According to ESPN.com, via Schefter, Edwards has been traded to the Jets. This is a somewhat surprising move for several reasons—one of which is that the Jets are actually kind of good and handing a headcase to their rookie quarterback will certainly not help his poise. Also, the NFL is still investigating whether Edwards violated their conduct policy by punching a friend of LeBron James, so that's another headache they don't need.

ALSO: Michael Crabtree is finally a 49er, but he's pretty much already squandered his rookie year and will likely be playing catchup for his entire career so we don't have to think about him anymore.

Source: Braylon Edwards of Cleveland Browns traded to New York Jets [ESPN]
San Francisco 49ers, Michael Crabtree agree to contract [ESPN]
Braylon heads to Broadway [PFT]

Unfortunately, GM Kenny Williams can't shed the terrible contracts he took on at the last trading deadline. Earlier this season he took on Alex Rios' five-year, $61 million deal from the Blue Jays. (Rios is currently hitting .192 for the Sox.) This was shortly after trading for a pitcher who was already on the disabled list and has yet to throw a single inning in Chicago. Since Williams traded Jim Thome to the Dodgers on Monday, I guess Jake Peavy can take his time with that rehab thing.

I suppose it is still possible that Chicago could rally and win the AL Central (since no one else seems to want to win it), but the Thome trade is a clear signal to fans that they should give up that dream. The Dodgers on the other hand,also added former White Sock(?) and Diamondback pitcher Jon Garland, so they are clearly going all in on 2009.

A team doing everything possible to win. I wonder what that feels like.

The Sox Surrender, Trade Both Jim Thome and Jose Contreras [Foul Balls]
What, Exactly, Are The White Sox Doing? [Rumors and Rants]

The latest utility man to be folded into Theo Epstein's spokes is dry humping enthusiast Chris Duncan, who the Sox acquired from St. Louis for Julio "Hands of Stone" Lugo and then promptly shipped off to AAA Pawtucket. That should end that five-game losing streak! In addition, they took Adam LaRoche off the hands of Pittsburgh, even though Boston already has an All-Star at his primary position. You know just in case someone needs a breather. Must be nice for them, as my mom might say.

And the poor Pirates. This is the fifth regular starter they've traded in the last year and their double play combo of Jack Wilson and Freddy Sanchez is not far behind. Do they even qualify as a baseball team anymore? They only exist to fill in as the rainy-day backup plan for real teams that are actually trying to win. They should either be disbanded or sold to Mark Cuban, because I'm not sure how much self-destruction one fan base can take.

Oh, wait. They still have the Steelers and Penguins. So screw them.

Cardinals add depth in trade for Lugo [MLB]
No LaRoche without Youkilis [Boston Globe]
LaRoche leaves as conflicted as his performance [Post-Gazette]

Houston sent Rafer Alston to Orlando, which is probably the only significant trade of the day. The Magic are still in the title hunt and needed someone to fill Jameer Nelson's shoes, so they made a move they needed to make. But all those superstar dream trades never materialized or never existed in the first place.

The Knicks did whatever it is they think they're doing over there, getting Larry Hughes but choosing to hold on to Krypto-Nate. (It is catchy!) The Bulls traded for ... everybody I think. The Kings acquired Sam Cassell's corpse. And that's pretty much it. All the division leaders (except the Magic) are basically standing pat. The Suns somehow think that beating the Clippers twice means they have a chance to win this thing. And I've had wayyyyyy more than my daily allowance of Stephen A. Smith. (Which my doctor has wisely capped at "zero.")

Magic nab Rockets' Alston in last-minute deal [NBA]
Trade Talk Roundup [ESPN]
Rafer Alston to Orlando, Lowry to Houston, Cook to Memphis [Ball Don't Lie]

Chris Mihm was traded from the probable 2009 champions in L.A. to the basketball graveyard known as Memphis yesterday in exchange for ... nothing. The Lakers actually gave cash and in return, received a conditional 2013 draft pick that they will never be able to cash in. Officially, it had nothing to do with this shoving match between Mihm and DJ Mbenga at practice on Monday. Coach Phil Jackson even says that everyone liked the guy a lot. But I'm just going to go ahead and say that if it's a choice between one backup center and another backup center who likes to get punchy... you're going to stick with the non-punchy guy.

