Sanchez and Lee Traded

Just before the deadline on Friday the Cleveland Indians traded ace Cliff Lee to the Philedelphia Phillies for some top prospects including catcher Lou Marson. Plus, second basemen Freddy Sanchez, formerly of the Pittsburgh Pirates was traded to the San Franciso Giants. Also, in the trades, Jack Wilson was traded to Seattle for 1B Jeff Clement and SS Ronny Cedeno.

Halladay Going To Phillies?

Roy Halladay, ace of the Toronto Blue Jays has been mentioned many times in trade talks with the Philedelphia Phillies before the trade deadline on Friday. The Jays are asking tons for Roy Halladay(as they should) including pitchers J.A. Happ and Kyle Dreyback, top prospects for the Phillies.

Holliday Going To St. Louis

Matt Holliday, leftfielder for the Oakland A's has a high possibility of being traded to St.Louis for 3B Brett Wallace, outfielder Shane Patterson and another minor league pitcher. Holliday was an all star in Denver with Colorado but has fallen alot. Hopefully coming to St.Louis he'll improve rapidly to get the Cardinals to position themselves in first place in the NL Central race.

Home Run Derby Finished

The 2009 Home Run Derby is over with Prince Fielder the champion. Only a few years earlier Fielder was eliminated in the first round. The disappointment: Adrian Gonzalez with two home runs in the first round. Brandon Inge, all star third basemen hit zero home runs but wasn't expected to do much. Can't wait until next year.

Mid Season Report:Chicago White Sox

Chicago is in the race for the AL Central along with the Detroit Tigers and Minnesota Twins. They get awesome play from outfielders Carlos Quentin and Jermaine Dye but still need young infielders Chris Getz and Alexei Ramirez to produce to there potential. Through July 13th, 2009 the Sox are 45-43 and in second of the AL Central. The Sox are going to have a tough second half but, may make a run towards October.

Mid Season Report:Chicgao Cubs

After a great year last year the Cubs fell short to the LA Dodgers in the playoffs. Maybe that tipped off their momentum as they have fell rapidly to third in the NL Central with a (going into July 7th) 41-39 record. Hopefully new Milton Bradley, Alfonso Soriano and Derek Lee can ban togteher for a playoff birth.

Mid Season Report:Boston Red Sox

In 2004, the "Curse of the Bambino" was broken. After that histrorical moment the Red Sox have been unstoppable. Even without Manny Ramirez, the Red Sox have managed with all stars Jason Bay, Dustin Pedroia (2008 AL MVP) and Jonathan Papelbon. This year they seem to be even better than last year, first in the AL East with a 49-33 record.

Mid Season Report:Baltimore Orioles

When will it happen? The Orioles have been struggling to get anywhere close to the top of the AL East. They have many bright spots just like the Braves including: Matt Wieters, Nick Marakis, Adam Jones and Jeremy Guthrie. They are in the cellar of the AL East with a 36-46 record. It doesn't look like the second half of the Orioles season will be even better.

Matt Wieters will be an all star soon enough.

Mid Season Report:Atlanta Braves

The Atlanta Braves, the injury prone team of '08, have had a decent season so far. The injury bug hasn't hit them just yet but Chipper Jones hasn't been such a star like last year. They have many bright spots, Tommy Hanson and Yunel Escobar. There record: 39-43, fourth in the NL East. But, I think that the Braves can have a pretty good second half, maybe for 85 wins.

Tommy Hanson, pitcher

Mid Season Report:Arizona Diamondbacks

The Arizona D-Backs are having a pretty disappointing season. Most of the time the elite of the NL West, the D-Backs have lost many confidence. They are 33-49, entering July 6th, and last in the NL West. There only big star this year is Mark Reynolds, the young third basemen. My report: the D-Backs need a miracle to make the playoffs.

New Rookie Continues To Shine

Tommy Hansen, pitcher for the Atlanta Braves have been surprisingly great this year in his rookie season. Entering July 4th he had 20 scoreless innings. That streak was broken by Adam Dunn, who hit his 300th homerun the fourth fastest to get to that margain. Unfortunately, for Hansen and the Braves, the Nats won 5-4.