Thoughts for a Monday, pre July 4th Edition

• WOW.  That is the only word I have to express the last two series.  In the big scheme of things we won both series and, if I recall, there was a lot of what went on in these series that went on last year when we went 92-70.   I would like to say that the next series against Atlanta would prove something about where we are at this time of year.  Truth be told, however, the only important thing is that we keep winning games and winning series.  This series will not be a yardstick of whether we can compete in the playoffs or even win our division. It will just be like any other series where the goal is to win one game at a time.  Francona is great with that messagng and here's hoping he is healthy and strong enough to keep driving that message home.  It was a big part of why the team was able to do what they did last year and I think that message is/plays just as true now as it was last year.
• Hopefully the typical all-star game attrition allows Josh Naylor to make the all-star game.  He is certainly deserving.
• We are less than a month from the trading deadline.  Hopefully the FO will pull a couple of rabbits out of their hats.  Maybe we could trade Plesac, Justin Boyd, Ross Carver, Steve Hajjar and whatever money we got for Miller to some team and get a ML-ready prospect back (tongue in cheek).
• I believe it is Oscar Gonzalez time again.  Bring him up and send Arias down to get consistent ABs.  After that, if we need an infielder, give the next, extended, shot to Rocchio.
• Speaking of trades, I would like to see what it would cost us to pry Josue De Paula and Joendry Vargas from the Dodgers.  Seeing Jaison Chourio and Welbyn Francisca makes me want to trade to get these two guys. As I said before, if we could trade Beiber, Straw and Rosario to LA for Busch, Sheehan, De Paula and Vargas I would probably make that trade.  That trade would lock up the bottom of our farm system in terms of top talent which would dovetail very well with what we have at the rookie league levels to give us an exceptionally strong bottom of our farm system. 
• Dion looked good yesterday and Cantillo had his typical flashes.  I long for the days when the Guardians' Finishing School for Upper Level Pitchers was cranking guys out.