Breaking down the trade: Mike's side

Mike was at one point the punching bag of the league, but we have to admit he has drastically improved the squad.

Getting Delmon Young as a throw-in to his last trade turned out to be a great move, and now he acquires (what we think) is his third keeper for next year.

If Mike's roster doesn't change from this point forward, we think he'll have Jon Lester, Jered Weaver and Ian Kinsler. The first two he can keep for as many years as he wants.


"The team has definitely improved over the last month," Mike said. "But we still needed to best prepare ourselves for next year."

Mike was making a run toward an improbable playoff spot, but he will lose this week, making it that much more unlikely.

Even he admits that the trade was made with the future in mind. Weaver is 9-7 with a 3.19 ERA and 1.09 WHIP and 155 strikeouts. Great numbers, and now he joins a rotation with such names as Lincecum, Verlander and Lester. Pretty dirty.

"We viewed Jared as a top starting pitcher and hopefully someone to help us get into the division race next year," Mike said.

All things considered, Mike has to be happy with the direction of his team now than five or six weeks ago.
Read more!

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.
Read more!

Analyzing the Abreu-for-Beltran swap

As first reported here on the blog, Mike and Ken swapped outfielders yesterday.

Ken sent first-round draft pick Carlos Beltran to Mike in exchange for Bobby Abreu.

The deal clearly indicates two teams heading in opposite directions, and we will have to wait long term to see who ends up getting the better of it.

"Unless my whole team turns into my best hitter, I don't see how Abreu can help me make playoffs with six weeks left," Mike said.

More analysis after the jump.


Ken picked up one of fantasy baseball's best players this year. Abreu gives him hits, runs, walks, average and stolen bases. But the biggest thing it might do is force the other top contenders in the Tug McGraw division to respond with a trade of their own. Specifically Andy and Joe.

Mike picks up a likely keeper for next year and beyond. He had been down on Ian Kinsler and his .240 average and wasn't thrilled about having him as the centerpiece of his team for another season.

So he made the deal for the injured Beltran, who may or may not return this season.

"To me at this point they are being careful with his injury with no reason to rush him back," Mike said. "His doctors told me he will definitely be 100 percent to go next year."

If Beltran returns this year, specifically in late August/early September around playoff time, Ken may regret making the deal.

"I needed someone to fill the void left by Beltran," Ken said. "The Mets handle injuries horribly, and I know we won't see Beltran again this year."

The one oddity about the trade is why it happened yesterday instead of the day of the trade deadline, Sunday, Aug. 9. Mike (7-9) could have used the next two weeks to see if he is gets back to .500 for a last run at a playoff spot.

Clearly, Ken (11-5) would have done the deal two weeks from now, as well.

But sources tell me Mike wanted to get the trade done because he is still working the phones trying to improve his team for next year.

Check back as we get closer to the trade deadline for more on rumors and trade musings. Remember, the blog is your No. 1 source for up-to-the-minute happenings!
Read more!

Sources: Beltran trade imminent

A trade involving superstar Carlos Beltran is nearing completion, a source close to the negotiations has told the blog.

The source spoke on a condition of anonymity because the deal is not complete.

In the deal, Ken would receive either Bobby Abreu or Brad Hawpe from Mike for Carlos Beltran. Ken is deciding between the two, the source said.

"The accept button is coming soon," the source said.


When asked, Mike refused to acknowledge he was making the trade for the potential keeper.

"There is some substance to these rumors, nothing is definite yet," he said. "But there is a deal being discussed."

Mike would receive a definite keeper in his weak lineup, albeit it would signify the end of this season for him, as it would indicate him throwing in the towel.

Ken gets a .300 hitter as he continues his chase for a division title.

The source said both teams were wary of the deal being voted against in a veto-happy league, but thought it would go through because it involved a likely offseason keeper.
Read more!