Pirate Galaxy » land would set up defensively, Smith felt t

Maybe Brandon Finnegan will become a star someday. The former first-round draft pick is still only 23.But when Johnny Cueto was throwing a two-hitter in Game 2 of the World Series last year, Kansas City fans couldnt have cared less about Finnegans future.Thats the nature of the stars-for-prospects deals that take place every year around the trade deadline. Its a high-risk, high-reward endeavor for a contending team thats giving up future value to boost its World Series hopes. And for the teams dealing away the big-name players, the pressure is still on -- those trades can become an embarrassment if the prospects they receive in return dont pan out.The Royals sent Finnegan to Cincinnati last year in the deal that brought Cueto to Kansas City. Cueto didnt even pitch all that well down the stretch, but a couple terrific performances in the postseason helped the Royals win the World Series. Even if Finnegan turns into a standout, Kansas City will always have that championship.Of course, its easy to say a trade was a success if a team wins the World Series. Anything short of that, and hindsight becomes more complicated.In another deadline deal last year, the New York Mets acquired slugger Yoenis Cespedes, sending pitcher Michael Fulmer to Detroit. Cespedes helped the Mets to their first postseason appearance in a decade and a National League pennant to boot. Fulmer would have to have a special career for Mets fans to think the deal wasnt worth it -- but this year the right-hander is 9-2 with a 2.50 ERA with the Tigers, so at this point, both teams have reason to be happy with how things turned out.The Tigers were on the other end of a trade like that back in 1987, when they acquired Doyle Alexander from Atlanta for John Smoltz. Alexander went 9-0 for Detroit that year and the Tigers edged Toronto in a stirring race for the AL East title. But as Smoltz began putting together his Hall of Fame career, Detroit fans had to weigh that one division title against what they missed out on afterward.When a team trades away a star, its usually because its season was going nowhere, so theres less urgency to see an immediate return on the deal. Still, these trades can represent missed opportunities if prospects dont pan out. When Oakland traded Rickey Henderson to Toronto in 1993, the Athletics received former first-round pick Steve Karsay, whom As general manager Sandy Alderson called one of the top pitching prospects in baseball.Karsay was never a difference maker for the As, although he did bounce around the majors for a while as a reliever.For sellers, the ideal scenario is what Cleveland pulled off in 2002. The Indians traded Bartolo Colon to Montreal when the Expos were chasing a playoff spot while facing possible contraction. The Expos gave up Cliff Lee, Grady Sizemore and Brandon Phillips, and although Cleveland didnt have Phillips for all that long, both Lee and Sizemore became stars for the Indians.Here are a few developments from around baseball this past week:MOVING UPAt this time last year, the Detroit Tigers were trading away some of their top players as their four-year run atop the AL Central ended with a thud. Now the Tigers have a six-game winning streak on deadline day and are one game back of a wild card. This run has come against good competition, too. Detroit swept three games each from Boston and Houston.The Tigers can look forward to getting Jordan Zimmermann and J.D. Martinez back from injuries as they try to mount a challenge to first-place Cleveland.FANTASY FOCUSNow that Aroldis Chapman and Andrew Miller are elsewhere, Dellin Betances has a chance to earn plenty of saves for the New York Yankees. Fantasy owners who picked up Betances while hoping for this scenario have been rewarded.Ditto for anyone who grabbed Pittsburghs Tony Watson. Hes now in line to close for the Pirates with Mark Melancon out of the way.LINE OF THE WEEKStephen Strasburg allowed three hits in seven scoreless innings Wednesday, helping Washington beat Cleveland 4-1 in a matchup of division leaders.---Follow Noah Trister at www.Twitter.com/noahtrister Nike Flyknit Sale .com) - The Edmonton Oilers and Vancouver Canucks both take aim at their first wins of the season on Saturday, as the Canucks open their home slate at Rogers Arena. Cheap Nike Flyknit Shoes . Louis. To which I would say two things: 1. Where there is smoke, there is or perhaps has been a little fire. Or, in other words, the two teams would appear to have at least spoken. And spoken is defined as one calling the other to inquire, no more, no less. http://www.cheapnikeflyknit.com/ . LOUIS -- Roman Polak was celebrating even before Alexander Steen scored the winning goal in Saturdays 4-2 win over the Carolina Hurricanes. Nike Flyknit Running Shoes Sale . The Clippers were angry about blowing a big lead; the Kings didnt like being in that kind of hole and nearly digging themselves out only to lose. Nike Flykit Clearance . - Oakland Raiders running back Rashad Jennings was speaking to a group of local high school students earlier this week when the conversation turned to the importance of being prepared when opportunities in life arise. Theyre clear favourites to win Tuesday nights World Cup qualifier, but former Brisbane Roar captain Matt Smith has warned the Socceroos might struggle to contain Thailands `Messi.Diminutive playmaker Chanathip Songkrasin, fittingly known as `Messi J, will be Thailands tricky trump card at the Rajamangala National Stadium.Former Socceroos defender Smith, who won three A-League titles the Roar, has himself been on the receiving end of Chanathips cunning game.Smith plays for Thai Premier League outfit Bangkok Glass while Chanathip steered champions Muangthong United to last seasons title.In terms of their attacking strengths, he would be the one the Socceroos would have the most trouble with, Smith said.Hes probably the cleverest, hes very good on the ball technically - he could definitely play at a higher level.He tries to get the ball into the smaller pockets and hes very comfortable linking with players around him.With a name like Messi J he literally floats around.Hell get himself into transition and look to counter-attack pretty quickly.Hes good around the box and he can see a lot in terms of forward runners - and he can finish.Smith expected Thai fans to come out in force onn Tuesday, in what will be the first opportunity for the community to show public national support following a 30-day mourning period after the death of their king.ddddddddddddDespite Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou predictingThailand would set up defensively, Smith felt their real strength lay in attack.I see it week in, week out, he said.They can defend also, but in terms of picking one over the other they attack very well.Smith was on the sidelines watching Socceroos training over the weekend, taking up a rare opportunity to reunite with former Roar coach Postecoglou.The 34-year-old has been attempting to implement Brisbanes football philosophy at Bangkok Glass, where he is their first foreign captain.The team also has another Australian influence in new coach Aurelio Vidmar, appointed in August after his contract with the Australian national teams wasnt renewed.I think our club is ready for a coach of Aurelios stature, Smith said.Hes settled in well, now weve got a good opportunity in the pre-season to work on stuff hes been trying to implement. ' ' '