I've been thinking about the New York Yankees and their recent player acquisitions. Yes, I know - it's bad for my digestion or my blood pressure or my choler or something. But this has all gone on far enough. Something has to change.

The affiliates went 5-1 on the night as the Lugnuts were the lone team to lose last night.

A.J. Burnett is Yanked after 4 innings and the Blue Jay season teeters nearer the precipice.

Alright, it's not all that extreme.  It's as extreme as soap or deodorant is these days (and by that I mean In Name Only).  But here's a nice close-up of Big Ben Molina catching a ball; the technical aspects of this one really please me, especially the crisp little bits of dirt flying off of the glove.  Somehow I overlooked this one when I made my original selection of material from the Tigers game that I shot; I'm really glad I went looking for a photo of Bengie Molina and dug this one up:

So what became of the $210 million payroll allocated to 2005-2007?

After their wild and crazy weekend four-gamer at the Rogers Centre, the Yankees and Jays meet up again in the Bronx this week for three. Unlike a week ago, emotions are much different for these teams as it was Toronto's turn to lose a series, and lose it bad. New York went 5-1 (the one was a laugher) while the Jays...did not. New York has pulled away, now with a fairly substantial lead over Toronto.

You already know that the Yankees "traded" for Bobby Abreu and Cory Lidle, but they also got another ex-Phillie to help with the stretch drive. They also feature a sinkerballer, a shortstop having a terrific offensive season, and a bunch of quotes that will make you shake your head.

This introduction serves a dual purpose, as I'm happy to announce the addition of Alex Obal to the Batter's Box Roster! Alex and I will collaborate to bring you all of the Advance Scouts from now through to the end of the season, and most (but not all!) of what you will read here is his original research. So, live from Toronto/Waterloo...

On to the Advance Scout!

4 wins against 1 loss down on the Blue Jay farm.

The Barfield Division hogs the limelight as top teams face off while Pistol Nine shatters a BBFL record.

Recently, Scott Schoeneweis cut his hair and shaved.  My money says that a girl was involved in that decision.  Anyways, this Photo of the Day is dedicated to his now-gone glorious Spanish Pirate look:

It's deadline day, and the deals have started. The Pirates sent Sean Casey to the Tigers for right-handed pitcher Brian Rogers (with Chris Shelton being punished for yesterday's error with a trip to Toledo). Rheal Cormier is now a Red with right-handed pitcher Justin Germano going to the Philies in return.

Gustavo Chacin was rusty, and didn't make it out of the first inning, but Ty Taubenheim, Jamie Vermilyea and Luis Figueroa made sure the Chiefs got the win.  The Lugnuts got three runs in the bottom of the ninth to win.  Shawn Scobee broke out of a slump to propell the Doubledays to victory.  Pulaski extended their losing streak to nine games.

With today marking the MLB trading deadline the Jays are stuck between the proverbial rock and hard place, as one of my high school teachers used to say. The Jays have three conceivable options: to go for it, to retool for the future or to stand pat. Those are slightly dramatic terms for the three options, but you all understand what I’m saying. J.P. and the front office face some tough choices today.

Quietly having a great little season is Aaron Hill.  Here he is transferring the ball from his glove to his throwing hand:

In a much-rumored deal, the Phillies traded All-Star RF Bobby Abreu and former Jay RHSP Cory Lidle to to the Bronx for 20-year-old minor-league SS C.J. Henry -- the Yankees' No. 1 pick in 2005 -- and 27-year-old LHRP Matt Smith. The Phillies will also pick one other minor-league player from an undisclosed agreed-upon list, while the Yankees will take on responsibility for Abreu and Lidle's contracts.

Abreu must still formally waive his full no-trade clause for the deal to be official. This probably clinches ...

Even the awesomeness of Huston Street couldn't make that game any better. Good thing I missed most of it.