First Shot Across the Bow

Not content with a 1st place tie at the All-Star break, the Brewers traded for star closer Francisco Rodriguez on Tuesday. The former Met and Angel closer isn't what he used to be, but he's still a top flight reliever, going 23 for 26 in save chances this year.

He also has a very interesting contract, in which his team must pick up his $17.5 million option for next year if he finishes 55 games. He's already at 34 so the Brewers will handle him with care. Probably keeping current closer John Axford in the 9th inning and using K-Rod in the 8th, which if he cooperates, could be a dangerous late-inning duo.

Regardless of the combination Rodriguez and Axford are used in the second half of the season, the Brewers just became serious contenders in the National League central. Technically a four-team race with the Cardinals, Pirates, and Reds, no one expects Pittsburgh to stay on this pace, making it essentially a three-way battle to October.

The Reds will probably make at least one move, but I couldn't guess what that will be. The Cardinals' position is pretty clear.

They need pitching, they have 4 really good outfielders. Simple enough. Well, they also need a shortstop, but that won't happen until the off-season I'm guessing. Even with the Rodriguez trade, the Cardinals could still win the division with this roster, even though it will be tougher now. However, barring another 2006-esque run, they won't get by Philly as things stand.

Colby Rasmus is the obvious choice here, as Matt Holliday is untouchable, Lance Berkman is having too good of a year and rookie Jon Jay is the center fielder of the future.

There's a bunch of different ways to go about this. They could pick up a starter and move Kyle McClellan to the bullpen. Or they could trade for a lefty reliever. They could also grab a closer and push current closer Fernando Salas to the 8th inning. Any move would help, and there is really no way the team will keep Holliday, Rasmus, Jay, and Berkman next year.

So whatever the front office does in July will be telling. If they're going all out for 2011, they'll unload an out fielder and help the pitching staff. If they don't, it means they don't plan on re-signing Berkman (contract expires this year) and they're hoping for the best, which probably won't end well.