Photo: Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images
It is now a full 90 minutes past the official end of the Major League Baseball trade deadline, the time in which teams can trade players without passing the affected players through the waiver process. Today alone has seen a bevy of trades in which several teams benefited from the addition of key players.
With most teams in MLB looking at approximately 58 games left in their schedules, the last two months of the regular season will now certainly prove to captivating in nature, as all contending teams look to make their playoff push.
We will break down the trades made today, as well as trades made in the last several days that have impact for several teams in MLB.
Stay with me now, the list is daunting!
New York Yankees acquire Lance Berkman from the Houston Astros: In a trade that has significant impact in the American League East division, the Yankees acquire Berkman to fill their designated hitter position, and give up 2 minor league prospects in return. On Friday, the Yankees also acquired Austin Kearns from the Cleveland Indians for a player to be named later or cash, further bolstering their outfield depth.
Also on Saturday, at the very end of the trade deadline, the Yankees acquired relief pitcher Kerry Wood from the Indians for a player to be named later. Some reports have the Yankees paying the Indians cash if Wood stays healthy for the rest of the season. Either/or, it’s still a no-brainer for the Yanks, bolstering their bullpen for next to nothing.
In summary, the Yankees add Berkman, Wood, Kearns and roughly $5.3M to their payroll for 2 prospects who weren’t even in their top ten of minor league prospects.
Los Angeles Dodgers acquire LHP Ted Lilly and 2B Ryan Theriot from the Chicago Cubs: The Dodgers, who on Wednesday purchased CF Scott Posednik from the Kansas City Royals, added more depth to their roster with the additions of Lilly and Theriot. Theriot will instantly be slotted in as the starting second baseman, and Lilly will make his Los Angeles debut on Tuesday against the NL West division-leading San Diego Padres. With OF Manny Ramirez still sidelined on the DL, the Dodger moves add much-need offense to a Dodger team struggling offensively, as they fight to climb back into contention, now 7 games behind the Padres in the NL West, and 4 1/2 games behind in the the fight for the wild-card spot.
In another late move on Saturday, the Dodgers also purchased relief pitcher Octavio Dotel from the Pittsburgh Pirates for relief pitcher James McDonald and a minor league prospect, further bolstering their bullpen.
Are you still with me? Hang on, there’s LOTS more…
Atlanta Braves acquire relief pitcher Kyle Farnsworth and CF Rick Ankiel from the Kansas City Royals: The Braves clearly smell the playoffs. In manager Bobby Cox’ final season, the Braves are looking to put Cox out on top. Earlier in the month, the Braves traded shortstops with the Toronto Blue Jays, acquiring Alex Gonzalez for Yunel Escobar. Today, they add Farnsworth and Ankiel, giving up relief pitcher Jesse Chavez, OF Gregor Blanco and pitcher Tim Collins. The Braves are currently 3 1/2 games ahead of the Philadelphia Phillies in the National League East division. And, speaking of the Phillies…
Philadelphia Phillies acquire SP Roy Oswalt from the Houston Astros: Oswalt, a lifelong Astro, agreed to waive his no-trade clause on Thursday to finalize the deal with the Astros, who received LHP J.A. Happ and two prospects. Oswalt debuted with the Phils on Friday, losing to the Washington Nationals, 6-1. Oswalt went six innings, allowing 4 earned runs on seven hits, taking his major league leading 13th loss in the process. He admitted being overanxious before the game, looking to make a good impression for his new teammates. The Phillies, who have been decimated by injuries throughout the season, are hoping that the combination of Roy Halladay, Cole Hamels and Oswalt at the top of their rotation will catapult them back into the playoffs.
St. Louis Cardinals acquire SP Jake Westbrook from Cleveland Indians in 3 team trade: The Cardinals, locked in a dogfight in the National League Central division with the Cincinnati Reds, got creative in their trade with the Indians, purchasing Westbrook and sending OF Ryan Ludwick to the San Diego Padres. The Padres in turn sent Double-A pitcher Corey Kluber to the Indians, and Single-A pitcher Nick Greenwood to the Cardinals. Westbrook was scratched from his scheduled start today against the Toronto Blue Jays and was on a flight to St. Louis. The Cardinals are awaiting the return of starting pitchers Kyle Lohse and Brad Penny from injuries, and Westbrook will help fill in the void.
San Diego Padres acquire 3B/SS Miguel Tejada from the Baltimore Orioles: The Padres, who had just received Ludwick from the Cardinals to bolster their outfield, also purchased Tejada from the Orioles for minor league pitcher Wynn Pelzer on Thursday. In his first two games with the Padres, Tejada was back at his natural shortstop position, a position he had manned for the first 13 years of his career before moving to third this season with Baltimore. The surprising Padres are currently leading the National League West division by 2 1/2 games over the San Francisco Giants.
San Francisco Giants acquire relievers Ramon Ramirez and Javier Lopez from the Boston Red Sox and Pitttsburgh Pirates: The Giants, trying to catch the Padres and fight off the Dodgers for the top slot in the National League West, acquired Ramirez from the Red Sox for minor league right-hander Daniel Turpen, and purchased Lopez from the the Pirates for John Bowker, their Opening Day right fielder, and minor league right-hander Joe Martinez.
There were some other minor deals also made before the end of Saturday’s MLBÂ trade deadline, however the deals mentioned above are clearly moves made to enhance the chances of teams contending for the playoffs, while bolstering the farm systems for trading partners.
On October 3, the contending teams will know whether these last minute moves paid off or not.
Follow Doug on Twitter, @Sports_A_Holic.
UPDATE: http://www.examiner.com/sports-in-palm-springs/mlb-trade-deadline-final-day-sees-a-flurry-of-trade-activity July 31st, 2010 3:33 pm PT
