Champions: The 2012 San Francisco Baseball Giants

Ryan Theriot scored the series winning
run in the 10th inning on Sunday.
(Photo Credit: Reuters)

And with a rush of the field that looked every bit as unimpressive as a Toledo Rocket field storming, The San Francisco Baseball Giants have won the World Series for the second time in three seasons.

That is how we're going to end an anticlimactic postseason.  The Giants swept the Tigers.  Game Two was the lowest rated World Series Game of time.  Quite frankly, the DS was more exciting.  The Cardinals overcame a large deficit to beat Washington in Game Five.  Raul Ibanez hit a game-tying and a walk-off home run off the bench.  San Francisco came back from 0-2 to win three games in Cincinnati and the series.  Detroit overcame raucous crowds in Oakland to pull it off.  It was exciting, theatrical baseball and that was what captivated America.

Then Derek Jeter fractured his ankle and America paid less attention.

East of the Rocky Mountains, you're going to hear about how your team dropped the ball.  More than likely it will be bellyaching about how the Cardinals dropped the ball, how the Yankees fans missed out on their birthright of a pennant, how the Braves got screwed in the Wild Card game or how the Cubs will be great in 2015.  The story you're missing is a San Francisco team and their unlikely heroes, great bullpen and an uncanny knack to stick around.

The feeling of having a title overlooked by other fans is all-to-common for me.  Seven full seasons removed from my team's brush with World Series glory, the 2005 Chicago White Sox seem like yesterday.  I will spare you that rant because this is about the Giants and their season.  

Here's 10 things that most of America, like me, will see as a spec of dust on their sports memories while indulging in College and Pro football:

1 - Marco Scutaro hit .500 in the NLCS.  The Giants rallied from a 3-1 deficit to win the pennant.  Much more of you were watching because the "Best Fans In Baseball" and their team were still in it.

2 - The Giants won twice in must win situations with Barry Zito starting.  Barry Zito reverted back to Oakland Barry Zito in Game 5 of the NLCS.  #RallyZito was trending on twitter.  In Game 4 of the NLDS, Tim Lincecum came out of the bullpen and pitched like Two-Time Cy Young Award Winner Tim Lincecum.

3 - Big trade deadline acquisition Hunter Pence was a no-show at the end of the regular season and was not anything special in the playoffs.

4 - Pablo Sandoval homered thrice in Game 1.  This was one of the most notable part of the Giants playoff run.

5 - Ryan Theriot scored the series winning run in extras.  He went ballistic after scoring.  This was Ryan's second straight title.

6 - Melky Cabrera, a Giant who was suspended for using PED's and not on the Postseason roster because of a team decision, was the reason the Giants had homefield advantage in the World Series.

7 - Angel Pagan won you a Doritos Locos Taco on October 30th from 2-6 at any participating Taco Bell.

8 - Outside of Game 7 of the NLCS, Matt Cain's postseason ranged from less than stellar to downright abysmal.  His slider was consistently hit hard in the postseason.

9 - They duked it out with a Dodgers team in the NL West after the Dodgers had picked up more new pieces in July.  The Giants won 94 games and the division by 8 games.

10 - Triple Crown winner Miguel Cabrera struck out looking to end the series

The point is that every title run has many subplots.  Baseball has become a game that stresses having a good bullpen and a good scouting department.  Every particular team starts Spring Training in February.  Winning a title means doing well enough over 162 games to make the playoffs.  In Major League Baseball, only a third of teams make the playoffs.  That is good for the most exclusive postseason in sports.  Most teams that are in playoff contention as July 31st approaches will take advantage of the opportunity to bolster their roster.  In August, teams can acquire players that are put on waivers.  In September, if your team is still in contention, they set their postseason roster and make their last push to make the postseason.  Then they need to win 11-12 more games against the best teams in baseball and the title is theirs.

The San Francisco Giants did this for the second time in three years.

The Giants boasted a bullpen that is considered one of the best in baseball.  The Giants were aided by several gritty pitching performances.  They were also aided by Marco Scutaro who played the role of Cody Ross in this postseason.  They caught breaks.  They fought from behind.  They won baseball games.  Pretty much everyone on their roster made their mark on this postseason.

Kudos to the San Francisco Giants.  I selected the Arizona Diamondbacks as my preseason World Series Champion.  It turns out, I had the division right.

Next In Baseball: The AL MVP is announced and a lot of people are upset.

PSA: Notre Dame Is Back

Going into this week, Notre Dame was a legitimate candidate to go to a BCS game.  After the Irish went into Norman and took a 30-13 contest that was MUCH closer than the score indicated, they put themselves in the National Championship discussion.

