The Red Sox are making more moves, this time trying to make a waivers deal with the Padres to acquire Brian Giles. Giles has the right to veto any trade, but all sources indicate that he would be in favor of a move to Boston. Giles is batting .296 this year, with 6 HR and 37 RBI. He is 37 years old, and plays right field for the Padres. So if he were to come to Boston, his role would likely be that of a 4th outfielder behind Jason Bay, JD Drew and Jacoby Ellsbury. He would probably also act as the DH on occasion, to allow David Ortiz to rest his fragile wrist.

Joba Chamberlain is on the 15-day DL with rotator cuff tendinitis. Chamberlain has been on a pitch count all season because of injury concerns, and it's possible that this latest episode will leave him on the bench for the rest of the year. The Yankees see him as their future ace, and they can't afford to take chances with him. If they sit Chamberlain for the rest of the year, it's safe to say that their playoff chances are slim to none, as they're behind the Red Sox and Rays in the division, and also the Twins for the Wild Card. Without Chamberlain, the Yankees' rotation diminishes significantly.

Meanwhile, the Rays are still sitting pretty at the top of the division. By now, it should be apparent that this is not a fluke, and that they're not going away anything soon. This thinking was prevalent earlier in the season, but it's obvious that the Rays are talented enough on both sides of the ball to keep this going, and I don't think there's any way they miss the playoffs at this point.

Will Brian Giles make enough of a difference to propel the Red Sox ahead of the Rays?
Is David Ortiz' wrist enough of a concern that the Red Sox could miss the playoffs?
Can the Yankees make the playoffs without Joba Chamberlain?

Discuss.