2008 MLB Trade Deadline Review

The 2008 MLB Trade Deadline, like any other from recent years, has been loaded with trades of all kinds. Here's a look at all the deals that got done, and how they'll effect the teams involved. Also, a look at this year's winners and losers.


MAJOR NOTABLE TRADES


JULY 7
Brewers get: P CC Sabathia
Indians get: OF Matt LaPorta (AA), P Rob Bryson (A), P Zach Jackson (AAA), p.t.b.n.
Review: With CC, the Brew Crew has a legit 1-2 punch at the top of the rotation. The deal makes them a playoff contender, but they did give up quite a bit. LaPorta is 2 years away from the All-Star Game, and Bryson and Jackson can be solid staff members with some development. Sabathia is likely to leave after the end of the season if Milwaukee doesn't make postseason run. Cleveland lost their best pitcher, and Paul Byrd is on his way out as well.
Trade Grade: Brewers/B; Indians/B-


JULY 8
Cubs get: P Rich Harden, P Chad Gaudin
A's get: P Sean Gallagher, OF Matt Murton, IF-OF Eric Patterson, C Josh Donaldson (A)
Review: Rich Harden makes the Cubs' rotation best in the bigs. When he's healthy. Harden is an ace, no doubt, but visits the DL quite a bit. Who knows when he could suffer the "big one." Gaudin is a proven reliever, and was a good steal. Murton and Patterson are exceptional grabs for the A's, both will be starting everyday next year if not now. The A's are sellers in '08.
Trade Grade: Cubs/A-; Athletics/C+


JULY 17
Phillies get: P Joe Blanton
A's get: 2B Adrian Cardenas (A), P Josh Outman (AA), OF Matt Spencer (A)
Review: Phillies get a quality young arm to fit in with ace Cole Hamels and veteran Brett Myers. Blanton gives up a lot of homers, though, so he might not succeed immediately in Philly. Oakland gives up their #2 man for nothing that'll be relevant for 4-5 years. Another silly trade from A's general manager Billy Beane.
Trade Grade: Phillies/B+; Athletics/D


JULY 20
Brewers get: 2B Ray Durham
Giants get: P Steve Hammond (AAA), OF Darren Ford (A)
Review: Simple deal here. Brewers pick up a quality bat to replace current 2B Rickie Weeks, hitting .223, worst among starting 2nd basemen in the NL. San Fran trades away one of their multiple veteran players to get younger, and aquire a quality arm in Hammond. Another trade that helps the Brewers' hopes to solidify the Wildcard and possibly the NL Central crown.
Trade Grade: Brewers/B; Giants/C+


JULY 25
Yankees get: OF Xavier Nady, P Damaso Marte
Buccos get:OF Jose Tabata (AA), P Ross Ohlendorf, P Dan McCutchen, P Jeff Karstens (all AAA)
Review: New York needed a good right-handed bat, and they got it. Nady is hitting .325 this season, and provides a fill for injured LF Hideki Matsui. Marte is a young and developing set-up man, completing the bridge to Mariano Rivera. Pittsburgh picks up 3 arms that eventually can be conistent major-league pitchers. Jose Tabata was #4 in the Yanks' farm system, but reportedly has had some maturity issues (he's 19).
Trade Grade: Yankees/A-; Pirates/B


JULY 29
Angels get: 1B Mark Teixera
Braves get: 1B Casey Kotchman, P Stephen Marek (AA)
Review: The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, CA, United States of America, North America, Earth made a decent deal here. It's not as great as everyone thinks. Tex is hitting .281 with 20hr, 78rbi. Kotchman is hitting .287 with 12hr and 54rbi. Clearly, it's an upgrade, but people are making this out to be a blockbuster count LAA in for World Series deal. No. Kotchman was their best avg hitter, and had a lot of chemistry there. Atlanta just waved the white flag for '08. Oh yeah. Bryan, this kinda messes up your MLB Award Predictions.
Trade Grade: Angels/B; Braves/C-


JULY 30
Yankees get: C Ivan Rodriguez
Tigers get: P Kyle Farnsworth
Review: The Yanks are filling are of their holes at the deadline. Yeah, Pudge is almost 37, but he makes the Yankees lineup a bit tougher to pitch to, and is a better defensive catcher than injured Jorge Posada. Farnsworth has only thrown 44 innings, and is 1-2. Jose Veras and newly acquired Damaso Marte should easily fill the set-up void. Tigers pick up a solid arm to try and get back in the AL Central race.
Trade Grade: Yankees/B+; Tigers/B


JULY 31
Marlins get: P Arthur Rhodes
Mariners get: P Gaby Hernandez (AA)
Review: The Fish pick up a good veteran reliever in Rhodes, who solidifies the bullpen. He wasn't first on their list (Huston Street, Brian Fuentes), but he'll still get it done. Hernandez is a young star and could be a Francisco Liriano type of pitcher next season. The Marlins gave up a lot for a guy who's turning on 40. Florida's obviously going for it, this season. If they looked at past records, it'll show that the Fish will be 2009 World Series champs (titles in 1997, 2003).
Trade Grade: Marlins/C+; Mariners/B+


White Sox get: OF Ken Griffey Jr.
Reds get: P Nick Masset, INF Danny Richar (AAA)
Review: Okay, so the South Side finally gets Griffey. A little late, but it can still work for them. The Sox pick up a veteran bat who possibly will fare better in a positive situation. Junior is only batting .245 with 15hr, but he can provide sparks any way you use him. The Reds get two average prospects to clear up some cap space and get younger throughout. Whatever.
Trade Grade: White Sox/A-; Reds/C


Dodgers get: OF Manny Ramirez
Red Sox get: OF Jason Bay
Pirates get: OF Brandon Moss (AAA), P Craig Hansen, 3B Andy LaRoche, P Bryan Morris (A)
Review: LA is the winner here, and Boston is the loser. The Dodgers got an insanely productive hitter who is a natural leader and has postseason experience. The BoSox lost their best player and got an inconsistent replacement. Bay is having a solid year (.282avg, 22hr, 64rbi). Bay has no idea what the playoffs are and will probably struggle early in his Boston tenure. Our beloved Buccos get a steal from Boston with Moss (a future McLouth) and Hansen, and pick up some brotherly love with Adam's little bro Andy joining the organization.
Trade Grade: Dodgers/A; Red Sox/C-; Pirates/B-


OTHER NOTABLE TRADES

JULY 17
D-Backs get: 1B Tony Clark
Padres get: P Evan Scribner (A)
Skinny: D-Backs get a veteran stick who knows the system and can produce off the bench.

JULY 22
D-Backs get: P Jon Rauch
Nationals get: IF/OF Emilio Bonifacio
Skinny: Rauch is a solid arm that can shut down late innings as a set-up man or closer.

Astros get: P Randy Wolf
Padres get: P Chad Reineke (AAA)
Skinny: Wolf is an okay starter, but won't pull off any miracles for the 4th place Astros.

JULY 26
Dodgers get: 3B Casey Blake
Indians get: P Jon Meloan (AAA), C Carlos Santana (A)
Skinny: Blake replaces Andy LaRoche, but doesn't have as much upside.


Although we saw a lot of big names go, this would be referred to as a "dudline" in the baseball world. Only 5 major deals were made in the last two days before the deadline. Regardless, the deals still shake up the playoff race. It'll be exciting to see what happens.

All stats and records courtesy of www.BaseballAmerica.com and www.mlb.com.