Well played, Mr. Cashman. Well played.

A very good week for the Yankees GM, basically getting Ivan Rodriguez, Xavier Nady and Damaso Marte for four middling "prospects" and two expensive, combustible relievers. Future H of Fer Ivan probably doesn't have much left, but he's an upgrade offensively over Molina and may well rise to the pennant chasing occasion. And Nady -- though he's yet to deliver much -- is also an upgrade in left since Damon can barely reach the cutoff man with his arm and the speedy Gardner wasn't even Replacement Level.

And Cash still has about four hours to go before the trading deadline (a misnomer, by the way, teams can still trade; only difference is the tradees must clear waivers after 4:00 this afternoon).

UPDATE: WOW! I thought this was the annual "Yes, Manny, we're really trying to trade you" Kabuki the Sox have engaged in for the last seventy-five trading deadlines. I know Manny being Manny was getting old, but shit, a future H of Fer for Jason Bay? We'll have to see, but isn't that cutting off your nose to spite your face? I think the Yankees' chances got a little bit better today.