This was one of the biggest trade deadlines in baseball that I can remember. With both Lester and Price being moved, the stars are aligning for an Oakland-Detroit ALCS. What the Cubs and Sox both did this year is very telling of their current position, and where they want to be.
The Cubs got the jump on the trade deadline on July 4th, when they dealt their #1 and #3 starting pitchers. I thought we should have resigned Samardzija at the very least, and thought Hammel could have been worthy too. With the Cubs decided to dump again, it reminded me that we are still in rebuilding mode… 3 years later. The promise I saw in this year’s Cubs team was, in reality, a long shot. So, the Cubs moved forward with “the plan” and got some more top prospects. Next, went Darwin Barney. I liked Darwin. He’s got an awesome glove, and seemed to be a good clubhouse guy. But, with the prospects lining up to take his position, and with his batting average hovering around .220, the writing was on the wall. The good news for him is that he got traded to a first place team. Good luck Darwin, although I hope the Dodgers don’t win crap.
The deadline came and saw the Cubs dump 2 more players: Bonafacio and Russell. Emilio had a red-hot start to the year, but at the end of the day, is a super utility player at best. Meanwhile, Russell has been a solid left hander out of the bullpen for years now. The one thing I remember the most about Russell is him complaining about the fans booing Marmol. James, let me tell you… Marmol deserved every boo he got; this is the major leagues buddy, this is the Cubs die hard fan base… wake up buddy. So we grab another catcher prospect from the Braves. We also acquired Felix Doubront from Boston. I like this move. This is another one of those, “let’s grab a struggling starter with past success or hype & try to turn them around” moves. The end game hopefully will NOT be a dump and run, but to keep him as part of the starting rotation going forward.
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On to the Sox, who were quiet at the deadline. Why? The Sox are an average team. They have 2 great stars in Sale & Abreu to build around. Do the Sox think they’re close? Then add somebody. Do the Sox think they’re a year or two away? Then dump somebody. It seems like sitting pat is the wrong thing to do, although that is not always true. What if the Sox got hot? What if the Sox got above .500, and got in the wild card chase? It could happen, and if it DID happen, Sale in a wild card game against anybody has to be advantage Sox. Now, you’re in the divisional rounds, and anything can happen. Isn’t that part of the Cubs plan? Get into the playoffs consistently and eventually they’ll hit. If the Sox could get in, they could win. Is that the Sox plan? To go up against these trade deadline giants Oakland and Detroit, and take them out. That would be very sweet for Sox fans, but is probably not that realistic. I’m starting to sound like I do when I talk about the Cubs chances. I lean towards the thought that the Sox should have done something… and maybe they still will. There is still a chance for things to happen in the upcoming weeks… stay tuned.
I think the trade deadline is cool. I recently just watched MoneyBall (it was on my DVR for like 2 years), and loved it. I loved the part where he’s in the office getting on the horn with fellow GM’s trying to make moves. I try to play that part out in the ownership of my teams… my fantasy teams. I’m always looking to wheel and deal. I’m always looking to make my team better. The only thing in those fake leagues, is that, since they’re not keeper leagues, it’s all about this year. So, you go all out to win the league every single year. Wouldn’t that be nice? Who does that sound like? Obviously, it’s much more complicated than that, but is it really? The end goal every year should be the ultimate prize. The Cubs have basically tanked 3 straight years in hopes of looking back at that prize soon. Why did we have to stop going for it? I understand the plan, but it’s still hard going through it. The good news is that it seems to be close to the end. How close are the Sox? Again, I ask the question, who has the better chance of winning the World Series first: Cubs or Sox? Maybe next year’s trade deadline will be full of blockbuster buys in this town. Maybe next year both teams will go for it. That would be sweet.
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