Trade deadline Winners and Losers

Here's my take on the Trade Deadline winners and losers of this year.

Winners

Milwaukee Brewers:

The Brewers are by far the biggest winners at this trade deadline. Although they had to send big hitting prospect Matt Laporta , the Brewers have to win now. There other ace, Ben Sheets, is a free agent after this year and not expected to come back. Prince Fielder has an agent named Scott Boras, and there are reports out there that the Brew Crew will look at trading him this summer, while they can get lots for him, as he is still in his arbitration years. Sabathia will be in Milwaukee simply for this year, and the Brewers will take the sandwich draft picks and see him sign somewhere else. So far, Sabathia has been nothing short of amazing for the Brewers. In six starts he’s 5-0 with 3 complete games, and has pitched into the 9^th another game. Not only did the brewers pick up C.C, but they also picked up some dept for the infield. Ray Durham was picked up for a couple low level prospects. This was done in case second basemen Richie Weeks continues to struggle, it’s also the type of trade that winning teams make. I see the Brewers heading to the World Series.

Los Angeles Dodgers:

They were able to pick up one of the top major league hitters of this era, for a couple of low level prospects, and a million dollars. That’s how badly the Red Sox wanted Ramirez out of Boston and out of the division. This instantly makes the Dodgers contenders for the weak NL West, but I still don’t consider them World Series contenders. They were interested in bringing in Greg Maddux, but supposedly balked at what the Padres wanted. A great move at a low cost, but one that will only get them making the playoffs, at most.

Boston Red Sox: It’s hard to call them winner when they get rid of one of the biggest bats in baseball. But when you have a malcontent, who wants a new contract, whose insulting the owner, shoving a senior citizen, and making horrible decisions in the outfield, it’s time to make a trade. This trade is more about keeping the right focus in the dressing room than anything. The Sox had to give up a couple of high level draft picks and pay the 7 million left on Ramirez deal. Craig Hansen is a former first round pick and could be a star with a fastball in the mid to high 90’s. Brandon Moss is said to be a starter on most Major League teams. But the Red Sox did add Bay to help them with the bat there losing. Not only that, they get him for next year at a reasonable contract ( around 7.5 Million) and He seems to be loving playing in front of the Red Sox faithful.

Pittsburgh Pirates: The Pirates were able to pick up 8 prospects, and you have to think a few of them will make some contributions to the team. Karstens has started for them, and gave them a strong outing. Moss will start for them. Not only that, two things strike this deal as a sign that the Pirates are finally looking like their going about rebuilding the right one. 1. They traded Bay at a high, trade rumors began to surface about him in the off season, when he was coming off a down year. By holding him until the middle of this season, he was able to put in a good season, and thus enhancing his trade value. 2. The Pirates took on prospects, and lowered salary.

Atlanta Braves: Although they didn’t get full return on what they gave up for Teixeira last trade deadline, they did get a solid young first basemen in Casey Kotchman. GM Frank Wren was smart enough to know it wasn’t happening for the Braves this year with all the injuries they have, and he got what he could when he needed too.

Toronto Blue Jays: The Jays were rumored to be going after Jason Bay, with the Pirates asking for Shaun Marcum and hitting prospect Travis Snider. Thankfully we didn’t make that trade.

LAA Angels: Although they will only get Teixeira for 2 plus months (unless he re-signs in free agency) they are telling all of Baseball they want to win. You’ve got to love an Owner like Arte Moreno. The Angels have already pretty much won the AL West division, but with this trade they instantly become World Series contenders.

Losers:

Chicago White Sox: They trade two low prospects for Ken Griffey Jr. Now I love Junior, love him. But this is the problem I have with this trade. They already have Quentin, Swisher and Jermaine Dye in the outfield. There’s no room for him. So they’ve caused a log in the outfield that will most certainly affect the infield as many are saying Paul Konerko will be sent to the bench. Konerko has been having a terrible year, but is Griffey the answer. His defense in the outfield is weak at best, and there now putting him in centerfield. His offence is nothing great either, he’s batting under .250, with 15 homers. Not only that Griff has a 4 million dollar buyout out of his contract at the end of this year. This trade is more about GM Ken Williams infatuation with Griffey than a smart deal.

Houston Astros: Now many of you may not know GM Ed Wade but let me tell you this. Do a little research on this guy, and what he did for the Phillies, and I guarantee you will come back and say he is the worst general manager in baseball. He has no vision, he picks up guys on the scrap heap, and pays costly for them, often trading the future for those players. Well what he’s done in Houston is no different. But tell me this, what kind of team picks up a losing veteran pitcher for prospects when there 13 games out of the division lead, and 9 games out of the wild card. Keep watching the Astros while he is GM, and keep watching how much they falter. He’s traded many prospects (Tejada, Wolf) for players past their prime The Astros have one of the weakest farm systems for a reason, and it’s not only because of owner Drayton McLean’s insistence on never giving up.

Adam Dunn: From what I heard, the reds weren’t asking for much for him, which tells you that Ricciardi’s comments must be shared by many GM’s. He’s on pace for another 40 home run year, yet nobody wanted him for the stretch run. He is known for not showing up when it counts, but you have to think his free agent value this summer has gone right down.

After the trade deadline, it’s time to make my Initial playoff predictions

Division winners:

Tampa Bay wins the AL East

Chicago wins the AL Central

Angels win the West

In the NL

New York wins the East

Chicago wins the Central

Arizona wins the West

Wild Cards:

Red Sox and Brewers

World Series

Angels vs. Brewers

And The World Series Champions are the Angels