Ole' 45 Calling It Like I See It

MLB Trade Deadline Breakdown

* Further proof that Moneyball has changed the way teams are managed, prospects have become more of a commodity than veteran players for the playoff push. In baseball of yesteryear teams would part with Top 100 overall prospects for Bench depth and bullpen help. Now it take acquiring a Cliff Lee type player to part with a big time prospect and that was only one in past years that type of player would have commanded two top 10 prospects in the organization. Twenty four trades were made prior to the deadline and only six players ranked as Top 10 prospect within their organization, were traded. Of those six only two, Justin Smoak and Wilson Ramos are considered Top 100 prospects in all of baseball.

* The 2010 Trading Deadline was one of the few that lived up to the hype. Typically this is two weeks of possible scenarios that ends with one major move and a couple of deals for bullpen help and bench help. Of all the names tossed around leading up to the deadline only Dunn stayed put.

* The Five Biggest Losers at the Deadline.

1. TB Rays- Really needed a big bat and Dunn would have been the solution. With perhaps the deepest farm system in the Majors the Rays could have put together enough to get Dunn. I realize that hasn't been their formula for success but for all of the young players and recent success the run could end with no title to speak of. The Yankees did what they always do and improved at the deadline. The Rays did what they always do and took the fiscal approach. It could cost them come Oct.

2. Reds- For most teams making the playoffs just isn't enough. For some teams a trip to the playoffs is sufficient. Take the Brewers a couple of seasons ago. Long playoff drought needed a horse to clinch a spot. Traded several higly regarded prospects for Sabathia. The Brewers made the playoffs and as was good in Milwaukee. The Reds likely couldn't have gotten both a stud pitcher and a bat, two things they needed to become World Series threats but one or the other could have got them the division. With several highly regarded prospects in Alonzo, Heisey, Frazer, Wood, Leake, Thompson, they could have been a landing spot for a ace like Lee. The lack of a move likely will result in a missed playoff opportunity.

3. Dodgers- No doubt improved their team but why. The Dodgers at the time of the deal were behind in the Wild Card race by six games and trailed three teams. They have shown nothing up to this point to make one think they can put together a run of success. If the Dodgers fail to make the playoffs they in effect would have traded Seven players for Ryan Theriot. Should the Dodgers make a playoff run than I'll play the ass.

4. Twins- A perfect example of a team that needs more than the playoffs. For the last 8 years or so the Twins have been a model franchise in MLB but have no World Series appearences to show for it. Matt Capps does improve the bullpen but Lee could have won them the AL pennant. Team up with Liriano and Baker that would have been a formidable 1-2-3 in the playoffs. To make matters worse they traded their top trading chip in Wilson Ramos in the process.

5. White Sox- Typically Ken Williams is the man come the deadline. Year after year Williams comes out of nowhere to land a prominent name that guides the Sox to the playoffs. This year he landed Edwin Jackson who is more of a veteran pitcher for the stretch run. The move cost two Top 10 organizational prospects in Hudson and Holmberg. A case could also be made that Hudson would be a better option down the stretch than Jackson and certainly a better financial move. Many reports had the Nationals wanting Edwin Jackson so this could have been made in an effort to land Dunn which didn't come to fruition.


5 Deadline Winners

1. Yankees- A good team getting better as they do every year at this time. Kearns is a good bat of the bench. I really like Wood to relish the chance at a title run and pitch effectively in the 8th inning role. Berkman is a blockbuster move by name but in reality he isn't the player of three years ago. Still Berkman is an effective two hitter and doesn't have the pressure of being a superstar in NY.

2. Rangers- Lee was the best player acquired during the trading period and could bring a playoff series win to the Lone Star State. Cantu and depth and flexibilty to the roster.

3. Phillies- Roy Oswalt eases the pain somewhat of letting Lee go prior to the season. Oswalt makes the 1-2-3 punch of Halladay, Hamels and Oswalt the best in baseball and likely took the Phillies to their third straigh World Series. Unless Lidge coughs that up.

4. Angels- No they won't win anything this year but getting a ace like Haren who they will have under their control next season for nothing is a win anyday.

5. Padres- The Padres improved their team but yet didn't compromise their identity. The Padres have never been nor ever will be but they realize improvements needed to be made. Ludwick and Tejada will improve the offense. Best part they were able to obtain both players for pitchers. Wynn Pelzer was the 7th best prospect in th organization but the Padres have young starters in the majors right now and plenty of depth in the minors.


Prospect Worth Keeping an Eye On In the Future.

These prospect aren't in the Top 10 in their organization but all could develop into stars in the future.

Jonathan Villar (to Houston for Oswalt)- 19 yo IF with Excellent D and switch hitter. Really good speed and upside.

Tim Collins LHP to Royals in Ankiel, Farnsworth deal. Short stature and hard thrower reminds many of Wagner. In 41 Games as a RP in AA 2.29ERA/.98WHIP/15.35K/9.

Brett Wallach to Cubs in Lilly deal. 21 you RH has 17 starts under his belt in his first year as a full time pitcher. 3.72ERA 1.37WHIP 9.98K/9 in Low A. Has control issues 4.56BB/9 but given his limited experience improvements can be made. Son of former MLB Tim Wallach.


Strasburg hits the DL. Appears to be more of a precautionary move more than anything. Statements by Don Cooper who is the pitching coach for the White Sox pointing of similarities with Wood and Prior is concerning. It seems that nearly all pitchers in todays game suffer some kind of injury at some point. I fully expect the National brass to keep a very close eye on Strasburg year after year. I hope for baseball history doesn't repeat itself.

* Around NFL Camps. The Haynesworth Events in Washington is a classic case of two sides facing of with neither having any leverage. Haynesworth is under contract and the Skins have too much guaranteed money invested to release him. This pissing contest will eventually end but my money is on Haynesworth practicing without passing the conditioning test. I'm sure that knee is in serious pain. Don't make me laugh Ha Ha says Travolta. I believe the Revis Island term has gone to his head. Revis remains a holdout and apparently enjoys life in isolation. Revis want's a new contract to replace his current one. Problem is this isn't one of the cases where a player is making free parking and all you can eat concessions but is a superstar. Revis is due to make well over a Million this year but wants a new contract because the Raiders foolishly paid that guy with the long name like 15Mil per. No doubt Revis will get his money at some point but the whole Revis Island bit is a little overplayed. It's not as if he goes one on one with the Top WR all game long.

* The following has been a test of the Brett Farve is going to retire emergency alert system. The following was only a test. In the event of a real retirement the Vikings will have played all 16 regular season games without Farve as the man under center. Did you ever think it was something other than a hoax. Yes their may be doubt and yes his ankle may not be healing as expected but during the events of yesterday Farve and Viking brass remaind mum on the events. The breaking news came from a text. Farve will play the Vikings will be good so don't panic all you degenerates who laid down big money on the Vikings and the Super Bowl.



Last Week Trivia Question was Six players with the last name beginning with D have over 300 career HR's. I would like to thank GRC3 for playing and would like some more participation this week. The answers were Adam Dunn, Jermaine Dye, Andre Dawson, Chili Davis, Joe DiMaggio and Carlos Delgado. GRC correctly answered three of six I believe while I had four of six.

Trivia Question: Seven players have topped 400 career SB prior to their 30th birthday. Can you name them? Good luck and thanks for playing. For the record I named five of the seven.