The trading deadline didn't come without its fair share of deals:

MANNY OF TO L.A; BAY HEADING TO BOSTON (from Boston Globe)
In a deadline day blockbuster reminiscent of the Nomar Garciaparra deal in 2004, left fielder Manny Ramirez was dealt this afternoon to the Los Angeles Dodgers as part of the three-team trade that will send Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Jason Bay to the Red Sox. The Red Sox will also lose Craig Hansen and Brandon Moss as part of the deal. Here are the names involved:

To Red Sox
Jason Bay

To Dodgers
Manny Ramirez

To Pirates
Craig Hansen (Relief pitcher, from Red Sox)
Brandon Moss (Outfielder, from Red Sox)
Andy LaRoche (Third baseman, from Dodgers)
Bryan Morris (Double-A pitcher, from Dodgers)

GRIFFEY JOINS WHITE SOX (from Chicago Sun-Times)
White Sox general manager Ken Williams has been on the prowl for lefty-swinging slugger Ken Griffey Jr. several times in recent years before the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline, and apparently he has landed the future Hall of Famer. The Sox are sending relief pitcher Nick Masset and second baseman Danny Richar to the Reds.

MARLINS ADD RHODES (from MLBTradeRumors.com)
The Marlins have acquired lefty reliever Arthur Rhodes for 22 year-old righty Gaby Hernandez.  The Fish acquired Hernandez in '05 for Paul Lo Duca.  Hernandez is a solid return for Rhodes, even if he struggled in a Triple A stint this year.  He spent some time on the DL this year with a left intercostal strain. Rhodes, 38, has a 2.86 ERA in 22 innings this year after missing '07 due to Tommy John surgery.

Tune into GetSportsRadio.com for your Trade Deadline Talk:
WIRE TO WIRE: Reds Deal Griffey
FANTASY FASTBALL: Wheeling and Dealing

The Cincinnati Reds have ended their second era "Griffey" ball.  Ken Griffey Sr. was fortunate to play for the Big Red Machine during his tenure here the team went 832-570 in 1402 games (262 games over .500).  The Ken Griffey Jr. era didn't go quite as well the team went 650-755 in 1405 games (105 games below .500).  the most wins a Reds team with Junior ever had in a season was 85.  In contrast, Senior only played on one team that won less 88 games (66-42 in strike shortened '81). 

It is very debatable who was a better Red,  Senior or Junior.  Senior had .307 BA with a .376 OBP and Junior a .269 BA with a .358 OBP in a Cincinnati uniform.  It is an interesting debate one was a role player here at the beginning of his career on great teams.  The other a superstar on the down side of a career who was looked upon to be th next savior.  It is a tough call to try and compare father and son but it is sure fun to debate.  Here is a look the Griffey's' numbers as Reds.

	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	BB	K
Ken Griffey Sr.	1047	3857	672	1,186	201	60	60	424	150	422	497
Ken Griffey Jr.	945	3353	533	904	163	8	210	602	17	432	673

The Bengals first round pick, USC linebacker Keith  Rivers, will miss two more practices (7 total) on Thursday and there are no signs of a resolution in the immediate future.

The franchise has a long-history of rookie holdouts.  In fact, since 1997 the only two first-round picks who were at Bengals camp on Day 1 were WR Peter Warrick (2000) and QB Carson Palmer (2003).

This year's negotations are a bit more tricky because of the potential of 2010 being an uncapped year. 

The New Orleans Saints  signed defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis on Wednesday, the seventh overall pick in the draft, leaving just two players unsigned -- Rivers and Jacksonville defensive end Derrick Harvey.

The difference between the contracts for No. 7 overall Ellis and No. 10 overall Jerod Mayo of New England shows why Nos. 8 (Harvey) and 9 (Rivers) are unsigned. Ellis’ five-year deal could be worth up to $49 million and includes $19.5 million guaranteed. Mayo’s deal is for five years, as well, and is worth a maximum of $18.9 million with $13.8 million guaranteed. There is a financial gulf, according to Mark Crunette of the Cincinnati Enquirer.

At least Rivers is a linebacker, so it should be easy for him to pick up things quickly. Still, how does a player that supposedly has so much to do with your defense's success in '08 not have a contract at this point? 

Free agent wide receiver Chris Henry was suspended four games by the NFL for violating the league's personal conduct policy.

Henry was released by Cincinnati in April after his fifth arrest. Commissioner Roger Goodell had suspended Henry indefinitely following his latest arrest. The charges against him on that arrest were subsequently dropped. With the indefinite suspension lifted, he is now eligible to sign with teams.

Interest in Henry may be light for the next few weeks, but he seems likely to catch on eventually because of his Pro Bowl-caliber talent. The Cowboys, Browns, Jaguars, Raiders, and Broncos could take a look.

Henry may participate in training camp and exhibition games if he is signed. He will be eligible for reinstatement following the fourth game of the season. 

Fantasy owners, especially those that play in daily leagues, constantly obsess over matchups.  Who to start versus a particular team?  Who to avoid like the plague when they face a particular team?  As such, there is never a "sure thing", just trends and educated guesses. 

Well, unless it's Roy Oswalt pitching against the Cincinnati Reds.  Oswalt, for whatever reason, "O"wns the Reds. 

Last Monday night, in a 5-4 victory, Oswalt worked his magic again against the Reds in Minute Maid park (aka The Juicebox).  Oswalt came off the DL, where he was recovering from a hip flexor, and beat the Reds again.  He went five innings, gave up four runs and struck out five.  But that box score doesn't tell the whole truth.  Oswalt only threw one bad pitch, which Adam Dunn smartly deposited over the right field fence for a Grand Slam.  It was only the second Grand Slam that Oswalt has allowed in his career.  If Roy O. doesn't miss with that fastball, he gives up nothing.

Oswalt's career record versus the Reds is now 20-1.  20-1!  His record versus Cincinnati is better than any other team he faces.

Why do I bring this up?

Oswalt faces the Reds in Great American Ballpark-a Reds team that will be without Ken Griffey, Jr, and could be without Adam Dunn-on Thursday August 7th.  To borrow a phrase from T.O., "getcha popcorn ready".  And start Oswalt.  It's a sure thing.

According to Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com, Ken Griffey, Jr. has accepted the trade to the Chicago White Sox.  As a 10/5 player, Griffey had the right to veto any trade.  Early reports are that the Reds are getting back relief pitcher Nick Massett and Triple-A 2B/SS prospect Danny Richar.

In addition, the Reds will be picking up half the tab, approximately $4 million, on the remainder of Griffey's contract for this season.  Neither Masset, nor Richar are listed by Baseball America as one of the Top 10 prospects in the White Sox farm system.  Sound like the Reds decided it was just time to cut bait and move on, no matter the haul they were able to get in return.

FULL STORY

Next order of business...Dunn to the Rays?

What is Houston thinking?  The Astros are 13-1/2 games out of first and in a dogfight with the Reds and Pirates for last place.  Sounds like a scenario for selling off players, not buying, right?  Wrong, apparently.

GM Ed Wade, following the orders of owner Drayon McLane, is actually adding salary and "talent," first dealing for starting pitcher Randy Wolf, then trading for reliever LaTroy Hawkins.  And he actually gave up players, albeit probably insignificant prospects, to acquire these two while taking on their salaries.

Can someone please inform the Astros brass that they don't have a prayer of contending this year or, at this rate, any year in the near future?  Some teams get it, some don't.  It's pretty obvious which camp Houston falls into.