The Mariners made one move- Mariner Nation is in shock!!!

I am not sure if I am surprised that the Mariners didn't trade Washburn or that they actually made one trade. The trade they made was minor while Gaby Hernandez might become a good #3 starter in the future, and the Mariners did not give up much. The Mariners didn't improve for 2010 the way they should. They have a lameduct interm Lee Pelekoudas who is either afraid to make any moves or has his hands tied.

I have always felt that the Washburn to the Yankees was going to be a bad deal and I am happy about it. It would have been nice to trade Washburn but talent wise the Mariners were not going to give equal return. The Mariners are a rich ball club. There objective going into the trade deadline was to aquire talent for the 2010 club. They are not looking for a salary dump.

The Mariners should have traded Ibanez. He doesn't have the glove anymore and if the Mariners offer him arbitration , Ibanez likes Seattle so much, he might accept it. The Mariners would than be out a type A, and Type B prospect. Who knows what the Free Agent market will hold this off-season all we know is that the Mariners are the worst run franchise in Baseball.

Did that really Just Happen?

Manny Ramirez is off the the Dodgers in a 3-way deal that sends Bay to Boston.  If that wasn't bad enough, Theo sent Prospects Craig Hansen and Brandon Moss!  If you're not sure why I don't like this deal, then you're most likely not a Sox fan.  I was mad when they almost agreed to the Marlins deal, thanfully they didn't, but now I wish they had.  They wouldn't of had to give up another prospect.  On the bright side, Joe Torre will now have to deal with Manny.  Give him your worst, Manny! (On the field and off!) At least I can see Manny play now in Colorado.  Only bright side, but not worth it at all.  Next time Management gives him a contract extension, it should have a clause saying he shouldn't be allowed to deal at the deadline anymore.

WhiteSox Land Griffey...WOW!?

Did this really happen? This move is a great move for the White Sox, With Jay Bruce playing center field now and doing well, Griffey became expendable. One surprising thing about this trade is that Griffey did not include the club option to be required to sign for next season. The Reds and Whitesox will split the amount to buy out the 2009 season (2million to each club). Griffey will probably play center field with Swisher and Konerko platooning at first base. Going to the Reds is Nick Masset and infielder Danny Richar.

Griffey is hitting .245 with 15 home runs for Cincinnati this season.

Link: READ

Rhodes Traded to the Marlins

Peter Gammons reports the Marlins have picked up Arthur Rhodes from the Mariners for Minor leaguer righty Gaby Hernandez. Rhodes has pitched well for the Mariners this year and at this point in his career is more of a situational lefty. He numbers with the Mariners are2.86 ERA in 22 innings this year after missing '07 due to Tommy John surgery. Not only do the Marlins get a serviceable lefty, they also get a veteran presence and leader in the clubhouse.
READ

The Red Sox now have a reason to fear the Angels

They didn't before. Why would they? Sure, LA has won this season, but when it really counted, the Sox have beat them the last 2 years in October. But with LA's new weapon, one of the best hitters in the game, the Angels just got a little more scary. I kept a running journal of yesterday before the Red Sox game:

3:50 MT: mlbtraderumors.com reports Teixeira is off to LA for Casey Kotchman and Steven Marek. Was Frank Wren thinking of a different Teixeira when he did this trade?

It's also weird that mlbtraderumors.com had the trade news on their site five minutes before espn.com. Only one guy runs the site, Tim Dierkes, who also works for rotoauthority.com, and must have some sweet inside hookups.

3:55: After finding out the news, I sit grumbling for 10 minutes, mainly about how the Red Sox should have been more aggressive towards gettign Tex. After being taunted by my co-commissioner in my mogul league , an Angels fan, I realize that, 1) we have Theo Epstein, and 2) The Sox only need to play Tex once more in the regular season. It could be worse: he could of gone to the Yankees (gulp!)

