<!--StartFragment --> Trade deadline passes without any major deals, but a minor one that is a "big deal" in my opinion is the Braves acquiring Kyle Farnsworth from Detroit. The Tigers would have loved to keep him and install him full-time in the closers role, now that Troy Percival's carerr could be over. But Farnsworth had no desire to stay in Detroit when his contract runs out at the end of the season. Braves got a "steal" here, giving up two marginal minor league pitchers. How Farnsworth does down the stretch in Atlanta will go far into seeing if he's there in 2006.
Cubs didn't get Alfonso Soriano like they'd hoped, but they did well for themselves by trading for Matt Lawton, who fills the void Corey Patterson and other couldn't as a true lead-off man without having to part with any of their top prospects. Jody Gerut will get a chance to play everyday in Pittsburgh.
Baltimore failed to make any moves to help stop the bleeding. It's looking doubtful that they can make another serious run at the Red Sox and Yankees in the East. Same deal with Texas, who acquired Phil Nevin, but didn't address their pitching needs. It's gonna be a two-team race in the West between the Angels and Oakland.
Just a couple weeks after it looked as though Jack McKeon was heading out of Florida, the Marlins are right back in the NL Wild Card race. Gonna be tough with Houston playing so well and the Cubs still dangerous. Their best hope may be trying to run down the Braves to win the East. If they can get within striking distance, 6 of their last 9 games this season are vs. Atlanta.
Ego74
I'll have more tomorrow, plus football commentary on my homepage
Cubs didn't get Alfonso Soriano like they'd hoped, but they did well for themselves by trading for Matt Lawton, who fills the void Corey Patterson and other couldn't as a true lead-off man without having to part with any of their top prospects. Jody Gerut will get a chance to play everyday in Pittsburgh.
Baltimore failed to make any moves to help stop the bleeding. It's looking doubtful that they can make another serious run at the Red Sox and Yankees in the East. Same deal with Texas, who acquired Phil Nevin, but didn't address their pitching needs. It's gonna be a two-team race in the West between the Angels and Oakland.
Just a couple weeks after it looked as though Jack McKeon was heading out of Florida, the Marlins are right back in the NL Wild Card race. Gonna be tough with Houston playing so well and the Cubs still dangerous. Their best hope may be trying to run down the Braves to win the East. If they can get within striking distance, 6 of their last 9 games this season are vs. Atlanta.
Ego74
I'll have more tomorrow, plus football commentary on my homepage