The number you are looking for is... area code 410

I guess you would describe the last few days as interesting...

The Sox made a nice pick up yesterday, obtaining Mark Loretta from the Padres for Doug Mirabelli - I am disappointed to be losing Mirabelli, but more in a, 'he was a good guy to have on the roster', rather than disappointment over the talent we are losing.

And then today...

Renteria just didn't work out... that doesn't mean he wouldn't have worked out, or that he won't work out in a Braves uniform, but I think that the Red Sox had to take this deal, though I am surprised that we are sending quite as much money (reportedly $11m over the next 3 years) as we are... but in return we get this guy... or more pertinently, this guy (one of the things I really like about John Sickels blog is this type of article). So the Sox get a very nice talent, but they do leave themselves with a hole at SS, less than a month after trading away the SS prospect who was blocked for the next three years...

Marte is generally regarded as the top prospect in the Braves system, but one who was blocked by Chipper Jones - it is interesting that the Phillies and the Braves had the same problem this off-season and dealt with the issue in completely the opposite way - the Phillies traded the veteran to allow the rookie to play, the Braves... well after re-working Chipper's contract, no one can be overly surprised that the Braves have gone down this route.

And then...

It couldn't be this easy could it?