2. Yankees (2): Boone Logan has begun to reward Joe Girardi's patience in him.
3. Nationals (4): Possible destination for the Cubs' Geo Soto. With Wilson Ramos and Sandy Leon sidelined, their catchers rank 11th in the NL with a .233 average and 12th with 12 RBIs.
4. Angels (8): The No. 1 team in power rankings at the season's start, they tumbled badly during an 18-25 start but have trended upward steadily, with Mike Trout in the role of the 1975 Freddy Lynn.
5. Dodgers (3): How much longer can general manager Ned Colletti be patient in his search for pitching help? The Giants are closing in and the Diamondbacks are showing signs of life.
6. Orioles (5): Closer Jim Johnson quietly has gone 22-for-23 in save situations.
7. Rays (7): Playing short-handed for eight games while Joel Peralta is suspended after baseball's latest pine tar incident.
8. Blue Jays (9): John Farrell has done a great job with a team that could have been devastated by its run of pitching injuries. Don't be surprised if Alex Anthopolous rewards his lineup by trading for Matt Garza or another veteran starter.
9. Reds (6): How about these numbers for high Class-A shortstop Billy Hamilton: .332 with 90 stolen bases in 70 games for Bakersfield? He will be a weapon for Dusty Baker in September and maybe October.
10. WHITE SOX (11): Can't wait to see Kevin Youkilis take on the Yankees this weekend in New York. The only thing better will be when he goes back to Boston July 16-19.
11. Tigers (12): Haven't gotten a bump from Doug Fister's return.
12. Cardinals (14): Matt Holliday seems primed to go on a tear.
13. Giants (13): Despite the lack of evidence pointing in that direction, Tim Lincecum is only one strong start away from getting turned around, which is the last thing the Dodgers want to happen given how dominating Matt Cain has been.
14. Braves (10th): Brandon Beachy figures to be missed badly as he puts his promising career on hold for Tommy John surgery.
15. Red Sox (18): This would not be a good time for a Will Middlebrooks slump. But with that said, GM Ben Cherington did what had to be done in off-loading Kevin Youkilis. It is surprising he couldn't get a better pitcher than Zach Stewart in return.
16. Pirates (15): Pittsburgh would have been a good landing place for Youkilis. The Pirates were among the teams on the periphery of the trade talks.
17. Mets (17): R.A. Dickey can't win them all. Who knew?
18. Indians (19): Needed Youkilis even more than the White Sox did.
19. Athletics (21): Power-hitting catcher Derek Norris arrives on a team that needs power hitting.
