Baby birds busted

First Rick Ankiel and Gary Bennett, now three Cardinals minor leaguers are busted for using performance-enhancing drugs. The organization has had itself in plenty of bad light the past couple of year but seemed out of the woods until now.

Not Joshin'

Josh Robbins is crazy. The California native hit 26 MLB ballparks in 30 days, which might be a world record. Why they're keeping tabs on baseball park visits I don't understand, but it's still quite a feat.

Most impressive? He averaged less than $77 on gas per day during his trip.

Teixeira fantasy impact

The Sporting News lists four suitors for Braves first baseman Mark Teixeira: Angels, Diamondbacks, Rays, Red Sox.

From a fantasy standpoint, a trade to Arizona would make the biggest impact. If Teixeira's headed to the desert Chad Tracy is out of a starting spot at first base. Tracy's played outfield at the major league level, but hasn't done so since 2005. With Conor Jackson in left, and Justin Upton on the mend with an oblique injury, it would appear Tracy could end up a spot starter a few times a week. Then again, if Teixeira is moved for Tracy (the D'backs are not interested in dealing Jackson), this concern is moot as Tracy would become the Braves' first baseman.

Teixeira's trade to the Red Sox would probably precipitate Manny Ramirez's ouster in Boston. Kevin Youkilis would go to left field, leaving first base open for Teixeira.

CC and the Cy Young

CC Sabathia's so-so performance against the Cubs in a 6-4 Milwaukee loss has this blogger backing off the thought that Sabathia could win the NL Cy Young.

I'm not sure I'd even consider Sabathia in the running. Pitching just half a season in the National League, he'd have to be near perfect to beat out a guys like Tim Lincecum and Brandon Webb.

If not Manny, then Raul?

The Mets are reported to be interested in Mariners' left fielder Raul Ibanez. They need outfield help badly, and Ibanez is a professional hitter who is not likely to slump much even if he faces all new pitchers after changing leagues.

What's next, underhand pitching?

The International Baseball Federation is crazy. They're trying to turn baseball into softball, testing extra inning tiebreaker rules like placing a runner at second base to begin innings. This would occur in the 11th inning and all innings thereafter. The thinking is this might speed up problematic extra innings games to help make baseball logistically attractive in terms of formatting for futures olympic games.

“The upcoming Beijing Olympic competition may be our last unless we are successful in adding the sport back to the Olympic program for the 2016 Games,” said IBAF President Dr. Harvey W. Schiller. “We must demonstrate to the International Olympic Committee not only does our game belong alongside the other great sports of the world, but our sport is manageable from a television and operational standpoint.”

Dr. Schiller continued, saying the change is both a positive and necessary step for the sport of baseball.

“One of the unique aspects of our game is that it has no time limit. Extra-inning contests can bring about the most exciting results for players and fans, but such circumstances also make it difficult in the context of the Olympic program. Delays cause scheduling and logistical nightmares. Planned security, transportation, drug testing, broadcasts, and entertainment are just a few of the activities that may be seriously affected,” Dr. Schiller continued.

This is insane, and if that's what it takes to get baseball back in the olympics after 2008, forget it. Baseball and the olympics are a bad marriage that cannot be reconciled by changing the covenant after a short break.

Not just Rodney

Reports have Fernando Rodney taking over the Tigers' closer role, but Jim Leyland wasn't ready to go with Rodney alone. Joel Zumaya is also on the shortlist to replace Todd Jones, who blew three saves in the month of July.

Zumaya left Sunday's win over the White Sox with a triceps injury, another setback after offseason shoulder surgery.

Leyland said he'd planned to "tinker with" new closer Fernando Rodney and Zumaya in the ninth inning, and the timing of his latest injury is difficult for Zumaya to take.

"I'm very frustrated now," said Zumaya, who had reconstructive surgery on the AC joint of his right shoulder nine months ago and returned from the disabled list less than six weeks ago.

"I've been through a lot. It gets pretty old being on the shelf."

Fantasy Impact: If he's out for only a short spell, expect Zumaya to rival Rodney for the bulk of the save opporutnities. Zumaya hits triple digits on the gun when he's right. He's got closer makeup while Rodney's struggled to save half of his career save chances.

Tribe trading

Looks like the Indians are going to win the award for most deals this season.

