Astros making it fun at least

For about the last 6 weeks, I've been talking about how the rest of the season is just a chance to watch the individuals and watch the games for the pure fun of it. If you pay no attention to the race for the postseason, there is still a lot of entertainment to get from the remaining games. (if they sweep the Cubs then I'll reluctantly discuss the standings as it relates to the Astros, more on that later)

The last homestand was plenty exciting. The grand slams, the bullpen dominating and a shutout to close things out. That's what is great about baseball - anything can happen on any given day. They play 162 games so over the long haul the better teams inevitably rise to the top of the standings. The Astros aren't one of them, yet they still can be fun to watch.

- Interesting note from Farmstros.com regarding the Astros last 2 drafts, following the signing of Second Baptist's Ross Seaton.

- Other minor league notes...Felipe Paulino scheduled to pitch late tonight in Portland for Round Rock, we'll update that outing during the show tonight.

- So this list from Dayn Perry over at Foxsports. Worst deadline deals in the last ten years. I did not expect to see the Randy Johnson traded to the Astros deal to appear on the list. John Halama is a dime a dozen as a major leaguer. Carlos Guillen took six years to become an established above-average big leaguer and now is a multiple time all-star. Freddy Garcia was the jewel of the trade and was great and was the winning pitcher in the clinching game for the White Sox in the '05 World Series. In fact, he won all 3 of his playoff starts that year as the Sox went 11-1 in the postseason.

Even with all that - I'd do that deal every single time. That is one of Gerry Hunsicker's best deals of his career. The GM can't guarantee that a deal will lead to the desired result, but Randy Johnson was virtually unhittable and unbeatable as an Astro for two months as the team produced the greatest season in team history.

1998 Randy Johnson with the Astros
11 starts, 10-1, 1.28 ERA, 116 K, 84.1 IP, 4 CG, 4 SHO

I'm sorry but that is not a bad trade.
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Gilbert Arenas, the best NBA blogger around (but just barely over Channing Frye after his stinky beast airline post) weighs in on a bunch of random items - including the Ron Artest trade to the Rockets.
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WEX