La Mont Chappell II : July 2009 Archives

Nearing the trade deadline (7/31), MLB teams will be shopping and selling players to help improve their clubs. Good teams will be interested in acquiring talent to help make a push for the post season and possibly a championship. Lousy teams will be interested in acquiring young players who can turn the team into a contender down the line. Average teams have the luxury of choosing whether to compete now, rebuild, or do nothing.

The Yankees are leading the Wild Card race in the AL as the season is approaching the halfway mark. It seems silly to think about the wild card so early in the season, but for the Yankees, it is never too early because they have had trouble keeping up with Boston the past couple of years.

Last year Boston and Tampa Bay made the playoffs in the AL. The $200 million Yankees stayed home and collected their checks. Tampa Bay and Boston are still strong and will be looking to keep the Yankees home in the postseason. It's possible that the 3 strongest teams in the AL are all in the AL East, and it is certain that one of those teams will have to miss the playoffs.