There were a couple big trades this year at the trading deadline. Nothing too jaw-dropping but some interesting transactions. I’ll outline some of the biggers deals and would love to hear your thoughts on the trades and how they affect the playoff races or your favorite team.

The Cubs trade Greg Maddux (SP) to the Dodgers for Cesar Izturis (SS)

This one’s a heart-breaker for me. I pretty much saw it coming (along with the rest of the world) but in the back of my head I hoped that it wouldn’t happen. As I’ve stated before, it was a deal that the Cubs had to take. But that doesn’t make it any easier. When your team has already let one of the best pitchers of the last 40 years go once, it really makes you gunshy to trade him away and let him go a second time. That being said, I like that they were able to get a quality player like Izturis in return. I had heard reports that teams were offering a A-level prospect. I’m glad that the Cubs got a major-league tested player who was an All Star just last year. Hopefully his surgically-repaired bionic arm will hold up and he’ll be a great addition to the Cubs.

The Devil Rays trade Julio Lugo (SS) to the Dodgers for Joel Guzman (3B/OF) and Sergio Pedroza (OF)

This trade was clearly a trade to make room for Devil Rays young phenom BJ Upton. It looks like the Devil Rays got some good value for Lugo. From all accounts Guzman is a 4 or 5 tool player who is nearly ready to be called up to the big leagues. The Devil Rays aren’t going to be making any waves in the post season this year or probably any time in the near future so it looks like the Dodgers got the better side of this deal by filling the hole left by Cesar Izturis with a proven major league hitter.

The Pirates trade Craig Wilson (1B/OF) to the Yankees for Shawn Chacon (SP)

I think that this will end up having the biggest impact on the playoff race. Craig Wilson can hit. Period. Sure, he’s had his struggles this year and last but now that he’ll be surrounded by a glut of perennial All Stars, he won’t be asked to shoulder the lion’s share of the hitting. I think this will allow him to be more patient and to see better pitches. I think that the Yankees scored on this trade. I also think that the Pirates did pretty well for themselves. Shawn Chacon is not an ace, even on the Pirates. Well at least he shouldn’t be long term. But, he is a solid starter who will give the Pirates a fairly dependable arm for a little while.

The Cubs trade Todd Walker (2B) to the Padres for Jose Ceda (SP)

One of my favorite Cubs is now a Padre. Jose Ceda is 19 years old. He is ranked very high in the Padres organization. Todd Walker was not going to be a Cub next year, so I think it was a good call to try and get something for him. Hopefully Jose Ceda can contribute to the Cubs organization as he matures.

The Pirates continued their activity and trade Oliver Perez (SP) and Roberto Hernandez (RP) to the Mets for Xavier Nady (OF)

This is one of the more intriguing trades this year. Roberto Hernandez is an experienced arm out of the bullpen. Oliver Perez not too long ago was thought of as one of the top up and coming arms in the National League. Xavier Nady was the odd-man out in the Mets outfield. With Lastings Milledge ready to contribute Nady had become expendable. If Perez can find his previous form, the Mets will not only add a solid arm to their already potent rotation, but also a quality middle reliever/set up man. Nady will solidify the Pirates outfield of Jason Bay and Nate McLouth.

The Phillies trade Bobby Abreu (OF) and Cory Lidle (SP) to the Yankees for Matt Smith (P), C.J. Henry (SS), Jesus Sanchez (C), and Carlos Monasterios (P)

The Yankees land their prized possession in Abreu and they also shore up their pitching staff with Lidle. Apparently Henry was one of the top prospects in the well-picked Yankees farm system and Smith has bounced between AAA and the bigs all year. Does this do enough for the Yankees to make a push? I’m not sure. I think that if Abreu can heat up, the Yankees can put a run together, but he is awfully streaky and if his production doesn’t measure up this could be a long second half for the folks in the Bronx.

Side Notes: The Carlos Lee deal seems peculiar. Texas added to it’s strength (hitting), while depleting it’s weakness (pitching). Is this another example of the Rangers just not being about to figure it all out?

It seemed like the bigger news was how many of the big names stayed put. Soriano is still a National, and Tejada will stick it out in Baltimore.

What do you think are the biggest stories? And how will these trades affect the playoff races?

This entry was posted on Tuesday, August 1st, 2006 at 12:58 am and is filed under Baseball, MLB. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.