Marlins Trade For Johnson; Braves Get LaRoche

While the Phillies were quiet today, their NL East rivals Marlins and Braves made moves. The Marlins acquired first basemen Nick Johnson from the Nationals pitching prospect Aaron Thompson. The Braves traded first basemen Casey Kotchman to the Red Sox for first basemen Adam LaRoche.

Nick Johnson is batting .295 with 6 homers and 44 RBIs and should help out the Marlins lineup. The Braves and Red Sox just swapped first basemen. I don't know the reason for that deal.

Pedro Throws; Phils Interested in Willingham

        Pedro Martinez is one step closer to coming to the Big Leagues.  He threw 64 pitches in a simulated game in Clearwater.  He struck out 6, but you have to remember that he was facing guys who couldn't make a minor league team.

        Pedro said afterward about the outing: "Real, real good,  "Four innings, I was able to do that. I didn't feel tired. I felt like I could still do a little bit more."  Quotes were reported from the AP.

        The Phillies have been saying that starting pitching isn't their only need.  We found out that they looked at closer Chad Qualls yesterday.  Today, they have been linked to Josh Willingham of the Nationals by Chuck Hixson of PhillyBaseballNews.com.  Willingham is primarily a corner outfielder.  Nationals scouts are reportedly scouting the Phils minor league pitchers. 

       Willingham is the righty bat the Phillies want on the bench.  He is hitting .284 with 12 homers and 26 RBIs.  There was a rumor that the Phillies might trade Kyle Kendrick for Willingham, although that report has nothing to back it up.