Food for thought

  Bashing Bill for his lack of trading deadline activity has been a popular pastime around these parts. This got me to thinking: Where would this team be if some of those talked about trades had actually happened?

  Scenario 1: Santana/Aybar for Tejada - Miggy has exactly 2 homers YTD. That's 1 more than OC along with a .20 deficit in slugging for Tejada. Given that OC's D has been GG caliber and Miggy isn't close to that, this non-trade is a net plus even before one factors in the loss of Santana/Aybar OR the possible gain from another player who could have been had for those two. Of course Miggy might have accepted a 3rd base role and yes it sucks ass that this team has nary a single homerun from a 3rd sacker YTD. That is deplorable. But having only 2 more and not having Santana and Aybar would be MUCH worse.

  Scenario 2: Mathis/Aybar for Carlos Lee:

  Lee is in Houston and could very well be there even if this trade was pulled off. Of course, he could have signed with the Angels but if he had, we'd have no idea what Reggie Willits could do as well as no idea what Carlos' pant size would be in year 4 or 5 of his contract.

  Scenario 3:  Santana/Aybar/another prospect for Soriano:

  We'd be minus Black Magic (and his home wins!) Aybar and the unnamed player and Soriano would still be in Chicago. Good (non) move.

  In short, thanks Bill for not pulling the trigger on Soriano. Thanks also go to Doug Melvin for taking Texas' offer over the Angels and especially to Peter Angelos for killing the Tejada deal.

  Sometimes the best deals are the ones you don't make and boy do we have the right GM for that!