Trade Deadline: Winners, Losers & Awards

The non-waiver deadline has come and gone. I know everybody is reading this wondering, "What did Bob Alvis think of the trade deadline?" Well, you are going to get your answer.

- The Toronto Blue Jays to put it kindly screwed up. They were thinking of dealing Roy Halladay before the trade deadline. They did not deal him. They are not going to get the proper value back for Halladay in the offseason. If they really wanted to get some equal value, they should have dealt him to the Phillies, or maybe explored some other options (like trying the Angels or Dodgers). To boot, the Blue Jays shed no salary and received no prospects. They did acquire Edwin Encarnacion (and some prospects) for Scott Rolen. If I was J.P. Ricciardi, I would actually lower the price for Halladay a little bit, if someone would take Vernon Wells along with him. Vernon Wells has a very backloaded contract and if someone would take him off Toronto's hands, they should be eternally grateful for that part of it. If the Blue Jays were to revisit this option in the offseason, I think the Blue Jays should look at the Rangers, Angels, Mets and others as options.

- I thought the San Francisco Giants could have put themselves in very strong contention if they could have picked up a bat. I don't count Freddy Sanchez as the bat needed. I thought they needed a little bit more of a power bat. I know they had talked about someone at 3B, I thought Scott Rolen would have been a very good addition for them, but they did not acquire this bat. There is still a chance that they could pick up a bat in the month before the waiver trade deadline approaches, but I don't know where they could pick up a strong hitting 3B.

- Being a Yankees fan, I was hoping they'd be able to pick up a starting pitcher who could chew up some innings (specifically Aaron Harang from the Reds) but they did not. They did acquire Jerry Hairston Jr. from the Reds, but I really don't know how that helps the Yankees. He's a super utility player that can play any position but they have Eric Hinske. Hinske can play 1B, 3B, RF. The Bronx Bombers only gave up a minor league catcher, but I just feel they gave up something for someone they didn't need.

More on my trade deadline thoughts later, but check out ESPN.com Trade Scorecard and if you are an Insider you can read more from Keith Law.

The Trade Deadline

Is today's MLB Trade Deadline real or artificial? Today, is the non-waiver deadline day that deals must be completed. Deals can still be completed before August 31st and make the player eligible to qualify for the postseason. But, with the economic state of today's games, lots of players may be able to slide through waivers and still get traded.

My predictions for today
Roy Halladay will NOT get traded. This is the Blue Jays fault and theirs alone. The price tag is way too high. You could have gotten more for Halladay now then you can in the offseason and I don't see them keeping Halladay when he has already said he is going to declare for free agency.

Orlando Cabrera to the Twins. I have heard too many rumors on this for not to come true. I think anyone on Oakland's team (especially the veterans are available for deal).

The Yankees will acquire a starting pitcher. With an alleged innings limit on Joba Chamberlain, the Yankees must add a starter. I would prefer to see it be Aaron Harang, but his price tag is quite high at 12.5 million for next year.

BREAKING NEWS: As I type this, Jarrod Washburn has been traded to the Detroit Tigers for Luke French and Mauricio Robles.

The Mets should conduct a fire sale to a degree. If anyone wants Gary Sheffield, deal him. Delgado (don't think anyone would want him), deal him. Billy Wagner, deal him. Obviously I don't think you deal David Wright or Johan Santana, but I'd almost listen to offers for ANYONE else.

Be back throughout the day.

Thoughts on Current Happenings in the World of Sports

- Whatever you are doing right now, stop. Stand up and give a round of applause to Tom Watson. For the 59 year old to be right there and have the Claret Jug in his grasp on the 72nd hole of the British Open is amazing. Watson tabbed it right when he said "Would've been a hell of a story." But, I don't think Watson should be looked at as a choker or anything else. I told my friend and huge golf fan, Kyle Hoehne, on Saturday that I had two concerns for Sunday's final round. One, I was afraid someone a few shots off was going to go low. Second, I didn't want it going to a playoff. The more golf holes you have, the better chance of something bad happening. Unfortunately, I was right on both accounts. Also, how about a little credit to Stewart Cink. Cink, a very good player, I think won the major just as much as Watson lost it. If Watson plays in the PGA Championship, he will need an invitation from the tournament organizers. For more on this check out several blogs including The Sports Buffet Podcast's own bloggers, Scott Wilson and K.C. Spiron.


Gene Wojciechowski's Take on Tom Watson
John Feinstein's Take on Tom Watson
Scott Wilson's Take on Tom Watson
K.C. Spiron's Take on Tom Watson


- I don't think Roy Halladay is going to be traded. I think the price tag is way too high. I think the price tag will come down in the off-season and I think he will be dealt to a team in the AL or NL West. Phillies, maybe an outside shot. I don't think the Yankees are likely. I'd also put the Mets, Red Sox, White Sox and Cardinals in the discussion. The problem is if you are going to trade for him now, you will have to give up two major league ready prospects, a high double A prospect and a mid range single A prospect. I think if you wait until the offseason, you may only have to deal one major league prospect, a triple A prospect and a single A prospect. Mike Francessa was discussing the issue of Halladay to the Yankees on his show the other day on WFAN and YES. Francessa, a Yankees fan, didn't want the Yankees to add Halladay because essentially they have enough talent already and he thought if they got Halladay, then it's just too unfair. I disagree with that premise, I just don't want to give up the prospects.


- Miguel Cotto and Manny Pacquiao became a finalized deal this past week. The fight is set for November 14th. Sweet science fans are going to get two real treats this fall (if you want to pay for them) between Cotto and the Pac Man, and the September tilt between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Juan Manuel Marquez. Also, Showtime is having a mini Super Middleweight tournament. Lots to be excited about if you are a boxing fan. So, only a few of us are.


- Ed O' Bannon is suing the NCAA for the NCAA using the likeness and images of players once they leave school without reimbursement. I think this is a good move by O'Bannon. However, I don't think he's going to win. I used to come down on the side of don't pay athletes, but I think I am changing my tune. It's impossible for athletes to hold jobs during the season and they really have no source of revenue during that time. I know people are going to say they are getting a free education, and I think that is a great gift for those who are on full scholarship. However, with the way the NCAA pimps out most of these athletes (look at jerseys with numbers on them of a certain school) and for the player essentially not to receive anything off of it. I think is wrong. Either the NCAA needs to stop pimping these kids or they need to look at a monetary compensation program for some of these athletes.


- Roger Goddell is going to have a decision to make. Should Michael Vick be reinstated? I think what he did was disgusting, reprehensible and an inhumane act. However, he has served the punishment that was assigned to him by the legal system, so he should be reinstated. I somewhat think it's sad that we have started to value an animal's life over a human's life in society. I mean, I feel bad for all the dogs that were wrongfully sent to their death in Vick's dogfighting ring, but how many non sports fans are familiar with what Donte' Stallworth and Leonard Little have done in their past and their respective punishment? Not many.


- On a final note, something happened to me last night that had never happened to me before. I caught a foul ball at a baseball game. I was a guest of Dave Hoehne and WKDE Radio in their skybox last night. Dave and I were the only two sitting outside of the glassed area of the skybox. A foul ball was hit by a Potomac Nationals batter and somehow made it through the net and the top of the building (essentially an awning) and the ball struck the glass and bounced down and landed in front of me. I picked it up and became the proud owner of an official Carolina League baseball. I have attended many baseball games in my life, all the way from youth to the Major League game, and I have never got a foul ball. Last night was my moment.


That's all for now. But before I bid you farewell, check out my appearance on Community Corner with Jay Daniels.