Edwards second in Iowa,Swisher Peddled to Pale Hose

John Edwards finished second to Barack Obama in the Iowa Caucuses last night.
Obama earned 39% of the vote to win over Edwards and his 30% ,which nipped Hillary Clinton's 29.
The second was good enough to move on to New Hampshire for Edwards and damaged Clinton,but the free pub that Edwards would have gotten for a victory went out the door.
All said,not a bad showing considering how much more money was spent by the other two contenders,but could have been so much more.
I was impressed with Obama's speech at the end of the evening.
I would not go as far as some of the commentators as far as it being "spine tingling" or anything or it was a very good speech.
I would certainly install Obama as the front runner now,but never underestimate the Clinton machine.
They have gained their status by coming off the mat when they are about to be pinned.
Edwards,on the other hand,is not out of the race,but needs to hang around in New Hampshire and hope to win in South Carolina.
Losses in both states will likely end his candidacy.
The New Hampshire primary takes place on Tuesday.

The Oakland Athletics continued their revamping of their organization by swapping fan favorite (and my favorite A) Nick Swisher to the White Sox for three of the Chi-Sox top prospects.
Beane surprised me with this because Swisher is still young,productive and reasonably cheap for a player of his production.
This is disappointing to me,as a casual Oakland fan,because Swisher was so much to watch and root for with his engaging style and attitude and he will be missed.
The three new members of the Oakland organization are outfielder Ryan Sweeney and pitchers Gio Gonzalez and Fautino De Los Santos.
Sweeney's lack of power concerns me,but he still could be a productive player and should be a starter this season.
The pitchers both played for Kannapolis in the past,although De Los Santos didnt play in Hagerstown as it wasnt a year that Kannapolis came here.
De Los Santos was dominant in the SAL and started a few late season games for High A Winston Salem,where he likely would have started this season and therefore could have signed some cards ( boo).
De Los Santos did sign the "blank Rusty card" for me at Frederick,so he at least is in the collection.
The short,thin righty looks to start at Oakland's High A affiliate Stockton.
Gio Gonzalez is a highly thought lefty that has been traded 3 times in his short career.
Gonzalez went from Chicago to Philly in the Jim Thome deal and then the following year was returned to the Sox for Freddy Garcia.
The fireballing lefty led the minors in strikeouts at AA Birmingham last season and could compete for a spot in the Oakland rotation,although starting the season at AAA Sacramento is more likely.
Not a bad deal for Oakland,although I will miss Swisher.

Bullpen Notes

Billy Beane is bold.
I know what a surprise,but it is refreshing to see a GM look at his team,see that they aren't quite a playoff contender,could use help in the prospect department and move quickly and decisively.
By trading his two largest trading chips,he has brought 9 solid prospects and overhauled their system in a snap.
Sure,I will miss Dan Haren and Nick Swisher,but this had to be done in order to have a chance in 2009 or 2010,
Whether the moves pay off or not,kudos to Beane for wanting to win enough to try.
Take a note-Neal Huntington.

Nothing personal against Huntington,as I am trying to be open-minded,but Chris Gomez is the biggest player move of the off-season?
Boy,that Pirate Fest looks to be a real blast this year!

In the no kidding file,the Dolphins canned Cam Cameron.
Between wondering why he was hired to begin and then going 1-15,was anyone surprised by this?
And if you were,you must be the type to be surprised that the sun rises in the morning.

The Devils play the Flyers tonight at 7:00.Coverage here tomorrow

Photo Credits
Edwards-Blog for Iowa
Swisher-Jonathan Daniel-Getty Images