Trade Deficit

Trades Likely Unpopular To Pirates, Indians Fans

The MLB trade deadline is not for another day, but the action leading to 4:00pm Friday already is putting a couple teams on the defensive. The Pirates trade Jack Wilson and Freddy Sanchez in the completion of a total roster overhaul since GM Neal Huntington was brought in at the end of the ’07 season. The moves leave the Bucs’ payroll around $31M, about $20M less than on Opening Day, and the club is already prepping for another “public backlash.” Meanwhile, Indians GM Mark Shapiro claims the trade sending Cliff Lee to Philadelphia is not part of a mandate to cut expenses. However, a freeze on player spending -- and Lee’s $9M club option for ’10 -- clearly has a role in Lee’s departure. And while Roy Halladay may stay in Toronto for now, the uncertain financial commitment to the Blue Jays from Rogers Communications casts doubt on his long-term future there.

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