Braves Exchange Vazquez for Melky

And... the Phillies biggest competition in the National League East just got weaker! The New York Yankees traded Melky Cabrera to the Atlanta Braves in exchange for Javier Vazquez.

Melky is a career .269 hitter and has a career .716 on-base plus slugging percentage. He has five major league years under his belt, and he is only 25.

Vazquez, a former Yankee, is 142-139 with a 4.19 career ERA. Vazquez pitched excellently with the Braves last season. He went 15-10 with a 2.87 ERA in 219.1 innings pitched. He struck out 9.8 batters per nine.

The Yankees got the better end of the deal. Melky's decent, but the Braves are losing a solid pitcher, who pitched well for them last year. A good pitcher is arguably more valuable than an average outfielder, at best. Pitching can be hard to come by; there is a lot of outfield depth throughout the league.

With Tommy Hanson, Jair Jurrjens, and Derek Lowe, the Braves have a solid rotation, but it won't be as strong without Vazquez. The Yankees, on the other hand add Vazquez to a rotation that already involves CC Sabathia and A.J Burnett.

This could open the gate for a return of free agent Johnny Damon. Right now, the Yankee outfield consist of Nick Swisher and Curtis Granderson. Brett Gardner would be the next best on the depth chart, but knowing the Yankees, they would want to do better.

In other MLB news, the Blue Jays acquired Brandon Morrow from the Seattle Mariners. Morrow would have been a great piece in the deal for Cliff Lee. Morrow is somebody that the Phillies need -- a reliever. Even if it wasn’t Seattle, plenty of teams would have listened on a Lee offer, so the Phils could have gotten more in return.

Speaking of the Lee trade and relievers, the Phillies are interested in Fernando Rodney. Rodney is seeking a 2-year $12 million deal. If that deal goes down, I won’t be happy. Some of that money could have belonged to Lee. The Angels are also interested.

Pedro Means Rain

For the full gameday, visit Phillies Nation.

Philadelphia Phillies (86-60) at Atlanta Braves (78-69)
Pedro Martinez (5-0, 2.87) vs. Javier Vazquez (13-9, 3.01)

Ryan Howard's big night and Kyle Kendrick's stellar relief appearance each played big roles in the Phillies' sixth consecutive win. The magic number stands at eight, as the Phillies close in on their third consecutive National League East crown.

Heavy rain is in the forecast, so that must mean that Pedro Martinez is on the mound. Lately, he has looked like the Pedro of old. Martinez is coming off a 130-pitch effort in his eight inning shutout against the New York Mets. Hoping Mother Nature does not strike, Pedro will try to improve to a perfect 6-0. Pedro's last start against the Braves was shortened due to rain.

Martinez will be opposed by Javier Vazquez. In his last three starts, he is 3-0 and has allowed two runs during that span. Against the Phillies this season, Vazquez is 1-1 with a 3.81 ERA. Ryan Howard, who homered twice last night, is batting .364 with two home runs against Vazquez this season.

Tonight's Lineup: Shane Victorino (gastrointestinal problems) and Carlos Ruiz (sprained wrist) are out of tonight's lineup.

Rollins (SS), Francisco (CF), Utley (2B), Howard (1B), Werth (RF), Ibanez (LF), Feliz (3B), Bako (C), Martinez P.

Phillies Look To Sweep Pirates

For full gameday, visit Phillies Nation.

Pittsburgh Pirates (38-49) at Philadelphia Phillies (47-38).
Virgil Vasquez (1-2, 4.50 ERA) vs. J.A Happ (5-0, 3.04 ERA).

The Phillies would like to end the first half of the year on a good note. For the most part, the Phillies have hit and pitched well during this homestand. They'll look to continue that today and complete the sweep, improving to 9-1 on this homestand.

Although he is not overpowering, J.A Happ has been the Phillies most consistent pitcher. In his last outing, he received the no-decision, but pitched well. He struck out seven and walked none in seven innings. Happ hasn't lost since his Major League debut in 2007.

Virgil Vasquez is making his third start since being move in the rotation. In his last start, Vasquez gave up four runs in six innings. Walks have hurt Vasquez. He has allowed eight walks in 18 innings. The Phillies will have to be patient against the 27-year old right hander.

After missing the last two games due to a neck injury, Carlos Ruiz is back in the starting lineup. Raul Ibanez will also play for the second straight day.

Phils Look To Avoid Sweep

Philadelphia Phillies (39-36) will face the Atlanta Braves (37-40)

J.A Happ (5-0, 3.33 ERA) pitches against Javier Vazquez (5-7, 3.04 ERA).

I think today’s a good indication of what he can do and what his capabilities are,” Charlie Manuel said on Saturday after J.A Happ threw his first Major League complete game shutout. There are now expectations from the rookie and he needs to live up to them tonight, halting the Phillies two game skid.

Happ will be opposed by Javier Vazquez who has been on a hot streak. In his last six starts, he is 1-3, but his ERA is a minuscule 1.90. Like Jair Jurrjens, Vazquez hasn’t received much run support. Vazquez beat the Phillies earlier this season and the Phillies are collectively batting .184 against him in 13.2 innings this year.

MLB Updates

Here is the latest news from around Major League Baseball:

The Boston Red Sox locked up the 2008 American League MVP, Dustin Pedroia, signing him to a 6 year contract worth $40.5 million. The deal includes a club option for 2015.

The 22 year old Japanese pitcher, Junichi Tawaza will join the Boston Red Sox pending a physical on Thursday. Tawaza and the Red Sox reportedly signed to a 3 year, $3 million deal.

The San Francisco Giants signed relief pitcher Bob Howry to a one year contract. In 11 years, Howry has a career ERA of 3.68. In 70+ innings in 2008, Howry had a high ERA of 5.35 with the Chicago Cubs.

The St. Louis Cardinals signed left handed relief pitcher Trevor Miller to a one year deal. With the Tampa Bay Rays in 2008, Miller appeared in 68 games with a record of 2-0 and a 4.15 ERA.

The Astros welcome back Mike Hampton, who signed a one year, $2 million deal with Houston. Hampton missed a lot of time over the past 2 years due to injuries. The Astros also re-signed Doug Brocail, agreeing to a one year, $2.5 million contract with incentives. Brocail was 7-5 with a 3.93 ERA in 68.2 innings in 2008.

The Atlanta Braves acquired Javier Vazquez from the Chicago White Sox in exchange for 3 prospects. In 11 Major League seasons, Vazquez has a 4.32 ERA and 1.27 WHIP. In my opinion, the White Sox get the better side of this deal, as they add 3 prospects while the Braves add a number 3 type starter at best. The Braves could also be closer to a 5 year deal with A.J Burnett, which would be big.

The Seattle Mariners signed Russell Branyan to a one year deal. The Mariners, along with the Giants and Angels could be considering Pat Burrell.

Speaking of Pat Burrell, he was not offered arbitration by the Phillies along with Jamie Moyer, Tom Gordon, and Rudy Seanez. The Phillies did not want to fork out any money... big shocker there. Because the Phillies failed to offer arbitration, the Phillies will not get an extra first round draft pick if one of the four were to sign with another team. Probably not the best move for the Phillies, especially since they could use a few more first round draft picks with a weaker farm system.

Speaking of money, the Phillies recieved $18 million for their World Championship. Each player getss $351,504.48. The Rays recieved $12 million for winning the American League Pennant.

Ruben Amaro Jr. has spoken to Jayson Werth and Ryan Madson on contract extensions, and it appears the Phillies could be interested in Mark Loretta.

That is the lastest from the hot stove as Opening Day inches closer. 122 days away, but who's counting?