September call ups will change the faces of many franchises. I'm not sure the system is good for baseball.

I could never understand why it's acceptable in baseball to play with a 25 man roster for 5 months and convert to an extended roster in September. The entire chemistry of teams changes. Pennant races are impacted. Teams heading for the playoffs may not want to disturb their existing lineup by playing prospects. Non contending teams may want to evaluate prospects in September and play them with greater frequency and in greater numbers. Yes, everyone has the same opportunity to recall prospects and play them. It's one thing to say that, it's another to put it into practice. Why have the call ups at all? To begin, they are a savior for pitching staffs. Especially for those teams that have multiple double headers piling up for September (see the Cleveland Indians.) It also helps clubs make decisions heading to the off season. Do the Yankees keep or trade Jesus Montero? Can he catch? Do the Tigers slip Jacob Turner into the rotation? And on and on. I think ya dance with who brung ya. A roster of 25 players worked for 5 months, it should work for the 6th. For me, the last month of the regular season doesn't seem like it's the same competitive baseball. It's altered. Watered down like 3.2 beer like I used to drink growing up in Ohio. So there.

If I had to vote today, my MVP in the National League would be Ryan Braun and/or Prince Fielder. That honor would go to Curtis Granderson in the American League. There are certainly other guys and you can feel free to disagree.

Are you worried about C.C.'s weight? How about Bartolo Colon's? I know I have my own issues in that department, but I'm not trying to pitch and move around on a mound.

I would have sent Fukodome on the Matt LaPorta short line drive to CF in the Indians- Tigers game Sunday. It took a great throw to get Fukodome at the plate and he represented the tying run in a game the Indians had to win.

I think Jim Hendry had ample time to correct mistakes and turn the Cubs around. He didn't get it done and he was fired. It's very tough to predict how a player will react when given a long, long contract. Hendry had faith in players like Alfonso Soriano, Aramis Ramierez, Carlos Zambrano, and Milton Bradley. Most of them burned him with declining performance early into the deals. Now several general managers will be faced with tough calls. How much is Albert Pujols worth? How about Prince Fielder? Both are worth more to their existing teams. The respective general managers of St. Louis and Milwaukee can afford to err by keeping them. But what happens if either or both sign long, long ARod type contracts somewhere else and implode? It's another Jim Hendry nightmare waiting to happen. ARod will soon become the albatross hanging around Brian Cashman's neck. Unless Cashman bolts for...The Cubs.

Would you re-sign Grady Sizemore if you were Cleveland? His contract is up this year. I wouldn't, just in case you're wondering.

Speaking of Albert. He's inching closer to .300 every day. I can't imagine Albert not hitting .300.

I am a huge Jose Altuve fan. I hope he continues his success with Houston. That's one very bad club, and he might be able to bring some spark to the offense.

Can you believe how strong Michael Stanton is? Could he be the ultimate home run champion? Just askin.

I told you I hated the Ubaldo Jimenez deal. I hated it then and I hate it more now. I don't care if he wins every game he pitches until the end of the season, it won't matter. He's already coughed up some very crucial games. I know. I know. Pomeranz had an appendectomy. That just delays the ultimate. The guy I really, really hated to give up? Joe Gardner. Alex White will do fine, but Joe Gardner could be a real sleeper. Soon. Maybe even next year. How nice. The Rocks can then have 3 ex Indians on their pitching staff as soon as 2012. And the Indians will have Ubaldo Jimenez.

Don't look now, but everyone on the Brewers is running.

I can't even begin to imagine the season Lance Berkman would have had had he not have gotten hurt. The strained right shoulder changed his swing and zapped some of his power. He's still a great player, but he can't fight those nagging injuries.

How in the world does Joe Girardi stand watching A.J. Burnett pitch every 5th day? Watching Burnett gives me acid reflux and I don't even own him on any teams. Imagine being his manager in a pennant race? Burnett has a great arm but he has no clue where the ball is going when it leaves his hand.

I hope you didn't give up on Brandon Beachy? How about that Braves pitching staff? Braves, Giants, Phillies??? Such great pitching.

I'm really liking the new look of the Seattle Mariners. Lots of exciting prospects to provide spark for the future. Smoak, Wells, Ackley, Robinson, Pineda etc. etc. They have to be taken more seriously next season.

If you were Nolan Ryan and Mike Maddux, would you slow Alexi Ogando down and skip him for a turn or two in the next 5 weeks? That's a question I ask myself every week when I make out my lineup. Is this the week they pull him out of the rotation for one start? Just in case, I picked up Anthony Swarzak because I think he has some value.

Does Tony La Russa return if Albert doesn't?

I know. You don't have to remind me. I was very high on Brian Matusz. Guess what? I still am. I think the oblique has not healed. I think he was rushed back. I think he should be shut down. I don't think he's lost his stuff that quickly.

I think the Royals Salvado Perez has a chance to be a very good hitting and fielding catcher.

I look for Joe Mauer to start more games at 1B next season. Morneau would DH more next year and the Twins will find a catcher to spell Mauer on the days he plays first. The Twins can not afford to lose Michael Cuddyer. Not at all.

Matt LaPorta can not be the Indians 1B again next year if they want to win. And believe me, Carlos Santana is brutal at 1B. He and LaPorta have cost the Indians quite a few games by not being natural 1Bmen.

The Giants will be very tough for the Diamondbacks to beat. The pitching is sooooooo good. Even without Brian Wilson (who I thought looked hurt when I saw him in Phoenix) the Giants can win games in September with their arms and a couple runs. Just like they've done all year.

This week in my RotoWire column I will feature Nick Franklin of the Seattle Mariners. I'll have some interesting comments from his high school coach in the article. Please follow me on Twitter @BerniePleskoff and on MLB.com in their opinions section. I am very happy to say that I will be writing a weekly column for my good friend Bogfella on Bogfella.com. Catch me at those places. Feel free to ask questions and/or leave comments. Have a great week.