Pitchers throw side sessions between starts. They use them to stay sharp, to experiment with possible additions to their repertoire, and to work on issues related to mechanics. Bogfella, is no different, there are things that need to be discussed between Notebooks and this is the forum to do just that. This won't be in-depth stuff, it's for short takes on all the latest mound happenings. Feel free to comment. Agree? Disagree? Let's talk about it!

- The trade deadline action is in full swing. A couple of deals have already impacted a few pitcher's values, and more are sure to follow. Top of the list is the situation in St. Louis. They acquired Edwin Jackson - bump him up a notch - and that allowed them to move Kyle McClellan back to the pen - bump him down a notch ... maybe. There are rumors circulating that McClellan might be given a chance to close, so his value might be different, not necessarily lower. Monito that situation.

- How 'bout them Metropolitans? They dealt Carlos Beltran, good for the Giants, but they netted Zack Wheeler in the deal, an outstanding pitching prospect. He won't be major league ready for awhile, but he is a blue-chip add to the Mets system. Well played.

- Trevor Bauer is now an Arizona Diamondback, and I am sure there were plenty of corks popping when that signing was completed. He is extremely advanced for his age and experience, but there is a chance the D'Backs could give him a September taste. He is a very good one to grab and stash in long term keeper and dynasty leagues as he will probably be on the fast track.

- The Rays recently promoted Matthew Moore to Triple-A Durham, and I made the following comment in last week's Side Sessions: "I know they are notoriously conservative with their developing young pitchers, but don't they have to give us a sneak peak in September?" Maybe the Rays were listening? They have said a September call-up to pitch a few innings in relief is the current plan.

- It should interesting to see how the contenders play the Erik Bedard card. He has been on the disabled list since June 27, but the injury was a knee, not a shoulder or elbow. He is potentially the highest impact pitcher on the market (especially if Ubaldo Jimenez stays in Colorado) so the Yankees and Red Sox are both paying close attention. Wouldn't Seattle love to see those two get into a grudge-match bidding war for his services? Especially since he reportedly loves Seattle, and could theoretically resign with the Mariners after the season.

- The Royals are supposedly fielding offers for either Jeff Francis or Bruce Chen. It doesn't sound like the phone lines are jammed, but the biggest news out of Kansas City is the likely move of Aaron Crow to the rotation for 2012. They have several very talented young arms, but Crow would move right to the top of the food chain as a starter.

- Sometimes the trade deadline derby can be a little like election night, well here's my preliminary contribution ... Bogfella is projecting that the race for Heath Bell will go to Texas. I don't think the Cardinals are ready to concede just yet, but the ballots are being counted and Texas is building a substantial lead. Notably, if Texas does grab Bell, recent comments regarding Neftali Feliz suggest Bell might be in line to close for the Rangers.

- The Blue Jays netted a big prize in outfielder Colby Rasmus, and in the same whirlwind, restructured their entire bullpen. Jason Frasor, Mark Rzepczynski, and Octavio Dotel are all gone, and the incoming arms aren't likely to be in the closer mix (although I do like some things I have seen from P.J. Walters). That leaves Jon Rauch and Frank Francisco, and neither of them are guaranteed to be in Toronto when the dust settles. Will the last guy in the Toronto bullpen please shut off the opponents lights? Thanks.

- And, still in the bullpen, I hear Kevin Gregg is working the phones to try and line up a deal involving Koji Uehara. The Orioles are shopping him and have entertained some thoughts of moving Jim Johnson into the rotation. If both happen, it might just "save" Gregg's title as the most dangerous closer in baseball.

- Next week's Bogfella's Notebook will cover all of the repercussions of the deadline week deals as they relate to pitching roles and opportunities. It's always an exciting (or frustrating) time for fantasy owners in the thick of a pennant race!

- Stephen Strasburg Watch - Another successful simulated game moves him a step closer to a rehab assignment. The Nationals are understandably approaching this cautiously, but the possibility remains that he could get a few major league innings in September. The thought of he and Jordan Zimmermann in the same rotation has to be making lips curl into smiles in the nation's capitol.

- How about a little more Side Sessions trivia? Maybe the Diamondbacks should be taking a look at Erik Bedard? A few years ago, another lefty who had made a name for himself in the Pacific Northwest came to the desert. In his first four years with the Diamondbacks, he went 81-27 and was a centerpiece of the franchise's first World Series championship. Can you name this big southpaw?

Side Sessions is intended to generate discussion. Throw out your thoughts on my comments or chip in with observations of your own, it's an open forum on all things pitching!

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