Theo apparently is involved in talks with everyone who wants Manny, which is a small number of teams. Most of those teams don't want the huge salary, so he'd have to eat it, meaning he could get more in a deal! I, and most Sox fans, trust Theo to do what's right for the team.

4:29: After 34 Minutes of discussing Red Sox trade possibilities with fellow mogul-ers and reloading mlbtraderumors.com (nothing going on) I realize Boston will be playing their second-to-last game before the deadline in 30 minutes. Tonight they will have the "luxury" of not dealing with Teixeira, though they will have to tomorrow. Go Buchholz!

5:15: One more check of the site before the game starts, and nothing at all. Maybe tomorrow, or maybe November...

I originally wrote this at 5:49:

A 3-minute half inning. Not good. Lackey is throwing a no-hitter (hopefully that jinxes him!)

I was terrified when he brought the no-no into the 9th. My jinx had backfired and the Sox were going to get no-hit! Thankfully, Pedroia (Man, that guy is awesome!) singled, and Youk broke up the shutout with a 2-run homer ovah the Monstah! But the Angels hung on, and will be going for their second sweep against the Red Sox tonight, this time in Boston. Is that possible? We'll see...

Angels over Cubs in World Series, yes I said it.

As many of you know, The Angels have just added a piece to their pie that makes them favorites to go to the World Series. Mark Teixeira was part of a 2 team, 3 player trade with the Angels and Braves. Going to the Braves is infielder Casey Kotchman and Minor leaguer pitcher Steve Marek. The trade deadline has been very quiet this year until yesterday when Teixeira trade. Teixeira is a gold glove 1st baseman but the problem lies as he is only a rent-a-player. His contract ends this season. "Teix" agent is the one and only Scott Borris and will probably command upwards to 18-20 million this offseason. The Angels do have the money to sign him to a mega deal but if they don't they can still offer abritration and possibly get a 1st round pick out of it. What does this mean? Well I still believe that the White Sox, Twins, Tigers, Yankees, Boston are not done with aquiring players and we might see a few more trades happen. I do not think that Rays will trade anyone as they pretty much don't need anything.

MY perdiction on how the rosters look now (not including injuries, trades)
AL WEST: Angels
AL Central: White Sox
AL EAST: Rays
AL WC: Red Sox
NL EAST: Phillies
NL Central: Milwaukee
NL WEST: Arizona
NL Wildcard: Cubs

Playoffs:
Angels over Rays
Red Sox over White Sox
Milwaukee over Arizona
Cubs over Phillies

Angels over RedSox
Cubs over Milwaukee

Angels over Cubs.

Wait for it...

With the latest moves of the Yankees, Red Sox Nation is getting a little panicky. Most people are saying they need to make a move to acquire a reliever if they want to compete. This is true, but not as much as most think. The bullpen is pretty much the same as last year, but with more experience from RP leaders Papelbon and Delcarmen. But the main piece missing from last year is what has helped stabilize the bullpen: Mike Timlin. He just isn't the same. Boston can still trust the bullpen, but need to find someone to replace Timlin. Why hasn't Theo done anything yet?

Maybe because Dan O' Dowd is not willing to trade Fuentes anymore, or because of the high asking price for him and other relievers available. It could also be from last year's move to acquire Gagne, who was terrible. But why did they do that last year? The bullpen was the strongest part of the club. This year, they should make a move for a reliever, but it does not need to be a big one. They could get a small value middle reliever for a ok-prospect and should be fine for the stretch run. But remember, Sox fans: This is Theo Epstein, not Dan Duquette or even *gasp* Harry Frazee.

Washburn Trade in Jeopardy

George King is reporting that the Washburn trade is dead. Money is not the issue, it is talent. The Yankees do not want to give up too much, only a low level prospect.

There are only two other days until the non-waiver deadline ends. I am surprised that Vidro, Ibanez and Washburn have not been traded. I am surprised that there are no takers on Miguel Batista. The Mariners might be better set if they do not do anything.

This is basically a lame duct deadline.

