The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Well it's finally here. The time of the year for trade rumors, deadline deals, and I celebrate another year in my life (My birthday is always on the trade deadline). It's like Christmas in July.

So to celebrate this festive season of giving (well trading), here is an ode to the lyrics of "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year" with a unique spin to fit the MLB Trade Deadline

It's the most wonderful time of the year
With the GM's phones ringing
And everyone telling you "Find a good deal"
It's the most wonderful time of the year
It's the hap-happiest season of all
With those rumor mills spinning and secret team meetings
When other GM's come to call
It's the hap- happiest season of all

There'll be veterans for pitching
Prospects there swinging
And dealing down to the wire
There'll be scary blockbusters
And tales of the trades of
Deadlines long, long ago

It's the most wonderful time of the year
There'll be titles for blowing
And hearts will be glowing
When your team gets a steal
It's the most wonderful time
Yes, It's the most wonderful time
Oh, It's the most wonderful time...of the year!

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Thoughts on the Twins trade of Wilson Ramos for Matt Capps:
My initial thought as I heard about this trade was that it wasn't a good deal. I wanted the Twins to get a front end of the rotation starter before the deadline, especially for one of the Twins' best prospects. I felt that Ramos was thought of highly enough that the Twins could have gotten more for him. As I have had a night to dwell on the trade I have come to terms with the route that the Twins had to take as this year's trade deadline approached. With Mauer locked in, Ramos was expendable. Jon Rauch wasn't made to be a closer on a team that has aspirations to be a championship club. Capps has the "stuff" to be the closer and now Rauch can move back into a set-up role. Rauch did great in the time that he was closer, but it was time for a change.
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Twins Trade Deadline Checklist
1. Starting Pitching
The only real need that the Twins have yet to address during trade deadline season. It will be interesting to see if anything gets done in the next 24 hours. If the Twins plan to make a long push into the playoffs they will need a front end of the rotation pitcher. I don't know if the Twins will be willing to part with the prospects that it would take to acquire a player of this caliber.
2. Relief Pitching
Check this off the list. See my thoughts on the Ramos/Capps deal above.
3. 3rd Baseman
Danny Valencia has been playing very well as of late. Hopefully this continues and he can lock down the 3rd base slot on the Twins roster. Read my post on why Valencia should be the everyday 3rd baseman for the Twins for now and into the foreseeable future. (Valencia: The Twins Everyday 3rd Baseman)