The RotoWire Blog has been retired.

These archives exist as a way for people to continue to view the content that had been posted on the blog over the years.

Articles will no longer be posted here, but you can view new fantasy articles from our writers on the main site.

Random Thoughts on Losing Ugly

It was an ugly night for the Indians, the White Sox and the Rangers. But that's baseball.

When a team has the bases loaded and nobody out while down one run, don't you think they could somehow push across a run? Not with Matt LaPorta at the plate. He really isn't a clutch hitter at all. It's unfortunate, but the guy makes the worst outs at the most inopportune times. Tonight it was a weak double play that ended the rally and killed a comeback win. LaPorta has been a huge bust for the Indians and there is no way to sugar coat it. The Indians need to go get a first baseman. My suggestions? I like Chris Davis of the Rangers and James Loney of the Dodgers. They are two totally different players, but both are upgrades. I think lefty David Huff could fetch either. But Huff also happens to be the only lefty the Indians have for the rotation.

Neftali Feliz looks nothing like he did last season. His fastball is flat out flat. Very little movement. Nice velocity, but he isn't finishing his pitches in the same way he did in the past. He now has 5 blown saves for the year. And another blown game. The Rangers have to find more pitching for the pen. Tanner Scheppers may be an answer for the future, but there are bullpen guys available this year that they need to chase.
I would start with Mike Adams of the Padres if they would consider trading him. Then I'd go to Toronto for one of the arms they aren't using with regularity. I'd even look at Octavio Dotel or Jason Frasor.

C.C. had it going tonight. He threw strikes. He had great command of his fastball. He was nasty. It was almost as if he could feel the no-hitter, perfect game. Then he gave up a hit and you could see him relax a bit. Weaver, Sabathia and Verlander all pitched tonight. They were all good, but CC and Weaver were great.

Verlander was throwing 100 MPH again at the end of the game. Think of that. After more than 100 pitches thrown, Justin Verlander has the ability to throw a baseball at 100 miles per hour. It doesn't seem possible, but he does it almost every game.

Carlos Beltran will end up playing for a team that goes to the playoffs. He's in control because of the no-trade clause in his contract. He wants to stay in the NL and he wants to play for a winner. Who fits that? The Phillies? Why in the world would the Mets trade him to the Phillies, even if it's a rental? I don't think so. The Braves? Possible. What prospects do they send to the Mets? Arodys Vizcaino? I don't think Atlanta gives him up. No way they trade Julio Teheran. I would make it Mike Minor and some other minors. Nope. I think it's the Giants. Get Beltran off the east coast so when he lights it up it won't be as painful for Mets fans to watch. That's what I would do. Get him to the west coast on a contending team. I just can't figure out which pitcher or pitchers. The Mets want pitching. They also need a 2B so I would consider giving up Charlie Culberson. Maybe OF Thomas Neal. The Giants have some attractive prospects.

Brandon Inge admitted he deserved to be sent to the minors. He's a fine fielder, but he can't hit.

If this is make or break week for the White Sox, they didn't make it tonight. Verlander gave up a homer to Paul Konerko but the team couldn't come back and add on. Big loss. Two game standings swing. A loss for you and a win for your opposition.

MLB Network announced that Josh Johnson is finished for the year. How about his career? I'm concerned.

When Jose Bautista got hit in the helmet tonight it looked much worse than it turned out. He has a mark on his head, but he doesn't have a concussion. He was very, very lucky. The Blue Jays (and me) need Bautista healthy.

How about another great quality start for Josh Tomlin with nothing to show for it. Not pretty. Now that's Justin Masterson and Josh Tomlin this week. The Indians won Fausto Carmona's game, but he didn't get the W. Carmona looks better by the way.

As if the Phillies aren't good enough with Halladay, Hamels, and Lee they come up with Vance Worley who makes hitters look sick with a very wicked arsenal of pitches. They guy is very calm and collected out on the mound.

The Pirates have some attractive pieces to trade in the right deals like Lyle Overbay, Garrett Jones, and Ronny Cedeno, They aren't part of the future of the Pirates, but they could be a good fill in piece for a contender looking for bench strength.

I've never seen Justin Upton look better at the plate. He is totally locked in. I've probably seen 90|PERCENT| of his home at-bats since he made the club and he is now a professional slugger. One to be feared every time at the plate. I can only hope he doesn't slip back to bad habits.

I think Heath Bell will be wearing a Diamondbacks uniform by the end of the week. Just a hunch. No inside information.

I would give up lots and lots including a top prospect for Hunter Pence. He's that good. I wouldn't give up a top prospect for B.J. Upton. He's that inconsistent. I like his speed. But when does the bat start to play every day?

I believe Hiroki Kuroda when he says he wants to stay on the west coast.

How to fix the Mariners? I have no idea. Chone Figgins? If someone is giving you anything for Chone Figgins, say thank you and take it. And do not---let me repeat that----do not trade any of your starting rotation pitching. Pitching is all you really have and all you have to trade. But then you'll be looking for pitching. Continue to build through the draft. Look at the free agent market, but don't mess with the rotation.

The Cubs? Find someone to take Carlos Pena off your hands and pay 4 of the 5 million you still owe him.
Beg Aramis Ramirez to accept a trade while he still has some value. Trade Dempster. Don't trade Sean Marshall. You'll get the most for Carlos Marmol. If tempted, do it. Oh, and trade Marlon Byrd while you still can. The team is a mess Get a broom and sweep it clean.

I hope you will read my analysis of the Futures Game hitters that will run on RotoWire tomorrow or Thursday.
As always, I'd love to answer your questions and read your thoughts on the prospects.

Follow me on Twitter @BerniePleskoff and on MLB.com in their contributors/opinions section. My article this week will be on Lance Berkman. I welcome your comments on that site as well. Have a great week. Enjoy the media trade talk and rejoice if any trades are actually made. Later.