Transaction Time V 4.0

Big blockbusters this week. Let's get to it.

1.) Brandon Webb for Ryan Braun and 2009 3rd round pick

Eli obtains one of the best pitchers in baseball with steady wins, ERA, WHIP, and strikeouts. He's as good as they get and will go a long way to helping Bob Loblaw boost sub-average numbers in wins and strikeouts. Having a logjam at third base helped the situation as the emergence of Evan Longoria made Braun expendable. Drew manages to secure some power for a team with a 1 in runs, 2 in homers, and 2 in OBP thanks in part to a disappointing Ryan Zimmerman. The Nationals third baseman hit just 3 homers before last night and has not been the second round pick that The M.B.As had needed and wanted. Now, they have a second year stud and a 3rd round pick to rework the error.

2.) Alfonso Soriano, Robinson Cano, Brandon Lyon for Hideki Matsui, Takashi Saito, and Max Scherzer

Tomke has been one of the surprising owners of this league who was hyper active for his first year, slowed down to make some shrewd moves in his second year, and now I'm not sure what to make of this baseball franchise.

On the one hand, Soriano (.188 BA, 3 HRs) and Cano (.160 BA, 3 HRs) have been horrendous. These guys are a huge reason why Bondo and the Asians are near the bottom of the standings. A change needed to be made. On the other hand, so much potential being sold low for a stereotypical "throw Asian players at Dave."

Matsui is serviceable, Saito is good, and Scherzer has had quite bit of hype, but is Matsui more valuable than Soriano at the end of the year? Is Saito an upgrade over Lyon? And Scherzer's second start (made before the trade was completed) was 4.0IP, 8 hits, 2 BB, and 5 ER, which I'm not sure is an even flip for Robinson Cano. Maybe this trade works out, but I think my tone reveals my skepticism on the selling low and buying role players.

3.) Ryan Doumit

There's a name you didn't expect to be catching for VUFSA's first place club. The Pirates catcher slash right fielder slash Josh Willingham is hitting .337 with 5 homers thereby causing long time steady hand Ramon Hernandez to languish in waiver wire land.

4.) Jason Giambi

Edwin makes a second straight appearance on Transaction Time by jetting the Yankees DH off his roster. I'm not sure this is so surprising given a .157 batting average and the availability of the strong armed Rick Ankiel (anyone else find it odd he can throw a strike from center field to third base but not from the mound to home plate?). But, I do find this transaction to be another one of those "growing up transactions" where another one of baseball's superstars who just a few short years ago was a dominant force now silently disappears into fantasy land irrelevancy.

5.) Yovani Gallardo

The dreaded ACL injury has afflicted one Baron's running backs leaving him thin at the position heading into week 4. Fortunately, Aaron Cook is available to step in. The Rockies right hander has quietly been very good with a 5-1 record and an admirable non-Mile Hile like 2.40 ERA.

6.) Brewer outfielders

Tomke likes his Milwaukee outfielders to have a little substance to them. Or on them. Bill Hall is out and Mike Cameron is in.