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Buzzmaster

  (1:02 PM)

Steve will be here shortly, everyone!

Steve Phillips

  (1:04 PM)

The trade deadline is behind us. Teams are who they are right now. It'll be interesting to see who is good enough to get to the playoffs. What's on everyone's mind?

Mark (Madison, WI)

Is there any truth to the speculation that dugout fights can re-energize a team? If that's true, I hope that the Brewers start to pick it up soon.

Steve Phillips

  (1:06 PM)

Yes, they can pull a team together, but they can also be signs of something wrong in the clubhouse. It's hard to know which one this is, as everyone is answering questions the way you might expect--trying to diminish the problem. Players are around each other close to 220 days during the course of the year. At times, there are personality conflicts. These are two pretty key players for the Brewers butting heads. If Fielder gets energized and finds his power stroke, it might be just the thing the Brewers need. We'll have to wait and see.

John Manteca, California

Seeing how Manny Ramirez is doing with the dodgers. Do you still think it was a wise move to trade him even after reports came out that he wanted to stay?

Steve Phillips

  (1:09 PM)

I never thought it was a good move for Manny to be traded. The Red Sox are not as good of a team now as they were beforehand. Manny is a perfect fit for the Dodgers and they did not have to pay his salary at all. I know the sox felt they could not move forward with Manny, but he has done many of these same things over the course of the first eight years of the relationship. How much better would they be if they used Moss and Hansen as chips to improve their bullpen? Manny is going to get the Dodgers to the playoffs, and the deal may mean the Red Sox do not make it.

Mike (Burlington, VT)

Hi Steve,How do you feel that Neal Huntington did at the deadline? It sounds like he was asking for top prospects that other teams refused to give up? Did he still get fair returns? Thanks for your time.

Steve Phillips

  (1:10 PM)

I would say that I had the Pirates categorized as losers after the Nady trade, but as winners after the Bay trade. Getting three major league-ready players for Bay is a good deal for the Pirates. The Yankees deal will only be good if Jose Tabata turns out to be a productive player, and that remains to be seen.

John (Dallas)

Steve, do you think like I do, that the Dodgers need to sign Manny in the off season?

Steve Phillips

  (1:12 PM)

The Dodgers desperately need offense, and Manny certainly answers many of their problems. The issue is that their outfield is crowded, with Kemp, Eithier, Pierre, Jones, and Manny. All of those players are under control for next year as well. I think they should sign Manny, but they should address this problem soon, as it will be tough to keep everybody happy.

Andrew, Delaware

With the entire NL East playing rather shakey lately, with exception of the Marlins in recent days, who do you think has the best shot at winning the NL East?

Steve Phillips

  (1:14 PM)

That's a tough call. All of the teams have strengths, but all of them have major problems. The Phillies and Marlins have starting pitching problems, while the Mets have major bullpen woes. I think the Mets should win that division, but I'm starting to wonder if they will. If the Mets don't win, I think the Phillies have the next-best chance. The Marlins have been a nice surprise, but I just don't think they have enough pitching to win the division. If it takes 88 wins, the Marlins will be in it--more than that, and it will be tough for them to keep pace.

Tyler (Atlanta, Ga)

Is the race for NL rookie of the year now down to Geovany Soto and Jair Jurrjens? Who do you see as having the advantage? Soto leads all NL rookies in Avg, HR, 2B and RBI while Jurrjens leads in W, ERA, IP and is second in SO and WHIP.

Steve Phillips

  (1:16 PM)

I would probably give Soto the edge--he is very good both offensively and in handling a high-quality pitching staff in Chicago. I'm not sure there's ever been a rookie catcher that has caught a World Series champion, but Soto could be that guy. I think Jurrjens will finish a close second.

Marc (IN)

Do you see either the White Sox or Twins pulling away with the division, or will it come down to their series in Minnesota the last week of the season?

Steve Phillips

  (1:18 PM)

I really thought the White Sox would pull away, but the Twins just aren't getting there. I've never seen a team with five young pitchers like the Twins (and, I guess, the Marlins) be as competitive as they are. The thing that worries me about Minnesota is the young pitching and the fact that they are hitting .315 with RISP, the highest such average in the last 40 years. They seem to be doing it with timing, and timing tends to change, Chicago has the best chance to run away, but my guess is they'll win in a close race.

Jay (PA)

Is there anything scarier then hearing your future ace has to go see Dr. Andrews?

Steve Phillips

  (1:20 PM)

This has to be very concerning for the Yankees, as Chamberlain is absolutely critical to their season. They've expected a lot from the young man, and he has delivered. I just don't think they have the depth to overcome his loss if he's out for any significant length of time. They're already challenged on the back end, and Mike Mussina is pitching like he never has before. A young bullpen which has not pitched in a pennant race has to be concerning as well. Hopefully it's nothing too serious, and Joba will be back in a couple of weeks.

Jeremy(Dallas)

Steve, How long can the Rangers hang in the Wild Card race if they were to sweep the Yankees?

Steve Phillips

  (1:22 PM)

The Rangers are another one of those teams that can swing the bat but have questionable pitching. Maybe in an era that has parity, clubs that have one thing special about them can compete. The Rangers' offense is special, as they lead MLB in runs scored. I don't think they have the pitching to get in, but there certainly is hope in Arlington that has been missing for a long time.

ben (los angeles)

Steve, why do the Dodgers think so little of Ethier? It seems to me that he is by far better than Pierre.

