July 31, 2008
Trade Deadline Winners and Loswers
Winner: St. Louis Cardinals.
Acquired: 2B Dan Uggla
Lost: LF Scott Schumaker (FLA)
- Uggla has struggled since earning the starting spot in Florida in 2006, but a change of scenery might due him wonders. This season he hit .221 in 101 games with the Marlins, but a decent .280 versus left-handers should benefit the Cardinals. Despite being 7 games out in the Wild Card, the Cardinals are a team to watch.
Winner: Tampa Bay Rays
Acquired: C.C. Sabathia, SP Matt Harrison, LF Geoff Jenkins, 2B Chris Coghlan, 2B James Guerrero
Lost: SP J.P. Howell (TEX), CF Desmond Jennings (MIL), C Nevin Ashley (MIL), MR Dan Wheeler (PHI), 3B Chase Fontaine (FLA), SP David Price (FLA)
- A tough choice here, but the additions of C.C. Sabathia and Matt Harrison, outweigh the loss of Price. Despite being 19.5 games out of contention, the Rays are making positive steps to build a winner, and Sabathia's winning example should be a positive addition.
Winner: Boston Red Sox
Acquired: SS Rafael Frucal, CL Brian Wilson
Lost: SP Jaymie Russ, MR Jaime Farias, 3B Ryan Khoury, LF Reid Engel, MR Lee Gronkiewicz, SS Oscar Tejada, LF Brandon Moss, C Jonathan Still, Bill Rowell, 3B Rob Mackowiak
- Gave up a lot of talent, but the Sox were able to fill two important holes with Furcal and Wilson. Long-term solution at shortstop is still a question as Furcal can walk at season's end, but he is an upgrade over Lugo (.239/.280/.343) and, at worst, should net the Sox two draft choices.
Loser: Milwaukee Brewers.
Acquired: CF Desmond Jennings, C Nevin Ashley, 1B Chris Savis, C Pancho Barrojon
Lost: SP Chris Capuano (TEX), SP C.C. Sabathia (TB)
- High hopes dashed lead to the Brewers to trade their top two starters, Sabathia and Capuano, in salary dump moves. Davis has potential to be a solid major leaguer, but with Prince Fielder at first base, where do they plan him?
Loser: Colorado Rockies
Acquired: 2B Ronnie Belliard
Lost: MR Brian Fuentes
- Belliard (.222/.269/.309) is one season removed from back-to-back .290+ avg. seasons, but he isn't going to be an improvement over Ian Stewart (.251/.309/.370) who now goes to the bench. Fuentes was a serviceable MR who has closer potential and goes to a Washington club in great need of stability at the back-end of their rotation. A potential FA at season's end, Fuentes is bound to bolt Washington for greener pastures.