Trade Roundup
Update: Octavio Dotel to Atlanta for Kyle Davies. Winner? The Mariners. Thank you, John Schuerholz, for saving us from ourselves
A quick recap of what’s happened so far, leading up to tomorrow’s deadline.
Brewers acquire Scott Linebrink for trio of arms
I like Doug Melvin a lot, but he paid for what Linebrink was and not what he is. None of the guys he gave up are world beaters, but neither is Linebrink. Useful relief arms come cheaper than this. The key will be to see whether he gets classified as a Type A free agent and if the Brewers receive a couple of draft picks after he walks at seasons end – if he does, and they do, then the Brewers win this one.
Indians acquire Kenny Lofton for Max Ramirez
The classic deal that makes sense for both teams. Lofton gives the Indians some more depth in the outfield and improves their 25 man roster for a playoff run, while the Rangers get a guy who I like a lot in Max Ramirez. He’s a pure line drive hitter and could develop into a very solid player in a few years. The definition of a win-win trade.
Phillies acquire Tadahito Iguchi for nothing
Okay, Michael Dubee actually exists, but he’s a minor league reliever and not a particularly impressive one. Iguchi’s not having a great year, but he’ll help the Phillies, and he cost nothing. I never thought I’d utter these words, but nice trade by Pat Gillick. Prepare for armageddon.
Devil Rays acquire Dan Wheeler for Ty Wigginton
A blase veteran reliever for a blase veteran utility player with two guys going from one non-contender to another. This trade couldn’t matter any less.
Braves acquire Mark Teixeira for Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Elvis Andrus, and others
A total home run for the Rangers here. Teixeira is a good but not great player, and in return for a year and a half of his services at not-bargain rates, they extracted one of the best young catchers in baseball, a very high upside middle infielder, and reportedly got a couple other players of value. A+ for Jon Daniels. Teixeira won’t help the Braves as much as they think he will, and the upgrade from Salty to T-Rex isn’t worth the price they paid. But John Schuerholz is pretty close to being beyond reproach, so that’s all I’ll say about that.
Phillies acquire Kyle Lohse for nothing
The end is near. Pat Gillick makes two trades in the span of a couple of days, both times acquiring a guy with at least some potential to marginally improve his team and gives up nothing of value in either move. My world has just been thrown upside down.
Mets acquire Luis Castillo from the Twins for nothing
Remember the Ray Durham heist the A’s pulled off a few years ago, where they got two months of a solid player for nothing of consequence, then got two draft picks when Durham left as a free agent. This is the 2007 version of that. Terry Ryan simultaneously made his team worse now and in the future and got fleeced by Omar Minaya in the process.
M’s yet to make a move
Huzzah. There’s no one out there I want. I could offer up a big post on why J.P. Howell would be a really nice addition to the club, but he’s not 34 and injured, so I won’t bother.
we might not be out of the woods on Dotel yet …
The Mariners are still not out of the trade deadline woods yet. From Geoff Baker’s blog:
“I’d still lean towards picking up Al Reyes to work the eighth and from what I hear, that potential deal is still in-play, with Jeff Clement’s name being tossed around plenty.”
Apparently my spelling/grammar wasn’t perfect in the last post, so I’ll reiterate.
191- So you’re suggesting that the Yankees are willing to eat the 27 million (not sure on the exact details of it, something like that) they would still be obligated to pay Igawa -and- assume Sexson’s contract, in order to swap a rookie SP with potential for development for a washed up Richie Sexson who is not playing like a major league player period?
I would really like to get my hands on whatever it is you’re smoking.
I hate Al Reyes even more than I hate Dotel.
At least the D-Rays probably won’t want Wlad.
/gag
The best trade for the Mariners right now is no trade at all, and instead interior movement. Sadly I don’t think that will be the case due to all of the hype and travel expenses. We’re going to be taking on yet another 35 year old who is going to tank in exchange for one of our hottest prospects, just because Bavasi promised he would be making a move. Make a move in AAA you jackass, not in the trade market.
Steve Phillips, failed Mets GM, just said about an hour ago on BBTN’s “special” on the trade deadline:
(paraphrased) “ANY team that has any hope of going forward into the playoffs that doesn’t make some kind of deal, even if it’s a tiny insignificant deal, is going backward compared to the other contending teams. Example: the 2001 Mariners. They stood pat at the deadline, and it killed them. Say a contending team’s clubhouse, like that of the 2001 Mariners, is comfortable and everyone’s playing well together. Sometimes injecting a little discomfort into the clubhouse by introducing a trade-deadline teammate brings new life to the team, and they play better going forward.
Any MLB Front Office asks the players to give 100% throughout the season, and making a trade move at the deadline shows them that the Front Office is also doing all it can to ensure success. “
Oi. He may be right in that specific instance, but it’s certainly not advice that should be taken under ALL circumstances.
“failed Mets GM”
😉