Baseball Musings caught the first of two Cleveland deals today. Here's the second one.

Looks like Cleveland is looking to get younger, although the deal for Reyes is a mixed bag. He's young, promising, but has faced injury problems. We'll wait to see what role he earns.

Reyes dealt to Tribe

The Cardinals traded Anthony Reyes to Cleveland for minor leaguer Luis Perdomo and cash. Perdomo will head to Double-A in the Cardinals organization per the St. Louis press release.

Update: The Plain Dealer just posted a short article saying that Reyes will provide "starting pitching depth."

While the Cardinals looked shaky with their starting staff earlier this year, it appears they feel comfortable with the group they currently have moving forward. The deal for Perdomo is an attempt to eventually strengthen the 'pen. He has closer experience in the minors.

ROY running

The Rookie of the Year standings continue to evolve. Here's how it should look if things wrapped up today:

American League -
1. Evan Longoria (3B), TB (.276-50-19-61-6)
2. Alexei Ramirez (2B), CHW (.314-35-8-35-7)
3. Joba Chamberlain (P), NYY (2.30 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, 93 K in 78 1/3 IP)

Honorable mention: Armando Galarraga (P), DET; Jacoby Ellsbury (OF), BOS

National League -
1. Geovany Soto (C), CHC (.274-40-17-58-0)
2. Jair Jurrjens (P), ATL (3.02 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, 10 W)
3. Joey Votto (1B), CIN (.272-41-13-44-4)

Honorable Mention: Kosuke Fukudome (OF), CHC; Jorge Campillo (P), ATL

NFL rivals MLB streaming

The NFL is dipping its big toe in the pool of online game streaming. The league won't challenge MLB in terms of the amount of content available, but giving fans the opportunity to choose camera angles is revolutionary.

The league and NBC say it is an experiment. They hope to prove they can lure new viewers and people who are already watching at home by adding interactive elements. Viewers will be able to choose from among at least four live camera angles and review statistics that update during the game, according to the league. The league and the network will share in ad sales.

"I think the consumer of media is more and more interested in a greater sense of control over their media experience," said Gary Zenkel, NBC Sports' executive vice president of strategic partnerships. "Whether that translates to sports viewing or not, no one knows. But this is certainly an opportunity to experiment."

As someone who knows a thing or two about cameras, camera angles and covering live sporting events, I think the opportunity to control viewpoints will not be a major draw to watching NFL games online over time. There's a reason the networks prefer the angles they do during games -- those are the best ones. MLB would be even less attractive to watch in terms of choosing your own camera angles. Consider this: choosing camera angles does not mean you'll have the chance to switch angles during play, and the ability to choose angles during play isn't fun. It's work, and that's why people are hired to do it, so the rest of us can watch comfortably at home.

Nady, the X-factor

The Xavier Nady deal that sends an overachieving (breakout?) outfielder to the Yankees is baffling to me. Nady's hitting .330 with a .383 on base percentage, but he's already 29, and he's hit .281 for his career. It's safe to assume he'll fall back to earth a bit, and when a hitter changes leagues he is seeing new arms constantly. Couple that with the fact that Yankee Stadium has a deep left field, plus the fact that New York has pieces returning to replace Nady as a starter if he doesn't deliver, and I'd be worrying as a fantasy owner whether this guy can keep up the pace on what is to this point a career year.

Fantasy Impact: Nady might thrive in New York, but I'd say sell high. He's hit 13 home runs this season, which is nice, but there's going to be a lot of risk involved down the stretch. I'm never a fan of trade-deadline deals that involve hitters from outside the league. It's a lot to ask a guy to figure out an entire league of pitchers over just two months. Deal Nady, and watch your opponent suffer the probable fall.

Pearcing the starting lineup

Steve Pearce is headed to the big leagues with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Xavier Nady's trade to the Yankees for prospects means the Pirates have an opening in their outfield, and the first report says Pearce will get a shot at full-time at bats.

Fantasy Impact: We've been waiting to see what Pearce can do at the MLB level for a long time. He progressed from A-ball to Double-A to Triple-A last season hitting .347-.335-.320, but this year he's struggled at .258 with 11 home runs. Pearce has a lot of pop, and since he's getting regular at bats he's worth taking a flier on, especially if you need outfield help.

