seanjweb

Holy trade deadline action, Batman!  Manny in La La Land, literally. Bay in Boston.  Pudge with the Yankees.  Griffey in the White Sox? While the number of trades may have been lower than past years, the impact of this year's machinations will be felt throughout the league.  On to the Game Notes!

"RHP Kyle Farnsworth, acquired from the New York Yankees for All-Star C Ivan Rodriguez, is expected to join the Tigers on Friday in Tampa Bay."  This seems inocuous, but it does not bode well for the Farns' attitude.  He was traded from New York and the Tigers played in Cleveland - that's a one hour plane ride.  The trade happened on Wednesday afternoon.  Odd how Pudge made it to New York for Thursday's game and Farnsworth is waiting until Friday.

"SS Michael Young was back in the Texas lineup after missing Wednesday night's start due to a fractured right ring finger."  I'm going to give Young credit for playing with a smashed finger, but two consecutive 0-fer performances tell me he should be either on the DL or, at least, riding the pine.  Young owners should bench him until he proves he can hit again.  I would keep him reserved until Week 19 at the earliest.

"Rangers DH Milton Bradley sat out his second straight game with a strained left quadriceps muscle. Washington said Bradley might be available to pinch hit Friday night against Toronto."  No one was shocked that the nagging injuries on Bradley finally took him out of the game.  I'm amazed he hasn't spent time on the DL.  He's going to be out from time to time, but his performance this season still warrants a place on your roster.

"Josh Hamilton was the DH for the second straight night as Washington gave the slugger another break from playing the outfield." It looks like the time at DH has done him some good.  He went 2 for 4 last night.  Keep him in your lineup.

"Guillen gave slumping 1B Paul Konerko the night off, and there could be many more of those on the way with the addition of Ken Griffey." I have no idea where Guillen is going to play Junior.  Opposing scouts say that Griffey has lost the range that made him such a dominant CF.  Guillen doesn't dare take the bat out of Jim Thome's hands.  This should be a fun one to watch.  AL-only owners are likely spending all of their free agent money on Griffey.  The money is wasted as he won't make much of an impact in Chicago.

"Alfonso Soriano finished the series 7-for-16 with two homers, three RBI and three steals."  Kicking yourself for not picking up Soriano after everyone dumped him? Yeah, me too. 

"Casey Kotchman, acquired from the Angels in the deal for Teixeira, went 0-for-4 and is hitless in nine at-bats with Atlanta." Kotchman is likely pressing - seeking to impress his new teammates.  Keep him in the lineup.  The Braves don't really have a better option.

"Philadelphia OF Shane Victorino got his eighth bunt hit of the season in the fourth, one of two infield hits he had in the game."  Victorino is having a great year.  For a roto owner, his 5x5 numbers are solid across the board. 

Streaker! "Seattle's Jose Lopez extended his hitting streak to 18 games with an eighth-inning single."

DL Update: "RHP Jose Contreras will throw five innings or 75 pitches for Triple-A Charlotte on Sunday. If all goes well, Guillen said he will pitch in Boston next weekend... Chicago 3B Joe Crede will start a rehab assignment with Triple-A Charlotte on Friday."

Less work.  More baseball.  That's what I need.  On to the Game Notes!

This doesn't have any fantasy value, but I thought it was a very classy move by CC Sabathia. "Sabathia bought a full-page ad, worth $12,870, in the Cleveland Plain Dealer's Wednesday edition, thanking the fans for their 10 years of support. Sabathia was traded to Milwaukee just before the