Deadline deals

Trades completed during Saturday night's trade-a-thon:

1. Applegate sends LHP Eddie Guardado to Superior for RHP Dan Haren
Analysis: The Titans get a closer for next year and somebody who can shut down LH hitters this year. The Clips pencil Haren into their 2006 rotation (he's won 6 consecutive decisions for the A's) and can use him as a reverse righty the remainder of this year.

2. Bismarck sends SS B.J. Upton to Superior for 3B Jorge Cantu
Analysis: It's a trade of Devil Ray infielders. Cantu is already in the bigs and has shown good pop. Upton is a former No. 2 overall draft pick presently playing at Triple-A. Superior had depth to spare at 2B/3B and now has two young shortstops with potential in Bobby Crosby and Upton. Bismarck was set for life with Derek Jeter at SS, and must be looking to play Cantu at 2B, where Bret Boone is history, since Brandon Inge is having a good year at 3B.

July updates beneath standings

Northbound	W	L	Pct.	GB
Tropical	48	32	.600	--
Detroit	47	33	.588	1
Springfield	44	36	.538	4
Applegate	40	40	.500	8
SG Prairie	35	45	.438	13
Bismarck	31	49	.388	17
Southbound	W	L	Pct.	GB
Littleton	58	22	.725	--
Bushwood	51	29	.638	7
Savannah	42	38	.525	16
Superior	34	46	.425	24
Hickory	28	52	.363	30
Margaritaville	22	58	.275	36

July results:
Bushwood (10-10): 4-1 vs. Sav, 3-2 vs. Marg, 2-3 at Trop, 1-4 vs. Det
Savannah (11-9): 1-4 vs. Bush, 2-3 vs. Appl, 3-2 at Marg, 5-0 at SGP
Detroit (10-10): 3-2 at Appl, 3-2 vs. Trop, 4-1 at Bush, 0-5 vs. Lit
Applegate (10-10): 2-3 vs. Det, 3-2 vs. Hck, 2-3 at Trop, 3-2 at Sav
Tropical (12-8): 3-2 vs. Bush, 3-2 vs. Appl, 2-3 at Det, 4-1 vs. Marg
Margaritaville (7-13): 2-3 at Bush, 2-3 vs. Sav, 1-4 vs. Trop, 2-3 at Marg
Superior (8-12): 3-2 vs. Hick, 3-2 vs. Bsk, 1-4 vs. Litt, 1-4 vs. Spr
Bismarck (10-10): 2-3 at Sup, 2-3 at SGP, 3-2 vs. Marg, 3-2 vs. Spr
Littleton (14-6): 5-0 vs. Det, 3-2 vs. Hck, 2-3 vs. SGP, 4-1 at Sup
Hickory (8-12): 2-3 at Sup, 2-3 at Appl, 2-3 vs. Lit, 2-3 vs. Spr
S. Grand Prairie (7-13): 0-5 vs. Sav, 3-2 vs. Bsk, 3-2 at Litt, 1-4 at Spr
Springfield (13-7): 4-1 vs. Sup, 3-2 vs. Hck, 2-3 at Bsk, 4-1 vs. SGP

July Clip Notes

At the 80-game mark, the Clips are about as middle of the road as you can possibly get.

40-40 overall.

20-20 at home, 20-20 on the road.

10-9 vs. lefties, 30-31 vs. righties. 2-3 in extra inning games, 9-10 in one-run games. Hitting .250 vs. lefties, .251 vs. righties.

We're actually faring better against the vaunted Southbound Division (17-13) than the Northbound Division (23-27).

K-Rod gave up his first two earned runs in June and his ERA ballooned to 0.49 for the year...Part-time starter David Bush is 6-1 with a 2.60 ERA in 8 starts...Frank Thomas has just 89 at-bats left for the year...

80-Game standings

Northbound	W	L	Pct.	GB
Tropical	48	32	.600	--
Detroit	47	33	.588	1
Springfield	43	37	.538	5
Applegate	40	40	.500	8
SG Prairie	35	45	.438	13
Bismarck	31	49	.388	17
Southbound	W	L	Pct.	GB
Littleton	58	22	.725	--
Bushwood	51	29	.638	7
Savannah	42	38	.525	16
Superior	34	46	.425	24
Hickory	29	51	.363	29
Margaritaville	22	58	.275	36

July results:
Bushwood: 4-1 vs. Sav
Savannah: 1-4 vs. Bush