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Oakland and Detroit sealed the deal..two best rotations in the game..ACLS will be fun to watch.

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The flames from the Red Sox fire sale almost totally engulfed the city.

Guess "Wait until next year" is the new slogan for the team.

Their slogan seems to be, "Wait until........uh....., we'll get back to you!"

-- Modified on 8/1/2014 12:07:40 PM

It worked pretty well for them last time, maybe Philly should have taken note? They still have tons of big name, large contract veterans, long past their prime.

s GA correctly alluded to the Red Sox were previously able to unload many high priced players on their roster (fortunate to have found an all of sudden cash rich franchise in the Dodgers) and build a WS winner. The bottom line is that the Red Sox are a well run franchise. While they would love to compete for the playoffs every year, they recognize when its not going to happen in a particular season. They smartly re-tool their roster (never a complete re-build) and plan for next year. It would shock no one if the Sox were competing for a title in 2015.

As a Yankee fan, I wish they would follow suit. But the Yankees will never give up on a season. They will always be buyers at the trading deadline. At least this year they really didn't trade any significant minor leaguers to upgrade their roster. They basically acquired mid level players....McCarthy, Headley, Drew, Cappuano, Prado and hope they catch lightening in a bottle from some of them. Will see.

The Phillies problem is that they kept the proverbial band together way too long. How many times can you go to the well with the core of Rollins, Utley and Howard? Obviously, the trio was a success with 5 division titles, 2 WS appearances and a WS win. But it's long been time to move on. Amaro has done a poor job over the past 5 years. There is no one in place to supplant these guys.

Although there were some big trades kudos to the Detroit Tigers big winners at the trade deadline.

I don't even plan to be in the Football mode until it is clear how the playoffs are going to shape out and how far Nats and Braves plan to go in the playoffs.

I expect both of them to be in the playoffs.

The Oakland A's also did well at the deadline, though I hated to see them give up Yeonis Cespedes with a year still left on his contract.  Nonetheless, you can't argue against the Jon Lester acquistion.
It will be fun to again see them in the playoffs this year!

packard34