Guys, I am finally back from a very lengthy vacation that did not produce a single blog post. A lot has transpired in my absence from this blog, and I am going to start things off with a rumor post that details potential trades in the MLB.

The Yankees are still searching for left-handed relief help with Rafael Soriano still on the DL, and Pedro Feliciano and Damaso Marte are out for the rest of the year. Boone Logan is their only lefty in the pen, and this is certainly a pressing need for the Bronx Bombers.

Heath Bell has always made it clear that he wants to stay with the Padres, and he may get his wish. Bell is certain that he will be traded- perhaps to the Rangers with more concerns about Neftali Feliz- but he will sign with the Padres after this season. He will give them a discount, and the team getting him will most likely only be getting a rental. This is great news for the Padres, of course, because they'll get a prospect for a rental and pretty much know that Bell will return.

The Phillies have always talked about getting a deal done with the Astros for Hunter Pence. I personally don't think the 'Stros should trade their best player, and he probably won't be dealt. The Phils have until Friday to make a trade- that will likely concern three or four prospects- otherwise the Braves, Reds, and Sox will have a chance to court Pence. Don't worry Phillies fans, Domonic Brown is no longer in trade talks. Just remember though, Wandy Rodriguez is on the trading block (as well as Clint Barmes).

There is a very good chance that Carlos Quentin will be traded, but it remains unclear to which team. The Phillies really want to get Quentin, and the Braves are also suitors. Both NL East teams were also suitors for Carlos Beltran, and Pence's high price has made the Astros' outfielder Philly's backup plan.

Ubaldo Jimenez and Hiroki Kuroda are the two biggest names available for trade right now, but I don't see Jimenez going anywhere. Seriously guys, King Felix is definitely not going to get traded. Kuroda, on the other hand, will almost certainly be packing his bags by the end of July. If neither the Red Sox nor the Yankees are able to get either of those two, the AL East powerhouses will go after oft-injured starter Rich Harden. The A's pitcher has nasty stuff and racks up K's, but he is rarely ever healthy and sometimes struggles with his command.

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Posted By: Joe Soriano - Category: MLB, MLB Rumors and News, Yankees, Boone Logan, Damaso Marte, Pedro Feliciano, Rafael Soriano, Red Sox, Carlos Quentin, Rangers, Neftali Feliz, Felix Hernandez, Athletics, Rich Harden, Astros, Wandy Rodriguez, Hunter Pence HOU, Clint Barmes HOU, Phillies, Domonic Brown, Mets, Braves, Padres, Heath Bell, San Francisco Giants, Carlos Beltran, Hiroki Kuroda, Ubaldo Jimenez

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4/9 Game Recap: Angels and Jays

April 10th 2011 18:09

I was able to catch the end of the Angels' 6-5 victory in a long game against the Toronto Blue Jays played in Los Angeles. There were a lot of runs early on as starting pitchers Brett Cecil and Matt Palmer got blown early to the tune of 10 hits and 5 runs allowed apiece (4 ER for Palmer). However, four relievers in that game were perfect through at least an inning of work. Only one reliever gave up an earned run, and that came from the game-winning single.

Maicer Izturis was definitely the hero of the game for the Angels. He not only hit the game-winning single to score Peter Bourjos from second, but he also had 3 hits with two ribbies and a run during the game. Dan Haren came in at the end to get the win (2-0) and struck out a batter in a perfect inning of work. I view Haren as a darkhorse candidate to win the Cy Young. Before the season started, my good friend Aryan- who used to own a blog here- and I were talking about what would happen before the season. I told him that Haren and Russell Martin were my bounce-back players. So far, they have done me right.

Anyway, let's talk about the decisive run in the game. Jon Rauch would relief Shawn Camp for what would the last inning in the ballgame. He struck out both pinch hitter Brandon Wood and Jeff Mathis. It was looking like Rauch might strike out the side, and it certainly looked like we would be looking at more baseball. The young center fielder Peter Bourjos had other plans. He blasted a double to deep left to get into scoring position with two outs. The leadoff hitter was hitting .333 during the game thus far with a now .361 batting average. He hit a bloop single into right field, and that was all the Angels needed as Bourjos scored from second.

It was certainly an extraordinary game, and it was better than game one of the Yankees-Red Sox series that I also watched. Bartolo Colon looked great, and Boone Logan should never play out of the pen in an important situation. Travis Snider had two stolen bases, Howie Kendrick hit the game's lone homer, Jose Bautista went 2-4 with 3 walks, JP Arencibia was once again immense with a double and a triple, and John McDonald went 3-5 with two walks.