A big takeaway from this game is the maturation of freshman quarterback Everett Golson.  There were times this season where Tommy Rees had to bail out the Irish.  Last night is Norman was not one of those nights.  After the Sooners tied the game in the 4th quarter at 13, Golson almost immediately hit freshman Chris Brown with a 50-yard pass that set up an Irish touchdown.  Notre Dame rode that momentum to a 30-13 victory.

Golson did an effective job at managing the game and made a big play when he needed to.  The defense did their job and let up 13 points to a really good Oklahoma team on the road.  That is why Notre Dame is a serious contender for the National Title.

Irish Nation thinks it's about damn time.  Notre Dame has been a perpetually average team since the early 90's and a win over OU in Norman put them back on the map.  Brian Kelly, an assistant at Grand Valley State the last time the Irish won the National Title, was hired by Notre Dame in December of 2009.  In his first two seasons at Notre Dame, they crushed Miami in the Sun Bowl and almost knocked off Florida State in the Champs Sports Bowl.  The Irish were on the up and up.  Nobody expected what would happen this season.

It's 2012 and the Golden Domer defense has been all of the rage in South Bend.  We knew they were going to be led by Punahou School grad Manti Te'o.  We knew that Te'o was well on his way to a first round selection and an All-American season.   We knew the Irish going to play teams like Michigan State, Michigan and Stanford tough.  What we didn't know is that the Irish would walk out of Norman undefeated and that Te'o would be the premiere defensive player in college football.  The only players that are as good as Te'o on his side of the ball are Jarvis Jones and Jadeveon Clowney, who I would argue will turn out even better.  Nobody expected Notre Dame in a National Championship discussion that currently involves Alabama, Kansas State and Oregon.

Here we are.  Kelly, a product of Big East football and their Mid-Late 2000's heyday, has led Notre Dame to prominence in under three seasons.

Kelly has put together a team that consists of more than just some smart football players and a stud linebacker.  Guys like Golson, ex-Vernon Hills Cougar DaVaris Daniels, Cierre Wood, George Atkinson III and Kapron Lewis-Moore have served at groundwork being laid for a new culture in South Bend.  These are the same caliber of players that Charlie Weis recruited at Notre Dame.  The difference, we have learned, is that Brian Kelly is an effective head coach.  We learned that at Cincinnati and that's why Kelly was a popular hire.  Now look at what he has accomplished so far.  

If you haven't picked a side already America you need to pick now.  Do you love Notre Dame or do you hate Notre Dame.

Either way, the Fighting Irish are back.  They are not going away anytime soon either.

Sloppy Cocktail Party Puts Georgia In The Driver's Seat

Jarvis Jones forced a fumble to clinch the win for
Georgia in Jacksonville. (Photo Credit: AP)

Usually bad football is played in Jacksonville on Sunday.

Florida made their bones this season with defense.  That being said, it should be no surprise that their demise came on the offensive side of the ball.  The Gators turned the ball over six times en route to a 9-17 defeat at the hands of the Bulldogs.

The damning moment for the Gators was Jordan Reed's fumble into the endzone in with a little over two minutes left to play down eight.  That play may have been the most important one to date this season because it changes the SEC East race.  If Florida pulled it out, they would have been primed to make a trip to Atlanta.  Now, Georgia will more than likely play Alabama or LSU in the SEC Title Game. 

We knew Florida was privy to a bad game and would win that game more often than not.  However, the offense continued to shoot their own foot.  Jarvis Jones knocking the ball out of Reed's hands at the end of the game was just the nail in the coffin.  The Gators will not benefit from Georgia's lack of a schedule the rest of the season.

In other SEC news, Gene Chizik may have had the final nail put into his coffin.  The Tigers, who have weathered an awful season, lost 21-63 to Texas A&M at home.  

Arkansas also added to their abysmal season by losing to Ole Miss at home on a Field Goal as time expires.  

Mizzou won their first SEC game by rolling Kentucky at homecoming.  What makes this win notable was that Mizzou was wearing their gold jerseys, which are believed to be cursed by many of their fans.  

Tennessee gave South Carolina a fight in Cola, but the Cocks pulled it out.  The game was overshadowed by Marcus Lattimore's rare injury.  Lattimore broke his femur and tore all four of the ligaments in his knee.  Lattimore is out for the season and whether he will play again or not will remain to be seen.  

Alabama is on their way to beating Mississippi State.  

