SECOND LOOK: HIRED GUNS

Did the trade deadline add much to the World Series? Not really.

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Blanton, huh?

Well, so much for the massive trade deadline deal as World Series currency. When the deadline hit, we took a look at the big names on the move. Obviously, the Rays and Phillies effectively made moot the winner of the Jason Bay—Manny Ramirez deal for now, but what of the others?

CC Sabathia (periods withheld for marketing purposes) was obviously a huge haul for Milwaukee, but already talk is he could end up somewhere between the center field rocks and a Hanks Place (Angels or Yankees), and not in-between. That could leave the Brewers possibly willing to deal Prince Fielder for pitching help, and if you don't believe it, check out our issue hitting stands this week.

Then there was Pudge Rodriguez to the Yankees, Ken Griffey Jr. to the White Sox, Mark Teixeira to the Angels and finally, Adam Dunn to the Diamondbacks. Griffey and Tiexiera at least got to experience the playoffs. Now, the question is whether they'll be with the Sox and Angels next year. Pudge and Dunn, meanwhile, were able to do little to inspire a late-season charge from either of their new teams. Actually, Dunn clearly had a good influence on the D'Backs Mark Reynolds, who only struck out 204 times. (And for that matter, the wind power movement in Arizona is gaining clout.)

Meanwhile, the Phillies and the Rays stayed pretty quiet. Philly snagged cheap starting help, getting Joe Blanton from the Oakland Municipal Garage Sale, and he went a solid 4-0 with a 4.20 ERA in 13 starts in Philly. They also traded for Scott Eyre. For him they gave away All Minor League Name Team stalwart Brian Schlitter.

Say it: Schlitter.

The Rays did little more than finally activate future ace David Price and get him a few innings. Still, calling up Evan Longoria in April got the team off on a good path, and they've never really strayed.

Either way, though dividends were paid (mainly in L.A. and Milwaukee) the trade deadline this year will have little say in the World Series outcome. Our question, perhaps mostly to Milwaukee: was it worth it?

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