#NerdsUnite: Play on playa! (Breaking down the world of sports so you don't have to!)

<editorsnote> Nerds, meet my buddy Derek - I met him when I was professor for a day at CSF. Really rad dude, and he wants to come on board to help explain to us nerdy folk the wild world of sports. Smart dude, and knows his shizzy shiznat. I only have one more thing left to say ... HIT IT DEREK!!! </editorsnote>

#TalkNerdyToMeLover's @DerekJ_AllDay

Happy MLB Trade Deadline day everyone! July 31 is the annual mark for all non-waiver trades between major league baseball teams. After that day, trades may still be completed, but it is much more difficult for them to process because a player must “clear waivers” before they are traded. Clearing waivers is a rather complicated process, but in essence it gives teams the ability to strategically block a team with a better record from making a trade. This means that there is almost no way for a big name player to switch teams after today.

This part of the season is always incredibly exciting because it is the time when a team, more specifically a general manager, can make trades and attempt to strategically improve your ball club. Some teams are interested in getting younger and building for the future, while other teams are focused on getting players that can make a difference for them right now. There is a common misconception among fans that the manager is the person who makes the trades for the team, but they are wrong. It is actually the general manager who works in tandem with the owner (and his/her money) to make the trades happen.

We have seen many compelling trades from some serious contenders this season. The most shocking, but not really when you think about it, was Ichiro Suzuki being trades from the Mariners to the Yankees. He was tired of losing and anybody could understand that, but sometimes the business of baseball can be very hard on the fans. On the flip side, sometimes the business can make the game unbearably exciting when your club trades for a big name pitcher that you have always coveted on another team. This happened in the form of the biggest trade so far this season when the stacked Angels traded for Zack Greinke from the Brew Crew of Milwaukee. Greinke is a 28 year old ace who has the ability to compete for a CY Young award annually; in fact he won that award in 2009. The Angels are clearly a team that is in a “win-now” mind set, and because of that their GM Jerry Dipoto has gone out and got the best pitcher on the trade market. This sets the table for a great finish to the division race as we approach the playoffs.

Other big arms such as Cliff Lee, Matt Garza and James Shields are all rumored to be available so keep an eye out on ESPN.com or mlbtraderumors.com for the latest news. Most of these trades happen very last minute.

Here is a message for all the fantasy baseball players out there. Don't forget that the trade deadline for fantasy is on August 10. Some players that I am currently trying to trade for in my league are Uggla, Cuddyer and Longoria. I consider all of these players great value picks and you can probably find a way not to give up too much in any acquisition. Longoria is obviously a 2nd round quality pick, but he has been hurt all season. This gives many owners a reason to trade him, because you just never know how a player is going to play off an injury. I consider this an opportunity! You will never be able to trade for Longo when he is healthy, so strike while the iron is hot. Tweet me if you make any awesome trades!

Thanks for reading again guys! Tweet me @DerekJ_AllDay. Have a good week!

#nerdsunite

Click here to follow Derek on Twitter!

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