Mid Season Report: NL

Alright here is the AL Report if you are interested, same deal with the NL and I will just link you up to the Brewers article when they arrived on my report. So enjoy...

NL EAST
1. Philadelphia Phillies: HOT: Raul Ibanez- I thought when he signed with the Phillies that this had the chance to pay huge dividends for the team and it totally has. Ibanez is having a great year hitting behind Ryan Howard. NOT: Jimmy Rollins- He looks nothing like the MVP of a couple years ago and I really cant figure out what is wrong with Rollins. I wouldnt be surprised if he bats in the 7th hole sometime soon. BUYER: They already got Pedro but I am willing to bet they make a strong push at Roy Halladay plus other pitching. FINISH: First in the AL East, loses to the Dodgers in 7 in the NLCS.

2. Florida Marlins: HOT: Cody Ross- I could easily go with Hanley here but Ross has came out nowhere to have a solid year for the Fish so far. Hitting .278 with 14 homers has been a pleasant surprise. NOT: Starting Pitching not named Josh Johnson- The Marlins have not found a guy in their rotation that can duplicate what Double J does night in night out (how he wasnt an all-star is beyond me) Chris Volstad, and Ricky Nolasco have to get in gear if they want to win. FINISH: Third in the NL East behind the Mets.

3. Atlanta Braves: HOT: Jaiver Vasquez- I think Vazquez is one of the more underrated players in todays game, he has a sub 3 ERA right now and has a ton of strikeouts. NOT: Kelly Johnson- They expect him to have a solid year for the Braves and he has amounted to nothing; leading to Martin Prado replacing him. BUYER/SELLER: Like a couple other teams sitting in third, if they start strong in second half they buy and if not, they sell pretty simple. FINISH: Fourth in the NL East

4. New York Mets: HOT: Gary Sheffield- Looked like his career was done and has turned out to be one of the only good things that have gone right for the Mets. He is hitting above .275 with 10 homers and keeping the team together when things are down. NOT: Injuries- I think its pretty simple to see why New York is in fourth, no Carlos Beltran, Jose Reyes, JJ Putz and Carlos Delgado will do that to a team. BUYER: The Mets could use some starting pitching or middle relief help. In addition if Reyes/Delgado are out for awhile, they may need a bat. FINISH: Second in the NL East, missing out barely on the Wild Card again.

5. Washington Nationals: HOT: Ryan Zimmerman- He has been the only shining star in this organization so far although I do think its awesome that Zimmerman is staying long-term with the team. NOT: The rest of the team- The pitching is horrendous for the most part, and the offense hits at times. SELLERS: If anyone wants the Nats talent, I am sure they are welcomed to have it. FINISH: Dead last in the NL.

NL CENTRAL
1. St. Louis Cardinals: HOT: Albert Pujols- I know I could have looked for anyone else to fit this one but the Machine has been a complete beast. Looks like he will have the first clean 60 homer season since Roger Maris and possibly an NL Triple Crown. NOT: Rick Ankiel- A guy who was supposed to protect Pujols has struggled with injury and the ability to not hit anything that isnt a fastball. BUYER: They already got Mark DeRosa who knows what else they will go after. FINISH: First in the NL Central :( , loses to Philadelphia in four.

2. Milwaukee Brewers: I covered it here... I think the Brewers are Buyers but could sell if the team were to go in some sort of tailspin. That being said I think they take the wild card again and lose to the Dodgers in 5.

3. Chicago Cubs: HOT: Derrek Lee- Another big hitting first basemen in the National League and he is carried Chicago so far this season with a .280 batting average and seventeen homers. NOT: Milton Bradley- Oh Milt. He has been awful for the Cubs so far this season in the outfield and hasnt been all that special at the plate. Remember he is there for two more years. BUYER: If they can take on any more money, they might try to get another relief pitcher. Finish: They will push the Crew for the Wild card/Division but will fall just short.

4. Houston Astros: HOT: Miguel Tejada-A guy's career that seemed to be over after all the steroid allegations and yes his homers are way down although he is batting a cool .329 keeping the Stros in the mix. NOT: Jose Valverde- Who knows where the Astros could be if Valverde was healthy. I am assuming he is coming back shortly and in Houston, they hope so because LaTroy Hawinks wont get it done. NEITHER: I dont see them making any moves maybe if they make a push see if a reliever is around maybe a starter. FINISH: The Stros will finish 5th in the NL Central, just not enough.

5. Cincinnati Reds: HOT: Joey Votto-Despite his problems with stress but Votto has had a great second year hitting around .350 with eleven homers. Now with Jay Bruce being out, he will need to carry the team. NOT: Edison Volquez- A rough injury-riddle year for Volquez and anyone surprised that Dusty Baker is ruining young pitching. BUYER: They could use a bat with Bruce being out for two months or so. FINISH: The Reds finish four but they will push real hard for that Wild Card.

6. Pittsburgh Pirates: HOT: Andrew McCutchen- Their star young center fielder that has caught the eye of every Pirate fan and I just hope that Pittsburgh signs him long term to start building their franchise. NOT: Ian Snell- The Pirates has had high hopes for Snell after a blazing start to his career and now has spent some time in the minors which could turn the tide for him. SELLER: Already sold away Nyger Morgan and Nate McClouth who knows whose next. FINISH: Another last place finish for the Bucos.

NL WEST
1. Los Angeles Dodgers: HOT: Andre Ethier- Many people thought that he would slow down when Manny Ramirez was gone for fifty games. That didnt happen and now I think Ethier is one of the most underrated players in the game. NOT: Manny Ramirez- This has to be the answer despite the Dodgers still kicking ass without him, you just wonder where they could be if he played those 50 games? BUYER: No doubt about, I wouldnt be surprised if they went after George Sherill. FINISH: NL Pennant winner then they will lose in the World Series in six.

2. San Francisco Giants: HOT: Starting Pitching- Tim Linecum, Matt Cain, and Jonathan Sanchez have all been great for the Giants this season so far and have carried them to second spot. NOT: Edgar Renteria- They brought him in hopes he could revive his career and it was an epic fail so far. BUYER: They would love to bring a bat in such as Matt Holiday. FINISH: Second in the NL West but they will lose out on a tight wild card race.

3. Colorado Rockies: HOT: Brad Hawpe- He has had a great year for the Rockies so far this season and has done wonders for their comeback year so far. Hawpe will need to stay consistent to push for the Wild Card. NOT: Jorge De La Rosa- I dont understand why Colorado still thinks this guy has any potential, he is awful. BUYER: They could use some pitching to push for the chance for the wild card. FINISH: Third in the NL West but wont have enough to get the wild card.

4. Arizona Diamondbacks: HOT: Dan Haren- He has been just awesome for the struggling D-Backs so far with an almost sub two ERA so far this season. NOT: Chris Young-A promising center fielder has dipped below the Mendoza line and looks like he completely lost it. I wouldnt be surprised if he heads down to AAA for awhile. SELLER: I am sure they will look to deal Doug Davis, Felipe Lopez, and maybe even Dan Haren, they will be involved big time. FINISH: Fourth in the NL West.

5.San Diego Padres: HOT: Adrian Gonzalez- He has been awesome and he has proven people wrong with hitting twenty-four homers out of the impossible Petco Park. NOT: The rest of the offense- They are just woeful with numbers that are worse than the Nationals, enough said. SELLER: They dont really have that much pieces to move but I am sure some teams would like Heath Bell. FINISH: Fifth in the NL West.

-Charlie.