Red Hots and Clowns Complete Deal

Just days after making a splash by acquiring Chase Utley, the Red Hots were at it again, this time in a deal with the Candy Colored Clowns.

In their latest move, the Red Hots picked up outfielders Ken Griffey (.13-09+), Aaron Rowand (.24-09+), third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff (.28-10+), and pitching prospect Jeff Samardzija (.05-10+).

In return the Hots sent second baseman Brandon Phillips (.12-09!), infielder Cesar Izturis (.15-10+). outfielder Austin Kearns (.30-10+), and pitcher Ryan Madson (.01-10+) to the Clowns.

Transactions for July 18, 2008

July 18
GRAGING BULLS reserve Charlie Morton, activate Jamie Garcia.

STONES reserve Johan Santana, activate Carlos Marmol.
STONES reserve Mitch Stetter, activate Jose Valverde.
STONES reserve Jorge Campillo, activate David Riske.
STONES reserve Javier Valentin, activate Paul LoDuca.

RUFFINS reserve Jason Isringhausen, activate Jamie Moyer.

RED HOTS reseve Paul Maholm, activate Cesar Izturis.

COPPERFIELDS reserve Joel Pinero, activate Jo-Jo Reyes.
COPPERFIELDS reserve Travis Denker, activate Eugenio Valez.
COPPERFIELDS reserve Scott Schoenweiss, activate Brian Shouse.

DEM REBELS reserve Bob Howry, activate Ted Lilly.
DEM REBELS reserve Trevor Hoffman, activate Scott Olsen.
DEM REBELS reserve Greg Norton, activate Brian Giles.

KENNDOZA LINE reserve Ian Stewart, activate Rafael Soriano.

DOORMATTS reserve Omar Quintanilla, activate John Lannan.
DOORMATTS reserve Ubaldo Jimenez, activate Ben Sheets.
DOORMATTS reserve Tyler Yates, activate Jair Jurrjens.

CLOWNS reserve Jerry Hairston, activate Chris Burke.
CLOWNS reserve Jon Lieber, activate Chris Volstad.

REVENGE reserve Wily Mo Pena, activate Rich Aurelia.
REVENGE reserve Aaron Boone, activate Luis Gonzalez.
REVENGE reserve Ryan Church, activate Scott Podsednik.
REVENGE reserve Brian Moehler, activate Chad Gaudin.

Stones and Kenndoza Combine on 16-Player Blockbuster

Johan Santana wasn't around long enough to be fitted for his Kenndoza Line uniform, as the Line sent him to Steve's Stones as part of an 8-for-8 trade.

Along with Santana (.48-10+), the Stones received catcher Russell Martin (.10-08), first baseman Albert Pujols (.41-10), second baseman Kaz Matsui (.01-08), outfielder Randy Winn (.24-10+), and pitchers Jorge Campillo (.06-10+), Luis Ayala (.02-10+), and David Riske (.02-10+).

Going from the Stones to Kenndoza are outfielder Matt Kemp (.05-09+), infielder Geoff Blum (.10-10+), catcher(?) Mike Rebelo (.01-10+), pitchers Tim Lincecum (.10-09+), Yovani Gallardo (.10-09x), and prospects Ian Stewart (.05-10x), Alcides Escobar (.02-Mx), and Pedro Alvarez (.05-Mx).

YES!

Addendum to previous All-Star Game post:

He gone! Carlos (NL) whiffs Carlos (AL) to send it to the 14th.

All-Star Grumblings

As I sit here watching a very entertaining All-Star contest carry into the 13th inning, I wonder (once again):

• Why can't we start these games at a reasonable time? The Hall of Famer opening was nice, but by the time it was done, it was damn near 8:00 Central. My kids were enjoying the heck out of the game, but I had to send the two youngest to bed before we ever reached the 9th. I know it's an event and all, but they've got an early call for day camp in the AM, and 10:00 was our cutoff. It's a shame they had to miss all this.
• If it's so important that guys like Kazmir and Webb not get in the game, and if using Marmol is such a scary proposition, why are they on the team? If a guy is starts the Sunday before the AS game, give him an "honorary" slot and put a usable pitcher on the roster.
• After the last time we had an extra inning tie, a big deal was made about making the game mean something by giving home field advantage to the AS winner. I've never understood how that action was supposed to prevent ties, but now that we're possibly in the situation again, who gets home field advantage if we do, in fact, end in a tie?

At least Dennis Cook may have (hopefully) saved us from the "Uggla Loss for the NL" headlines.

Go Nationals!

Red Hots and Kenndoza Combine on 2-Player Blockbuster

THAT'S what I'm talkin' 'bout! With just over two weeks left until the trading deadline, Kenndoza Line and Mo's Red Hots have teamed up on a good old fashioned blockbuster, trading one of the league's top pitchers for one of the league's best hitters.

In the deal, the Red Hots send starting pitcher Johan Santana (.48-10+) to Kenndoza for second baseman Chase Utley (.53-10+).

The Red Hots have been surging in the standings lately, and find themselves only 14 points out of first. The trade comes on the heels of their stunning .55 acquisition of CC Sabathia, a pitcher who can step into Santana's shoes, and allows the Hots' to significantly upgrade their hitting without impacting their starting rotation.

Time will tell whether Kenndoza acquired Santana as an expensive but solid keeper for 2009, or whether they'll flip him to one of the losers in the Sabathia sweepstakes for a set of cheaper keepers.

Regardless, it's refreshingly rare to see a deal so evenly-balanced talent-wise this late in the season.

For their associated moves, the Red Hots reserved Cesar Izturis and activated Sabathia, while Kenndoza reserved Shawn Hill and activate Angel Berroa.

Revenge Add Spare Parts in Deal with Clowns

Morkertzuma's Revenge, fighting for a championship in their first CFCL season, have picked up a couple veteran role players who can fill in down the stretch.

In a deal completed yesterday, the Revenge sent pitching prospect Brett Sinkbeil (.02-Mx) to the Candy Colored Clowns for outfielder Luis Gonzalez (.05-10+) and infielder Rich Aurelia (.01-08).

The Revenge released Jason Perry and the Clowns activated Blake DeWitt in their associated moves.