The season is at the halfway point. All the hype will begin about "buyers and sellers." More often than not, most of the talk is just that-talk. Regardless, it's a great time of the baseball season.
Wily Mo Pena would make the perfect candidate for the Home Run Derby. Some of his batting practice homers still haven't landed. Hitting in his home park of Chase Field, Pena would be a natural. I haven't seen the final NL roster, but I think it's Prince Fielder, Matt Kemp and Rickie Weeks. I'm not as bullish as some about Justin Upton in that contest-but Pena? Without a doubt.
I still can't understand how Paul Konerko and Andrew McCutchen didn't make the All Star rosters. Just too many AL 1B for Konerko to be included. But McCutchen? He's just such a great all around player. He isn't even in the NL "final vote" promotion. It's a real shame.
I hope visitors to Phoenix don't complain too much if it's 110 degrees outside for the All Star Game. Everything will be inside with air conditioning from the Fan Fest to the baseball events so it shouldn't be an issue.
Matt Stairs is hanging on by his thumbs hitting .150 for the Nationals.
I hope you kept Alexi Ogando in your rotation this week as the Rangers have indicated he won't be skipped. Originally they wanted to rest him for one start. His most recent very good outing changed that thinking.
I admit I expected the Tigers Charlie Furbush to have better results in his first start Sunday. He didn't make it through 5 innings, but he'll pitch again at the end of the week. What was once a strength, Tigers pitching, has now become a concern.
Welcome back to the big leagues Travis Snider. a 3 hit game against the Red Sox should make him feel very comfortable. In case you missed it, Juan Rivera has been released.
Michael Pineda---I hope you followed this column early in spring training and jumped on the band wagon early. He and Brandon Beachy were among my early spring favorites.
I also wrote extensively about Josh Collmenter. I was concerned about Collmenter in small parks and in the third time through batting orders. He's getting hit as he sees hitters for a 2nd and 3rd time, but I'm not concerned. I think he has enough to provide quality starts in the second half.
Most fantasy team owners can't give Chone Figgins away. I saw a note in one of my leagues yesterday that said the owner would be willing to take "a bag of balls and some broken bats" for Figgins. I didn't have either to offer. Figgins has been one of the great flops of both 2010 and 2011.
Would you buy Alex Rios now? I'm just askin.
Why do I think Carlos Quentin will get traded? I just have a hunch.
It's amazing that Albert Pujols may be back from his hand/wrist injury this week. He has worked hard to heal and he's now doing baseball related activities. Enough so that he may be back tonight.
I have thought for quite some time that John Lackey has a bad arm. I'm more convinced after watching him try to pitch yesterday.
He doesn't look as fluid, the velocity is down and he's really struggling. I'm just sayin.
The Rangers are just killing the baseball. It's a good thing because their bullpen is very, very shaky. They'll need the pen when they play more high scoring teams.
Mark Reynolds has 19 of the quietest home runs in baseball.
The Mets have played some very good baseball and yet all we hear is talk about who they'll dump at the trade deadline. I don't think Jose Reyes is going anywhere. I think they'll keep him and build their future around him.
I still can't get over what a fantastic season Lance Berkman is having. He's lost about 20 pounds, he looks to be totally healthy and he's having fun again. He's one very good hitter.
Fausto Carmona is not happy about being placed on the DL. He says he's feeling much better after falling as he was running to first base. The time off may do him some good in collecting his thoughts.
Sean Burroughs will now be in a platoon situation at 3B for the Diamondbacks getting more regular at-bats. He will share time with the right-handed hitting Ryan Roberts. He's probably available on your waiver wire. He has some pop in his bat.
I'll be On The Scene at all the All Star Game activities. I'm looking most forward to the Futures Game. I'll blog about what I see and hear about future prospects.
My prospect article this week features the Red Sox Ryan Lavarnway. I hope you'll give it a read on RotoWire starting tomorrow. Your comments and questions are always welcome.
Until then-follow me on Twitter @BerniePleskoff. Have a great week.