Huge, and I mean HUGE deal between Rats and Mites

We interrupt our regular Keeper Fallout schedule for this announcement.

Big trade news today as Las Vegas and Marietta completed a huge 4 players for 11 draft picks deal. Vegas continues to build for a run in 2008 by jettisoning a boatload of picks in exchange for some roster help. The jewel in the deal is designated hitter Jim Thome who gives the Rats a huge power presence in their lineup alongside Matt Holliday. Joining the pitching staff will be A.J. Burnett, who will probably slide into the #3 slot after Chris Young and Erik Bedard. The final two players are relievers Rafael Betancourt and Pat Neshek. With three relievers already protected, this effectively completes the Rat Pack bullpen.

Will team owner Eric Wickstrom even show up at the draft? Well, the Rats had six extra picks already in this draft, so losing a few won't hurt much this year. Let's take a look at what the Rats gave up. For this year, the Rats gave up six picks: the Rats returned the Mighty Men's number one pick (13th overall) and New Jersey's fourth round pick (acquired in the Ichiro deal), which is the third pick of that round. They also surrendered their 6th, 7th, 10th and 13th picks this year (all the first slot in their respective rounds). Vegas further surrendered their 1st, 7th and 10th picks in '09, and their 7th and 14th picks in 2010. The Rat Pack also got Herschel Walker in the deal (oh wait that's a different trade). That's a hell of a lot of picks and one crazy blockbuster. Curious as to how this breaks down? I'm sure there's already a lenghty post on the Ning!