Marlins liking the road

The Chicago Cubs out-homered the Florida Marlins 2-1 at Wrigley Field on Friday afternoon, but it was Jeremy Hermida's ninth inning solo shot that propelled the visitors to a 3-2 victory. The loss, just the 13th of the season for the Cubs at home, brings the Milwaukee Brewers within a half-game of first place in the N.L. Central.

Chicago, dealt with the unavailability of Kerry Wood due to a blister and Carlos Marmol having thrown 38 pitches the night before, used two relievers outside of their customary roles. In his Major League debut rookie Jeff Samardzija allowed one run in two innings giving up the lead. Bob Howry pitched the ninth, serving up Hermida's home run.

The Marlins' win brings Florida within one of making it a .500 record on the road this season. Only three other National League teams have accomplished that feat thus far: Milwaukee, St. Louis and Philadelphia. In the American League only the Boston Red Sox (.500) and the Los Angeles Angels have played even or better baseball on the road. The Angels' 31-18 mark is better than their 31-21 home mark, making them the only team in MLB with better numbers away from home and a winning record in both columns.

Chipped Jones

Braves third baseman Chipper Jones is out of the lineup tonight with yet another injury. It looks like he'll miss his goal of playing in 150 games this year, which is a shame considering he's one of the elite hitters in baseball with a .369 average.

The return of Liriano

The Twins are getting close to bringing back Francisco Liriano. With him and a number of pitchers in the rotation possibilities to move to the Minnesota bullpen, it appears that Livan Hernandez would be most in danger of losing his starting job.

Hernandez, who has allowed a major league-high 178 hits, has dropped four straight road decisions since beating the White Sox on May 7. Despite reaching double-digit victories for the ninth consecutive season, he could be pitching to save his spot in the rotation with Francisco Liriano waiting in the minor leagues.

''He's one of my friends, but the situation is not easy right now,'' Hernandez said, adding: ''I think nothing is going to happen, because everybody is pitching good.''

Fantasy Impact: Expect Hernandez to be demoted sooner than later. Who cares if the Twins are 14-7 in his starts? He's 10-6, but his 5.29 ERA suggests it's run support that's getting him by.

Goodwill from Gotham?

Jayson Stark's latest says the Yankees are interested in Jarrod Washburn, but only in order to help Seattle, which can't afford the languishing lefty for the duration of his huge contract.

Sorry, but I don't think the Yankees do anything "goodwill," and this article from the New York Times would seem to suggest that there's a good deal of motive behind acquiring Washburn.

Fantasy Impact: With a series of strong starts Washburn is getting back to respectability after an awful start to his year. With an ERA at 4.75 (and falling) some Yankees offense would net him some extra wins. Consider him if a deal goes through.

Pedro's pain

Pedro Martinez left the Mets on Wednesday and will miss Friday's scheduled start as he returns home to the Dominican Republic following the death of his father.

While on the DL earlier this season Martinez went home to care for his ailing father. He hasn't pitched well this season, posting a 6.25 ERA and a 1.63 WHIP in 44 2/3 innings.

Fantasy Impact: You have to wonder if the gravity of having his father hurt Pedro's performance on the field. He's battle various injuries this year as well, but if he comes back inspired from the personal tragedy Martinez may still offer something special down the stretch.

Brewing victories

Milwaukee's got some good karma (or maybe just good players) after all their recent deals.

CC Sabathia had it humming in St. Louis tonight. Sabathia held the third-place Cardinals to three hits in a complete game 3-0 shutout. The win pulls Milwaukee within a half-game of the Cubs and one back in the loss column. The Brewers have won seven straight. The can sweep the Cardinals in four straight at Busch on Thursday, and the pitching match up is in Milwaukee's favor with Ben Sheets facing Todd Wellemeyer.

JJ Hardy homered for the 14th time while Ryan Braun hit his 25th off of Jason Isringhausen to start the ninth. The Brewers got hot at the start of 2007 but faded down the stretch. They're working in reverse to this point in 2008.

Soriano's worth

It would be hard to say Alfonso Soriano's return catalyzed the Cubs offense in the first at Arizona; Derrek Lee hit the home run to put the Cubs up 1-0. Soriano's presence, however, must help the Cubs in any regard. Save for a 9-0 win in Houston the Cubs have scored just four runs in four games since the All-Star break.