MLB Trade Deadline: What teams were Winners, and What Teams Were Losers?
The MLB Trade Deadline is over. At the deadline, there are some teams coming away knowing they have what it takes to come through and become, or remain contenders.
But there are others knowing they should have done this or should have done that. And those teams normally fall out of contention. Not the 2010 Giants, but every other team that won the title.
Let's analyze the deadline deals, who won, and who lost.
Winners: Philadelphia Phillies
The Phillies only made one trade, but was it ever big? They acquired Hunter Pence, the right-handed bat they've been missing since Jayson Werth signed with the Nationals. Pence is fast, a great hitter, a great fielder, and he has a great work ethic. Pence will be a major upgrade to the right field hole that was filled by Domonic Brown. Pence hurt the National League with Houston, but only got 35 wins. Now, he's ready to help Philadelphia on their quest for a second championship in four years.
Winners: San Francisco Giants
Although the results haven't come yet, the Giants have picked up some big bats to fill the holes of Freddy Sanchez and Miguel Tejada, and to provide the Giants with some offense to compete with Arizona, Philadelphia, and the rest of the National League. They got second baseman Jeff Keppinger for two prospects, right fielder Carlos Beltran for one prospect, and shortstop Orlando Cabrera for one prospect. And they gave up 3 pitching prospects and an outfielder in return (like they need more pitching). The Giants are only 1-3 with Beltran, but he will adjust, and the Giants will succeed in September and October with their new additions.
Winners: Texas Rangers
The Rangers needed someone in the bullpen to clean up for the starters, and they got help. Texas picked up lefty Mike Adams from San Diego, who has been amazing this year, with a 3-1 record and a 1.13 ERA, for just two pitching prospects. They added Koji Uehara from Baltimore for Chris Davis, the backup first baseman for Mitch Moreland, and Tommy Hunter, a relief/starting pitcher who took the loss in Game 4 of the 2010 World Series. Anyways, both of these pickups will help struggling closer Neftali Feliz, and help Texas make a push at a title.
Losers: New York Yankees
The Yankees needed to do something at the trade deadline. They could have picked up Colorado Rockies ace Ubaldo Jimenez. Mariners (now Red Sox) starter Erik Bedard. Mariners (now Tigers) starter Doug Fister. New York had to pick up a pitcher. And what did they come up with? Nothing. To compete, you have to make trades, give away prospects, and pick up players to help you down the stretch. The Yankees didn't do any of that. They already don't have what it takes to compete with Boston. They didn't do anything to help them take over the American League.
Losers: Cleveland Indians
Cleveland traded for Colorado Rockies ace Ubaldo Jimenez. Jimenez is a proven pitcher who can take any ball club to the next level, but giving up four prospects for Jimenez? That's not something Cleveland should have done. Jimenez is 6-9 this year, and the Indians gave up four prospects for him. They gave up Drew Pomeranz, a prized lefty, and three other players who may make a big impact in Colorado's future. I like Cleveland's deal for Kosuke Fukudome, but they already have four proven outfielders. And giving up Orlando Cabrera for a prospect? It's like they're the Astros and the Phillies. Shoppers and sellers. The Indians gave up a shortstop, and five prospects. Questionable moves. We'll see how it works out for them.
Losers: Los Angeles Angels
The Angels are in contention for the AL West and AL Wild Card, a they didn't do anything. They could have added a fifth starter in their rotation, an infield replacement for Erick Aybar or Maicer Izturis, or a proven closer or setup man, like Heath Belland Mike Adams. Instead, just like the Yankees, they did nothing. Los Angeles can catch Texas, but now, the Rangers have Koji Uehera and Mike Adams in the bullpen to protect the job done by starters, and the Angels have no one new. I still think Jered Weaver and Dan Haren can carry the pitching, and Mark Trumbo and Torii Hunter can tear apart a rotation, but the task will be harder for the Angels because they did nothing.
But there are others knowing they should have done this or should have done that. And those teams normally fall out of contention. Not the 2010 Giants, but every other team that won the title.
Let's analyze the deadline deals, who won, and who lost.
Winners: Philadelphia Phillies
The Phillies only made one trade, but was it ever big? They acquired Hunter Pence, the right-handed bat they've been missing since Jayson Werth signed with the Nationals. Pence is fast, a great hitter, a great fielder, and he has a great work ethic. Pence will be a major upgrade to the right field hole that was filled by Domonic Brown. Pence hurt the National League with Houston, but only got 35 wins. Now, he's ready to help Philadelphia on their quest for a second championship in four years.
Winners: San Francisco Giants
Although the results haven't come yet, the Giants have picked up some big bats to fill the holes of Freddy Sanchez and Miguel Tejada, and to provide the Giants with some offense to compete with Arizona, Philadelphia, and the rest of the National League. They got second baseman Jeff Keppinger for two prospects, right fielder Carlos Beltran for one prospect, and shortstop Orlando Cabrera for one prospect. And they gave up 3 pitching prospects and an outfielder in return (like they need more pitching). The Giants are only 1-3 with Beltran, but he will adjust, and the Giants will succeed in September and October with their new additions.
Winners: Texas Rangers
The Rangers needed someone in the bullpen to clean up for the starters, and they got help. Texas picked up lefty Mike Adams from San Diego, who has been amazing this year, with a 3-1 record and a 1.13 ERA, for just two pitching prospects. They added Koji Uehara from Baltimore for Chris Davis, the backup first baseman for Mitch Moreland, and Tommy Hunter, a relief/starting pitcher who took the loss in Game 4 of the 2010 World Series. Anyways, both of these pickups will help struggling closer Neftali Feliz, and help Texas make a push at a title.
Losers: New York Yankees
The Yankees needed to do something at the trade deadline. They could have picked up Colorado Rockies ace Ubaldo Jimenez. Mariners (now Red Sox) starter Erik Bedard. Mariners (now Tigers) starter Doug Fister. New York had to pick up a pitcher. And what did they come up with? Nothing. To compete, you have to make trades, give away prospects, and pick up players to help you down the stretch. The Yankees didn't do any of that. They already don't have what it takes to compete with Boston. They didn't do anything to help them take over the American League.
Losers: Cleveland Indians
Cleveland traded for Colorado Rockies ace Ubaldo Jimenez. Jimenez is a proven pitcher who can take any ball club to the next level, but giving up four prospects for Jimenez? That's not something Cleveland should have done. Jimenez is 6-9 this year, and the Indians gave up four prospects for him. They gave up Drew Pomeranz, a prized lefty, and three other players who may make a big impact in Colorado's future. I like Cleveland's deal for Kosuke Fukudome, but they already have four proven outfielders. And giving up Orlando Cabrera for a prospect? It's like they're the Astros and the Phillies. Shoppers and sellers. The Indians gave up a shortstop, and five prospects. Questionable moves. We'll see how it works out for them.
Losers: Los Angeles Angels
The Angels are in contention for the AL West and AL Wild Card, a they didn't do anything. They could have added a fifth starter in their rotation, an infield replacement for Erick Aybar or Maicer Izturis, or a proven closer or setup man, like Heath Belland Mike Adams. Instead, just like the Yankees, they did nothing. Los Angeles can catch Texas, but now, the Rangers have Koji Uehera and Mike Adams in the bullpen to protect the job done by starters, and the Angels have no one new. I still think Jered Weaver and Dan Haren can carry the pitching, and Mark Trumbo and Torii Hunter can tear apart a rotation, but the task will be harder for the Angels because they did nothing.
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