The Yankees have reportedly shown interest in Dan Haren, as well as the Twins, Tigers, Phillies & Cardinals, but the team that stole Haren away was the Angels. The D-Backs have stated they have no interest in trading Haren unless they were offered an “A-Plus deal” for him. So although the Yankees are struggling with starting pitching, there was no need for them to do any type of deal where they are giving away future star players for a temporary solution until Andy Pettitte comes back. Now the Phillies didn’t have enough for Haren even if they were seriously interested. The D-Backs showed no interest in Jason Werth who is the major player on the Phillies trading block. The Phillies problem isn’t so much pitching; it’s their offense or better yet their lack thereof, so Haren wouldn’t be worth it if they have to trade more than they should especially since there in the running for a few other pitchers. Haren has shown interested in going to either the Tigers or Twins, both of whom are fighting for the top spot in the AL Central, but as of Sunday 7/25/10 Haren is official an Angel, traded for four players, including left-handed starter Joe Saunders.

Now Oswalt’s case is a little bit different, as said before the Cardinals were interested in Haren, but there main focus was and is Oswalt. The problem with that is the Astros are hesitant with trading within the division, yet Oswalt’s most desired destination is St Louis considering he grew up near Mississippi. Oswalt also said he would not force the Cardinals to pick up his 2012 option for $16 million which he would demand of a team like the Phillies who are also interested. The other team that has shown major interest are the Dodgers, who are willing to trade for what Houston is demanding. Reports say The Astros are asking for two top prospects, a third Minor Leaguer and a young player who is ready for the Major Leagues. The Cardinals have what the Astros are asking for, but even though its Oswalt’s wish to play for St Louis it seems like the Dodgers are the front runners as of now.

The other pitcher that’s on the trading block who is flying under the radar is Ted Lilly. According to reports the only team that has shown interest in Lilly are The New York Mets. What the Cubs are demanding for Lilly are still unknown, but if the Mets can score Lilly it may bring them closer to the division leading Braves. The Cubs who show no sign of making a post season run this year wouldn’t be asking for too much besides prospects to build a stronger team for the future. A trade like Jeff Francoeur who is on the Mets trading block for Ted Lilly would not make sense and is highly unlikely, but a trade like Jennry Mejia for Ted Lilly would help both teams and seems like the most realistic situation.

In conclusion the trading deadline brings many questions, and it seems the big players on the block this year are all pitchers proving that baseball is turning back into a pitchers game. Oswalt, Haren, and Lilly are all capable pitchers who can help any team get to the postseason, and as time moves on we will see who goes out and take the risk of trading and the results of each move.

On a side note, with all this trade talk both the Phillies and the Mets have a right fielder on the trading block, and with both being free agents at the end of this season, it might be possible to see a trade between the two rival teams. Francoeur and Werth are both seasoned players, and both show offensive and defensive skills. Werth being on an all-star cloud in the past few seasons has seem to come back down to Earth this year, but yet still producing. Francoeur is producing also, and even though he may be streaky, there is no denying his defense can’t be debated as one as the top in the major leagues. It has happen before in the National League East where the Mets and another rival team traded right fielders down the stretch, look at Ryan Church and Jeff Francoeur, so who is to say it might not happen again. Another reason the trade might happen is because considering the Phillies aren’t in too much of a position to go on a run for the Playoffs and Werth is a free agent at the end of the year there is nothing to lose.

Note-This article was originally written 7/23/10 and revised 7/25/10 the day Dan Haren was traded to the Angels