Why America Doesn't Respect Big East Football

Schaumburg grad Paul Perschon celebrates a win over
Cincinnati with the students that stormed the
field last weekend in Toledo.  (Credit: cinncinati.com)

The changes that are slated in Big East Football
1. Central Florida, SMU, Houston and Memphis come over from Conference USA.
2. Navy Football will join the Big East for football only.
3. Boise State and San Diego State will graduate from the Mountain West and join the Big East for football only.

Currently, the conference's football roster is as followed.
1. Rutgers
2. Louisville
3. Cincinnati
4. Temple
5. Connecticut
6. South Florida
7. Pittsburgh (Moving to ACC)
8. Syracuse (Moving to ACC)

One of these teams Automatically Qualifies to go to a BCS bowl.  Being from Chicago, Northern Illinois is my MAC team.  I've punted on their field.  One of my old teammates from high school has a relative on the team.  That would be Aidan Conlon.  I personally followed the High School careers of Huskies Conlon, Perez Ford and Michael Santacaterina.  The Huskies are 8-1 with a one point loss to Iowa and are currently unranked.  They are arguably the best team in the MAC and has a case for the best FBS team in Illinois.  Do I think they deserve a BCS spot if they go 12-1?  No.  But do I think they would beat Louisville, Rutgers and Cincinnati.  Most likely.

Last week, Cincinnati went to the Glass City and their undefeated season was shattered and followed by on MAC sized field storm.  Not to be outdone, Kent State went to New Brunswick and knocked off Rutgers this afternoon.

Fun Fact: Toledo beat Buffalo by 5 this weekend.  The Bulls fell to 1-7 on the year.

The whole point of this is that in 2012, the Big East is closer to the MAC than the Big 10 or the ACC.  In years past, there have been teams that were not good at all come out of the Big East and into the BCS.  (See: 2010 UConn Huskies)

The story of this season is that Cincinnati and Louisville were a couple of solid teams and the matchup on October 26th would determine the Conference Title.  Fair enough.

Fast forward to September 22nd.  Rutgers knocks off a beleaguered Arkansas Razorbacks team in Fayetteville by 9.  This is the same Arkansas team who lost to UL Monroe fourteen days prior and would go on to lose to Ole Miss.  They will not go bowling this year.  That being said, a sophomore Quarterback named Gary Nova showed up.  A Don Bosco grad who could pass for an extra on Jersey Shore, Nova threw for 397 Yards, 5 Touchdowns and no Interceptions on the road against an SEC opponent.

The next three weeks, Rutgers would play close with three subpar opponents for a half before ultimately pulling away in the second half.

A week after the Rutgers/Arkansas game, Cincinnati traveled to FexEx field and knocked off the 25th-ranked Virginia Tech Hokies in overtime.  Time has taught us that Virginia Tech is average.  That Hokie squad had already lost to Pitt and would go on to lose to UNC by two touchdowns.

Then on October 20th, the #20 Bearcats were stunned in Toledo.

Teddy Brigewater is presented with the Keg of Nails
after leading Louisville to an overtime victory over the
Bearcats on Friday night in Kentucky. (Credit: totalprosports.com)

A week later, Cincinnati went to Louisville to play for a Keg of Nails and the inside track at a Big East title.  Louisville came in undefeated.  They also came in with close wins over Southern Miss, Florida International, UNC, Pitt and South Florida.  A game that was cheapened by how sloppy the Big East has been this season, Louisville won in Overtime.  They are 8-0 and should be 11-0 going into their final game of the season.

The next day, Rutgers lost to Kent State.  They played from behind for the vast majority of the game.  Rutgers was a slow starting team, but they were able to finish off teams.  They were also ranked and undefeated going into this week.  Cincy, Rutgers and Louisville were all undefeated and ranked going into last week.  They were all also unimpressive for being at the top of an AQ conference.

There are two relevant conference games in the Big East this season.  One is in Cincinnati and one is in New Brunswick.  Both teams have a crack at Rutgers.  Rutgers has as good of a chance as either of the two teams they are contending with to win the Big East.  The title would be their first.

I just find it upsetting that one of these teams gets to play in a BCS bowl.  Alabama, Georgia, Kansas State, Oklahoma, Florida State, Clemson, Notre Dame, Wisconsin, Michigan, Oregon and Arizona would all win that conference.  That's two teams from every other AQ conference and Notre Dame.

At least two of the teams I just named will not play in a BCS bowl.

Pittsburgh's football program will rebound, but naturally they are going to the ACC.  They just need to hope that their new programs help provide depth to the conference.

These are just three average football teams.  Anyone who does not see that yet will see that in around the Holidays.

