Athletics acquire SP Jon Lester and OF Jonny Gomes from Red Sox for OF Yoenis Cespedes
In a very un Billy Beane like move the Athletics bolstered an already strong rotation with the addition of Jon Lester. But Lester came at a price with Yoenis Cespedes going the other way in the deal. Now offhand this is a great move for the A’s this season as Lester further solidifies the A’s rotation giving them the opportunity to go toe-to-toe with some of the AL’s best, particularly Detroit. Beyond this season though the question regarding whether or not the A’s are going to be a better team is still up in the air.
Meanwhile the Red Sox unlike this season are stacking their lineup for a run in 2015. Cespedes is a big time bat that should benefit from the shallow outfield of Fenway. The question remains much like Lester next season and that is what will Cespedes do when 2016 rolls around? Will he become a free agent?
Overall it’s a great trade for both teams at different time periods. The A’s make out this season while the Red Sox make out next season knowing they may have a chance to get Lester back when he becomes a free agent this offseason.
Cardinals acquire SP John Lackey from Red Sox for SP Joe Kelly and OF/1B Allen Craig
The Cardinals needed to boost to their rotation in order to make a run for the postseason and subsequent run for the World Series. Lackey provides that opportunity as he’s having a nice season coming off last year’s World Series win with the Red Sox and continuing to make a good showing from his 2012 Tommy John Surgery.
Meanwhile the Red Sox make good again on another deal getting a nice young arm in Joe Kelly and Allen Craig who was an All-Star last year but having a tough go around in 2014. Perhaps the change of scenery will do him some good?
Athletics acquire OF Sam Fuld from Twins for SP Tommy Milone
I like the move for the Athletics. Fuld will provide some good backup for Jonny Gomes in the outfield.
Brewers acquire OF Gerardo Parra from Diamondbacks for minor league OF Mitch Haniger and P Anthony Banda
The D-Backs were floating Parra out there for a while now so there’s really no surprise he got dealt. Career wise the Brewers get a 274/.326/.395 hitter in Parra with 212 extra-base hits in nearly 3,000 plate appearances.
Going back to the D-Backs are prospects, notably Mitch Haniger, who is hitting .255/.316/.416 with 10 home runs in 271 plate appearances
Mariners acquire OF Chris Denorfia from Padres for Abraham Almonte and minor league RHP Stephen Kohlscheen
Nationals acquire SS Asdrubal Cabrera from Indians for SS Zach Walters
The Nats were in need of an infielder especially with Ryan Zimmerman probably missing most, if not all of the regular season with a severe hamstring injury. Cabrera fills that need and gives Washington the opportunity to move Anthony Rendon over to third base.
Cabrera is a free agent though at the end of the season so he’s a rental for the Nationals.
For the Tribe they get a nice cheap infielder in Zach Walters who’s under team control through 2019. However what Cleveland was really looking at here was the fact that they get to break in top prospect SS Francisco Lindor this season in preparation to make him the full time short stop in 2015.
Orioles acquire RP Andrew Miller from Red Sox for minor league SP Eduardo Rodriguez
It’s a great get for the Orioles this season as Miller is one of the best lefty relievers on the market possessing a 2.34 ERA (1.69 FIP) and 14.7 K/9 this season in 42.1 innings spanning 50 appearances. However was the price too steep for a one year rental? Especially when that price tag called for the Orioles’ fourth best pitching prospect in Eduardo Rodriguez. I guess time will tell and remember Miller is a free agent come this offseason.
Yankees acquire SS Stephen Drew from Red Sox for UT Kelly Johnson
So the Yankees and Red Sox strike a deal… Unfortunately this isn’t one that’s really going to turn you’re head. Drew, who signed late with the Red Sox is batting .176/.255/.328 with 11 extra-base hits in 145 plate appearances this season. He’s unlikely to find regular playing time with the Yankees so the deal really is to provide the bombers with a little more depth. Meanwhile the departure of Drew for the Red Sox means they can finally move Xander Bogaerts back to shortstop and give Will Middlebrooks another shot at third base.
Yankees acquire IF Martin Prado from Diamondbacks for C Peter O’Brien and cash/player to be named later
I love this move for the Yankees as Prado gives them plenty of options in the infield and outfield. The 30-year old Prado will also provide a little offense going .270/.317/.370 with the D-Backs this season. Meanwhile Arizona didn’t miss out much receiving versatile 1B/RF/C in Peter O’Brien who provides some of the best power in MiLB batting .267/.312/.593 with 33 home runs in 413 plate appearances between High-A Tampa and Double-A Trenton.
Tigers acquire SP David Price, Mariners acquire OF Austin Jackson, Rays acquire SP Drew Smyly and Nick Franklin
The Tigers answered Oakland’s acquisition of Lester with a blockbuster of their own in David Price which was huge for Detroit. Not only does it probably mean they still have the best rotation in all of baseball but Price (who is signed through 2015) is also an insurance piece next season if Max Scherzer walks via free agency.
The move for the Mariners is also beneficial as Austin Jackson fills the need for a right-handed hitting center fielder something the M’s were definitely in the market for. Jackson also provides a good glove in the outfield and should fit in nicely with what Seattle is trying to do.
Meanwhile the return for Tampa Bay is a bit of a head scratcher. Now it’s not that Nick Franklin and Drew Smyly are bad players, Franklin has plenty of upside (despite playing most of his time in Triple-A this season) and Smyly is a big league pitcher who has shown glimpses of being a pretty good lefty. However was what the Rays got in return for their ace and former Cy Young winner enough?
Braves acquire UT Emilio Bonifacio and P James Russell from Cubs for minor league C Victor Caratini
Not a bad deal for the Braves who address two needs with Bonifacio and Russell. Bonifacio will provide some depth off the bench for Atlanta while Russell was one of the more sought after lefties heading into the deadline.
Marlins acquire SP Jarred Cosart, OF Austin Wates and UT Enrique Hernandez from Astros for OF Jake Marisnick, Colin Moran and Francis Martes
Cosart provides the Marlins with some potential on the mound despite his less than stellar numbers season of a 4.41 ERA (4.02 FIP), 5.8 K/9 and 3.9 BB/9 in 116.1. In 2013, the right-hander posted a 1.95 ERA (4.35 FIP) in 60 innings.
For the Astros they continue to stockpile prospects where of which Marisnick, Moran and Martes are some good ones.
