Another day at the ball park with the Yankees, Red Sox, A’s, Mariners, Angels, and Twins winning second half openers in the American League.

The Braves, Astros, Giants, and Diamondbacks won their first games as well.

Trade rumors were flying around last night also.

Here are a few thoughts on today’s games and what I heard last night.Most baseball people thought it was strange how the Expos were the leading team in actual trades completed. All other 29 teams have to sign off on any increase in spending for the Expos, yet the Expos are trying to knock the teams who can veto their moves out of the playoffs.

Something doesn’t look right about this scenario.

Plus are they going to be in existence next year? Why are they stockpiling veteran players? Do they know they are going out of business? Are they trying to increase the current value of their roster so some new group will buy them?

Maybe as one scout suggested, major league baseball will sell the new Expos for 300 million to a group from Washington, DC, turn a profit of close to 200 million (MLB paid 120 mil for the team), pay Peter Angelos 100 million to keep quiet about the team moving to DC, then pocket the excess for themselves. Then Angelos will sell his team and get out of baseball.

Ah, baseball owners, what a group.

The Cardinals are in dire need of a morale boost since the tragic loss of Darryl Kile. Kile’s friend Matt Morris has taken the loss extremely hard. Colorado’s Mike Hampton is pitching much better lately. He would be a good fit in St. Louis, bringing veteran leadership to the staff. Hampton has changed his pitching style in Colorado, going from a top three quarter delivery, to almost a drop down lefty slingshot artist. Is he hurt or is it just Coors Field effecting another pitcher? Either way, he is heading out of town. Lefty Denny Neagle is not far behind.

Brian Giles is the best player Pittsburgh has. It will take an overwhelming deal to pry him loose from the Pirates. Until you see some Pittsburgh advance scouts following the A’s around, I wouldn’t count on the A’s making a serious move for Giles. Pirate scouts are currently watching the Rockies. Watch for Jason Kendall possibly moving West.

The A’s may set their sights on the Marlins first baseman Derek Lee, a northern California native. Baseball writer Jeff Fletcher claims that Lee fits the A’s needs for a power hitting righthanded hitting first baseman, has a high on base percentage (a must for Billy Beane), and is reasonably priced. Fletcher correctly predicted the trade of Omar Olivares to Pittsburgh last year among others, so maybe he knows something.

Jason Johnson has pitched extremely well for the Orioles as of late. Tim Hudson better be on his game tonight in what looks to be another low scoring game in Baltimore. The Orioles have beaten some good righthanders during their resurgence.

Roy Halladay is Toronto’s only chance to beat Boston and snap the team’s 11 game losing streak to the Sox. Derek Lowe didn’t look particularly sharp in the All Star game, I wonder if the workload is starting to catch up to the converted reliever?

Roger Clemens tries to snap out of his funk. At his age, physical problems have to be monitored carefully. Cleveland has a new manager, they need new players instead. By losing his job, Charlie Manuel probably added 10 years onto his life expectancy.

It reminds me of what Phillies manager Eddie Sawyer said when he resigned from the Phillies job in 1960 at the age of 50. After surveying his roster on opening day, Sawyer quit saying he would like to live to be 51. Gene Mauch took over after the opener.

Todd Ritchie has got to have something wrong with his arm, right? He can’t be this bad. Check out his next disaster tonight against the Tigers who may win if they are assured they will be paid on the 15th. Mark Redman has thrown well. By the way, Frank Thomas is hitting .238 in the clean up spot. Why hasn’t Jerry manuel moved him down in the order? I’ll be amazed if Thomas is in Chicago next season.

Kevin Appier has struggled lately. Many say his arm hurts. Jeff Suppan has been very good on the hill for KC over his past five starts. KC doesn’t hit a lick, but a weakened Appier may help them break loose. Appier still lives in KC, so maybe being home for the past week has cured whatever ails him. Stay tuned on this one because the Angels will need Appier over their next few series with the West.

Cincinnat’s Jimmy Haynes could be comeback player of the year if he was ever any good to begin with. Ryan Dempster, now a Red, didn’t win with the Marlins and they are a better team than Cincy, so let’s see what he does for his new team.

Cliff Floyd says he is happy to be back in Montreal. Does he know something we don’t about either the Marlins future or the Expos?

Just another day at the park, but the rumors and comments are running wild.

I like it.