Rumors always swirl around big name players when we near the MLB trade deadline. Usually, though, not much happens. This year, for once, did not disappoint.
The Oakland A's emerged as the early trade deadline winners this year, acquiring pitcher Jon Lester and outfielder Jonny Gomes from the Red Sox for Yoenis Cespedes, OF. This was clearly a move aimed a improving the A's chances in this year's post season. For the A's, this is the year to finally make a move.
At first glance, the Red Sox look like the losers in this trade. Cedpedes has a big bat and arm, but Lester is a top starter in almost any team's rotation, a rare talent. Don't be surprised if Cespedes and Lester end back up in Boston next year, though. Lester's contract is up this year, and Oakland has no chance a re-signing him. In essence, they may just be loaning him to Oakland for a title run and gaining Cespedes in the deal.
The Oakland A's emerged as the early trade deadline winners this year, acquiring pitcher Jon Lester and outfielder Jonny Gomes from the Red Sox for Yoenis Cespedes, OF. This was clearly a move aimed a improving the A's chances in this year's post season. For the A's, this is the year to finally make a move.
At first glance, the Red Sox look like the losers in this trade. Cedpedes has a big bat and arm, but Lester is a top starter in almost any team's rotation, a rare talent. Don't be surprised if Cespedes and Lester end back up in Boston next year, though. Lester's contract is up this year, and Oakland has no chance a re-signing him. In essence, they may just be loaning him to Oakland for a title run and gaining Cespedes in the deal.
By the end of the day, the Detroit Tigers emerged the clear winners. They shored up their own starting line up by getting David Price from Tampa. They have up Drew Smiley (P), infielder Nick Franklin, and a prospect. There's really no way to look at this trade without thinking Tampa got jobbed. Price was this year's hot commodity, and the Devil Rays let him walk for... Drew Smiley? Rays' fans have been putting up with these moves for quite a while, and there aren't many left. Eventually you have to appear as though you're trying to win this year and not constantly building.
The Red Sox also dealt pitchers Lackey and Littrell to St Louis for pitcher Joe Kelly and outfielder Allen Craig. While they're not eating wings and drinking beer in the locker room, the Sox are ready to admit they're phoning it in for the rest of the year. The Yankees even made a deal with the Red Sox, a basically meaningless swap of SS Stephen Drew and infielder Kelly Johnson.
The Yankees also acquired Martin Prado from the Diamondbacks for prospect catcher Peter O'Brien. This wasn't one of the most talked about deals, but it's a good one for the Yankees. Prado is a career .290 hitter, a veteran, and he can play multiple positions.
There's a lot of baseball left to be played, but the playoff picture is coming together. Everyone is eyeing the possible starting rotations for the Tigers and the A's in the ALCS. I'm not ready to go there yet, as
likely as it seems. Remember, we'll do this again August 31st for the waiver trade deadline.
by:: Josh Henderson
Twitter @verybadwrong
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