Breaking down the trade: Andy's side

For the second year in a row, Andy and Mike swung a deadline deal, and for the second year in a row it was similar.

Andy is making a run for hitting this season, while Mike is trying to restock his pitching for the future. Andy sent Jered Weaver and Bobby Abreu to Mike for Vlad Guerrero and Marlon Byrd.

It's the second time this month Andy has traded a strong pitcher. First Tommy Hanson, now Weaver.


"Six losses in a row, so I had to do something," Andy said. "The division is still up for grabs."

Andy acquired two outfielders having good years, but both are in big slumps. Guerrero hasn't homered since July 9, and his average has dropped 31 points this month.

Byrd has just six hits and three RBIs since July 16.

Still, assuming those players end their slumps at some point, it's an obvious upgrade in hitting for Andy.

"I don't know what happened to my team," Andy said. "I was hitting the crap out of the ball earlier in the season, and now all I do is hit singles."

Whether his pitching is good enough to survive is a different question. Andy went this route last year, when he traded Tim Lincecum to Mike. And he ended up losing in the first round of the playoffs - because of pitching.

Only time will tell this year.