Yes, you read that correctly.  In recent days, a right handed pitcher by the name of Nigel Thatch was traded for sixty cases of Budweiser beer.  If you don't believe me, then have a look for yourself.

The first question that came to my mind was, "Bottles or cans?"  Seriously, that would adjust the value of the trade to some degree. 

Before the exchange, Thatch was a pitcher for the Schaumberg Flyers in the Northern League, an independent baseball league that also features other teams such as the Calgary Vipers, Edmonton Cracker-Cats, Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks, Joliet Jackhammers, St. Paul Saints, Winnipeg Goldeyes, among others.  Furthermore, there are a number of recognizable Major League baseball names that have also participated in the independent Northern League at some point during their careers.  Among that list of players include J.D. Drew, Kevin Millar, Rey Ordonez, Darryl Strawberry, Jeff Zimmerman, Matt Duff, Tim Byrdak, and Luis Lopez.

Do you realize the significance of the trade, and why it happened this way?  Thatch was not only a pitcher for the minor league Schaumberg Flyers in the Northern League, but also an actor.  In fact, you would most recently recall him as "Leon" in a series of commercials for Budweiser beer. 

If you still are not sure who I am referring to, let me try and jolt your memory some more.  One particular amusing line from one of the commercials is as follows: "Leon, there is no 'I' in team" stated the reporter.  Leon replied, "Yeah, well there ain't no 'WE' neither".    

Actually, the main reason for the bizarre exchange was apparently due to the fact that the Schaumberg Flyers baseball team has a partnership with Anheuser-Busch, though I'm pretty sure the fact that Thatch has also acted in Budweiser commercials assisted as well. 

Nigel Thatch was moved over to another independent baseball league, that being the Golden League.  Thatch will now be in California playing for the Fullerton Flyers, which will be significantly closer to Hollywood and Los Angeles, allowing him to not only further continue to focus on baseball, but also continue his acting career on the side.

Finally, the news got me thinking that if an exchange like this really can happen in sports, then what are some possible fictional trade talks that I wish were discussed in pro sports at some point in time.  With that thought, I give you...

My Top 5 Trade Talks that NEVER HAPPENED, but SHOULD have

5)

In 2001, former Red Sox pitcher Rich "El Guapo" Garces was almost traded to the Cleveland Indians along with 12 dozen Dunkin' Donuts in exchange for RHP Bartolo Colon.  Rumor has it that Colon and El Guapo got together before the trade.  Later, the donuts disappeared, were never found again, and the trade was therefore never completed.

4)

In 2004, Shaquille O'Neal was almost traded to the Dallas Mavericks, in a deal that would have included not only multiple players, but also hundreds of copies of movies "Steel" and "Kazaam", along with CD's "Shaq Diesel" and "Shaq-Fu: Da Return".  Dallas owner Mark Cuban was not willing to pick up this part of the deal, and O'Neal was instead eventually traded to the Miami Heat, where he still plays today.

3)

Former Baltimore co-GM Jim Beattie attempted to deal away Orioles owner Peter Angelos to the Chunichi Dragons (from the Japanese Central League) in exchange for a prospect and some sushi.  The other co-GM Mike Flanagan interjected explaining that a trade with a Japanese team isn't possible, and this would also need owner approval, which makes the deal impossible.  Beattie was later let go and Flanagan eventually earned the job as the lone General Manager of the Baltimore Orioles. 

2)

In the late 1980's, the Toronto Blue Jays had offered up 15 cases of Molson beer and a slab of Canadian bacon in exchange for the rights to Minnesota 3B Gary Gaetti.  "Do the trade, eh!" Toronto officials had exclaimed.  While the Twins liked the idea of the tasty Canadian bacon, they balked at the Molson, instead having an asking price of Leinenkugels beer, which is more local and familiar to them.  'Don-chya-no' the talks broke-off shortly after, yah.

1)

Before being traded to the Miami Dolphins, the Oakland Raiders had offered the Vikings two draft picks and a free boat cruise throughout the San Francisco Bay in exchange for QB Daunte Culpepper.  This offer did not sit well with Minnesota officials or Culpepper and his agents, and therefore negotiations abruptly ended.

Feel free to come up with your own fictional trade talks, as I would enjoy hearing them. 

Good luck to Nigel Thatch!  Cheers!