So anyway, if you're looking to find a new home and want to properly alienate management to facilitate that move, clocking a teammate in the face would certainly help. Oh, and be sure to call Stephen A. Smith after you do. He's working hard today!

Chris Mihm traded to Memphis [LA Times]
Lakers Fight in Practice [Breibart]

For starters, McDyess isn't going anywhere. The Nuggets will buy out his contract—which under the league's convoluted salary rules somehow makes them money. Then they will waive him, he'll wait 30 days and re-sign with Detroit for less money. Samb ("as big a project that there has ever been") is headed to the D-League and may never contribute a single thing ever. So essentially, it's a straight-up trade that the Nuggets believe makes their starting lineup into an actual basketball team and saves them cash. As long as no one tells Chauncey that he's 32 years old.

The Nuggets players seemed disappointed, but coach George Karl is not. "If you look at my history, I've always had good point guards, and we've gotten away with winning (here) without an all-star caliber point guard." That's a polite way of saying, "You're no Gary Payton." Billiups isn't either, but he will pass the ball sometimes and has "always dreamed of winning a championship with the Nuggets," which is sort of like dreaming that Superman would come to your birthday party, but he was just a kid.

For the Pistons, this is a low-risk, high-reward gamble. Obviously, they're good enough to reach the conference finals, but no one believes they're going any further without some change. So they take two big contracts off the books and pray Iverson blows up for the final year of his contract, dribbles circles around Paul Pierce come playoff time, then the Knicks give him $50 million while Detroit polishes another trophy. But in the worst case scenario, they're no better off than they were last year, Iverson leaves anyway, and they start over next summer with a clean slate and more money to play with. Rasheed Wallace now has competition for craziest athlete in the building, but at the very least we'll get a few laughs out of that.

Other results from the big trade: Juwan Howard is out of a job (at least until the McDyess situation is resolved) and Woody Paige threw out his tail bone attempting to pull off a very tortured chess metaphor. Seriously, I have no idea what that guy is saying. J.R. Smith is a rook or something?

How about that hair? The most important question of all though: Will Rodney Stuckey get to keep the his No. 3 jersey? Inquiring minds want to know!

Nuggets ship A.I. to Detroit for Billups [Denver Post]
Looking into the costs of the Billups/McDyess trade... [Denver Stiffs]
Roster Analysis: Detroit Pistons Trade Billups and McDyess to Denver Nuggets for Iverson [Indignant Sports]
Bearings On My T-Shirt [Free Darko]
Photo: AP

Andrew Bogut: Prepare to be filled with hatred for a world that rewards men for simply growing to a height of at least seven feet: Bogut has signed a five-year extension with the Milwaukee Bucks that could pay him up to $76 million dollars (with incentives). If there was ever an occasion for Bogut to high-five himself, this is it.

Andris Biedrins: The Warriors didn't want to give Baron Davis a little extra cash, but they were willing to spend $63 million over six years on Biedrins? Seriously?!

Baron Davis: We all know this story. Hopefully the joy of playing in his hometown will compensate for the horrors of being a Clipper. Kind of like how those awesome handicap parking spaces have made up for losing my leg in that tragic wood-chipping accident.

Beno Udrih: Did you ever think you'd live in a world where Beno Udrih signed a five-year, $32 million contract? Yeah, me neither. Thank you, Sacramento Kings, for making that happen. The crazy future is now.

Brent Barry: This two-year deal will work wonders for the Rockets' offense by stretching opposing defenses and giving Yao room to work for the 50 games he will play before getting hurt again. It also gives Tracy McGrady a long-ball threat to dish to after he drives headlong into another triple-team.

Chris Andersen: Hey, Nuggets fans. You can calm down now. Rex Chapman found a replacement for Marcus Camby. SQUAWK! The Birdman has a new nest!

Chris Duhon: This is how far Stephon "I know I'm the best point guard in the NBA" Marbury has fallen: The Knicks signed Duhon and many people see that as a definite upgrade. Yikes. This has to be pretty exciting for Knicks fans who are nostalgic for the Charlie Ward era.

