Oswalt to Phils? ... The trade-deadline thread

They got a much better return on Lee than what they gave up for Oswalt. Gose is fast, has a good arm and could develop some power, but he's a long, long way from those days. Villar has a good glove, but doesn't seem like he'll develop into much of a hitter. Happ had a good rookie year, but he pitched above his head and now he's been hurt for most of the year. Add in that Houston is paying almost half of what Oswalt is owed on his contract (should the Phillies not pick up the 2012 option) and the Phillies got a steal.

 

Let's see how many games the veteran presence costs the Padres, especially if he's playing SS with all the mobility of Dan Marino at age 39.

 

Maybe the Padres figured Tejada's Vitamin B injections will help their power numbers.

 

Lots of young, contending teams bring in aging veterans at the deadline. Who knows if this one will be beneficial.
But, just like always, you guys gotta proclaim something good or bad, no middle ground.

 

Nats closer Matt Capps to the Twins.

Do the Nationals even need a closer? (Hi Moddy!)

 

No, just like always, we have produced plenty of evidence that this is not a smart move for the Padres, but you've got your mind made up that it's a good deal (nothing quite as compelling as "good veteran presence," a nice catch-all that is usually a synonym for "this guy has nothing left") so we must be stupid or wrong or jumping the gun.

 

Either I've missed something this year, or the Nats pulled off one hell of a deal. The guy they got from Minnesota was really highly thought of, from what I remember.

 

And the Twins overpaid by giving up Ramos. And the Blue Jays are now justified in what they are asking from teams for Downs.

 

If they're really considering playing him at SS ... that's going to be hilarious.

 

Granted, I haven't paid much attention to the Twins ... and even less to their farm system ... but I'm not sure the Nats didn't get as much for Capps as the Astros did for Roy Oswalt. And then you have to consider that Houston is forking over $11M.

 

Sad to see Capps go. He was a great addition this year. But you certainly can't argue with the trade after seeing what the Nats got back. I mean, I know nothing about those two players, but everything I'm reading indicates they're pretty damn good.

I'll miss the playing of Final Countdown in the ninth.