MLB Trade Deadline Round-Up

Charlie Klein

So Roy Halladay did not get moved. Just like how I thought he would not. There were, however, big moves made by teams trying to make themselves more competitive for the final two months of the season, and here are the big winners and losers from the 2009 MLB Trade Deadline.

Winners:

Boston Red Sox

Some may be surprised with this selection considering the fact that their rotation has not looked very good of late. To be honest, most things in Sox Nation have not gone the way their die hard fans would like. The addition of Victor Martinez to a slumping lineup will do wonders for them. Let's look at what they gave the Indians in return: Justin Masterson (SP/RP), Nick Hardagone, and Bryan Price. Notice who was not in there? Clay Bucholz, Lars Anderson, basically any of the Sox's biggest prospects. It feels like to me Cleveland got hosed again. Then the Red Sox go out and deal LaRoche for an outstanding piece to put on the bench in Casey Kotchman, who has playoff experience and has a great glove at first base.

Philadelphia Phillies

Phills GM Ruben Amaro must have sent a text to Jays GM J.P. Riccardi that went something like, "How do you like me now bitch!" following the acquisition of 2008 Cy Young Award winner Cliff Lee without giving up any of the prospects the Jays wanted for their ace. They gave up some good prospects, but not Kyle Drabeck or J.A. Happ. Their rotation looks to be the class of the National League with a great 1-2 of Lee and Hamels.

Detroit Tigers

The Tiggers needed to add a pitcher to their rotation in order to increase their hold on the AL Central. Trading for Jarrod Washburn, who has a 2.64 ERA, including a July ERA of under one, was a great move. They give up a strong A ball prospect and Luke French, who is said to be just like Wasburn (a fly-bally pitcher) and cheaper. Their 1-2-3 of Verlander, Jackson, and Wasburn is good enough to take on any other in the playoffs.

Loser:

Cleveland Indians

I am really sorry Cleveland fans, I really truly am. None of your teams can ever do well. And every time the Indians build up their team the moment it becomes to expensive your ridiculous owner demands that they be traded. I guess you can just thank your lucky stars that Indians didn't give up Grady Sizemore too. The fact that Shapiro was not able to get any of the Phillies top prospects in a deal for a pitcher that was pretty comparable to Halladay (Lee just does not have all the ESPN hype) is pretty disappointing. And then deal Martinez and not get Bucholz, is just insult to injury.