MLB Trade Deadline: The Rich Get Richer

Major League Baseball’s non-waiver trade deadline has come and gone, and to keep with Baseball’s normality, the rich got richer.

The Boston Red Sox acquired all-star slugger Victor Martinez from the Cleveland Indians for a package consisting of Justin Masterson and two minor league pitchers. The Red Sox then bulked up at first base acquiring Casey Kotchman from the Atlanta Braves for Adam LaRoche. Martinez will likely share catching duties in Boston with Jason Varitek, but can also play first base and designated hitter. Kotchman was a move strictly to provide a strong bat off the bench.

Sticking in the AL East, the Toronto Blue Jays held onto ace Roy Halladay, but moved veteran third baseman Scott Rolen to the Cincinnati Reds. I was a big fan of Rolen, and I’m sad to see him go as he was one of the better Jays players this year. However, I understand it’s a business and if you can acquire 3 young prospects for a potential free agent next season when your club isn’t contending for a playoff spot, it’s a trade that has to be made.

The New York Yankees were linked to plenty of big names, but settled on making just a minor move. The Yankees acquired utility player Jerry Hairston Jr from the Cinncinnati Reds in exchange for a minor league catcher. I’m not sure why the Yankees would acquire a bat since they boast one of the Major’s best hitting line-ups, but I guess that’s why I’m not Brian Cashman or George Steinbrenner. The Yankees have a terrible starting rotation and bullpen, and it’s shocking that they didn’t acquire any pitchers.

In the AL Central, the Chicago White Sox have tried their luck again by acquiring pitcher Jake Peavy from the San Diego Padres. The White Sox initially tried to acquire Peavy during Spring Training, but Peavy rejected the trade, saying it was best for his family to stay in San Diego. This time, the trade went through, and even though Peavy is hurt for the remainder of this season, next season, he will be the White Sox’s ace.

The Minnesota Twins acquired shortstop Orlando Cabrera from the Oakland Athletics. Cabrera is a veteran shortstop that has won a World Series ring in the past, and will greatly help the Twins squad in trying to capture the AL Central crown.

Finally for the AL, the Detroit Tigers acquired veteran lefty Jarrod Washburn from the Seattle Mariners. The Mariners received a pair of left-handed pitching prospects in return. The Tigers are currently leading the AL Central by 2 games over the Twins, and Washburn is a huge addition to their pitching staff.

National League Moves

The AL grabbed most of the spotlight, but there was a couple minor moves with the NL Teams. The Los Angeles Dodgers got some huge help for their bullpen by acquiring Baltimore Orioles closer George Sherrill. Keeping with the trend, the Orioles received two prospects from the Dodgers, one a third baseman, and one a pitcher. Lastly, the Florida Marlins acquired first baseman Nick Johnson from the Washington Nationals.

Overall, I would hand the deadline winner award to the Red Sox. They were a great team to begin with, and got scary good. Already one of the strongest line-up’s in all of baseball and then they added a all-star slugging catcher or first baseman. Kotchman will also be a huge help coming off the bench. I can’t really hand out a loser in this jam-packed NHL like Deadline, as the teams that moved players, got fair value that can only help them in the future.