Highlights from the first half of MLB season

This column will have little relevance to the Mariners, because it is about the best and brightest of the first half.

Now, if it concerned the worst and dimmest, the M's would be all over it. But of all the disappointments, flameouts and fizzlers of the first half, no team fell farther, faster, than the Mariners.

If the M's want some hope to cling to, consider that last year's absolute worst team, the 96-loss Rays, are the absolute best story of the first half.

But ignore the fact that even last year, astute observers could look at Tampa Bay and see the foundation of a team on the rise; look closely at the Mariners, and it's hard to see anything but a foundation that's rotting.

On that subject, it's hard not to notice one fascinating trend this season. The M's were one of four teams that made blockbuster trades during the offseason to acquire the piece (or pieces) they genuinely believed would put them over the top.

The four teams that gave up the piece(s), meanwhile, were generally regarded as having sold out their 2008 chances in order to rebuild for the future.

We're talking, of course, about these deals:

1. Erik Bedard from Baltimore to the Mariners for Adam Jones, George Sherrill, Chris Tillman, Tony Butler and Kam Mickolio;

2. Johan Santana from Minnesota to the Mets for Carlos Gomez, Philip Humber, Kevin Mulvey and Deolis Guerra;

3. Dan Haren from Oakland to Arizona (with Connor Robertson) for Brett Anderson, Dana Eveland, Greg Smith, Chris Carter, Aaron Cunningham and Carlos Gonzalez;

4. Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis from Florida to Detroit for Burke Badenhop, Eulogio De La Cruz, Cameron Maybin, Andrew Miller, Mike Rabelo and Dallas Trahern.

As you can see, all the trades were cut from the same cloth: One or two established stars for a closetful of prospects.

Now check the standings at the All-Star break. Trade 1: Baltimore 45-48, Seattle 37-58 (Orioles ahead by 9 games). Trade 2: Minnesota 53-42, New York 51-44 (Twins ahead 2 games). Trade 3: Oakland 51-44, Arizona 47-48 (A's ahead 4 games); Trade 4: Florida 50-45, Detroit 47-47 (Marlins ahead 2 ½ games).

Tell me there's not a lesson to be learned by whomever the Mariners name as their full-time general manager.

It's obviously too simplistic to say that the trade itself determined the fortunes of each club. But it seems reasonable to extrapolate a cautionary note that these kinds of trades are fraught with danger for the team giving up the kids. And when the smoke clears, it's often the team getting the prospects that winds up with the sunnier outlook, moving forward.

End of lecture. Now let's pick our first-half award winners:

Most Valuable Player

American League

1. Ian Kinsler, Rangers; 2. Josh Hamilton, Rangers; 3. Alex Rodriguez, Yankees.

It would be wise to notice what an awesome lineup Texas GM Jon Daniels has assembled — not just Kinsler (the league leader at the break in batting average, hits, runs, extra-base-hits, total bases and multihit games, with 23 steals in 24 tries and a .397 batting average with runners in scoring position) and Hamilton (95 runs batted in), but also Milton Bradley (leads the AL with a 1.049 on-base-plus-slugging percentage) and All-Star Michael Young.

National League

1. Hanley Ramirez, Marlins; 2. Chase Utley, Phillies; 3. Albert Pujols, Cardinals.

The best players were Chipper Jones and Lance Berkman, but we run into that old debate about the meaning of "valuable." I deducted points for their teams' poor performances, but will reevaluate at season's end. Meanwhile, consider that Ramirez is on pace to hit .311 with 138 runs, 200 hits, 34 doubles, 40 homers and 40 steals, leading a team regarded as an also-ran (see above) into strong contention.

Cy Young Award

American League

1. Cliff Lee, Indians; 2. Mariano Rivera, Yankees; 3. Roy Halladay, Blue Jays.

This could be the year Rivera finally wins a Cy Young. He reached the break without a blown save and with a 0.37 earned-run average in save situations. Francisco Rodriguez might eclipse even Rivera by setting a saves record. But Lee was a revelation for an unexpectedly bad team, and gets the midway nod.

National League

1. Tim Lincecum, Giants; 2. Edinson Volquez, Reds; 3. Brandon Webb, Diamondbacks.

This one is wide open — don't overlook Carlos Zambrano, Ben Sheets or Santana (who always closes strong). But we'll succumb to hometown bias and go with highly entertaining Lincecum, who reached the break with an 11-2 record, 2.57 ERA and league-leading 135 strikeouts.

Top rookie

American League

1. Evan Longoria, Rays; 2. Jacoby Ellsbury, Red Sox; 3. David Murphy, Rangers.

It has been a pretty good year for rookies — don't forget Joba Chamberlain or Armando Galarraga — but Longoria looks like a superstar-in-waiting.

National League

1. Geovany Soto, Cubs; 2. Kosuke Fukudome, Cubs; 3. Jair Jurrjens, Braves.

Soto has had the best year, but I'll wager that the rookie we remember longest from 2008 will be Cincinnati's Jay Bruce.

Top manager

American League

1. Joe Maddon, Rays; 2. Mike Scioscia, Angels; 3. Ron Gardenhire, Twins.

That seven-game losing streak by Tampa Bay to end the first half is worrisome, but it detracts little from the remarkable rise of the Rays.

National League

1. Tony La Russa, Cardinals; 2. Fredi Gonzalez, Marlins; 3. Lou Piniella, Cubs.

The Cards looked every bit like a team ripe for a major downslide. But La Russa has somehow molded a pitching staff from scraps and guided the Cardinals into the wild-card lead.

Larry Stone: 206-464-3146 or lstone@seattletimes.com