this was honestly the BEST deal the Dbacks got for Haren. Interim GM Jerry DiPoto, a rookie GM, really overplayed his hand in this one. I definitely think he could have gotten a better offer from the Yankees, even if Joba Chamberlain was not involved. I'm not saying that just because I'm disappointed that the Yankees lost out on another elite starting pitcher, I'm saying that because Arizona played the Yankees: giving them a ridiculous price for Haren while the rest of the league would have to give a lesser offer of prospect quality. It's ridiculous and unfair.

This move won't really change much in the AL West as the Texas Rangers currently hold a 7 game lead over the Angels.

Yankees pursuing Craig Breslow and Dan Haren, Four Teams Two Trades

- As seen on MLBTradeRumors and Fox Sports, the New York Yankees, along with the Philadelphia Phillies, St. Louis Cardinals, Minnesota Twins, and Detroit Tigers, are interested and are pursuing to trade for Arizona Diamondbacks' right handed ace pitcher Dan Haren. Haren, 29, who is struggling this season, has pitched to a 4.60 ERA with a 7-8 record. He's under contract through 2013 with a $3.5 million buyout for the 2013 season. He makes $12.7 million for 2011 and 2012.

The Dbacks, who initially asked for two major league pitchers and a bullpen arm, have lowered their demands and are exchanging names with the aforementioned teams. Haren is one of the better pitchers in baseball and is playing for a bad team, therefore having a bad season. Everything you need to know about him can be seen here, in a post that I wrote a few weeks ago when I first heard of the Yankees' interest in Haren.

- As well, the Yankees are interested in improving their bullpen. Their newest target: Craig Breslow.

Breslow, a journeyman right handed reliever out of Yale, has spent parts of five seasons with the San Diego Padres, Boston Red Sox, Cleveland Indians, Minnesota Twins and Oakland Athletics. Breslow, 29, has always been a reliable relief pitcher, indicated by his career ERA of 2.85. Breslow's best season came in 2007 with the Twins, when he went 0-2 with a 1.91 ERA while striking out 39 in 47 innings. Only two seasons, 2006 and 2009, has Breslow finished with an ERA over 3.00. All other seasons have been sub 3.00 ERA seasons. So far in 2010, he's 4-2 with a 3.02 ERA and 46 strikeouts(!) in 44.2 innings(!) for the Oakland Athletics, while allowing just 17 walks. The A's are in sell mode and two of their relievers, Michael Wuertz and Breslow, are the most attractive bullpen targets. The Yankees join the Boston Red Sox and Tigers as teams interested in Breslow. He makes just $425,000 this season and is under control through 2013, so no wonder teams are so interested.

Breslow joins Joakim Soria, Leo Nunez, Wuertz, Jason Frasor, Scott Downs and Kevin Gregg as bullpen arms that the Yankees are interested in.

- Also making small headlines, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim acquired infielder Alberto Callaspo from the Kansas City Royals in exchange for RHP Sean O'Sullivan and LHP Will Smith.

Callaspo emerged as a reliable starting infielder in 2009 for the Royals, hitting .300 with 11 home runs and 73 RBIs in 155 games. Callaspo, 27, has been playing mainly third base for the Royals this season, hitting at a line of .275/.208/.410, 8 HR, and 43 RBIs and 88 games. He's a great back-up infielder for the Angels to have, but he'll probably start at 3B for them due to Brandon Wood's struggles this season.

The Angels will send pitcher Sean O'Sullivan, who just beat the Yankees the other night, to Kansas City. He'll take his 1-0 record and 2.08 ERA to the Royals' rotation now. The 22-year old should fit right in to the Royals' rebuilding efforts. The Angels will also send over LHP minor leaguer Will Smith, who I know nothing about. The roster space means that the Royals will probably recall once top prospect 3B Alex Gordon activate outfielder Rick Ankiel from the disabled list. Good trade for the Angels.

- And last but probably not least, the Boston Red Sox acquired 3B/1B Jack Hannahan from the Seattle Mariners for either money or a player to be named later. Hannahan, 30, has spent 2006-2010 with the Detroit Tigers, Oakland Athletics and Mariners. He hasn't played in the majors this season, his last action came in 2009. 2008, his first full season, was in Oakland when he hit .218 with 9 home runs and 47 RBIs in 143 games. He's spent all of 2010 in the Mariners' minor league system Triple-AAA Tacoma team. The Red Sox will use him for his versatility since he can't hit a lick. He'll head to Triple-AAA Pawtucket.

San Francisco Giants trade C Bengie Molina to Texas Rangers for RHP Chris Ray and a PTBNL

Ladies and Gentlemen, it's trade time!

Today the San Francisco Giants traded catcher Bengie Molina to the Texas Rangers for RHP Chris Ray and a Play To Be Named Later.

Molina, who was hitting .257/.312/.332 with 3 HR and 17 RBIs through 61 games will take over as starting catcher for Matt Treanor, who's hitting .237/.315/.378 with 5 HR and 23 RBI through 54 games. Treanor will be the back-up catcher now. Before the trade, the trio of Texas catchers, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Taylor Teagarden, Max Ramirez and Treanor, were hitting a combined .212/.311/.328 on the year, prompting the move for a trade of a better offensive catcher. Molina, 36, is a free agent at the end of the season. The long-time Angels backstop is with his fourth organization now, after spending seasons with the Angels, Blue Jays, and Giants. The eldest Molina brother will now hope to had some power to the Rangers' lineup. The move will push Buster Posey to be the starting catcher in San Francisco.

The Giants meanwhile, acquire relief help as they try to make a playoff push this season. They'll acquire Chris Ray, ex-closer of the Baltimore Orioles. The former Tommy John surgery patient has thrown to a 3.41 ERA in 31.2 innings of work this season. Ray, 28, was traded to Texas for Kevin Millwood prior to the 2010 season, so this will be his second team this season. Ray will most likely take over duty as the set-up man for Brian Wilson. The Giants will also acquire a Player To Be Named Later as a bonus.

This is a good trade for both sides. The Rangers acquire a catcher that can hit and field, something they've been lacking since the days of Ivan Rodriguez, and they got him for a good price. The Giants acquire a young reliever who can help them in the bullpen, as well as a bonus player. The trade of Molina will now allow the Giants to play Buster Posey at catcher full-time, as he begins to grow into his position, and will allow them to play Aubrey Huff at first base full-time. A good trade fulfilling the needs of both teams.

Fan Poll decision: Roy Oswalt will end up with Yankees

How you all voted:
Yankees - 4
Nationals - 3
Mets - 2
Cardinals - 1
Braves - 0
Rangers - 0
Twins - 0

This was a close vote!

While most Yankee fans would love to see Oswalt in pinstripes, it really doesn't look like it's going to happen. The Yankees are happy with their current rotation and appear ready to sign Cliff Lee as a free agent and use money instead of dealing prospects such as Jesus Montero for Oswalt. It's been reported recently that the Astros are not ready to deal Oswalt. Teams such as the Texas Rangers, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, and Detroit Tigers have been named as some favorites to land the ace pitcher.

As much as I want Oswalt, I don't think the Yanks need him. Pettitte, Hughes, Sabathia and Burnett have been great so far, and I don't see a way to fit Oswalt in. As well, NL pitchers usually have difficulty transferring to the AL, so I think it's best to be cautious of how Oswalt would perform. Lastly, I'd prefer not giving up Jesus Montero for an old pitcher, case and point.

If you voted for the Nationals, I'd like to know why! Please leave a comment or drop me a message!

We'll just have to wait until July 31st.