Hammer Time

As if Josh Willingham wasn't on fire enough, he goes out and does something that hasn't been done since 2003. Tonight in Milwaukee, Hammer hit 2 grand slams, and drove in 8 as the Nats beat the Brewers 14-6.

He's now hitting .298/.410/1.007

That OPS is only bested by Albert Pujols, Joe Mauer, Prince Fielder, and Raul Ibanez. That's it. Not only that, but he's within shouting distance of everyone but Albert. And yet, here he is, 4 days from the deadline and still stuck in D.C.

The Cardinals traded for free-agent-to-be Matt Holliday and his .857 OPS just this week. They gave up a real nice prospect in 3B Brett Wallace, along with RHP Clayton Mortensen and OF Shane Peterson. They could have had Josh Willingham for faaaaaar less.

Tonight, the San Francisco Giants gave up LHP Scott Barnes in exchange for 1B Ryan Garko and his .826 OPS. Barnes, rated as SF's #9 prospect heading into 2009, was 12-3 with a 2.85 ERA and 99 strikeouts in 18 starts and 98.0 innings. Sabean and Co gave up alot for a guy that has nearly .200 points less in OPS than the Hammer.

Do teams not realize what he is doing right now? How is this happening? Hopefully his 2 grandslams wake someone up tonight. Even if it's the Phillies. Hammer needs to be in a pennant chase.