HHammerhead's Blog

Teams have swapped players and now we know who plans to be a contender and who's given up until next year.  Here are the winners and losers as I see it:
Winners:
The Boston Red Sox:  Yes, I picked them as my World Series winner.  They continue to make all of the right moves.  They've solidified their bullpen by adding Eric Gagne.  Opposing teams now have to face DelCarmen, Okijima, Gagne and Papelbon after the starter leaves the game.  Sometimes the best trades are the deals you don't do.  In this case, the smart move was leaving the team chemistry alone, keeping Mike Lowell and Kevin Youkilis in the lineup and resisting the urge to chase Mark Teixiera.  The BoSox are in good shape.
The Atlanta Braves: They chased Teixiera and end up a winner.  They needed the extra bat, and now the middle of their line-up with Jones, Jones and Teixiera looks awfully intimidating.  They gave up an awfully good catching prospect in Ja Saltalamacchia (scrabble anyone?) but they have Brian McCann who will be behind home plate for many years to come.  Atlanta got Octavio Dotel from the Royals as well, which beefs up their bullpen.  Dotel was a Norfolk Tide once upon a time, and I've been impressed with him for a long time.
The Losers:
Anaheim:  Call the the Los Angeles Angels, California Angels, what have you.  They didn't DO ANYTHING!  They have a bunch of good young players and prospects (Brandon Wood for instance), but if they're going to win this year they needed a guy like Teixiera.   Rob Quinlan and Casey Kotchman are holding down the first base job admirably, but Tex would make a huge difference in that line up.  The last time I checked, the Angels were in the number two media market in the country.  Or are they in Orange County?
Minnesota: They are steps away from contending in the crowded AL Central.  The Tigers and Indians would surely make it an uphill battle.  But they deal away second baseman Luis Castillo and do nothing to reload for a pennant run?  Johan Santana is mad, and I wouldn't want that if I were the owner or GM of the Twins.  This team could implode if Santana leaves as a free agent after next year. 
LA Dodgers: The Dodgers needed a little more pop in their lineup and got nothing.  They are now going to have to depend on pitching the rest of the way, and since their closer Takashi Saito and starter Randy Wolf have suffered injuries recently, dependability will be a question mark for their staff. 
The Jury's Out:
NY Yankees: They aquired Wilson Betemit.  That's infield depth.  Considering the Yankees history of acquiring top name talent via trade and free agency, I have to wonder if the Yankees really think they can win it this year.  They are relying on aging position players (Matsui,  Damon, Giambi) and older pitchers (Clemens, Mussina).   These cats aren't getting any younger.
(please make sure that paragraphs are intact when this is posted - Thanks!)