Want to play the trade game? Ante up.(CLoser)

Making the right moves is tricky business.

The first trade deadline has come and gone, and the usual suspects--Red Sox, Yankees and A's--helped themselves. While every year the deadline gets bigger and bigger for the media, the focus should be on the discipline of the general managers of teams that are in the hunt.

The media say this team or that team needs this player, and the fans may agree, but the G.M.s have to live with their decisions. They have to decide if this really is their year to win the whole thing. If that's the case, they have to see what their team needs. Does their team need a front-line third baseman, a top starter or--as often is the case with the top clubs--a boost off the bench?

The other side of the puzzle is the teams that are selling. If they have a starter that everyone wants, the right deal can better their organization for years to come. A prime example of this was when Randy Johnson left Seattle for Houston. The Astros thought the Big Unit was the missing piece, and they paid dearly. They got a great second half from the Unit but didn't make it past the first round of the playoffs. As it turned out, the Mariners made out like bandits, acquiring a true stud in Freddy Garcia and the guy who's now their starting shortstop, Carlos Guillen.

Evaluating talent is most important at this time of year. G.M.s have to know what their team has in their organization and what those players can bring in a trade. That's why so many big deals have ...