Washburn Trade Rumors

I am wondering what is going to happen with this. The Mariners might be better off keeping Washburn and his crazy contract. He has pitched effectively. If I were Washburn thou, I would reject this deal unless the Yankees can offer an extension.

FROM mlbtraderumors.com

10:05pm: SI.com's Jon Heyman seems to be saying the Mariners are still asking for Melky Cabrera and Brett Gardner, though many think one of them would be
plenty.
9:27pm: Talks seem to have stalled; Jerry Crasnick got the impression that GM Brian Cashman is not optimistic about a
deal happening.
5:59pm: ESPN's Buster Olney says the Yankees are holding firm, offering a marginal prospect and salary relief.
1:25pm: The Jarrod Washburn talks seem to be plodding along; I am going to start a fresh thread here and update it throughout the day.
Ken Rosenthal says the Yankees made an offer of an average prospect and
absorption of most of his contract. So far no agreement has been reached. Washburn started today and shut down the Jays in Toronto.

39-65 Washburn ups his trade value :)

Jarrod Washburn pitched 8 strong innings in a 5-1 game in Toronto. Washburn put a hault to the Mariners 7 game losing streak. Washburn who is reported to be on his way to New York, pitched in perhaps the last time he will wear a Mariner Uniform. Washburn has pitched brillant since May and has really upped his trade value. He has a sub 3.00 era in his last 10 starts! Ibanez went 3-4 with 2 doubles. Jose Vidro hit a homerun in the 6th inning off of Marcum. JJ putz pitched the 9th inning and gave up a hit, and than closed the job!

Washburn to the Yankees?

Sorry it has been quiet here today. I had to go back to work. :( Anyway, over at the Sports Mogul forum. This rumor about Washburn and possibly Jose Vidro getting traded to the Yankees. Washburn who has been a stud since "May 25th with a 3.03 in 62.3 innings. "

Vidro has been everything but a stud, and the Mariners would be terrible lucky if they can unload both of them. I really think that Washburn can get more. Washburn who 34 might be traded for Kei Igawa. Igawa is a serivable triple AAA player. He has a career 6.66 era. That number alone makes this trade bad. ;)

Here are my thoughts over at the Sports Mogul Forum.
MLB Rumors Site
Buster Olney Blog about this

Notes:Rauch Traded to Arizona!!

Notes: 6 foot 11 Jon Rauch , the Nationals closer this year do to a shoulder injury to Chad Cordero, has been traded to the Diamondbacks for speedy 23-year old infielder Emilio Bonifacio. This deal is definately in favor of Arizona, as Emilio is only average at best, while Rauch has put up outstanding numbers. So far this year he is 4-2 with 17 saves and a 2.98 ERA, with a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 44-t0-7.

In 9 days...

This season, just like every other season, many names are being tossed out by fans, writers and broadcasters as possible tradees for Major League Baseball's Trade Deadline.  I'm here to offer my opinion on where many of these players will go. if anywhere:

Mark Teixeira: He'll be staying.  The Braves are still in this,  Only 6 games back, the NL East is there for the taking and they'll need their best hitter for the run.

Matt Holliday:  Will be staying also.  If the Rockies do consider themselves out of it, they will keep Holliday anyway.  He's still young, could be part of a rebuilding plan, and O' Dowd had a tendency to not do trades, especially blockbuster ones. 

Brian Fuentes: The Red Sox look like the leading candidate for Fuentes, with their big bullpen struggles they could use him as a middle reliever.  Boston also has some Starting Pitching prospects they could trade to Colorado.  

Ichiro: This is a very tough decision for Seattle: A better team down the road or fans right now?  Trading Ichiro will make the very un-popular, since Ichiro is almost the only reason casual fans (who make up most of the M's fans) come.  Trading him will ge tsome very good prospects.  I think he will be leaving, but to the Yankees, who have more and better prospects than the mets to trade.  Melky Cabrera is a likely player that will be involved in the deal.