Corey Maggette: Chris Mullin proved once again that the Golden State Warriors aren't afraid to drop coin on players not named "Baron Davis" by signing Maggette to a five-year, $50 million free agent deal.

Daniel Gibson: Who doesn't like boobies? Danny Ferry certainly likes this Boobie; he signed Gibson to a five-year, $21 million deal. Not bad for a backup point guard, eh? I'm sure this move will help ensure that LeBron doesn't leave until the very first chance he gets.

Deron Williams: He signed a $70 million extension that will trap him in Utah through at least 2012 (or 2013 if he takes the player option). Of course, the deal won't look nearly as attractive to Williams one year from now after Carlos Boozer betrays the team to seek more money elsewhere.

DeSagana Diop: Quick question with a "No" answer: Can Diop do battle with the Amares, Duncans, Paus and Yaos of the world? No. So why did the Mavs sign him to a five-year, $31 million contract six months after trading him to New Jersey as part of the Jason Kidd mega-deal? Because it amuses Mark Cuban to watch Erick Dampier and Diop battle for minutes. Said Cuban: "Dance for me puppets...dance!"

Eddie House: The Celtics were willing to part with Posey, but not House. That Danny Ainge sure is a genius! Eddie will make $2.7 million next season and has a player option for one more season after that at $2.9 million.

Elton Brand: You didn't really expect him to remain a Clipper...wait, what? You did? Sucker. Some say this makes the Philadelphia 76ers legit contenders. I say "We'll see."

Gilbert Arenas: He re-upped with the Wizards for less money than they were willing to give him. I don't know how Agent Zero is going to get by on that $111 million. I also can't help but wonder if his body is going to hold up for the six-year duration of the contract.

James Jones: The Heat made a five-year pact with Jones, a Miami native. Finally the Heat have the three-point marksman they need to compliment Shaq's lowpost ga...wait a minute...

James Posey: Helped the Heat win a championship? Check. Helped the Celtics win a championship? Check. Danny Ainge felt those credentials - not to mention hellacious perimeter defense and clutch three-point shooting - was worth three years, but not four. Boston's loss, and it was a big one, is New Orleans' gain. The Hornets got a lot better with this signing.

Jermaine O'Neal: Larry Bird shipped his disappointing forward/center to Toronto, where they are well-used to bitter disappointment. Chris Bosh and crew are very much looking forward to the 40 or so games in which O'Neal will be healthy and able to play.

Josh Childress: If the Hawks are going to build on their surprising first round playoff success against the Celtics, they're going to have to do it without Childress, who chose a diet of gyros and baklava over the delectable barbecue offerings of the greater Atlanta area. And before you start freaking out, keep in mind that Childress is going to make about $20 million (after taxes) over the next five years, making him the highest paid Euroleague player of all time. This means that they had to break the bank for a guy who averaged 11.8 PPG for a team that barely made the playoffs last season. I guess what I'm saying is: Don't expect a mass NBA exodus to Europe any time soon.

Kelenna Azubuike: Chris Mullin put his foot down and said, "We're not losing any more players to the Clippers this summer, even if I can't pronounce that player's name!" Azubuike, who averaged 8.1 PPG and 4.0 RPG for the Warriors last season, signed a three-year deal worth $9 million.

Keyon Dooling: The New Jersey Nets obtained Dooling - who averaged 8.1 points off of the Orlando bench last season - by using the $3 million trade exception they got in the Jason Kidd trade. Nets coach Lawrence Frank said: "He's a bubbly guy and that's the way he plays." To which Dooling responded: ""I guess that's a good term. I like being bubbly." I will hereafter refer to Dooling as "Bubbles."

Kostas Koufos: The Utah Jazz said "Take that, Greece!" by signing Koufos - their first-round draft pick - to a contract that will pay him approximately one meeeeeellion dollars per year. Jazz owner Larry Miller said: "After our second round defeat at the hands of the Lakers, Jerry (Sloan) and I realized we needed to get whiter and stiffer. From that standpoint, Kostas was everything we needed."

Kurt Thomas: It's never a good idea to make old men move around a lot. So, in that spirit, the Spurs resigned Kurt Thomas to an undisclosed deal. This ensures that Gregg Popovich will have a strong, veteran presence available to tell the young guys what it was like when professional basketball players were paid in bark chips and had to dribble rocks on courts that were uphill both ways.

