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The major league trading deadline passed on July 31st. They still have time to make deals, but now players have to go though waivers. It seems like a lot of the action happened out west; so will start their.

American League West:

The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim picked up what was considered the best pitcher on the trade market getting Zack Greinke for three minor leaguers. This has to be considered a WIN.

The Texas Rangers answered getting Ryan Dempster and Geovany Soto in seperate deals from the Cubs. I was a little surprised that the Rangers traded for a catcher, but I think everyone tought they would be looking for a pitcher. Dempster was the best available pitcher at the time of the deal. WIN

Oakland A’s

I don’t think anyone thought the A’s would be contenders. but here they are. They went out and picked up George Kottaras from Milwaukee. They A’s had Kurt Suzuki on the roster, but traded for another catcher in Kottaras. I’m not sure what the difference will be except maybe money. LOSE

National League West

Los Angeles Dodgers: The Dodgers made a big move early getting Hanley Ramirez from Miami. They added Shane Victorino and a pitcher they where looking for in Joe Blanton. The report is that the Dodgers where the team that claimed Cliff Lee on waivers; so they might be adding another pitcher. WIN

The San Fransico Giants added Hunter Pence who I believe is a better player than Victorino. The Giants didn’t add any other players at the dealine and will see if they should’ve. DRAW

American League Central

Detroit Tigers: The Tigers filled their biggest need getting a 2nd baseman in Omar Infante along with pitcher Anabal Sanchez from Miami. Infante hasn’t had the best of years and as of right no the trade hasn’t helped the Tigers gain any type of momentum. Right now LOSE

Chicago White Sox: The White Sox made their biggest move earlier in the season getting Kevin Youkilis from Boston. They did add Francisco Liriano to bolster the pitching staff. Liriano can be hot and cold on the mound; so this rating could change depending on what type of production they get out of him. The White Sox also picked up Brett Myers to help out the bullpen. DRAW

National League Central

The Pittsburgh Pirates: The Pirates pick up Wandy Rodriquez a move that I seem to like a lot more than most of the people I’ve spoken to about it. The Pirates also added a bit piece in outfielder Travis Snider. I’d like to call this a win, but right now I’m going with DRAW

The Cinicinnati Reds: The Reds only added a bullpen pitcher going out and getting Jonathan Broxton from the Royals. I thought with some of the injuries the Reds have had they’d try to fill some bigger needs. Broxton is a solid pitcher with closing experience; so he’ll help in the bullpen. I thought they’d do more. LOSE

American League East

New York Yankees: The Yankees went out and fill a need they really need to fill getting Ichiro Suzki to replace Brett Gardner in te outfield. While Suzuki is an aging veteran he can still play great defense and is a good enough hitter to help New York out. WIN

National League East

Washington Nationals: The Nationals added the catcher they need getting Kurt Suzuki from Oakland. Suzuki is a solid if not spetacular catcher who’ll do what the Nationals need him too do. DRAW

If I missed someone or some team jump in and tell me.

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Greinke picture credit

So if you heard the show last night (Wednesday) you know I was bothered by a couple of sports issues and just kind of went off rambling. I’m going to see if I can clarify my thinking hear and see if it makes a little more sense.

Jeremy Lin goes to the Houston Rockets after the New York Knicks choose not to match his offer sheet. Help me out here; why where they acting like the Knicks had just lost a superstar to Houston? While Lin had some good games for the Knicks last season he also had one of if not the highest turnover ratio of any NBA point guard. While I think he’ll end up being a good, solid player for the Rockets I don’t think he’ll end up winning a championship there. Lin was an ESPN creation and they pushed him out their every chance they got. He was in New York and that made it a big deal for ESPN. If you’ve ever watched anything on the network you know that if it doesn’t happen in the east coast it didn’t happen. The Rockets did a nice job with their contract offer making it almost impossible for the Knicks to match it the way it was back loaded. I think the Knicks did the right thing in letting Lin go, but they’re far from innocent in all this. After they decided not to match the offer they leaked some info about Lin not playing when he was injured and I believe some other info, but I’m not sure about that. That’s very class less for a team to do. I still haven’t figured out why this was such huge sports news and was covered by ESPN like LeBron James switching teams. I’m not even sure Lin is a top 10 NBA point guard. I’d take Derrick Rose, Chris Paul, Deron Williams, Steve Nash, Rajon Rondo, Eric Gordon and Brandon Jennings ahead of him and that’s just off the top of my head; I’m sure there’s some point guards I missed. I hope I was able to make this seem more organized for you and would love your feedback.

You can follow me on Twitter @Burketime