Steve Phillips

  (1:23 PM)

I think the Dodgers like Andre Ethier, but he really has to be a corner outfielder, as he doesn't have CF speed. With Kemp and Ramirez in the lineup, it makes it more difficult to find playing time for Ethier. Pierre's defense is better at CF, and therefore he'll get more playing time. If the Dodgers decide to keep Manny, I expect them to trade Ethier to bring back pitching, or a shortstop if they don't resign Furcal.

Dan (Indiana)

Do you see the AL wildcard from the AL East? And is that team Boston?

Steve Phillips

  (1:25 PM)

Right now, you'd have to say it will come from the East. But, with Joba Chamberlain's arm issues and the Sox' bullpen issues, there is good reason to ask the question. I guess maybe either the Twins or White Sox will end up with the WC, and of course the Rangers have to be considered an outside shot. I would predict the Red Sox to win the WC at this point, but ask me a week from now and I may have a different opinion.

Matt

If you're Tony LaRussa do you 1) Get rid of Izzy now, 2) Get rid of Izzy in 5 minutes or 3) Get rid of Izzy tomorrow? Watching him pitch is not recommended for those with heart conditions

Steve Phillips

  (1:26 PM)

The Cardinals have blown a lot of saves this year, not all of them from Isringhausen. But he doesn't seem to have the stuff or command to be able to get the job done. He is a real competitor, and if he keeps getting chances, he will find a way. I think at this stage, though, La Russa will have to go back to Ryan Franklin in the 9th.

Keith, Camp Verde, Arizona

Steve, If situation like the Brett Favre issue had happen in the MLB, how would things unfold? Especially if the MLB player was as loved as Favre was in GB..?

Steve Phillips

  (1:30 PM)

It'd be like Ripken returning to the Orioles after retiring. I have to say that I have empathy for the Packers' front office in this situation. From the way it sounds, Favre has changed his mind about retiring at least a half-dozen times. It's awfully hard to build and run a franchise that way, waiting for a player to tell you if he will play or not. Especially if it's a QB. I completely understand why the Packers don't want to release him, and I understand why they don't want to trade him to the Vikings. I also understand why they want Aaron Rodgers to start, as it is his time, especially since Favre held a press conference, and the organization made decisions without him. Favre has the right to return, but the Packers have the right to use him any way they want, as long as they pay him. I would be handling it much the same way were it a baseball situation as the Packers are, except for some of the major miscommunication that seems to have taken place. Players can't dictate how they're being used.

Todd (Philly)

Steve - who is the likely AL MVP at this point? This year, the AL teams are more "team oriented" without specific stars....does that default to Hamilton?

Steve Phillips

  (1:31 PM)

I think right now, Hamilton would be the AL MVP. Some might say that Francisco Rodriguez might get consideration with his saves, as the Angels have been very good in close, low-scoring games. I would say that Hamilton would get my vote, if I had a vote.

Phil (MD)

Any thoughts on the Dan Haren extension? Nice to see a young star sign somewhere OTHER than NY or Boston.

Steve Phillips

  (1:32 PM)

I think it's a good move by the Diamondbacks to lock a player for whom they gave up six prospects. Now the task will be to resign Brandon Webb, as it seems like negotiations have hit a snag. It will be interesting to see if there is any animosity between the club and Webb, as it seems they had reach an agreement but could not come to terms on any language issues.

Mike (Seattle)

What would you do to fix the Padres. With Gonzales, Peavy, and Young, they have some good pieces to build upon.

Steve Phillips

  (1:34 PM)

The Padres need offense, which has been the story for the past five years. It's a tough ballpark in which to hit home runs, so they should look for players and ways to manufacture runs, which means contact and speed. They don't really have that on their roster right now, so it seems like it will take some time to rebuild them.

Johnny (LA, CA)

I know he missed too much time to be in the race, but Alfonso Soriano has been MVP -like for the Cubs. They are under .500 without him (a two month span) and more than 22 games over .500 with him. Plus they score half a run more when he is in the lineup. Thoughts?

Steve Phillips

  (1:36 PM)

Soriano is a very good offensive player, and their record indicates the impact he has when he's in the lineup. I still think he should hit down more in the order so that he can hit with more runners on base and drive in more runs. That being said, he is as important as anybody on the Cubs' roster in what is looking like a magical year.

Ariel (Albany, NY)

Can a player finally "get it" at 33 years old or is Fernando Tatis just in a hot streak? he was once a hot prospect.

Steve Phillips

  (1:37 PM)

Players can finally figure things out, and it appears Tatis is doing that. He's always had power and potential, but he never was able to put it together. He's been a great story and is certainly a candidate for comeback player of the year, as it seemed like he was almost in Witness Protection for the past couple years--you never heard his name. Where would the Mets be now without him? Sometimes it just takes longer to figure it out.

Jim (WI)

Is it time for everyone to admit that Ricky Weeks is a bust or should he be still giving the benefit of the doubt?

Steve Phillips

  (1:39 PM)

I seem to be less patient than most people when it comes to Weeks. Reports indicated he was going to be an outstanding offensive player who would improve over time at second. His defense is still not good, and he has yet to be the kind of offensive player as people have thought. He has been given plenty of opportunity, and it does make you wonder. If I'm Ned Yost, I'm playing Durham as much as possible. At least he gives you some offensive production.

Steve Phillips

  (1:40 PM)

I'm on vacation next week, so I look forward to chatting with you two weeks from now, to see how different things may look, and how the dog days of summer are impacting the race. Have a good couple of weeks!