71.   The Angels were hoping to trade for pitching help in Tim Belcher or Juan Guzman before the trade deadline.

72.   The Astros acquired Astacio at the trade deadline for righthander Scott Elarton and a player to be named.

73.   The Angels, recall, failed to make a significant addition before or after the trade deadline.

74.   The change, so oddly timed, is made little more than two weeks before the trade deadline.

75.   The bullpen is in poor condition, with the Mets unable to acquire a reliever before the trade deadline and McMichael slumping.

76.   The Canadiens were quiet in the offseason, not adding much to the payroll after deleting the likes of Mark Recchi and Vincent Damphousse at the March trade deadline.

77.   The chances of the Suns making a deal before the trade deadline appear remote.

78.   The deal that brought Tkachuk to St. Louis at the trade deadline has helped reform his image.

79.   The Coyotes could deal Khabibulin once Burke signs or wait until the trade deadline.

80.   The Cubs added David Weathers from Milwaukee before the trade deadline to provide a long-relief threat along with Van Poppel.