Deadline Edition 2012: Winners and Losers

Andrew McCutchen and the Pirates have had a
lot to celebrate this season.   Making key moves at the
deadline without trading key pieces of their present
and future makes them the deadline's biggest winner.

Winners

1. Pittsburgh Pirates

How They Made Good:

Pittsburgh is the biggest winner this year is two things.  First, they are in a position to buy.  Lastly, they made moves that while tasking minor risks.  Bonus points for not parting with Starling Marte, Jameson Tallion or Gerrit Cole.  They will also have a Top-10 draft pick next season for failing to sign Stanford's Mark Appel.

The Loot:

1. SP Wandy Rodriguez (from Houston) - Last week when I said that this July is an arms race, the Bucs already had their arm in Wandy.  The price was two mid-level prospects in Rudy Owens and Robbie Grossman and a fringe prospect in Colton Cain.  

2. OF Travis Snider (from Toronto) - They traded a good reliever for this man.  Brad Lincoln has been an asset up to this point for the Bucs, but Pittsburgh is surprisingly loaded with relief arms this season.  Snider can reward their faith in his once hyped talent by putting up some good offensive numbers down the stretch.

3. 1B Gaby Sanchez/P Kyle Kaminska (from Miami) - Giving up a player like Gorkys Hernandez makes this a low risk deal.  Gaby Sanchez has 25 HR 100 RBI talent.  A change of scenery may help the former NL rookie of the year candidate.  Naperville Central grad Kyle Kaminska was also added to this deal for some apparent reason.  Don't worry about him making any real impact in the big leagues.  Ever.

4. RP Chad Qualls (from New York Yankees) - The Pirates dealt Casey McGehee to the Bombers for another struggling pitcher.  Well if A.J. Burnett is any indication of what happens when struggling Yankee arms go to Pittsburgh, the Lincoln-Snider swap is a no-risk venture

Prognosis: 

They will win the NL wild card and face the Atlanta Braves on National Television in Georgia.  Where have I heard this one before?

2. Los Angeles Dodgers

How They Made Good:

They bought hard and they picked up two very marketable players.

The Loot:

1. 3B Hanley Ramirez (from Miami) - Don't get it twisted, Hanley Ramirez is still a superstar.  Don Mattingly will get the best out of this kid and the front office will not fire him for it.  

2. OF Shane Victorino (from Philadelphia) - The Flyin' Hawaiian brings his playoff experience to round out an outfield that already include two other bona fide studs in Matt Kemp and Andre Ethief

3. RP Brandon League (from Seattle) - This is the trade that made me salivate.  If you read this blog or talk to me about baseball, you know I'm a fan of a quality bullpen.  The Dodgers have had a solid bullpen this year and the addition of Mariner reclamation project Brandon League puts this team over the top. 

Prognosis:

They will pull away from a dogfight of a division race in mid-September.  I remarked in March when I wrote my (incomplete) MLB preview series, the Dodgers are a team that may just surprise a few people and not to be shocked if they make a title run.  I still wouldn't be surprised if LA wins the whole damn thing.

3. Chicago White Sox

How They Made Good:

They filled the gaps in their roster and accounted for the loss of John Danks for the season.  This year also makes the Sox look better in previous Trade Deadlines and offseasons.  Adam Dunn, Jake Peavy and Alex Rios have been three big contributors to the success of the Sox.  Oh, and don't forget about Youk.

The Loot:  

1. Kevin Youkilis (from Boston) - Bobby Valentine was responsible for the shockingly good deal the White Sox got for Youk.  For Zach Stewart and Brent Lillibridge, Los Medias Blancas picked up a rejuvenated stud with a chip on his shoulder.

2. Francisco Liriano (from Minnesota) - For a marginal price, the Sox got a live arm that has once no-hit them.  Liriano has had tough luck this season.  However, he pitched very well against his former team last night.  If he can continue to pitch like he has, Liriano will round out a solid to rotation nicely.  Fun fact: The Liriano deal was the first that the Twins and White Sox have made since 1986.

Prognosis:

The White Sox will outlast Detroit in what will be one of three division dogfights down the stretch.  The question for whatever team wins this division is if they can do anything in the playoffs. 

4. Texas Rangers

How They Made Good:

The Rangers picked up an arm to match Anaheim's acquisition of Zack Grienke.

The Loot:
1. Ryan Dempster (from Chicago Cubs) - Dempster gives the Rangers an arm to account for injured and ineffective pitchers.  It also keeps pace with the Angels who picked up Zack Grienke, while reminding us why they have Los Angeles in their official name.  That is crucial cause the Rangers appear the most unstable than they have since 2010.  Dempster's clubhouse-friendly attitude will benefit the Rangers greatly.

