Trade deadline comes and goes

The trade deadline came and went yesterday and although there weren't many trades the trades that did occur were definitely huge. Ken Griffey Jr. was traded to the White Sox in the early morning, it wasn't for sure that he would accept the trade but he did. This is a great pick up for the White Sox, as they add a veteran power hitter to help them try to keep the Twins from catching them. This trade makes the White Sox a legitimate threat, at least from the offensive side. However, this creates a problem because the White Sox already have a RF in Jermaine Dye, so where does Griffey Jr play. I don't think I'd want Griffey Jr playing centerfield, so does he or Dye move to LF. Should be interesting how this situation plays out.

The other move took place right at the trade deadline, as Manny Ramirez was traded to the Dodgers in a three team deal. The Dodgers received Ramirez, the Red Sox obtained Jason Bay, and the Pirates received Craig Hansen and Brandon Moss from the Red Sox and Andy Laroche and a minor league pitcher fromt the Dodgers. This in my opinion makes the Red Sox a weaker team than they were, Jason Bay is a good player but he is no Manny. Bay has no big game experience, unless you count opening day as a big game. The Dodgers made out like champs in this deal, not only do they receive Ramirez but they get him for free as the Red Sox will pick up the 7 million dollars they owe Manny for the rest of the season. Although the Dodgers lost Laroche who is a good prospect, they were already log jammed at 3B so this doesn't hurt them at all. The Pirates also made out good, because they've added 4 future guys who all can have an immediate impact except for the minor league pitcher, who isn't that far away.

The A's stood pat at the trade deadline, which I am ok with. Many A's fans wanted them to trade Street, Ellis and Duchscherer, however, I am glad that they did not. Street's value was at a all time low and Beane would not have been able to get a fair offer from other teams. Ellis is a key piece of this team, and his trade value was also low due to his low batting average. Duchscherer's value on the other hand was at a all time high, however, I think Beane was asking for too much for him. I hope they retain Duke for a couple more years, I see him as just beginnig to come into his own.