Transaction Time Version 3.0

Because I know that all of you wait with great eagerness for each Thursday's Transaction Time (cannot get enough T alliteration), I must start with an apology. Last Wednesday afternoon, Minnesota had its first decent weather day in close to six years. I had the day off and frolicked about town, arms outstretched running through the prairie.

Little did I realize that some bad taco meat would bring storm clouds through my heavenly day. Food poisoning rendered me incapable of doing anything but squirming on my couch in intolerable pain. A lesser man would have succumbed and died, I instead powered up the computer to bring you, the VUFSA reader, a Transaction Time. As I sat up right, my body adversely reacted, causing even greater pain and suffering. Yes, it was worse than a Joe Borowski performance. I had to postpone writing and instead have two weeks' worth of material for this version.

1.) Izzy and Ichiro for Ibanez and Lee

JR had three closers but we all knew that Jon Rauch wouldn't be racking up saves for the Nationals much longer as Chad Cordero's return was imminent. As such, he needed a third closer and an attack plan for that "1" in steals to which Ichiro was a fix. I have the worst outfield known to man and acquired a couple run driver in-ers to boost production from a group that once included Aaron Rowand and Josh Fields.

2.) Conor Jackson

The Diamonbacks' first baseman is the #9 rated player in Yahoo Fantasy and yet remained untouched on our league's waiver wire. With everyone having a glutton of talented first basemen, he sat there with puppy dog eyes waiting for a chance to contribute. He now has that chance with The M.B.A.s and has brought his .348 BA, 24 R, and 25 RBIs with him.

3.) Marlin for Marlin

Tomke enjoys seafood. However, he traded in his carp for some lobster in releasing Andrew Miller (1-2, 9.12 ERA, 2.38 WHIP) for the considerably better Scott Olsen (3-1, 2.70 ERA, 1.12 WHIP). While we see one teammate dropped for another when it comes to relief pitching, I cannot recall a time when it occurred with starters. Kudos Tomke for a Drew-first.

4.) Aaron Harang and Edwin Schillinger Jackson for Andre Ethier and Justin Verlander

Viano boosted his starting rotation by acquiring a hard luck Reds' ace and a WVUR sports director (now African American). Tomke snagged prospect Andre Ethier and greatly struggling Justin Verlander. A first place team can't afford to wait through the struggles of a Verlander, and needs a steadier hand, like Harang. Meanwhile, Dave has acquired a pitcher with major potential.

5.) Mike Jacobs

The Florida first baseman slugged his way onto The Curse of the Veggies, bringing his 7 homers with him. However, he swung his way off JR's team a little while later when Radcliffe used waiver priority to snag Dodger James Loney. Easy come, easy go.

6.) Jair Jurrjens

Champ wins on the Braves' latest pitching find. Jurrjens is 3-2 with a nice 3.05 ERA with 1.04 WHIP. With 6 career wins, Jurrjens is 294 away from the Hall of Fame, but perhaps can channel some of that Johnny Cueto early season success a little bit longer than dear Cueto.

7.) The lowest point for Frank Liriano

When Liriano was tearing through hitters in 2006, we all thought we had the second coming of Johan Santana. When the arm fell off, we waiting for it to get put back on. Liriano, without pitching an inning, was dealt around, thought to be a keeper, and eventually drafted. Now, he's a freebie. His suckiness has resulted in Boof Bonser's ascension to Eli's roster, marking the second time this week teammates in the same starting rotation switched roster spots with a VUFSA team. On the plus side for Frank, I know some nice people in Rochester, MN and during his AAA stint there he can hang out with Liz Baden and 99 year old Aunt Anna.

8.) So how about that Jon Rauch?

Remember back in #1 when JR's bullpen was inevitably going to fall apart because of the mighty Chad Cordero? Well, Chad still can't throw right, leading to a DL stint, leading to Eli cutting Cordero this morning. Let the Jon Rauch era begin!