2. Geovany Soto (from Chicago Cubs) - This gives the Rangers a better option than Yorvit Torrealba.  Let's face it, Mike Napoli is a slugger as opposed to an everyday catcher.  When Napoli is DH'ing or playing First Base, Soto is not the worst person you can use behind the backstop.

Prognosis:
Anaheim will take the division lead, Oakland may take the division lead at some point and Texas will finish with it.  The Rangers will lose their third consecutive World Series.  Can you say Buffalo Bills?

5. Kansas City Royals

How They Made Good:
By not touching their jaw-dropping stockpile of young talent.

The Loot: 
1. Donnie Joseph/J.C. Sulbaran (from Cincinnati) - This was a result of trading Jonathan Broxton.  Any return you get on a reclamation project is a good thing.  Joseph has real major league potential.  He is a late bloomer, having started this season at AA Pensacola at age 24.  I will point out that Pensacola's team is named the Blue Wahoos.  I find that very funny.

Prognosis:
4th Place.  Their record is bad enough now that the fans cannot even blame their early 12 game losing street.  They will be the envy of baseball in 3 calendar years.

Honorable Mention: Giants, Cardinals, Angels, Tigers

Losers

1. Miami Marlins

How They Lost

-They are the biggest losers because they bought and their ship sunk.  Since acquiring Carlos Lee, the Marlins have shipped off five major leaguers for prospects.  If Nathan Eovaldi and Jacob Turner pan out, that will take a little bit of the sting out of this season.

2. Cleveland Indians

How They Lost

-They were only window shopping.  The Tribe neither bought nor sold.  While the White Sox and Tigers picked up key pieces and upped the ante in the AL Central, the Indian stood pat.  As of 2:12 PM on August 1st, they are 6 games out of first place.  That is do-able.  It would help if they would have acquired some pitching.  They picked up Lars Anderson and Brent Lillibridge from the Red Sox.  Lars Anderson is essentially a Matt LaPorta that was never traded for C.C. Sabathia.  Brent Lillibridge is the ham sandwich that the Red Sox got for Kevin Youkilis.  

3. Boston Red Sox

How They Lost

-Bobby Valentine.  The Red Sox have been getting ripped off in trades since the winter (i.e. Josh Reddick and Kevin Youkilis didn't net a good return).  Since most of my readership is college kids, I might as well just tell you guys that the Boston Red Sox were fucked in the street, figuratively speaking.

4. Milwaukee Brewers

How They Lost

-With the Brewers selling this deadline, their run as a relatively stable NL Central team is over.  They now find them self in the state that they were in 2003 when they finished 68-94.  Ryan Braun stars as Richie Sexon.  Co-starring is Yovani Gallardo as Ben Sheets.  Fun Fact: Rickie Weeks was a September call-up that season.

5. Minnesota Twins

How They Lost

-Josh Willingham, Justin Morneau, Matt Capps and Denard Span are all Twins.  Meanwhile, their farm system is a shell of what it used to be and that is even more detrimental in a small market.  

Dishonorable Mention: Phillies, Mets, Diamondbacks

The Jury Is Still Out On...

The Chicago Cubs 

In the last month and a half, the Cubs called up first basemen Anthony Rizzo.  Rizzo has a bat that makes him worthy of more than the 71 Overall rating he currently fields in MLB 2K12.  It's also a bat the Cubs can turn into a cornerstone of their lineup.  

The Cubs made three major deals that furthered the stripping of the team that made playoff runs in 2007 and 2008.  Those deals sent Ryan Dempster and Geovany Soto to Texas as well as sending Reed Johnson and Paul Maholm to Atlanta.  The Cubbies picked up Jaye Chapman, Arodys Vizcaino, Kyle Hendricks, Jacob Brigham and Christian Villanueva.  

Chapman and Vizcaino are two near-major league arms the Cubs picked up in the deal that sent Maholm and Johnson to the Braves.  The early prognosis is that the Braves overpaid for the two, which will further facilitate the rebuilding of the Cubs.  

The Cubs picked up Kyle Hendricks and Christian Villanueva for Ryan Dempster.  Hendricks is a 22-year old arm bouncing between High A and Double A.  Hendricks's teammate, Villanueva was hitting the ball nicely at High A Myrtle Beach before the trade.  Both should be major leaguers before the end of 2013.  I would call this a toss up, but the Cubs got 2 potential major leaguers for a 35-year old pitcher that got his second wind.  That's a victory.

