Trades in mid August

Utah trades infielder Skeeter Jackson to LA for Scott Romano. LA needs a backup infielder who can handle the glove, Utah is sacrificing defense at the position to get another guy who likes to walk.

New York Knights trade Marcus Dulkowski to Toronto for Mahatma Russell. Russell, 38, is a future hall of famer who is still playing well. Apparently New York thinks they can win right now, because they traded their 2007 first round pick in Dulkowski to get him.

Denver trades a second round pick to Cleveland for Gabe Kotter. Like Mike Shanahan's running game in Denver, there is a limit to how many times you can start with players nobody else wanted and wind up with All-Star like production. Tatum and Mike Bell couldn't do it in football, Steve Hastings, Jason Hopper, Reggie Winters, and Danny Garbark couldn't do it in baseball. Kotter will be a solid addition until he reaches free agency at the end of the year.

Alaska trades Derek Howe and Walter Lewis to Springfield for Larry Mo Pena and Johnny Tusken. The Snow Sox trade last year's Cy Young award winner for two excellent prospects. Pena had been starting in right field, with the trade Adama Dunn goes back into the field and Walter Lewis will see some at bats as a DH. This is believed to be the first time a jawa has ever been traded for a sandperson.

Miami trades Don "the poet" Thompson to Boston for Jay Lansing. Thompson, Miami's top setup man, will take over as closer for struggling John LaRusso. Lansing is close to major league ready and a possible contender for a rotation spot, but could help the Stars quicker as a reliever.