Finally, Freddy

OK, Giants, now you're walking the walk.

San Francisco decided to pull the trigger on a Freddy Sanchez deal today and effectively inserted itself in the NL pennant race (wake up and take notice, all you blue-blooded Manny-lovers). The Giants may have bargained away part of the future by giving up pitching prospect Tim Alderson, but it's a helluva bargain for what they're trying to achieve this season. It does, however, make the Ryan Garko trade that much more meaningless.

By the way, thanks to Matt Cain and Randy Winn, the Giants also completed a sweep of Sanchez's former club, beating the Pirates 1-0 in 10 innings.

Other gamers in the trading season include the Phillies, getting Indians lefty Cliff Lee, and the Mariners (the Mariners?), barely in the playoff hunt, getting shortstop Jack Wilson and right-hander Ian Snell from Pittsburgh.

Best Mid-Season Fire Sale: Pirates and Indians in a dead heat.

Dialing the Clone Phone. Prince Fielder is channeling Willie Stargell, no? A little bit? He's got the jelly-belly build, the one-handed follow-through, the jovial demeanor (sometimes) and delivers the long ball with frequency and style. Now all he needs is Pops' longevity and maybe -- and I do mean maybe -- he'll get his own P.O. Box in Cooperstown.

Tip of the Cup. Everything points to Rajai Davis and the A's getting a repeat tip for outslugging the Red Sox at Fenway. If Davis (3-run double) keeps it up, he'll be a prime candidate for cloning none other than Bo Jackson. An honorable tip to Cubs pitcher Randy Wells and the Chicago offense for an impressive shutout of Houston.

Bland BS. Three of nine save situations blown, two by a couple of no-name middle relievers on last-place teams: John Bale, Royals (3); Tyler Clippard, Nationals (1); Jonathan Broxton, Dodgers (3).