The Cubbies also acquired minor league pitcher Jacob Brigham in the deal for Soto.  That deal took a 4.3 million dollar contract off their books. 

The Cubs have traded in four major leaguers for potential pieces for their next run.  Why is the jury still out on them?  Well the jury is still out on every team.  The jury will be out for every move Theo makes until the Cubs succeed or fail.  

The good news for Theo that if he wins 2 titles on the North Side and leaves the club in shambles, he will be somewhere between a hero and a god in Chicago.   

Forever.

This Ain't A Scene, It's An Arms Race.

Zack Grienke leads a trade deadline
class loaded with starting pitchers.

Here we are again.  It's the end of July.  With only a handful of days left for non-waiver trades, the contending teams are trying to make moves.  The difference this year is that there are more teams contending.  10 playoff spots are up for grabs and more than half of the Major League's teams can identify themselves as contenders.  That being said, some important moves have been made in the last week and I am going to properly assess the direction the teams in this league are at as of Thursday, July 26th.  

AL Central: 

This is a three team race at the moment.  The Twins are the biggest sellers in this division.  All signs indicate that they will trade Francisco Liriano.  However, Liriano did not do the Twins any favors in the department of trade value this week.  Justin Morneau, Denard Span and Josh Willingham are all on the block but the Twinkies are said to have too high of an asking price.  The Giants have been cited as a potential team involved in the Liriano and Willingham sweepstakes. As for the Royals, 2012 is not their time.  They are still sitting on the gold mine of young talent that I have been waiting to come to fruition since 2008.  They should not touch that gold mine.  I have heard rumors that the Royals have a shot to land Josh Johnson of the Miami Marlins.  The Marlins are asking for a Teixiera-eque package for Johnson and the Royals have that and then some.  However, there is no point in trading for an injury-prone ace in a lost season.

The Tigers, White Sox and Indians are competing for the AL Central.  The Indians just took a series from the Tigers and still have life.  What the Indians haven't done was make a significant move.  Never mind, they picked up Brent Lillibridge.  

On a serious note, the White Sox picked up Kevin Youkilis and Brett Myers.  Humber is back from the DL and John Danks may be coming back in the next couple of months.  The Tigers traded a highly touted pitching prospect in Jacob Turner because they wanted to win the World Series in 2012.  Not the American League Central.  The World Series.

The Indians picked up J.C. Romero and Brent Lillibridge.  If that is what they are content with, they will not be in this division come August 15th.

Projected Finish

1. White Sox

2. Tigers (Wild Card)

3. Indians

4. Royals

5. Twins

AL East:

The Yankees picked up Ichiro and lost A-Rod.  it's no secret, however, that they have this division by the throat.  Tampa Bay picked up Ryan Roberts and Designated Hideki Matsui for assignment this week.  They are also looking to potentially move Wade Davis.  Davis can start in most major league rotations.  Tampa's staff is just ripe with quality arms.  They are the only team in the AL East that I feel has what it takes to make a complete run at the Wild Card or even the Yankees.  The Blue Jays are the only other team who seems to be serious about making moves.  I can see them rustling up a package for Josh Johnson if the Marlins find what they want growing on Toronto's farm.   

The Orioles and Red Sox need arms.  I am wholeheartedly encouraging the Red Sox to sell and rebuild.  They Sawx are due for a facelift and an excuse to can Bobby Valentine.  They owe their fans more than trotting out the Daniel Navas and Pedro Ciriacos of the world in the long run.  The Orioles and Blue Jays have Ryan Dempster, Wade Davis, Zack Grienke, Matt Garza, Josh Johnson, Ricky Nolasco and Randy Wolf to worry about at the moment.  If either of those teams pick up two of those arms, look out.

Projected Finish

1. Yankees

2. Rays

3. Blue Jays

4. Orioles

5. Red Sox

AL West:

The Wild Wild West is run by the Rangers.  They will make a run at Grienke to prove their point.  They want a title.  They will win this division.  Dan Haren is back after getting roughed up on his way to the Angels.  A reliable Haren is as good as picking up an arm for the Angels.  They will pick up an arm or two if they want to.  If the Angels want to win a Wild Card spot or even have a fighting chance at winning their division, they will pick up a stud arm.  

