By Josh
Let’s be honest, for a few hours I wasn’t able to accomplish as much as I normally do. My phone was going crazy with people tweeting like crazy about all that was going on in the MLB world. Things were absolutely crazy.
Heck here is the easiest way for me to break everything down for you; the Yankees and Red Sox made a trade, with each other. It has been like 17 years since these two teams made a trade with each other.
If you were to just take the players that were traded in the final 24 hours of the MLB trade deadline you would have a really strong foundation for a team. You would have David Price and Jon Lester as your 1-2 punch, Cespedes and Austin Jackson in the outfield. Allen Craig would fit into a number of spots. Heck this doesn’t even count some of the talented prospects who got traded.
David Price Trade
This by far was the biggest trade of the day. The Tigers got Price and with their already amazing lineup of starting pitchers this is a case of the rich getting filthy rich.
The Tigers did have to give up Austin Jackson, who went to the Mariners. This is a HUGE win for the Mariners because all they had to give up was Nick Franklin. Don’t get me wrong I really like Franklin, but I really, really, really love having Jackson in centerfield for the Mariners. Feels like Mike Cameron reborn.
The Rays got some players, but lets be honest it isn’t what they were initially asking for when the trade talks all began.
Jon Lester / Yoenis Cespedes Trade
I understand this trade, and yet I don’t understand this trade. For Boston this is a huge win. Cespedes hitting in Fenway is going to be so much fun to watch. What I don’t get is why the A’s gave up their clean up hitter. Trade your entire farm system but don’t trade your clean up hitter. Great pitching is important but not if you can’t score runs. Just ask Felix Hernandez how it feels to not get run support. (Hopefully Jackson helps this issue.)
Lackey / Craig & Kelly
If Boston wasn’t the clear winner from this trade deadline for the Lester trade, they sure are with this trade tacked on. Is it just me or does no one else realize that Kelly is a pretty good pitcher and Lackey isn’t a huge upgrade for the Cardinals. Then when you add in Craig, who can hit VERY well when healthy this trade kind of screams desperation for the Cardinals.
The Silent Teams
A few teams weren’t mentioned in any trades of significance that surprised me. The Dodgers and Pirates didn’t go out and get anything, which really isn’t a bad thing for like the Dodgers. They have a pretty full roster.
Their were some ‘sellers’ that were silent that surprised me. The Phillies just went from sad but hopeful to sad and no future in sight. The Rangers didn’t unload anyone, which kind of makes since, after all this season they had a few injuries problems that affected them.
In all this trade deadline was CRAZY, and I loved every second of it. I have to say that this two Wild Card setup might actually be a good thing for creating more excitement for the game of baseball.