The trading deadline has come and gone, and we can't help but wonder what some General Managers/teams were thinking:

Houston Astros: What was Ed Wade thinking? Perhaps he was given an ultimatum that he must win this year, or else. How else can he explain the Astros dealing for Randy Wolf and LaTroy Hawkins? Perhaps Wade doesn't realize that the column on the left of the standings with a large letter "W" at the top stands for wins...not the other column with the big letter "L".

Boston Red Sox: They did replace Manny with Jason Bay, and though he's no Manny, he's no slouch either. He may actually show the baseball world that he's even better with an actual lineup surrounding him. But in order to get him, if I am understanding correctly, they dealt Manny, two decent prospects, and are paying part of Manny's salary as well? They must really have wanted Manny gone. Again, Bay can hold his own, but it seems like an awful lot given up to acquire him.

Seattle Mariners: The Mariners could have left Bill Bavasi as their GM if they were going to continue making boneheaded moves (or in this case non-moves). Perhaps no team was in need of a blow-up more than this team, yet they didn't deal Ibanez, Putz, Beltre, or Washburn? It is believed that their asking prices were exuberant. And that may very well be, but now they, as an organization, really look ridiculous.

Tampa Bay Rays: Granted they don't want to mortgage the future, but they Rays are loaded with prospects, and they may have landed a bat had they turned their attention to players like Ibanez, Dunn, Giles, or Eithier. Of course, I don't pretend to know what went on behind the scenes, but it appears as though they may have focused too much on Jason Bay and not the other available outfielders.

New York Mets: They didn't need offense, but they certainly needed a pitcher or two with the uncertainty surrounding Pedro and Maine. The fact that many teams were looking for relief help, and the Mets couldn't deal Schoeneweis is a testament to how bad that contract is. It's understandable that the Mets didn't want to deal their prospects, but a pitcher or two could have been had for a lower tier prospect (Washburn or Bonser).

Atlanta Braves: They gutted their minor league system last year to bring in Teixeira, then dealt him this year for Kotchman and Steve Marek. Kotchman is decent, but he and Marek aren't worth the prospects that Atlanta gave up last year to get Teixeira.

Arizona Diamondbacks: Arizona desperately needed a bat in their lineup. Instead, they watched the Dodgers acquire two sluggers in Ramirez and Blake. If Brad Penny returns from injury, it will be game, set, and match in the NL West, and the game won't be won by the Diamondbacks.

Kansas City Royals: Mahay, Grudzielanek, and Guillen are still with the Royals....enough said.

More From The Diamond
Jim Bowden can be creative and interesting. He's made some pretty big trades, and almost reminds you of a Fantasy Baseball GM. But releasing Lopez, LoDuca, and Estrada could not have pleased his boss. I'm shocked that none of the three was able to bring back a low minor leaguer in return, even if it meant paying their salary (which they must now pay anyway). Bowden must be under the gun now, and he'll be on a short leash with Washington. His deals to bring in oft-injured Nick Johnson and Willy Mo Pena don't help his situation.

For an organization that appears that knows what it's doing, you have to question why it took so long for the Twins to bring up Liriano while Livian Hernandez continued to throw batting practice to opposing teams. Granted, he was 10-8, but in his place, Liriano could very well have won two or three more games, and that could be the difference between the playoffs and watching them from home.

The feel-good story that was the Milwaukee Brewers came to a screeching halt with the thrashing they took at the hands of the Cubs. They may be the known as the Cubs, but they were bears in Milwaukee...and they flat-out mauled the Brewers. Only time will tell if this has a long term effect on the Brewers. Remember, they started unraveling last year down the stretch.

Perhaps the Giants should do Omar Vizquel a favor and release him so he can try and latch on with a playoff contender in what could be his final season. No one wanted him at the trade deadline, but without having to deal a prospect, some team could use him as a backup shortstop.

When I see a player like Greg Maddux refuse a trade to a playoff contender such as the Phillies, I don't feel sorry for that player in the least that they are stuck on a last place team...despite their brilliant careers. I find it shocking that being close to home for Maddux was more important for two months, than trying to go to the World Series. Conversely, Ken Griffey Jr left his home town to play for a contender. You have to respect that Griffey still has a passion to win.

Word is that the Blue Jays were trying to deal for Raul Ibanez before the deadline. They were only about 100 games too late. Didn't General Manager JP Riccardi realize that the Jays needed a bat or three when they were losing 2-1 games in April?

Despite the rave reviews that the Yankees received for bringing in Ivan Rodriguez, I'm not seeing it. Granted, he's a nice addition, but he doesn't call as good a game as Molina...the catcher he's replacing. How long will it be before certain Yankee pitchers ask for Molina to be their "personal" catcher.

Let's be honest...you have to chuckle just a bit when you think that Joe Torre is now Manny's manager.

Has there been a bigger rookie bust this season than Homer Bailey, who was pummeled again Friday night? He simply looks confused and over-matched.

The Pirates, as is their custom, dumped their key players (Nady and Bay) to rebuild again. The Astros acquired Hawkins and Wolf because they apparently felt they could make a playoff run. The odd thing is that only a half-game separates them in the standings. So I guess the Pirates are still alive for a playoff spot....if you use Ed Wade's math.

Against the AL East and AL West, the Indians are 25-20. Against their own division, they're 16-29.



Court Adjourned!