Greg Maddux may prove to be the best trade deadline move of them all.

 I've known Greg for more than 20 years going back to when we played against each other in the minor leagues. It's funny to hear people only talk about how professional he is. The Greg Maddux that I know has always been one of the most fun-loving, off-the-wall people that I've ever met. I only mean this in a good way.

When most teams are as boring as watching the paint dry, Greg will keeps things loose in L.A., as well as provide the Hall of Fame leadership that he is known for. For a player with four Cy Young's, 20 postseason series appearances and 15 Gold Gloves, and all his wins, the one thing I respect the most about Greg is that he has never taken himself too seriously.

When he was traded to L.A., everyone was like, "great, he can teach all these guys how to be like Greg Maddux." Please, there is only one Greg Maddux. And even Greg said, "I'm not here to coach, I'm here to pitch and win ball games for The Dodgers."

For Brad Penny, Derek Lowe and the other pitchers and position players to learn from him, is to have fun. Yes, give yourself every chance to succeed by being ready, but don't be a gloomy jerk like Jeff Kent, the man who has said he doesn't want to have any friends when he leaves baseball. Hey Jeff, I think you have that one covered.

Greg Maddux leads by example, but he also has a heck of a time playing the game too. This should be the best example of one of the greatest players ever to play baseball, being one of the best guys you'll ever meet.

Great job Ned Colletti.

With two months of the season to go, and between 13 and 18 teams still having a real shot at the wild card race, teams were willing to go after players. Granted, they weren't the big name players that many people speculated would be traded, but some outstanding players nonetheless.

Carlos Lee was huge for the Texas Rangers, who got him from the Milwaukee Brewers. They have a better chance of winning their division outright then they do of winning the AL wild card. They are only four games out of first in the AL West, so why not go for the win?

The Yankees lead the AL in the wild card race, but they want their ninth straight AL East title. Cory Lidle and Bobby Abreu for four minor leaguers, that's a steal.

Greg Maddux will be a great fit in LA and credit Jim Hendry of the Cubs with having a lot of class; he let Maddux have some meaningful starts down the stretch and he got a Gold Glove infielder in Cesar Izturis in return.

Now for the almost trades, don't believe the hype, Everyone can be had for the right price, but not too many GMs are going to give up the moon and the stars for rental players. Soriano, Zito, Clemens, Oswalt, Tejada (just to name a few) came with hefty price tags and I'm sure their GMs were asking for ridiculous scenarios in return.

With some of the free agents, you may as well keep them and get a compensatory draft pick in return when they sign with someone else during the off-season. Plus they might help you win now without losing your future.

The trade deadline always looks to good to be true, and usually is. That being said, the grade I give this year was an A, because almost every team was helped in almost every trade. Isn't that the way it should be? Help all the teams, not just the powerful ones.

Baseball is very strong right now because everyone involved wants to see it continue to prosper and let all the teams have a chance to win.

   It's the way of the world these days: over-hype the guys who haven't earned it and expect the older players to pick up the pieces.

   Yes Albert Pujols is amazing, so is David Ortiz..Yes Ballparks are smaller and baseballs are harder and home runs are up 20% this season already. How about we pay tribute to some older but still awesome pitchers who are still kicking #### and taking names. They haven't heard that offense is king in baseball these days

Greg Maddux of the Cubs: He's the King with Roger Clemens on vacation right now. in 4 starts, Greg is 4-0 with a league-leading ERA of 0.99 and in 27innings pitched he's given up only 15 hits while walking only 5 and striking out 18.

Curt Schilling of the Red Sox: The guy with the bad ankle! He's also 4-0 in 4 starts and has just blown away hitters this season. In 28 innings pitched he's allowed only 17 hits. Talk about command, only 4 walks and 23 strikeouts and a tiny 1.61 ERA...

Tom Glavine is off to a great start with The Mets, 2-1 in 4 starts and a 1.38 ERA with only 6 walks to 26 strike outs.

Mike Mussina on the other New York team is 2-1 in 4 starts and has a very nice 2.67 ERA with only 6 walks to 23 strikeouts.

A couple things these guys have in common are age and greatness. Yes they are old, but they still throw nothing but strikes and of the 16 games these 4 men have started all 16 have been quality starts. Some things do get better with age.