Let’s do the winners and losers approach for brevity’s sake.
Winners
Detroit: Adding Joakim Soria to the bullpen along with David Price (who is a tad overrated) to the starting staff makes for an impressive pitching staff for the last two months of the year and into the playoffs.
St. Louis: The rich get richer. Lackey and Masterson add to an already deep and impressive starting staff making the Cardinals the N.L. version of Detroit. Whatever eluded Masterson regarding pitching instruction will certainly be delivered in St. Louis. He may realize his potential yet.
Oakland: They were out in front from the beginning via the Cubs trade, but finishing with the acquisition of Lester and the return of Gomes is an impressive showing for Mr. Beane.
Boston: Yeah, I know, this year is over, but Ben realizes as much and begins to prepare for next year. Who can blame him? Cespedes and Craig joining Ortiz and Napoli should make for many a run filled night the last sixty days of the season. Joe Kelly struggled to find starts in St. Louis. He will get all he can dream of in Fenway. The prospect, Eduardo Rodriguez, exchanged for Andrew Miller, is a starting lefty with promise. To date, five years in pro ball have resulted in a 3.45/1.25 tag along with 449 ip yielding a paltry 407 hits. Receiving a living, breathing, semi-functional Kelly Johnson in exchange for Drew is a minor miracle and act of kindness by the Evil Empire. Thank you, Brian Cashman. Theo was kind enough to take Doubront off our hands. Felix was not mentally built for Fenway. Finally, while waving good-bye to Peavy (quality ball player and person), what was received in return is pure potential quality: Edwin Escobar (a lefty starter) and Heath Hembree (closer in the making). Escobar struggled this year at AAA, but his prior numbers were impressive. The late summer air of Pawtucket should serve him well. Hembree should see Boston during the 40 man roster expansion.
Washington: Exchanging Zach Walters for Asdrubal Cabrera is the equivalent of trading a bike for a car. Nice job, Nats.
Atlanta: Why the Cubs would trade James Russell (a quality lefty, long reliever) is a bit of mystery, especially in light of who they received (a 20 year old A ball catcher). Advantage, Atlanta.
Marginally Successful
NYY: Getting Prado for a minor leaguer was the best of their mostly ineffective trading efforts. Even though Prado is generally viewed as a utility guy, he manages to get 500 to 600 abs most years due to his production. Of course, what the E.E. truly needed was not acquired: Starting pitching and lots of it (with apologies to Chris Capuano).
Houston and Miami: Generally a swap of prospects focused on Jared Cosart and Jake Marisnick. Perhaps one of the six involved pans out.
Chicago Cubs: You’re thinking, I just criticized the Russell deal. True, but Theo dumped the long underperforming Darwin Barney to the Dodgers. The player to be named later turns out to be 20 year old Jonathan Martinez who progressed nicely through the Dodgers system. His cumulative four year minor league numbers give pause for future hope: 21-12, 3.44/1.23 and 306 ip. Ta da, Cub minor league scouts.
Tampa Bay: Okay, Price leaves, but Smyly is under contract forever and seems to be a quality left handed starter. Hard to find.
Losers
Minnesota: Sam Fuld for Tom Milone . . . and they ship Milone to AAA. Idiotic. Milone, while in Oakland, posted cumulative numbers of 31-22, 3.84/1.26 in 442.2 ip and 73 starts. The Twins are starving for anything resembling quality starting pitching. This reads like a guy who routinely criticizes women, yet wonders why he can’t get a date.
Milwaukee: Their system cannot produce a fourth outfielder, so they give up two prospects for Gerardo Parra? Boo, Brew Crew.
Kansas City and Toronto: The Liam Hendriks, Erik Kratz and Danny Valenica deal was a waster of time, effort and airline tickets. Two thumbtacks for push pin.
tipmypitch 