Which was the better trade?

True. The real test of that trade is going to be the playoffs.

But the Angels do look a lot better offensively with Teixeira. If nothing else, Vladimir Guerrero has gone on his best hot streak of the season since the deal.

 

The Angels have gone .500 since acquiring Teixeira.

 

You do realize we'd both look a lot smarter right now if the Rays hadn't taken it to the Angels two days in a row, right?

 

Angels have scored four or less in nine of Teix's 18 games.

 

The Brewskies are further behind now than they were before the trade. The Dodgers have improved slightly but haven't turned into world-beaters.

And Tampa has the best record in baseball, having gone 14-4 since making no moves at the trade deadline. Hmmm ... maybe the best trade is the trade not made?

 

Cubs are 23-12 since trading for Harden.

 

Ken Griffey hasn't helped the White Sox.

 

Where were the Brewers in the wild-card standings before the trade? They are 23-15 since Sabathia's first start. Cubs have been red-hot, so if the Brewers are playing well but not gaining ground it's not because the trade didn't work.

 

One game back.

 

Harden accounts for three of those wins and one of those losses, with three no-decisions. Not really convincing me that the two are related.

(The Rays are 22-13 since the Cubs traded for Harden.)

 

He was dominant in two of those no-decisions. And the Cubs won the one game in which he wasn't. I know. I was there.

 

That's six games out of 35. What was he doing in the other 29?