In other related stupid news..

[Kingdom]

Instead of taking the easy route and resigning Russell Branyan, cause it is a good thing to have a power hitter in the lineup, the mariners neglected that need and let him walk. Enter June, and they decided the Branyan withdrawal was just too much to bare! So maybe the prospects aren't much, who knows, but Seattle could have avoided this from the get go if they had thought things through... but you know, whatever. Be stubborn, be complicated. Maybe that's why the season has mostly been miserable for you.

Russell Branyan is headed back to the Mariners, and Matt LaPorta is coming back to the big leagues.


The Indians pulled the trigger on the first of what could be several pre-Trade Deadline moves Saturday, sending Branyan back to the M's in exchange for two prospects -- Triple-A center fielder Ezequiel Carrera and High-A shortstop Juan Diaz.


The Indians will either pay the remainder of Branyan's $2 million contract or send the M's a player to be named later.

CastroTurf: Branyan dealt to the Mariners

[HollywoodLeo]

Are the Mariners trying to compete or something?

[Porter]

This move probably been done in the offseason if they were sure that Branyan's back was healthy enough. But this move was made way to damn late.

[Porter]

By the way, It's not completely stupid. Cleveland is paying the rest of Branyan's salary. So they got him for free basically. The two prospects are not great.

[Kingdom]

It's been great for Cleveland, Matt LaPorta woke up. Still sucks for you guys.

[Porter]

I think that if they made this move in May and not July. I think this would have been a better move. But being 14 games out and Texas playing out of their minds lately, it way too late. There's finally a bat in the lineup that can put runs up on the board.