Wow. "We got to revamp this whole thing," Detroit Tigers manager Jim Leyland said Saturday night, after losing Magglio Ordonez and Carlos Guillen to the disabled list - Ordonez for the rest of the regular season, effectively, with a fractured right ankle.
It won't be the last shift in dynamic this week, as teams determine whether they will be buyers or sellers or bystanders with the non-waiver trade deadline set to expire on Saturday. Witness the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim's bold acquisition on Sunday of Dan Haren from the Arizona Diamondbacks for Joe Saunders and prospects.
Haren was the apple of many teams' eye, but there are other players offering intriguing grist for the trade rumour mill in the week ahead:
Roy Oswalt, RHP, Houston Astros: The target for whoever crapped out in the Haren market - or vice-versa - even with that $16-million (U.S.) option for 2011 that must be addressed. Unlike Haren, he's a proven second-half winner (70-24, compared to Haren's career second-half earned-run average that is a run per game higher than his career first-half ERA). With Jamie Moyer's career likely done (elbow surgery), one AL executive said he thought the Phillies would get either Haren or Oswalt. We'll see … but as of Sunday, the price just went up
Ted Lilly, LHP, Chicago Cubs: He will come cheaper than the other starters on the block, and he's had success in the American League East and has pitched in New York for the Yankees. Possibles: Mets, Yankees, Tigers, Twins.
Jayson Werth, RF, Philadelphia Phillies: A free-agent who turned down the Phillies' contract offer, he might be the centre-piece in a multiteam deal to bring a pitcher. Suitors: A team that likes its chances of re-signing him, such as the Chicago White Sox
Dan Uggla, 2B, Florida Marlins: He's been hitting cleanup, and sources say several GMs have targeted the Marlins as a "third team" in potential multiteam deals. The game's more creative GM's - hello there, Alex Anthopoulos - are anxiously awaiting owner Jeffrey Loria's edict on whether his club is a seller or buyer. Uggla has another year of salary arbitration, but the Marlins, remember, have been told by the commissioner's office they need to put more of their revenue-sharing dollars into salaries.
Joba Chamberlain, RHP, New York Yankees: The Arizona Diamondbacks asked for him when they were approached about Haren. Chamberlain is in jeopardy of losing his setup role and there are those who will read a great deal into the fact the Yankees made a play for Royals closer Joakim Soria. Would be a great target for a team that needs "something immediately in return."
Paul not shuffling his feet to Heat
New Orleans Hornets guard Chris Paul won't be joining LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh on the Miami Heat, but you have to wonder whether his apparent interest in hitching his wagon to LRMR - James's marketing agency - and his trade request aren't somehow tied in.
Oh, and can somebody put a moratorium on all those stories about how Larry Bird or Michael Jordan or Magic Johnson wouldn't have done the same thing? Social media didn't exist in the day; players on opposing teams share more than groupies now and are in instant contact with each other.
Plus, the proximity and shared opportunity created by playing on the U.S. men's team at both the Olympics and world championships was not a factor back then.
And another thing…
It isn't a shock that despite his team's 1-3 start, Hamilton Tiger-Cats head coach Marcel Bellefeuille told reporters on Sunday that he was sticking with Kevin Glenn at quarterback despite suggestions it might be time to switch to Quinton Porter.
First, the Ticats will face a motivated Saskatchewan Roughriders team Friday at Mosaic Stadium, and that has "1-4" written all over it regardless of the quarterback. How would it look having to go back to Glenn if Porter stinks out the place?
Second, stability and continuity have been the watch-words around the team this season. Quarterback is the position on the field where that is best manifested.
Past, Present and Future numbers
1965 - the last time the Edmonton Eskimos were 0-4 until this season
10 - number of runs the Houston Astros have scored for trade bait Roy Oswalt in the pitcher's 12 losses this season.
29 - home runs by Blue Jays catching prospect J.P. Arencibia at Triple-A Las Vegas, the most in professional baseball as of Saturday.