Hal, Mike put aside feelings to make first trade of 2012 season

Well, this was something I certainly never expected to see: Arguably our biggest GM rivals trading. That's right, Mike and Hal swung a deal.

Hal sent Billy Butler to Mike in exchange for Edwin Jackson in a 1-for-1 swap that was our first trade of the 2012 season.


"Hal is still a member of this league regardless of our relationship," Mike said. "Would be dumb of us to not make a trade, which we both believe will improve our teams, because we have clashed on smack talks."

Well put by Mike, or as Hal said: "C'mon, even the Yankees and Red Sox have made trades before. It's not like he sold me Ryan Braun!"

That's correct - the year 1919 it is not.

Defending champion Mike is slowly crawling back into the playoff picture, while Hal has a 2-game lead in the Apples Division. Clearly, the trade was made because each team had a surplus and a hole to fill.

Hal said the re-emergence of Ike Davis and the return of Salvador Perez played a big factor in providing flexibility to trade Butler for Jackson, who has been a quality-start machine for the most part of the season.

"We're in opposite divisions and our teams were compatible from a trading perspective so it worked out," Hal said. "I could sacrifice Billy Butler -- leaving the option to slide Mauer to first base and Perez to catcher -- and not really lose those power numbers he was putting up in my lineup."

Mike, meanwhile, acquires a guy who has 15 homers and 50 RBIs before the All-Star break.

"My team is 6-7 and we needed a change if we want to make the dance," Mike said. "I don't have the deepest pitching but feel this is a move that will improve our team. Jackson has had a solid year, but I think Butler is much more valuable to our team."

As for whether this will domino into other trades being made, like we've seen in the past? Well, I think we already got our answer when a day later Chris and Joe swung a deal.

But both Mike and Hal each said they aren't necessarily done wheeling and dealing, either.

"Whether I'm done trading for now will depend on the other managers," Hal said. "I've probably offered every manager in this league a trade at some point. Were they offers that I expected to have accepted? No. Just looking to gauge interest. But through that medium I've let all managers know that I'm always looking to wheel and deal and will keep exploring trade options. Mauer anyone?"