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by Digger

Both General Managers for National League Central rivals Milwaukee and Chicago were busy over the past few days. First, Milwaukee announced they had traded top prospects for Cy Young winner C.C. Sabathia. CC instantly becomes one of the NL's top hurlers and now pairs up with Ben Sheets as the Brewers prep for the 2nd half pennant race. Milwaukee fans were still celebrating while CC was making his first NL start when the Cubs announced a trade of their own.

Oft injured Rich Harden solidifies the NL's best rotation. Zambrano (9-3, 2.96), Harden (5-1, 2.34) and Dempster (10-3, 3.13) are a tough 1-2-3. Add crafty vet Ted Lilly (9-5, 4.47) and these guys will be hard to handle. Ownership in Milwaukee and Chicago expect post-season play this year and seem willing to make the right moves. These two may have only just begun.

Here's what some other clubs need to contend....

Shutout again from one of baseball's best pitchers is Yanks GM Brian Cashman. Lost out by not offering up top prospects for Santana this off-season and never seemed willing to hunt for CC. What gives? New York was to rely on rookies and they're disabled and disasterous when healthy. Cashman has been a lame duck while this jittery staff tries to keep pace with Boston and Tampa. Roy Oswalt can be had. Duke or Maholm from Pittsburgh. Key injuries have set back Damon and Matsui. Add this to an inconsistent bullpen and the 2008 final Yankee Stadium team needs help. Starting pitching and relievers. A dominating set up man to front Rivera is a must if all else fails. If these cannot be had then chase after a right handed slugging LF. Jose Guillen comes to mind as does Holliday.

Tampa Bay will be playing most of their remaining games on the road. One problem position has been DH. Here's a stretch... how about signing Barry Bonds for the 2nd half run? He'll play cheap (if he really wants to play). Bonds will fill seats, still has a great eye, and could be a perfect experiment at DH. Bring in another closer and they could have a tremendous 1-2 punch for 8th & 9th innings.

Dodgers need to score runs. Their recent rise in the standings was also due to D-Backs poor play. Furcal is likely done for the year. Nomar is being given a shot at taking over Short.... he gets hurt way too much. LA needs either a proven slick fielding SS with an eye or a heavy hitter at 3B. Former Dodger Adrian Beltre seems like a perfect candidate. Beltre would be the best choice and come at a cheap price from Seattle.

Red Sox. Starting pitching and late inning reliever. Boston's lineup continues to roll even with key players sidelined. The starting staff could use one more proven arm and a blazing reliever would settle Francona's late inning jitters. Roy Oswalt, Beckett, Wakefield, Lester and Dice K could return Boston to the promised land.

Rangers have been hanging tough in the AL West. How badly does management want to make the playoffs? Texas is clicking on offense and defense. Problem spot is a shoddy rotation and closer. Texas hasn't traded for or signed a free agent great starting pitcher in ages. This is boggling. They have players to trade and cash on reserve. Work out a deal with one of Pittsburgh's guns (Duke, Maholm, Snell). Laugh now but even trading for Barry Zito would be a good move. Chacon would add depth. Texas has a long history of trading away future stars who flourish for other contenders... how about reversing course and landing a prime time player? Roy Oswalt?

Mets need outfielders. Alou will be on and off the DL. Church is out with concussion complications. Dunn is a good fit here. Potential 1B for post-Delgado years and instant left handed power boost. Another corner OF warranting consideration by New York should be Ichiro Suzuki. Seattle is toast, rumors of Ichiro wearing out his welcome with teammates too. How about Reyes + Ichiro 1-2 for New York? Beltran and Ichiro in Center/Right would cut off most gappers. This is a no brainer ... doubt the Mets even entertained visions of Ichiro. 2B depth would be helpful to back up Easley.

White Sox... interesting team. Many hitters slumping and Chicago still wins. Konerko and Thome were to supply thundering homers. Both have been less than average this half. Chicago might be looking to shake things up a bit and could make a run for Holliday or Dunn types. Maybe a just in case spot starter / long reliever would be best suited here.

Diamondbacks need Webb and Haren to continue their winning ways. As for 3 thru 5 starters, there's trouble in the desert. Owings, Johnson and Davis are all off the mark lately. The All Star break comes just in time for these struggling hurlers. Times have changes as Arizona clings onto first place. Just another team in need of starting pitching.

Phillies.. pitching, third base (Beltre), right field (Dunn, Guillen, Nady). Beltre could only add to the NL's top slugging infield. Philly's home park is their biggest problem... too friendly for opposing hitters. Until 2007, recent Phillie teams failed in September. Eric Bedard (if back is healthy) is needed here. Roy Oswalt?

The sellers will be Seattle, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Kansas City, Cleveland, Toronto, Atlanta, Washington, Houston, Colorado and San Diego. All teams have a couple of higher salaried players just ripe for unloading to pennant contending teams.

We're in store for a great couple of eye popping deals in the coming weeks.