MLB Trading Update
By Bodog
Major League Baseball’s Non-Waiver Trade Deadline is 4:00 p.m. ET on Saturday, July 31, but some teams aren’t waiting until the last minute to try and bolster their rosters for a playoff push. A frantic Thursday capped off a busy week that saw some big names switch teams. We’ll recap the trades that went down this week as well as the impact they’ll have.
Roy Oswalt traded to the Philadelphia Phillies: The Phillies added the biggest prize still available on the trade market Thursday in veteran righthander Roy Oswalt. Despite having a 3.41 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, and 120 strikeouts, Oswalt has only six wins this season due to lack of run support. Run support shouldn’t be a problem with the Phillies, who now not only have a formidable offense, but a dynamic pitching trio in Oswalt, Roy Halladay, and Cole Hamels. Philadelphia is looking more like a playoff contender, and Atlanta will have their hands full in the NL East. Houston received SP J.A. Happ and two minor leaguers.
Jorge Cantu traded to the Texas Rangers: No team has done more to improve their playoff chances via trade this season than the Texas Rangers. Already having acquired the gem of the trade market three weeks ago in SP Cliff Lee, the Rangers added a powerful bat to an already stacked lineup in Jorge Cantu. While Cantu’s natural position is at first, he can also play second or third if needed. Cantu had 95 RBIs in 2008 and 100 in 2009, and has 54 so far with 10 home runs this season. Cantu makes one of the best lineups in baseball even better, and it is hard not to consider the Rangers a serious threat to win it all at this point. Florida received two Double-A pitching prospects in return.
Miguel Tejada traded to the San Diego Padres: Thought to be obvious sellers before the season began, San Diego has played so well this season that they were in position to be buyers at the deadline. Miguel Tejada adds some much-needed offense to the middle infield; current shortstop Everth Cabrera is batting only .201 in 50 games this season with just one home run. Tejada’s seven home runs and .269 batting average are welcome upgrades, and help improve the Padres’ chances of hanging on to their NL West lead. Baltimore received Double-A pitching prospect Wynn Petzer in the deal.
Matt Capps traded to the Minnesota Twins: With the division still wide open in the AL Central, the Twins decided to part with blue-chip catching prospect Wilson Ramos to help solidify the bullpen. Whether Capps takes over as the closer in Minnesota or is setup man to Jon Rauch is yet to be seen, but his 2.74 ERA and 28 saves with Washington prove he is a trustworthy arm late in games. Capps may not move future odds like a big bat or starting pitcher would, but he certainly improves the Twins’ AL Central title chances.
Dan Haren traded to the Los Angeles Angels: It has been an uncharacteristically poor year for Dan Haren, but he still has electrifying stuff and is an upgrade over Joe Saunders, the main piece in the package the Angels sent to the Diamondbacks to acquire him. The move looks more geared to the future at this point than making a playoff push this season; over 10 games behind Texas in the AL West and Tampa Bay in the wild card race, the Angels are still a very long shot to make the playoffs.
Scott Podsednik traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers: Acquired from the Kansas City Royals for two minor leaguers, Podsednik gives the Dodgers a reliable hitter and base-runner to hold down the outfield until Manny Ramirez returns. The Dodgers are still in contention for the NL wild card berth, and Podsednik is a nice addition.
Jhonny Peralta traded to the Detroit Tigers: Ravaged by injuries to Brandon Inge, Magglio Ordonez, and Carlos Guillen, the Tigers traded pitching prospect Giovanni Soto to acquire Peralta. While not the most exciting of acquisitions, Peralta does give the Tigers a much-needed bat to try to stay in contention in the wide open AL Central.