With every passing moment, we get closer and closer to learning that Hunter Pence has officially been traded by the Phillies to the Giants. It doesn't look like anything could possibly stop this now, and here's the latest update:

Giants expect to announce Pence deal shortly. Physical passed.

— Andrew Baggarly (@CSNBaggs) July 31, 2012

Actually, no, let me correct that -- here's the latest update:

Nate has been told he's going to Philadelphia.

— Henry Schulman (@hankschulman) July 31, 2012

Nate is Nate Schierholtz, and earlier Tuesday it was reported that he could be involved. Schierholtz has had to fight for consistent playing time behind Angel Pagan, Melky Cabrera, and Gregor Blanco, and Hunter Pence is just another outfielder who would get in his way. So the Giants have little use for Schierholtz, and the Phillies have big use for him. Schierholtz has posted a 115 OPS+ since the start of last season, over nearly 600 plate appearances. He's 28, left-handed, and capable of many things.

With the Dodgers having made moves, the Giants making moves, and the Diamondbacks reportedly working on a blockbuster, the NL West is forcing itself into the spotlight.