Deadline Deals

There’s nothing like waiting until the last minute to make a decision. I sometimes find those decisions to be the best. Front office executives and personnel around Major League Baseball are hoping their July 31st trade deadline deals turn out wonderfully well. Here are some of the largest splashes from yesterday’s dealing GM’s.
The non-waiver deadline doesn’t mean teams still can’t covet potential players promising a post-season impact. The Boston Red Sox didn’t hesitate to address the pressing need of adding a big bat to Terry Francona’s lineup. Switch-hitting All-Star, Victor Martinez has 67 RBIs, 15 long balls and a .284 average. The former Cleveland Indian should be a producer at Fenway Park down the stretch, and the Sox still have their booming baby Boston farm system intact. Martinez will receive at bats at the expense of some of Boston veteran players, but the lineup will thrive because of the addition. A trio of semi-polished pitchers parted in the Martinez agreement. Right-hander, Justin Masterson, and Single-A prospects, Nick Hagadone and Bryan Price, were shipped to Cleveland in the impactful exchange. The 24 year old Masterson is the only one with major league experience. He has a solid sinker but it is unknown whether Masterson will develop into a top notch starter or reliable reliever. Masterson was brilliant for Boston in the 2008 post-season, setting a club record with nine appearances. Hagadone is a southpaw drafted by the organization in 2007 and Price throws right-handed but missed a year because he had Tommy John surgery.
The lifetime Cleveland Indian is a valuable middle of the order hitter. Theo Epstein made a magnificent move in signing Martinez. Victor’s versatility add fuel to an already fiery team with plenty of heart. He compliments the Boston lineup and will see time as captain, Jason Varitek’s backup at the catcher position or at first base. Martinez will be a steady slugger for the
slumping Sox. Martinez fits well at Fenway because he gets on base often. He is 16th in the league in walks with 51.
Boston also upgraded their defense by acquiring Casey Kotchman from Atlanta. Kotchman hasn’t committed an error in two seasons with the Braves at first base. The Red Sox swapped first baseman with Atlanta, sending Adam LaRoche to the Braves. LaRoche was picked up from the Pittsburgh Pirates just nine days ago.
Even Scott Rolen’s reputable Gold Glove won’t help the Cincinnati Reds. I did not expect the Reds to be buyers at the deadline, but it turns out, they were. The club completed a deal for Rolen before the 4pm deadline. The Toronto Bluejays did end up dealing on Friday, but the trade didn’t involve coveted hurler, Roy Halladay. Toronto will send Rolen to the Reds in exchange for third baseman, Edwin Encarnacion and pitchers, Josh Roenicke and Zach Stewart. Stewart, last year’s draft pick, is a 22 year old prospect and Roenicke is a 27 year old with promise. Both teams seem to be helped by the trade. The Bluejays are deeper in pitching because of this move and Rolen should benefit from a return to the National League. The serviceable right-handed hitter, Rolen, sports a .320 average in 88 games this season. Rolen is a great player and five time All-Star, but it makes little sense for a team nine games out of first place to deal for a 34 year old. Reds’ GM, Walt Jockety, hopes Rolen will be a part of the team for several seasons. In that regard, the future looks a little more promising for Cincy faithful. The position player is a positive role model and leader on the field. St. Louis fans questioned his commitment, but I always liked Rolen. He is one of my favorite players today, and perhaps one of the greatest defensive third baseman in history.
The Reds also traded utility infielder, Jerry Hairston, Jr. to the New York Yankees. Hairston has appeared at six different positions from Cincinnati. His 27 RBIs should give Joe Girardi plenty of flexibility on the field and at the plate. With speedy outfielder, Brett Gardner, out due to injury, this move shores up the Yankees suddenly depleted bench.
The Detroit Tigers now have one of the league’s best pitching staffs. Detroit added Jarrod Washburn to the rotation on Friday. The Tigers have been a first place team since mid-May but needed to make a move to break free of the threatening and trailing Twins and competitive Chicago White Sox in the AL Central. Washburn is 8-6 this year and a free agent at the end of the season. The pronounced and balanced rotation now features playoff ready starters, Justin Verlander, Edwin Jackson and Washburn. Jarrod is a 12 year veteran starter with extensive playoff experience with the Anaheim Angels. The sinker-balling southpaw arrives from the Seattle Mariners. The only deal the Tigers made Friday sent rookie Luke French and Mauricio
Robles, two lefties, to the M’s for Washburn. It is a great deal for the Tigers because Comerica Park is an idea venue for Washburn. He will make hitters club balls to open part of the field.
Chicago takes the cake for being the biggest procrastinator Friday. The White Sox got the pitcher they hoped to pry from San Diego earlier this year. Jake Peavy agreed to be traded to Chicago off the disabled list. Peavy hasn’t pitched since June 8th because of a damaged tendon in his ankle. When Jake takes the mound, he usually delivers a quality start. Chicago’s sizeable investment in Peavy means the ace must be able to endure the summer’s heated pennant race. The Whitesox gave up their top prospect, Aaron Poreda and $48 million, along with three other pitchers in the last minute exchange to snare the 2007 CY Young winner. Peavy turned down a deal to be a Whitesox in May when the Padres agreed to trade him. The 26 year old is 6-6 with a 3.97 ERA in 13 starts. He joins a rotation featuring perfect game
tosser, Mark Buehrle, Gavin Floyd, Jose Contreras and John Danks. GM Kenny William’s Peavy persuasive persistence just might give the team the edge in the post-season. The potential beastly rotation hinges on how quickly Peavy’s ankle heals. It was a gamble because Jake might not be able to help the Whitesox in 2009. But he is signed through 2012 and is a proven winner.

Parting points: Happy August… It’s National Catfish Month!
Song of the day” “When You Were Young”- The Killers