By Josh:
I love watching baseball. Going out to a game when it is 75 degrees outside and a slight breeze is about as enjoyable and relaxing of an evening as I can get. Even when I have had a bad day I can smile and laugh at a baseball game.
Baseball has been a staple of my life since I was a toddler, thanks to my dad, and obviously being the 9 Inning Know It All I plan to instill this same staple into my daughter’s life. (She already asks to go to baseball games almost every night. She’s a keeper.)
However, there is a certain part of the season that is exciting for me even if I’m not at a game and that is the trade deadline.
Now for the past few years the trade deadline hasn’t been that great for me because of one simple fact, my favorite team the Seattle Mariners have not been in playoff contention. That changes this year as the Mariners are right in the hunt for a Wild Card spot.
Now is the time of year when fans begin to realize that their team’s good season may turn into something special. All they need is that one pitcher, or that one hitter to complete the lineup.
Heck just look at the Mariners. Who ever though that this team would be doing anything in July other than fighting the Astros for last place, but here they are forcing people around baseball to take notice.
They have two top notch pitchers in Felix and Iwakuma, a solid lineup with all-stars Cano and Seager, the home run leader for catcher in Mike Zunino, and upstart James Jones who is making a big impression.
This team is doing great but even as a fan I know this team is missing another hitter. So it is here at the trade deadline that I can begin to dream about seeing Matt Kemp in left field wearing a Mariners uniform. He would bat 4th behind Cano and Seager would bat 5th protecting him.
This trade may never happen, but that isn’t the point. The trade deadline is a time of hope. That hope may be for the playoff run of this season or for the future as teams pick up top prospects in trades.
The trade deadline is a combination of the Hot Stove in the offseason along with actual games of the regular season, and a little postseason as teams know they have to make a run now or go home at seasons end.