Malik Allen: He's taking his 5.7 PPG career average to Milwaukee. I'm sure he just needed a fresh start. Well, that is, another fresh start; this is the sixth stop in Malik's seven-year NBA journey. I sense a breakout year coming.

Marcus Camby: The Nuggets handed him over to the Clippers for the right to swap second round picks in the 2010 draft. They might as well have offered to trade him for a unicorn or Bigfoot. I guess it's become en vogue to hand over All-Star caliber players to teams based in Los Angeles.

Marcus Williams: Hey, Warriors fans. You can stop worrying. Chris Mullin found a replacement for Baron Davis. And all he had to trade away was a draft pick that's lottery protected for 2011 (the Nets get it only if the Warriors make the playoffs). The pick is protected 1-11 for 2012 and 1-10 for 2013. If they haven't gotten anything by 2013, the Nets will receive second-round picks in 2013 and 2015. So basically, Golden State got Williams for nothing. Which should explain how much value he had in New Jersey.

Matt Barnes: I guess that retaining Azubuike's 8.1 PPG made Barnes' 6.7 PPG expendable, and the Suns - desperate for warm bodies - happily snapped him up. Suns GM Steve Kerr was pretty excited about it: "He has a chance to have a big impact on our team. His athleticism and versatility at both ends of the court will be important for us, along with his playoff experience." Playoff experience? He's played 11 career playoff games in five seasons.

Mickael Pietrus: The French defensive force has signed with the Orlando, giving the Magic almost two full players who play "NBA defense."

Monta Ellis: Chris Mullin cracked open his piggy bank to give Ellis a six-year deal worth $66 million. This means that Mullin values Ellis only $3 million over six years more than Andris Biedrins. I'm not sure how to feel about that.

Patrick O'Bryant: The Celtics spent the league minimum on this busted lottery pick (O'Bryant went ninth overall in the 2006 draft) because P.J. Brown will probably retire. Didn't they know that Kwame Brown is still available?! We was a number one overall pick!

Roger Mason: The Spurs signed him in what may turn into another one of their classic moves that nobody thinks anything of until they're winning another championship. Per usual, Gregg Popovich won't disclose terms of the deal, nor the hazing rituals Mason must go through to join the team. However, Mason's agent Mark Bartelstein told The Associated Press that Mason will have to play Dungeons and Dragons with Tim Duncan for "at least 24 straight hours."

Ronny Turiaf: Once again, the Warriors got all stingy with Baron Davis, but they were willing to drop $17 million over four years on a guy who spent most of his time with the Lakers waving a towel and freaking out on the sidelines. Can I please have a little of what Chris Mullin is smoking.

Tyronn Lue: He spurned offers from the Celtics and Suns to join the Milwaukee Bucks. Makes sense...assuming he's suffering from a debilitating head wound.

Sasha Vujacic: Thank goodness Sasha didn't flee to Europe. The U.S. needs him! After all, he averaged a career-high 8.8 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 72 games last season. The Lakers will (somewhat reluctantly) pay him $15 million over the next three seasons.

Sebastian Telfair: Another masterstroke for Kevin McHale and the Minnesota Timberwolves! Hopefully this will provide an opportunity for Telfair to start working on Through The Fire: Part II.

Tony Allen: Still a Celtic. Still not 100 percent.

T.J. Ford: The Pacers weren't satisfied with the iffy health and shot-mongering of Jermaine O'Neal...so they moved him for Ford? This is going to go onto the List of Larry Bird's Awesomest Decisions as Pacers President, right up there with keeping Ron Artest about two years too long, trading for 10 years of Troy Murphy and Mike Dunleavy Jr., and anything else you want to name.

NBA offseason roundup [Fox Sports]

2008 NBA Free Agent List [ESPN]

The Yankees are now three games back in the AL East (2 behind the Red Sox), and now they've filled the two biggest holes on their team. Outfielder Xavier Nady will provide a huge boost to the lineup and Damaso Marte is the perfect addition to keep Farnsworth off the mound. The 33 year-old lefty has never had an ERA over 3.77 in his seven full seasons.

