The air is beginning to clear, now, as the dust settles from both the Chris Angel demolition escape stunt and the major league baseball non-waiver trade deadline... Both of these events proved to be not much ado about anything; despite the hype that promised the World, as we knew it, would be very different, in their aftermath. About the only thing that has changed, today, is the skyline of Clearwater Beach, where the scheduled hotel demolition took place and provided the backdrop for Mr. Angel's latest illusion... As for the latest baseball trading deadline, well it was mostly a case of the more things changed, the more they stayed the same...
Entering the final two months of the season, teams are gearing up for their run at the playoffs. August, the Dog Days of Summer that they are, is usually the point at which the contenders and pretenders start to separate. The trade deadline provides the opportunity for teams to think outside the proverbial box, and the restraints of waivers, and pursue, yea perchance, obtain that missing player they seek; the piece of the puzzle they believe will provide their exodus to the promised land of the playoffs! Well, something like that... Let's see now, the Angels (Los Angeles of Anaheim, that is, not Chris), the team with the biggest lead in any division, eleven and a half games at this writing, upgraded their first base position by trading Casey Kotchman for Mark Teixeira. Good move on their part. Did they need to make the move? No, but they couldn't pass it up. Will it help them win their division? No, they have all but won their division, already; but it certainly couldn't hurt! You gotta believe the division is theirs and they will win it going away... The Central Division is an interesting study. The Twins did nothing. They seemingly never do anything, except hang around to the end, waiting for teams in front of them to stumble, and then pounce on the opportunity and win the division! The White Sox may have opened the door with their trade for Ken Griffey, Jr. Hey, Junior was a great player, in his prime; and, he's still a very good player at age 38. I just don't think you can count on him to be your everyday center-fielder at this stage of his career. On the other hand, Chicago has always had that softball team mentality; defense isn't necessarily their forte and they're just as content, and capable of out slugging the opposition. Winning games 14- 12 doesn't seem to bother them, despite the implications. So, maybe this is a good move for them. I personally don't think it will work out for Gang of Oz. Then there's the Phoenix, in the form of the Detroit Tigers. These guys have been pronounced DOA more times than Rasputin, this season! They decided they'd be better off without the services of a disgruntled Pudge Rodriquez, and traded him to the Yankees, for Kyle Farnsworth. Hey, who am I to argue with Motown? I agree with their logic completely. It's a great move by the Tigers, and getting Farnsworth was a bonus. Can they win the division? You know, Jim Leyland does bear a certain resemblance to Rasputin; especially around the eyes!
The American League East is shaping up as a three team race, as well; probably going right down to the wire. The Rays did exactly what they needed to do; stand pat. They're a good, solid team. All they need to do is keep playing the way they've played to this point. Now, that's easier said than done, I know, but they're a team built on defense and pitching, with a pinch of timely hitting thrown in. That's a great recipe. Management showed their faith in the players, and all the players have to do is keep on playing their game. The only problem is that this is uncharted territory for this young team, and you don't know how it will affect them. I think they'll be fine. The Red Sox haven't unloaded Manny, yet. I believe it's just a matter of time before they part ways; Manny can turn into an albatross for Boston, regardless of their uncanny team fortitude. The Yankees are, well, the Yankees. They have never been shy about going out and getting any player they feel they need to make a run at the playoffs. That's been a blessing, and a curse for them. To their credit, they are a team that has learned to live and die by the sword; they are never afraid to try whatever it takes to get it done, regardless of the consequences. They'll be fine, and will find a way of being there to the finish. Whether thay can win the Division, or not, remains to be seen. That's it for now, let's play the games and see what happens... Godspeed, Pilgrims.
