NFL Trades

Free agency has officially begun but the bigger news has come by way of the trade. As you probably know Percy Harvin was sent to Seattle and Anquan Boldin was traded to rival San Francisco. Sportacular Sports takes an in depth look at the trades.

Percy Harvin-WR (Minnesota to Seattle)
Star running back and now former teammate, Adrian Peterson tweeted: "The best all around player I ever seen or you'll ever see! Goes to Seattle! I feel like I just got kicked in the stomach. Several times!!!"
To hear the League MVP say those words about another player validates the claim that Percy is a great player. Percy Harvin brings great value as be is an excellent slot receiver in a league that lacks that position. To augment to his value, he is capable of returning punts and kickoffs at a high rate. Even more special is his running ability out of the backfield. To say the least, Harvin is not a one trick pony. Harvin is going to join an already special team. Seattle's defense is stifling and their offense is loaded with talent. Imagine Russel Wilson, Marshawn Lynch, and Percy Harvin lining up in the backfield and tell me defenses won't be cringing. Then flank him out wide with Doug Baldwin and you'll see a much improved passing offense than the 27th ranked team last year. Agreeing with Vegas, this takes the Hawks to the top of the NFL as lead contenders.

Anquan Boldin-WR (Baltimore to San Francisco)
Even Anquan Boldin was surprised by this trade (as reported by ESPN). Q as they like"d" to call him in Baltimore is heading off to the Bay Area to play for another Harbaugh. Jim this time. After Boldin's comments that if the Ravens released him he would retire a Raven, Baltimore asked Anquan to take a pay cut and stick with the team. But Boldin was having none of it. It is true that the Ravens could have kept him but that would have meant letting Paul Kruger, Danelle Ellerbee, and Ed Reed into free agency. Baltimore needs to get younger and not retain older players like Q.
The major uproar of the trade came when Baltimore fans found out that they were receiving only a 6th round pick for them top Wide Receiver. After Minnesota got a 1st founder why was Baltimore only getting a 6th? The reason why, the Ravens just wanted something. Ultimately, Baltimore was going to cut Boldin so to get a 6th was just extra. The Super Bowl Champs cut 6$ million off their cap to clear space for the aforementioned free agents.
What does this mean for San Fran? Once again, agreeing with Vegas, the Niners are co-favorites with Seattle to win the 2014 Super Bowl. Both these teams have young, stud Quarterbacks and unbelievable defenses. Anquan will bring sure hands and excellent leadership to a young offense.

Who will be better?
My early pick is San Fran because of their SB47 appearance but who knows. These teams replicate each other in amazing ways. All I know is these trades make a playoff team and SB contender even better. A scary thought for the rest of the NFL

Toronto Blue Jays and Miami Marlins Blockbuter trade

Tonight marks the real start of the 2012-2013 MLB off-season. In a deal that will be finalized tomorrow (Wednesday), the Marlins will be shipping the bulk of their fish up to the birds up north (see what I did there). 


Toronto receives:
Jose Reyes-SS
Josh Johnson-SP
Mark Buehrle-SP
John Buck-C
Emilio Bonifacio-UTL

Miami receives:
Yunel Escobar-SS
(Infamous for this eye-black incident)
Adeiny Hechavarria-SS
And up to 4 prospects including #32 ranked prospect-
Jake Marisnick-OF

Reaction- There was a major buzz coming into last spring. The Marlins had acquired Jose Reyes to pair with veteran Hanley Ramirez. While things seemed uneasy over the position change, the Marlins were projected to have a big season. They had moved to Miami, changed their logo, and built a masterpiece of a stadium. For some reason, right before the trade deadline Miami unloaded Hanley Ramirez to the Dodgers. The Marlins were not doing well but getting rid of guys like Omar Infante, Anibal Sanchez, and Ramirez was not the brightest idea. It had only been half a season and unless the Marlins have a crazy master plan, they are going in the wrong direction

On the other hand, this is the kind of deal the Blue Jays needed. The AL East consists of the loaded New York Yankees, the unbelievable pitching staff of the Tampa Bay Rays, the newfound Baltimore Orioles, and the usually good but not recently Boston Red Sox. Now welcome a 5th competitor. I am not sure why teams do not try to make deals like this more often in Toronto's case. I understand they are taking on enormous contracts but they are giving their team a chance to win. Jose Bautista has been their 40 home run guy only hindered by injury last season. This year, Edwin Encarnacion broke onto the scene and smashed 42 himself. Adding 2 starting pitchers and an excellent shortstop in Reyes, the AL East just got that much more competitive. I think Tampa Bay is the team that takes a step back this season and the AL East finishes accordingly.

New York-Division Winner
Baltimore-Wild Card
Toronto-Misses playoffs
Tampa Bay-Misses playoffs
Red Sox-Misses playoffs

Sportacular Sports James Harden Trade

James Harden Trade

If you did not know, last night the Oklahoma Thunder traded James Harden (and his beard) to the Houston Rockets in a multi-player deal. The deal included Harden, Cole Aldrich, Lazar Hayward, and Daequan Cook being sent to Houston and in return the Thunder received SG Kevin Martin, 10th overall pick Jeremy Lamb, 2 first round draft picks and a 2nd rounder. People might question why trade the 6th man of the year but ultimately this was an excellent trade for the Thunder.

The Thunder are the winners of this trade for multiple reasons. After this season both Harden's and Ibaka's contracts were up. It was already known that the chances that the Thunder could keep both players and also plan on signing Durant and Westbrook in a few years was very doubtful. Getting rid of Harden saved a lot of money because of Harden's wants. James Harden was going to ask for a maximum contract while Ibaka would be looking for high numbers as well. The Thunder will have rookie Jeremy Lamb on a rookie contract for a few years and can negotiate with Martin after the season. Not to mention, the Thunder are receiving two first round draft picks which if used wisely could build on this dynasty.

The Rockets in this trade were absolutely not losers. They gained a superstar along with very good role players. They did give up potential draft picks but if the Rockets plan on being good those picks won't be in the lottery anyways. Cole Aldrich plays well inside and Daequan Cook is a career 35% 3pt shooter. Not only did the Rockets gain a superstar but that superstar is going to help with the development of newly acquired PG Jeremy Lin. Harden will take most of the attention away from Lin making him more effective.

Both teams were winners in this trade but I believe the Thunder got a better deal. It will be interesting to see if James Harden is going to come off the bench or become a starter. Finally, we will see if the Thunder are going to be as good and if the Rockets will be improved.