Road Trip; Trade Rumors

Well the road trip wasn't a complete bust, but it could have been better. They took 2 of 3 in Arizona then lost 2 of 3 in Denver. But i Just wanted to touch on the Sunday and Monday games because I was convinced the one in Arizona on Sunday was a turning point for the Dodgers. They trailed that game 4-1 in the 9th inning after Brandon Webb shut them down for 7 innings. Enter Brandon Lyon. The night before, he came in the game in the 9th with a 3-0 lead, and barely got out of it when the Dodgers scored twice and left the tying run at third. But it was a different turn of even this on this day. The Dodgers scored 5 runs off Lyon and held on for a big 6-5 win that got them even atop the division standings with Arizona. The following night, they scored 16 runs in Denver (8 in the first inning) en route to a 16-10 win. Obviously 16 runs in Coors Field is nothing new, but for this team, it's a big deal because of their struggles to score runs all season. So to finish up the trip in Colorado having scored just 4 runs combined the last two games, was a bit disappointing.

So that said, it's obvious the Dodgers need more bats, and maybe a tad more pitching depth. While they do own the best team ERA in the National League, they are decimated by injuries and inconsistencies, primarily among the starters. And it's no secret this team needs to find ways to score more runs. With the July 31st non-waiver trade deadline approaching, a ton of rumors have surrounded the Dodgers, and I thought I'd mention a few names being thrown around out there. For in-depth rumor analysis, check out mlbtraderumors.com.

• Hank Blalock, 3B, Texas - Blalock could provide some offense from 3B; the Rangers want a young pitcher in return for him.
• Casey Blake, 3B, Cleveland - He was supposed to be part of a CC Sabathia trade to the Dodgers that never happened.
• Robinson Cano, 2B, Yankees - Cano is red-hot right now, and it's almost impossible to fathom the Dodgers trading Matt Kemp; the Dodgers are looking for offense from the left side of the infield, not second base.
• Jack Wilson, SS, Pittsburgh - The Pirates asking price for Wilson, and others, is asinine, thus turning the Dodgers, and many other teams, away from Pittsburgh.
• Orlando Cabrera, SS, White Sox - If the White Sox can deal Juan Uribe to Boston to clear salary to rekindle Brian Roberts trade talks with Baltimore, they could ship Cabrera to the Dodgers and move Alexei Ramirez to SS.
• Adrian Beltre, 3B, Seattle - Beltre has a no-trade clause to the Dodgers, so this one isn't happening.
• Huston Street, RP, Oakland - The Dodgers could use him to add bullpen depth with Takashi Saito shelved; there are conflicting reports about the Dodgers interest in him.
  
• Bobby Crosby, SS, Oakland - He could be a throw-in to a Street deal, but he doesn't come across as the "bat" the Dodgers covet for that side of the infield.
• AJ Burnett, SP, Toronto - Dodgers could use some rotation depth with Brad Penny's status still unclear and the inconsistencies of the rest of the rotation.
• Roy Halladay, SP, Toronto - Word out of Toronto is Halladay is unhappy there, and the Jays are quietly looking at teams outside the American League who could be potential fits.
• George Sherrill, RP, Baltimore - Like Oakland's Street, Sherrill could fill a void in the pen left behind by Saito's injury; Street appears to be a better fit, however.
• Mark Teixeira, 1B, Atlanta - The Braves have initiated talks with several teams to see if there might a fit; the Dodgers really don't have much of a need for a 1B.
• Greg Maddux, SP, San Diego - Maddux has said he'd be willing to accept a trade only to a west coast contender, and the Dodgers would appear to be the only fit as they could add more depth in the rotation.
• Dallas McPherson, 3B, Marlins - McPherson is in AAA putting up big numbers (.287/.400/.650 with 32 homeruns in 312 ABs); at 28, he could be a cheap alternative.