• Dye's Blast Is the Difference. Jermaine Dye's 22nd home run of the year was a two-run shot off of Todd Jones with two outs in the ninth inning. Bobby Jenks shut down the Tigers in the bottom half of the inning, and the Sox escaped with a 6-5 win over the Tigers. Chicago has now won three straight and Ozzie Guillen is starting to run out of reasons to be all pissed off.

• Speaking of the AL Central... The Twins dropped to three and a half games behind the White Sox after losing their fifth game in a row. Minnesota made it close with two ninth inning runs of their own, but they fell short by a score of 5-4. Cliff Lee improved to a preposterous 14-2, the highest win total in the majors. The All-Star starter truly earned the victory striking out 10 in eight innings of two-run ball.

All right, the little timer on ESPNews has expired, and apparently the trade deadline is now over. Beware: Sometimes trades sneak through past the deadline; the Randy Johnson-to-Houston trade from about 10 years ago — Gawd, we're old — wasn't announced until a few hours past the then-midnight deadline.

But here's what's happened so far. Most noteworthy, by the way: Alfonso Soriano, it was just announced, will remain a Washington National. Which is awesome. Bowden's drunk again!

Here goes:

• The Mets have traded Xavier Nady to the Pirates for Roberto Hernandez and Oliver Perez. Remember Oliver? You do not want to know how much he destroyed our fantasy team last year. All kinds of activity in Pittsburgh: Sean Casey was shipped to Detroit, which, amusingly, sent Sloth to the minor leagues, and Craig Wilson to the Yankees for Shawn Chacon. Oh yeah, and Kip Wells went to Texas. This now concludes any obligation to discuss the Pirates until next March.

• Fox Sports says Greg Maddux is going to play for the Dodgers. It seems really weird that Greg Maddux was traded. Speaking of the Dodgers, they picked up Julio Lugo from the Devil Rays, which gives them about 10 veteran infielders.

• Todd Walker, one of the jerks who swept the Cardinals this weekend, is going to San Diego

• The Reds, who are still leading the wild-card, we might add, picked up Kyle Lohse from the Twins and Rheal Cormier from the Phillies. No, they did not trade Adam Dunn and Bronson Arroyo for them.

• Hey, the Royals made a trade! It's Matt Stairs is going to Texas for some guy named Joselo.

The best news of all comes from Baseball Musings: Peter Gammons continues to improve. We missed him today.

(UPDATE: Hey, the Cardinals traded for Jorge Sosa. AWESOME.)

The little countdown clock on ESPNews all day appears to be clicking down for Soriano, maybe Miguel Tejada, possibly Greg Maddux, but no one hugely shocking. The trading deadline always seems somewhat artificial and hype-y anyway; the biggest deadline shock we can remember from the last few years is Nomar Garciaparra going to the Cubs, and maybe Larry Walker heading to St. Louis ... and that was after the deadline anyway.

That said, we're all fans, and this is what fans talk about. Here's a look at the big trade yesterday, from each team's fans:

Bobby Abreu to the Yankees

• Bronx Banter: "I will be excited to see him in pinstripes. He's not going to be asked to be the team's best player. Perhaps he'll fit right in. He is a better defensive right fielder than anything the Yanks have got. Offensively, he is exceedingly patient and a high-percentage base stealer to boot. I don't have much of a gut feeling as to how he'll do in New York — I could see him going David Justice or Raul Mondesi — but I'm looking forward to finding out."

• The Lohud Yankees Blog: "Much love of the move in the clubhouse. Sal Fasano believes Lidle will be very effective in the AL because he has been sinking the ball well."

&#8226; Beerleaguer: "My emotions are still mixed, my opinion uncertain. If I had to say one thing, it's that this whole situation is a shame. Future considerations pending, this is one of the most one-sided deals in Phillies history, even if the ultimate goal was to move forward and change the dynamic of the club. No matter how one sees it, the Phillies have been beaten yet again, and as fans, we're looking up from the bottom of the well. But looking up nonetheless."<//EM>

&#8226; The 700 Level: If you are a Phillies fan, you know this deal wasn't as simple as the players swapping teams. This is a trade which signifies the dark cloud of Ed Wade's tenure finally passing. ... It feels a bit weird to think Abreu will no longer lollygag in right at Citizens Bank Park."