MLB Trade Deadline Heating Up

We are less than a week from the July 31st trade deadline. Here are 7 possible deals that I am hearing that could take place.

1. Edwin Jackson to Nationals, Adam Dunn to White Sox, young pitching to Arizona:

This has been reported by many sources and every team in the deal gets what they want.

2. Derek Lee to Angels: The Angels will not stop dealing, even after acquiring Dan Haren, as they get D-Lee to waive his no trade clause.

3. Miguel Tejada and Luke Scott to Detroit: The Tigers have been bit by the injury bug, and this would be a nice trade to keep them in the hunt.

4. Jorge Cantu to Rockies: Cantu has been linked to Rangers, but i think Rockies will slide under the radar and land him.

5. Lilly to Mets: Yankees have been interested in him, but i think he goes to the crosstown rivals.

6.-Corey Hart to Giants- Giants need an outfield bat and Brewers will sell this July, but not Prince Fielder.

7. Oswalt to Phillies- He has said he doesn't want to play for Phillies and would rather pitch for Cardinals, but i don't think the Cards have enough pieces and cash to land him.

Team USA

There are 22 players in USA summer camp competing for 12 roster spots for the FIBA World Championships in Turkey this September. Here are my 12 players to make the team:

Guard-

Rondo

Rose

Billups

Evans

Westbrook

Foward-

Durant

Odom

Wallace

Gay

Bigs-

Love

Lopez

McGee

CP3 Trade

Chris Paul has requested a meeting with the Hornets, which is when he will probably request a trade. Here are 4 trade possibilities:

NY gets: Chris Paul

NO gets: Wilson Chandler, Anthony Randolph, 2011 draft pick

Por gets: Chris Paul, James Posey

NO gets: Dante Cunningham, Jered Bayless, Joel Przybilla, and Rudy Fernandez

ORL gets: Paul, Posey

NO gets: Vince Carter and Jameer Nelson

Mavs get:Posey, Paul

NO gets: Caron Butler, J.J. Barea, and Alexis Ajinca

I think he spends the 2010-2011 with the Hornets, but next off season will be wild.

Fantasy Football Pre-Rankings

Here are my top 12 players going into the season.

1. Chris Johnson(Ten)
2. Adrian Peterson(Min)
3. Maurice Jones-Drew(Jac)
4. Steven Jackson(STL)
5. Andre Johnson-(Hou)
6. Ray Rice(Bal)
7. Drew Brees (No)
8. Michael Turner(ATL)
9. Frank Gore(SF)
10. Rashard Mendenhall(PIT)
11. Aaron Rodgers(GNB)
12. Larry Fitzgerald(ARI)

My players for a breakout year:

Shonn Greene(NYJ) He will have the starting job in his second year, plus a veteran line and more experienced Mark Sanchez.

Rashard Mendenhall (PIT) I have him in my top 10 as i think he can become a premier back in the AFC.

Tony Romo(DAL) Add Dez Bryant to already Roy Williams and Miles Austin, plus Jason Witten, and Romo can easily throw for 3,000 yards.

Players I'm not high on-

Thomas Jones(KC) Jamaal Charles will eventually get most of the hand offs in KC.

Roy Williams(DAL) He might lose his spot to rookie Dez Bryant.

Tony Gonzalez(ATL) Starting to lose production in the red zone.

Lou Pinella Retires

Recent reports earlier this month stated Pinella was on the verge of retirement, and today that was proven. The 2008 Manager of the Year is finally stepping away from the game, as the Cubs will try to rebuild with a new roster and manager this off season. Sweet Lou gave it a good run with the Cubs, but could never reach the standards all Cubs fans have: World Series Title. Some people say his timing is bad with this announcement, but i agree with him saying, " I want to give the Cubs plenty of time to plan and find a replacement." The season is basically over for the Cubbies, and all they have left to play for is for a spot on the roster next year and for Lou's legacy.

Here are some names I'm hearing for next year:

Joe Girardi- Some people say he would be crazy to leave the Yanks, but if he can't get a new contract with New York, he would jump to Chicago in an instance.

Ryne Sandberg- Manager at AAA and would be a fan favorite and hometown hero.

Alan Trammel- Managed the Tigers a couple years back and has been on the bench with Lou all these years.

Bob Brenly- The rumors will continue if he will come out of the booth and coach again.

Greg Maddux- A wild card, and has been an assistant to Jim Hendry.

MLB Mid-Season Awards

Here are my mid-season awards for MLB:

MVP

NL- Prado(ATL) Having a career year and surprsing star leadoff man has

Braves in 1st place.

AL- Cabrera(DET) Putting up Triple Crown type numbers.

LVP

NL-Ramirez(CUBS) Hitting a lowly .217 and a horrific OPS at .275.

AL-Figgins(SEA) Signed a big contract in the offseason and hasn't even come close to the hype.

ROY

NL-Heyward(ATL) Came out of spring training with a ton of upside, and he has displayed plenty of it.

AL-Boesch(DET)- Came out of nowhere and now could be third rookie to lead league in hitting( Ichiro & Jackie Robinson)

Cy Young

NL-Jimenez(COL) First one to 15 wins and counting.( He knows his ERA can't reach zero, right?)

AL-Lester(BOS) Overcame early season struggles and around the top of league for strikeouts.

Miscellaneous

Best Web Gem-Buehrle(SOX) Hands down awesome

Best Injury-Morales(LAA) I wonder if he wishes he didn't hit that home run after all.

Worst Promo night at the ballpark-Florida Marlins- vuvuzelas night, just imagine.

Best first MLB at-bat-Nava(BOS) Try hitting a grand slam, first pitch, at Fenway. Anyone jealous?

MLB Second Half

Sorry folks, not a lot of service in northern Minnesota.

After the N.L. finally won the all star game, its time to exam all the division races and the trade deadline.

The surprising Division leaders in the N.L( Reds, Braves,& Padres) have shocked the baseball world. I think the Braves will hold on to their lead, but the Reds and Padres will fall to the Cardinals and Rockies, respectively. The Wild Card will then come down to the Reds and Padres, plus possibly the Dodgers if they can add another starting pitcher. The Phillies will have to much ground to make up when they get fully healthy.

In the A.L, my picks are the Yankees, Tigers, and Rangers, with the Rays fighting the Angels for the Wild Card. The White Sox can contend if they add a bat, but i think starting pitching is a problem for them now that Peavy is out. Red Sox have way to many injuries and won't make a major splash before the trade deadline.

My mid season World Series pick is the Yankees vs the Rockies.

18 Big Names that might be on the move:

Adam Dunn

Dan Haren

Roy Oswalt

Prince Fielder

Ted Lilly

Jake Westbrook

Ricky Nolasco

David Dejesus

Matt Capps

Joakim Soria

Pudge Rodriguez

Derek Lee

Lance Berkman

Josh Willingham

Corey Hart

Jason Werth

Ryan Theriot

Dan Uggla

We could see upwards of 2/3 of these names on the move, or as low as only 5. It all depends how much the buyers are willing to part with.