Harris Was the Key

Espn.com has the winners and losers after the trade deadline, including this....

It was the Red Sox who turned a simple little Cubs-Expos deal into a four-team fireworks show by connecting the dots that were keeping Montreal from getting the prospect it wanted (Brendan Harris) and finding the last piece (Cubs pitching prospect Justin Jones) that allowed Minnesota to move an unhappy Mientkiewicz.

If Boston never came a calling then the trade probably would of been A-gonz, Beltran, and a C level position prospect for Cabrera. Boston got into the mix and Montreal was probably asking, "If we can help you pull Nomar Garciaparra will you throw in Brendan Harris?" Then the Redsox probably went a calling to the Twins for Minky, with Minnesota saying, "You really don't have anything that interests us." So Boston asked the Cubs if they would give up one of their prized minor league arms to compensate the Twins.

Cubs were then in the drivers seat at this point with Brendan Harris and a A ball prospect the only thing standing in the way. I just find it hilarious that Brendan Harris was the key in swinging Nomar, un-freaking believable.