Fan News

Late last night word got out that the White Sox and Diamondbacks are close to agreeing on a deal that would send Daniel Hudson along with a minor league pitcher to the Diamondbacks for Edwin Jackson .

On the surface this seems like a logical deal for each team. With Jackson the Sox would be getting a more experienced version of Daniel Hudson and a guy who would instill a little more confidence when he takes the mound down the stretch.

Sometimes one reads an article that is so far from what one believes, it makes one scream and hastily hammer out an angry comment.

ESPN’s Bill Simmons wrote such an article today, about how the Boston Red Sox have been boring this year. Many things, he says, have contributed to this.

The Cincinnati Reds are currently tied with the St. Louis Cardinals for first in the National League Central division and it appears they will stay with team that got them here.

The Reds biggest needed is in the bullpen and their General Manager Walt Jocketty has addressed that need. Well, sort of. He signed Russ Springer and Jason Isringhausen, sending them to Triple-A Louisville.

Isringhausen has made two appearances giving up two runs and two hits in 1 2/3 innings of work. One of the two hits was a homer!

In sports, being able to take care of business at home usually separates the bad teams from the good ones. But being able to win on the road is ultimately what separates the good teams from the very best.

It’s no secret that the Phillies’ uncanny ability to consistently win away from home has helped make them of baseball’s best teams in recent years.

The Major League Baseball trade deadline is just over 24 hours away.  In the previous 24 hours, we have seen a number of trades pop up helping contenders get an extra bat or a team get an extra arm.

All the movement has been headlined by the Philadelphia Phillies' acquisition of three-time All-Star and two-time 20-game winner Roy Oswalt.  But the deal between the Phillies and the Astros is not the only deal that could have a significant effect on the pennant races in both leagues.

There amount of notable trades is still tepid compared to year's past, but that doesn't mean a flurry

On the homemade page-of-the-day calendar that I made my wife as a Christmas present, today's page reads as follows:

"On this date in 2006, Bobby Abreu was traded by the Philadelphia Phillies to the New York Yankees for, well, not much. Although the deal was heavily criticized at the time, the Phillies have since enjoyed the winningest period in their history, winning three division titles, making two trips to the World Series, and winning the 2008 World Championship.

All right, the Pittsburgh Pirates CAN win on the road.

At least they did so against the Colorado Rockies. Two out of three, anyway. In quite good fashion I might add, especially considering the first-inning injury to Ross Ohlendorf on Wednesday that required more than eight innings of bullpen work.

Yankees manager Joe Girardi was impressed enough to say he may have found a replacement in the starting rotation until Andy Pettitte returns from injury.

Who will be taking Pettitte's spot? Dustin Moseley, who did just enough to earn another start after throwing six innings of one run ball in his first start since last April. The righty has battled back through an arm and hip surgery.

While he said he "felt calm from the get-go," Moseley admitted he may have been trying too hard in the first inning.

Washington Nationals closer Matt Capps has been traded to the Minnesota Twins for Wilson Ramos and Joe Testa.

Testa, a left-handed pitcher, is currently 1-4 with an ERA of 8.25 for Minnesota's Double-A team in New Britain.

Triple-A catcher Wilson Ramos is a top prized prospect, who might one day take over Ivan Rodriguez as the Nationals catching starter.

Ramos was part of the proposal that would have sent Cliff Lee to the Twins. It was not sent through because Ramos was injured at the time.