The Oakland A's are 53-45.  That would be good enough to lead the AL Central.  If they playoffs started today, they would be in.  Here's how they win.  Pitching.  They are in the bottom ten in the league in Slugging, On Base Percentage, Batting Average and Runs Scored.  They are 8th or better in the league in ERA, Quality Starts, WHIP and BAA.  Did you watch the All-Star game?  If you did you might have watched man by the name of Ryan Cook pitch a perfect 7th inning.  He has an ERA 1.70 with 10 Saves and 11 Holds.  He was garbage last season in Arizona before getting shipped to Oakland in the Trevor Cahill trade.

Trading Craig Breslow, Andrew Bailey, Gio Gonzalez and Trevor Cahill has built this 2012 A's team.  Those trades netted Ryan Cook, Tommy Milone, Jarrod Parker and Josh Reddick.  In ripping off the Red Sox, the A's acquired Reddick who accounts for a large portion of the offensive stats that Oakland does put up.  Billy Beane's genius built a rotation that goes 5 deep of arms that register ERA's under 4.  Tommy Milone, Jarrod Parker, Bartolo Colon, Travis Blackley and A.J. Griffin.  Notice two things.  First, Bartolo Colon is still alive and pitching.  This shocks me.  Second of all, Brandon McCarthy is not included here.  However, when he hit the DL in June, McCarthy was 6-3 with a 2.54 ERA.  

Billy Beane does it again.  That's why, barring Anaheim dropping an atomic bomb, Oakland stays around long enough to win a Wild Card slot.

Projected Finish

1. Rangers

2. A's

3. Angels

4. Mariners

NL Central:

This year, the Pirates feel right.  They picked up Wandy Rodriguez from Houston, Andrew McCutchen is playing like an MVP, they bullpen has been pieced together nicely and Starling Marte is on the roster.  They take on the Reds and the Cardinals for the NL Central title.  

The Reds are in first on strength of their pitching staff.  Aroldis Chapman is a bona fide closer and Johnny Cueto is quietly having a great season.  So great that I am going to toss the phrase "Cy Young" out there.  If he keeps this up and his Reds win the NL Central, he should win the National League Cy Young.  

The Birds can hit like there is no tomorrow.  Lance Lynn has been outstanding in the rotation this year.  The Birds, however, need to make a move for an arm.  Here's what they had last season that they do not have today.  A Colby Rasmus-esque position player who is expendable and that they could dangle around the trade market to get the relief pitching that wins championships.  Believe me, if the Cardinals do not win a World Series without that trade. Scrabble, Octavio Dotel and Edwin Jackson were the secret sauce.  Currently, their bullpen is nothing after Jason Motte.

The Birds have to dangle something valuable to get arms.  Or else they will be the 2006 White Sox.  A defending champ that finishes third behind two better teams while boasting a great lineup and a popular third baseman who just so happens to be a World Series hero.  Tyler Greene can play the role of Brian Anderson.  One thing that does swing in their favor, though, is having the best run differential in baseball.

Eyes will also be on the shores of Lake Michigan north of Madison Street in Chicago.  The Cubs and the Brewers are arms dealers in the Midwest.  Matt Garza, Ryan Dempster, Zack Grienke and Randy Wolf.  They will all change colors in the next week, I would imagine.  Welcome to Grienke-Mania.  The White Sox, Rangers, Dodgers, Angels and Braves are the most likely suitors for Grienke.  I've heard the Red Sox thrown into those rumors, but my advice to the Red Sox remains the same.  Sell.  

Milwaukee is brewing up a fire sale.  

Projected Finish

1. Pirates

2. Reds

3. Cardinals

4. Cubs

5. Brewers

6. Astros

NL East:

It seems so long ago was the day the Mets were taking headlines from the struggling Yankees.  Now the Mets are more than 10 games out of first.  Props to the Metropolitans for making R.A. Dickey's knuckleball a "thing."  He now replaces Tim Wakefield as Major League Baseball's Flagship knuckleballer.  Now the Mets are between buying and selling.  They will sell something by the deadline

Miami has already sold and Philadelphia is coming to grips with their role as losers this season.  After moving Anibal Sanchez and Omar Infante, which netted them a great return, the Marlins could be looking to move several players.  Among said players are Josh Johnson, Ricky Nolasco, Carlos Lee, Gaby Sanchez and Heath Bell.  After watching The Franchise, I've grown fond of Heath throughout his trying season.  I'm sure given an opportunity in the second half, Bell will be a solid setup guy.  I would say the Yankees would pick him up, but Rafael Soriano is setting the league on fire.  

Philly may just be stubborn and eat this season up and make no deadline moves.  I have a feeling they will move Joe Blanton, Shane Victorino and/or Hunter Pence.  The Phillies have depleted their farm system in their attempt to build a dynasty.  They need to get some of it back.

