Trade Deadline

Seems like the consensus on yesterday's trade deadline for the Sox among the fans is that it was tantamount to giving up on the season. The problem was that there were few real upgrades out there. A couple relievers were available but not Billy Wagner-esque difference makers.

The Sox (in)actions yesterday show two things: they feel that most of their holes are going to be filled by returning players (Ellsbury, Tek, and Peddy); and that the remaining issues are best solved with young guns.

The Sox decided that they are best off with a bullpen of Paps, Bard, Bowden, Doubront, Richardson and two guys from the group of Wake, Atchison, Delcarman, and Oki. I agree. I'd rather bring in Bowden and see what happens then trade a top prospect for someone like Octavio Dotel and roll the dice there. The Yankees used the same strategy last year on their way to the series by relying on David Robertson, Phil Hughes, Phil Coke, and Alfredo Aceves - all 26 years old or younger - to bridge the gap to Mariano.

This not a sure thing, but those don't exist in the bullpen short of the best closers which we don't need since we have two. The old adage still rings true: if they were that good they would be starting.

The fact is, as our bats return to the lineup and full health, and our starters all healthy, we should expect our starters to get into the 7th inning which then leaves just an inning or less needed to bridge the gap the Bard and Paps. I could see Richardson and Bowden sharing that roll depending on matchups; and Doubront taking on more clean inning situations (starting an inning, rather than coming in with people on).

I love the Saltalamaccia trade. They bought really low on a player with a ton of talent who's still very young and by all accounts a great kid. This is a switch hitter with power who can play some first. He'll be a valuable bench player in Sept. - third catcher and pinch hitter - and next year might get his shot. The Sox have always loved him so it make sense to get him when the cost is low.

In left, Ryan Kalish was the right call. He's getting a taste and he's a much better fielder than Hermida and a bigger threat with the bat than McDonald or Patterson - or Cameron right now. Kalish will get sent back down next week when Ellsbury comes up, but for now this is the right move.

Sometimes inaction is the best decision for this year and the future. That's the case in 2010.