MLB

New York Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman has been smart in some ways.

Other times, he hasn't been too smart.

At the trade deadline, or at least this off-season, the Yankees should have acquired ace starting pitcher Roy Halladay when he was with the Toronto Blue Jays. 

Before July 31, the Yankees might've needed to give up three or four prospects.

But in the offseason, Cashman could have made a deal that would have been news everywhere: trade Austin Jackson, Joba Chamberlain, and Arodys Vizcaino for Halladay. 

Former Mets General Manager Steve Phillips once said on ESPN's Baseball Tonight, "There is a saying among general managers. Prospects will get you fired."

Nothing could illustrate that statement more than the L.A. Angels' version of Ryan Leaf— third baseman Brandon Wood.

Alex Rodriguez, Roy Halladay and Carl Crawford.

No outs, the tying run is on second base, and the Yankees are down by a single run.

Before I continue, I'll set the scene. 

One night earlier, Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon blew a save in devastating fashion, allowing a game-tying two-run homer to Alex Rodriguez, and a walk-off bomb to journeyman OF Marcus Thames.

Papelbon's back on the mound, and his shortstop immediately lets him down. Rodriguez, leading off the ninth inning and facing the fiery right-hander for the second consecutive game, grounds one in the hole to Marco Scutaro.

Entering the 2010 baseball season, the Cincinnati Reds and their fans had lofty expectation for the starting staff. Bronson Arroyo, Homer Bailey, Johnny Cueto, Aaron Harang, and Mike Leake have gone way above and beyond those expectations since, on April 24, manager Dusty Baker went "Bull Durham" on the entire team.

Nearly seven weeks have passed since the 2010 fantasy baseball season began, and now is the time to start making crucial decisions about your team.

We are all aware of the recent situation between Star shortstop Hanley Ramirez and Manager Fredi Gonzalez, and the good news is is that progress is being made as Hanley said to ESPNDeportes that he was willing to apologize to his team in order to move forward and get along with the season.

Henley's fight with Fredi left a lot of mixed feelings and confusion to the team and fans, and Hanley is doing what a true athlete and person should do and that is recognize their mistakes and move forward. 

Whether you love or hate Trey Hillman, and the onslaught of hate he has absorbed, one thing is certain: a change was necessary.

Hillman's preachings of fundamentals and smart play fell on deaf ears.

Pat Burrell just cleared waivers (no surprise there) and is now a free agent whom any team can sign for around $300,000 for the rest of the 2010 season.

With Mark DeRosa currently on the DL and possibly needing season-ending wrist surgery, I would expect the Giants to think long and hard about signing Burrell at a bargain price. 

You have to think after Burrell’s performance in the AL last season and his lack-there-of this year that only an NL team would give him a shot (except maybe a team like the Royals) to see if he can relive his former Phillies glory.

New York Mets (19-21) at Washington Nationals (20-20)  7:05 p.m.

R.A. Dickey (0-0, -.–) vs Livan Hernandez (4-2, 1.46)

TV : SNY   Radio : WFAN

What to watch : Dickey makes his big league season debut after pitching really well at Buffalo. He was 4-2 with a 2.23 ERA including two complete games and a 1.04 WHIP. You can’t do much better than that.

Hernandez is pitching better than we’ve seen from him in years. He beat the Mets on April 11, throwing seven shutout innings.