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The race is on

Posted at 9:26 AM on July 25, 2006 by Ben Tesch (6 Comments)

This week is big for the AL Central. Cleveland traded their only played with any saves this year, which is a big signal that they're throwing in the towel. The White Sox pick up some bullpen help by trading for Royals reliever Mike MacDougal, but the bigger news is the Sox being in the hunt for Alfonso Soriano along with Detroit.

The Twins meanwhile are on a roll. They beat the White Sox last night, and could be leading the wild card race by the end of the week. The Twins are 32-8 in the last 40 games, which is tied for the best 40-game streak in club history. There are few players who are not contributing or just plain hot, which is making their inclusion in the trade deadline a bit hazy.

Any thoughts on the AL Central, and what might happen with the trade deadline and what it will mean for all teams involved?

Comments (6)

What does that say about your bullpen if an injury-prone 30-year-old reliever from Kansas City with a nearly 13 walks & hits per nine innings ratio is considered "bullpen help"? After two months of the season, would anybody have believed that a combination of two Twins wins and one Yankee loss would put the Twins at the top of the wild card race?

Posted by ryan | July 25, 2006 10:57 AM

I recently attended a Fisher Cats/Thunder game here in Manchester, NH. I took a few photgraphs of Philip Hughes and others.

If you're interested...
http://www.hardballwarriors.com

(just click on the video & photo gallery links)

Enjoy!

Posted by Fisher Cats | July 25, 2006 11:27 AM

I also just read today that the Yankees have been looking at Kyle Lohse, since they have stooped so low as to be starting Sidney Ponson, who was cut from the Cardinals. Last night's 2-run outing probably didn't help, so I'm lowering my offer: I'd now trade him for some office supplies, such as some nice ball-point pens or a ream of printer paper.

Posted by Ben Tesch | July 25, 2006 12:43 PM

As far as the Lohse to the Yankees rumor, what do the Yankees have to offer us? They have very few quality prospects, no pitching they would be willing to trade, and even if they picked up half the salary of anyone in the starting lineup, we probably couldn't afford them.

And, considering that we are probably fighting for the wild card rather than the division this season, why would we mak a trade with a rival that doesn't help us significantly?

I don't see us making any moves before the 31st, nor do I think we should. Our biggest need is another starting pitcher, but the market is very thin for that. We might also give some relief up in exchange for good prospects.

I don't think we should give Lohse up, unless an offer is really good. I think if Baker's second stint doesn't work out Kyle is the next best option worth trying.

As far as the Soriano rumors, I have seen too many different ones to give credance to any of them until I hear something solid. I am expecting that he either goes to the AL West, or to the Yankees if King George wants him badly enough.

Posted by AndyFromMooseLake | July 25, 2006 4:11 PM

lohse is making something like 4 million dollars this year. getting rid of his bloated contract will help.

the yanks won't get soriano. you said yourself they don't have many prospects. the nationals are trying to build a farm system for the first time.

Posted by ryan | July 27, 2006 1:01 PM

how about this one for aramis ramirez? http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=5337

Posted by ryan | July 27, 2006 1:06 PM

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