Maddux Back In Blue

For the second time in three seasons, Greg Maddux is back in Dodger blue after a deadline deal. Two years ago in 2006, Ned Colletti sent SS Cesar Izturis to the Cubs to get Maddux at the non-waiver deadline. That year, he went 6-3 in the final two months, helping the Dodgers back into the post-season. This time, it was a waiver deal, with about two weeks left before that deadline on August 31. To get Maddux this time around, they sent the infamous two players to be named later to San Diego. Because those minor leaguers had not cleared through waivers at the time of the deal, the names of those two players could not be made public per baseball rules.

In the meantime, Maddux returns to the Dodgers one win shy of tying Roger Clemens on the all-time career wins list. With Brad Penny on the DL again, the Dodgers had to get some rotation depth. It was either Maddux or bring up prospect James McDonald from AAA-Las Vegas, but McDonald has struggled of late and the Dodgers obviously felt he wasn't ready. Might be a blessing in disguise because personally I think a smart, veteran pitcher would have a bigger impact on the success of the team and pitching rotation

Maddux will make his second Dodger debut tomorrow night when the Dodgers open a 10-game road trip in Philadelphia. Dodgers are 4-0 so far against Philly after sweeping them last week at home to start the just concluded homestand.