Your MLB Trade Deadline Winners and Losers

Two teams vying for the playoffs made deals for big names. Two last place teams swapped players. Guys you thought were gone ended up staying. Teammates weren't happy. But really, it was just a bunch of vagabond players switching uniforms.

Here are your winners and losers:

Winners:

Atlanta Braves

Sure, they gave up a top young player in catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia (that last name is just way out of control) but picking up Mark Teixeira -- even though his power's a bit down -- brings a proven power hitter on board and a quality defensive first baseman to boot. If Andruw Jones can knock out of his season-long slump (which he seems to maybe be doing) the Braves have a shot at taking over the Mets in the NL East or at worst picking up the Wild Card. In the long run this might not work out in Atlanta's favor, but for the here and now it did.

Boston Red Sox:

As Matt Watson told you earlier today, the Red Sox certainly didn't need Eric Gagne. But hey, why not? He further solidifies a bullpen that is tops in the majors and if any of the starters get into trouble, he can come in for long relief, then hand it off to Hideki Okajima (0.87 ERA) or Jonathan Papelbon (2.15 ERA). The move also makes sense because this might only be a couple month deal with Gagne -- he inked a one-year deal with Texas before the season. He's been injury prone as of late, so if the Red Sox can utilize his services while his stock is high now, more power to them.

San Diego Padres:

They get this distinction for being extremely busy. The Padres swooped up Morgan Ensberg and lefties Wilfredo Ledezma and Will Startup for next to nothing. As Pat Lackey told you, there's got to be some of Ensberg's 2005 form left, right?

Losers:

Chicago White Sox

Plain and simple, they should have dealt Jermaine Dye. His power has surged a bit here in the second half, so they probably could have gotten at least a decent prospect for him. Instead, they are stuck with an aging right fielder who wants to re-sign for a few years. And that Tadahito Iguchi trade didn't really net them much, either.

Minnesota Twins

It's not like Luis Castillo is a stud, but he was batting at a .304 clip before he got dealt to the Mets. The Twins took it as a sign management has given up on the year. They aren't happy. So, yeah, this doesn't bode well for the Twins the rest of the season, considering Torii Hunter may be on his way out after the year as well.

Previously at FanHouse:
All the Deadline Deals.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

8-01-2007 @ 2:33AM

Bob K. said...

Either Hunters gone, which I think is the case, or they're trying to save up every penny so they can offer it to Hunter, so they ditched Castillo. Bostons' bullpen is now officially sick. The game is now not only over if they have a lead after 7, now its over if they have a lead after 6, for cryin' out loud.

8-01-2007 @ 2:42AM

George B Vieto said...

The Mets will lose games down the stretch around Labor Day and the Braves will win the National League East title this year. Mark Teixiera will prosper in his Atlanta return. Red Sox got Eric Gagne to bolster their bullpen. The Yankees will have to settle for the wild card at best.

8-01-2007 @ 5:38AM

j said...

Red Sox: Of course the trade for Gagne is a good one. He adds some versatility to their already good bullpen; and they basically gave up question-marks in return. He can set-up, close and even maybe go a couple of innings on occasion. But what the Sox are lacking sorely this year is another hitter, whether for average or power; especially a leadoff man. JD Drew has been a bust and so has Lugo at shortstop; both at the plate and defensively. I don't think the Sox can beat a team with good pitching unless they can pick up another hitter; and I think that opportunity has just gone by the board. They MIGHT make the playoffs but not the WORLD SERIES; Gagne or no Gange.

8-01-2007 @ 8:48AM

Jordi said...

Your new Twins CF in 2008: Corey Patterson.
Torii Hunter to the Marlins!

8-01-2007 @ 10:49AM

RadicalBender said...

I guess you mean Trade Deadline Potentially-Playoff-Bound Winners and Losers, because the Rangers made out like bandits. Nine future guys for a very good 1B who would be gone by end of next year, a closer who would be gone by end of this year, a rusty CF who would be gone by end of this year and a scrub bullpen arm.

As long as ownership and management stay committed to rebuilding, the Rangers have the potential to be *really* good in a few seasons. I know that's not what most Rangers fans want to hear, but we're going to suck for a few years regardless, so it's time to look further down the road.

8-03-2007 @ 11:36PM

jon paquette-chowda'' said...

whoever thinks that the red sox are not still favored, especially now, to take the division is an idiot or is probably from new york which means he is apparently lacking in baseball IQ due to being spoiled with geat teams most of the time and have gooten away with ban-wagon rederic and ripping the red sox. this person would fit right in with ESPN's staff

8-01-2007 @ 12:18PM

Bob said...

Texas should have put a roof on Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. The summer heat just kills their pitchers
and by September they don't have anything left. As long as they have to play in an outdoor stadium down there, they'll wilt every year.

8-01-2007 @ 1:38PM

Muttman said...

Ledezma is a left-hander. Get your facts straight!

8-01-2007 @ 3:16PM

Steve said...

the white sox are so screwed up it's not even funny what the hell are they doing dismantelling their 2005 world seris team for i mean yeah we do need relief help cause jenks can't win on his own but i mean trading dye and machoviach i mean yeah every player eithe goes throught injury or a slump but why do we have to trade these players for.These Young guy's yeah they would like ot make it to the big leagues but you should give them time to develope just puttin in my 2 cents

8-02-2007 @ 10:32AM

Garry said...

Cashman,what were you thinking? Please tell me you were high. Scott Proctor was a work horse. Who are you going to get to take his place,Vida Blue. What a huge mistake