All I can say about the Braves is that they are going to make a move.  Washington's kids are going to face adversity this season.  I believe that the guys in D.C. have the intestinal fortitude to win their division though.  Remember that the Nats are the best in the National League, but they can easily slip and fall in this league.

Projected Finish

1. Nationals

2. Braves (Wild Card)

3. Phillies

4. Mets 

5. Marlins.

NL West: 

Arizona has been identified as sellers.    6.5 Games out as of Friday morning and the best run differential in their division.  Sellers.  Ryan Roberts has been moved.  Justin Upton rumors have swirled.  My advice is that if you guys want to sell, go for it.  Keep Miguel Montero, Justin Upton, Paul Goldschmidt, Gerardo Parra, Trevor Cahill, David Hernandez, Wade Miley and Ian Kennedy together in Phoenix.  Dangle J.J. Putz, Jason Kubel and Aaron Hill on the trade market and try to build up your farm system.

Plan B is to find viable replacements for Stephen Drew and Chris Young, man up as a team and make a run at the playoffs.  Perhaps making a move for an arm, seeing that it is now officially open season on starting pitchers.

If Arizona wants to make a move, they must act quick.  They are in Cleveland's situation.  However, instead of adding marginal talent, they have subtracted marginal talent.  As far as I know, the Dodgers are not content with merely acquiring Randy Choate and Hanley Ramirez.  They will make another move and so will the Giants.

Speaking of LA and San Francisco, the bitter rivals will play this weekend by the bay.  The Giants are probably the only team who do not need to make a move for an arm to make the postseason.  In fact, if Tim Lincecum can return to form down the stretch, that will be the equivalent of making a move for an arm.  Having a solid core in the lineup consisting of Melky Cabrera, Pablo Sandoval and Buster Posey to complement baseball's best bullpen of the last few seasons makes San Francisco the most complete team in California.

As for the Dodgers, their lineup can carry them if they can get it together.  Matt Kemp, Andre Ethier and Hanley Ramirez have the potential to get hot and carry this team down the stretch.  I have a feeling that LA will make one more move.

Projected Finish:

1. Giants

2. Dodgers

3. Diamondbacks

4. Padres

5. Rockies

In conclusion, this next week is an arms race.  There are currently 19 teams that are contending by my count.  10 of them will make the playoffs.  Where certain players, particularly starting pitchers are moved, will decide who makes it to October.

You can read this on August 3rd and 4th on Daily Shootout.  Follow Mickey White on twitter at @NorridgeMadeMe and @MickeyWhiteCCG.  Mickey White is a writer for Daily Shootout and a sophomore at the University of Missouri - Columbia.

Ichiro Traded To Yankees, Not Day's Most Important Deal.

Ichiro will try to chase a ring in the Bronx. 

Ichiro to the Yankees for two minor leaguers.  Read it here for more details.  Ichiro has played 12 seasons in Seattle and no player will wear 51 in Seattle again.  According to The Yankees Public Relations Department, Ichiro will wear #31 and he is the 6th-Japanese born Yankee.  He joins the likes of the Hidekis Irabu and Matsui.

It was starting to look like Ichiro was losing favor in Seattle so this appears to be a beneficial move for all parties involved.  This move will leave Raul Ibanez and Andruw Jones competing for at bats in the DH slot.

While the Yankees got the headlines they are accustomed to, the Tigers did the grunt work.  Detroit celebrated their charge into first place by picking up Pitcher Anibal Sanchez and Infielder Omar Infante from Miami for highly touted prospect Jacob Turner and minor leaguers.  Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski told reporters on Monday that, "It hurts.  But we're trying to win this season, and you have to give up talent to acquire talent."  Turner had been filling in for injured rookie Drew Smyly.

What this trade gives the Tigers is the same thing the White Sox have been seeking through the trade market: Depth.  The White Sox filled in the blanks.  They picked up Youkilis to fill in the blank at third base.  They picked up Brett Myers, Jesse Crain is now healthy, Gavin Floyd is now healthy and Phil Humber is now healthy.  Hell, John Danks will be back in August.  The Tigers have a rotation that consists of Verlander, Fister, Scherzer, Sanchez and Porcello.  Drew Smyly (@SmylyD) will be a reliable spot starter and long reliever when he returns from the DL.  Omar Infante, who is no Kevin Youkilis, is one of the best second basemen in baseball.  He will provide a spark to the Tigers on offense and defense in one of baseball's best lineups.

Your move Cleveland.  You buyin' or are you sellin'?