Major Moves at the Deadline
by Cody Clark ~ July 31st, 2009.There have been some major moves this year at the deadline as teams look to improve their teams for the stretch run. A lot of teams have made some major moves to bolster their clubs as teams look to make a run into the playoffs. Below are 10 moves that have gotten done at the deadline this year and my thoughts and a grade on each them.
- Victor Martinez- Traded from the Indians to the Red Sox for Masterson, Hagadone, and Price. Great Move for the Sox that gives them another solid bat and a player that can play C, 1B, DH. Grade: A-
- Jake Peavy- Traded from the Padres to the White Sox (while still on the DL) for Clayton Richard, Aaron Poreda, Dexter Carter, and Adam Russell. Interesting move because he is still on the DL; probably done more for the 2010 season and beyond. Grade: B-
- Jarrod Washburn- Traded from the Mariners to the Tigers for prospects Mauricio Robles and Luke French. Great move to get one of the hottest pitchers in the game to add to a rotation with Jackson and Verlander. Grade: A+
- Orlando Cabrera- Traded with cash from the Athletics to the Twins for SS prospect Tyler Ladendorf. Good move to give them help up the middle and a bat in a three team division race. Grade: B-
- Scott Rolen- Traded from the Blue Jays to the Reds for Edwin Encarnacion and Josh Roenicke. Bad move as the Reds get an aging Rolen and a large contract; good for the Jays. Grade: C (A for the Jays)
- Nick Johnson- Traded from the Nationals to the Marlins for LHP Aaron Thompson. Good move for the Marlins to help their team as they chase a wild card spot. Grade: B
- Jerry Hairston- Traded from the Reds to the Yankees for C Chase Weems. Yankees get a very versatile player for next to nothing that can play six positions. Grade: C
- Adam LaRoche- Traded from the Red Sox to the Braves for Casey Kotchman days after being traded to Boston. Personally, I like LaRoche better, but Casey is still a good player who has not made an error in two seasons. Grade: B
- Cliff Lee- Traded from the Indians to the Phillies for prospects Carlos Carrasco, Jason Donald, Jason Knapp, and Lou Marson. Wonderful deal for the Phillies to add to a rotation of Hamels, Moyer, Happ, and now Lee. Grade: A+
- Freddy Sanchez- Traded from the Pirates to the Giants for P Tim Alderman. Good move as the Giants try to acquire a bat and a good glove to help them in their wild card race. Grade: B-