For someone who follows the business of baseball almost as much as the games themselves, the trade deadline is one of the more exciting times of the season for me.  Unlike offseason acquisitions, trades at the deadline usually represent odd scenarios in which big name players are dealt for not-even-close-to-their-actual-value due to contract issues and even clubhouse personality.  This scenario is often referred to as the “rent-a-player” scenario. 

One example of this is the Milwaukee Brewers acquisition of last year’s Cy-Young winner C.C. Sabathia.  Unfortunately, a small market team like Milwaukee will be unlikely to re-sign a player of Sabathia’s stature–however, they dealt away a few minor leaguers anyway for the chance to win this season.  A bold move, but a worthwhile one that many teams must consider in order to compete with the big boys in the short term. 

One such team that may need a boost this season is the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. Currently competing with two of the best teams in baseball in the American League East, Tampa Bay has a serious team–but is it serious enough? Other teams like the Braves, Rockies, Blue Jays, and Rangers are in a different position–they must quickly decide if they are in a buy or sell mentality. The decisions that these teams make will determine the amount of talent available this season.  Players such as 1B Mark Texeira, CL Brian Fuentes, 3B Hank Blalock, and SP A.J. Burnett all may become available if these teams decide they are out of the race.

In any case, it should be an exciting time for the big boys as well small-market teams takin a shot at the big one.  For my own personal interest, the NY Mets could certainly use a big right handed bat with Moises Alou perpetually on the DL and Ryan Church still feeling dizzy from a brutal concussion earlier in the year.  One such name that fits is Xavier Nady, who is having a nice year with the Pirates and has played for the Mets before where he was a popular player. LET THE GAMES BEGIN!