Opinion

It wasn't even close. At all.

ESPN baseball analyst Tim Kurkjian was thoroughly embarrassed Monday night after deciding against his better judgment to participate in the Milwaukee Brewers Sausage Race (click here for video).

The MLB July 31 non-waiver trade deadline is less than six weeks away, and the rhetoric is quickly reaching a crescendo.

The quagmire in the standings is slowing, giving way to an established set of clubs that have legitimate chances of reaching the MLB postseason. As such, the number of rumors over the past seven days grew considerably from the week prior.

Here are three MLB trade scenarios based on actual need and published rumors from the week ending Sunday, June 22. 

Baseball's best franchise is about to be tested.

1. Can’t anybody here understand this game?

Here comes the baseball, zinging through the summer air.

Here comes the baserunner, streaking around third and steaming home.

Here goes the catcher, setting up to take the throw for a close play at the plate.

Right here is where it sure would be nice if everybody understood the rules, wouldn’t it?

Old traditions die hard in baseball, but it's to Major League Baseball's credit that it's been willing to kill off traditions that have outstayed their welcomes.

Baltimore Orioles slugger Chris Davis entered Monday's action in need of a big hit in the worst way but in a lousy position to get one. It's not so easy to hit from the bench, you know.

Fortunately for Davis, baseball has that one rule that allows managers to use pinch hitters.

Joe Panik is currently on a plane headed to Arizona, where he will meet up with the San Francisco Giants and likely make his major league debut in the coming days. 

With a 39-33 record, numerous injuries and a lineup crowded by hitters performing below expectations, it is scary to imagine where the New York Yankees would be without rookies Masahiro Tanaka, Yangervis Solarte, Dellin Betances and Chase Whitley.

We are closing in on the midway point of the 2014 MLB season, and the entire postseason picture still appears to be wide open in both leagues, as no team has really separated itself from the pack at this point.

The Oakland Athletics look like the best team in the American League by a decent margin, while a recent slide by the San Francisco Giants has left the National League without a clear top dog, though the Milwaukee Brewers have been consistent atop the NL Central all season.