HEARD AROUND THE LEAGUE

In a move to clear cap space, the Yuma Firebirds have dealt RHP Joe Blanton and 2B Chris Getz to Arizona in exchange for RHP Colin Balester.

GM Billy Beane laid out the practical aspects of this deal. "We don't have any breathing room, and given our rash of injuries, this deal makes logical sense for us. We clear cap space and we can now access our free agents to fill in the voids created by injuries that have crippled our overall depth. Besides, we've got a plethora of pitching depth, so we can easily fill Joe's void," Beane stated.

As proof of that, the club indicated that hard-throwing lefty David Price would get the first call to take up the fifth starter's job. Blanton, who came over in a stretch drive deal last season for the eventual world champions, did not appear to take it hard. "That's baseball," said Blanton. "I was happy to get a chance to win a ring, but I could see that the kids coming up would need room, and they weren't going to deal Roy or C.C. I could see it coming."

As for the Thunder, they were typically confident that this would work out for them. The youngster Getz was placed on the DL shortly after the acquisition, but it was clear the trade was all about Joe Blanton.

"We get an solid arm, who's an innings eater, for a used to be solid prospect who doesn't look like he'll have a future in the majors," clucked GM Ronald Melkonian with satisfaction. "This move also increases our rotation depth and with Getz, our IF depth."


HEARD AROUND THE LEAGUE:



Black Mesa is starting slowly, with the three starters with the most BARB wins for them in 2009 nowhere to be seen: LHP Ted Lilly (9-7) is on the DL, RHP Kevin Millwood (10-11) an unsigned free agent, and LHP Jarrod Washburn (10-6) similarly unsigned and is contemplating retirement. The Anomalies have a lot of blue-chip prospects in their farm system, but there doesn't seem to be anybody ready to help any time soon. On the other hand, they have quite a bit of depth in terms of infielders with big sticks: Adam Dunn, Adrian Beltre or Ian Kinsler could all be attractive to other clubs that have pitching to offer.

The Darwin Finches seem to still be in transition. 1B Adam LaRoche (.248, 21 HR) was second on the club last year with 85 RBI, but he was allowed to leave for free agency. A free agent signing, C Miguel Olivo, appears to be getting more playing time in the middle of the order than franchise player Yadier Molina, a real head-scratcher. Molina, a defensive whiz, is in his prime and as a 'keeper' can't be dealt. The Finches do appear to have upgraded their bullpen and should have a good pitching staff, barring injury. Whether or not they will score more runs remains to be seen. OF Aaron Rowand was beaned in Game Day 10 and may miss two weeks of play, and there is a growing feeling that mercurial OF Milton Bradley is a lost soul.

The Madtown Murlocs have lost the services of starting SS Jimmy Rollins (strained right calf) for the time being. The veteran was a major disappointment last year for the Murlocs (.244, 6 HR, 72 runs scored) but was the leadoff hitter when this season began. Rookie Alcides Escobar will try to fill the plug, and with 3B about to become crowded due to the return of Alex Gordon from the DL, veteran IF Jhonny Peralta (.286 in 22 G last year in BARB) will probably see some playing time, as well.

The St. Francis Friars received a blow when it became clear RHP Chris Young, just coming off an off-season rehab, would require even more medical attention that places his 2010 campaign in doubt. This first chink in the armor of their pitching depth seems more grievous when you consider the problems the Anointed Ones had in scoring runs in the first week of play, with virtually no production from the middle of the field from 2B Ben Zobrist and SS Alexei Ramirez. The Friars took a flyer on recently-released IF Mike Aviles , released in the first week for cap reasons by the Horned Toads. The Friars signed Aviles to a split contract and assigned the former Casselton starter to their AAA club. Club officials are unhappy with Ramirez's slow start and he may even be the subject of trade rumors after previously being regarded as untouchable.