Trade deadline time! The Mets look like they’re denuding their farm system for Kris Benson and Victor Zambrano, who’s not even the best pitcher named Zambrano in the majors. And I can’t believe the Dodgers gave up Mota (I know Gagne’s great, but Mota made the perfect setup guy) and Paul Lo Duca, who fulfils the Jason Varitek “heart and soul” role for them, for Hee Seop Choi - who I think is great, even if the Marlins think he’s a ‘rally-killer’ - and Brad Penny. Me, I think the Sox are going to go all “Stand” Pat Gillick and not do much at the deadline. And I don’t know whether that’s a good or bad thing.
Incidentally, the Dodgers have been lucky with their late-round draft picks: getting Mike Piazza in the 62nd (!) round, and Lo Duca in the 25th. That’s a more than solid catching battery, for very little signing bonus. Here’s Baseball Fever’s list of major leaguers drafted lower than #1000 overall. Includes current Red Sock-on-Fire, Gabe Kapler, #1487 overall.