{"id":15627,"date":"2011-08-03T20:44:29","date_gmt":"2011-08-04T03:44:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/seamheads.com\/?p=15627"},"modified":"2011-08-04T00:19:46","modified_gmt":"2011-08-04T07:19:46","slug":"clearing-the-bases-16","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/seamheads.com\/blog\/2011\/08\/03\/clearing-the-bases-16\/","title":{"rendered":"Clearing The Bases"},"content":{"rendered":"

Last week we looked at the teams that could be big players before the non-waiver trade deadline, this week we will look at the winners and losers. \u00c2\u00a0This is where the general manager of a team makes his money.\u00c2\u00a0 You’re under pressure to make the best deal possible.\u00c2\u00a0 Everyone knows what you need, so you may not have as much leverage as you like, and with the social media available today, everyone knows your prospects and fans won’t be forgiving if you give up what they consider is a top minor leaguer for an average major leaguer.\u00c2\u00a0 Problem is if you don’t want to give up these top prospects, you may not be able to get the player that could help you the most.\u00c2\u00a0 Those GMs have to answer so many questions, will this player help our team, will he mesh in the clubhouse, how much of his salary can we take on, will he be able to play under the bright lights and scrutiny of a pennant chase.\u00c2\u00a0 If the answer to any of these questions is no, than the GM may just pass on the deal.\u00c2\u00a0 Let’s also not forget that teams that we may deem losers now can redeem themselves in August, trades can still be made, it’s just that now players have to clear waivers, so blockbusters or multiple player are much harder to accomplish, but veterans with big contracts that are underperforming will certainly get through, and that’s where a deal can be made.<\/p>\n

I’m not going to mention a couple of teams because although I believe they made good deals, they did so with some risk.\u00c2\u00a0 Cleveland announced they are going for it this season with the big trade for Ubaldo Jimenez but it cost them their top two prospects and more in Drew Pomeranz and Alex White, plus there has to be major concerns about the health of Jimenez as he is signed to such a team friendly contract.\u00c2\u00a0 Houston made a couple of deals and received quite a few prospects, even a couple of top ones, but those players are still years away from contributing.\u00c2\u00a0 Who is going to pay to watch this team in the mean time?\u00c2\u00a0 San Francisco did acquire the bat they needed in Beltran, but giving up your top pitching prospect for a two month rental is a huge gamble.<\/p>\n

Winners:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Toronto Blue Jays:\u00c2\u00a0 Acquiring Colby Rasmus before the deadline certainly seemed like a shrewd move by the Jays.\u00c2\u00a0 In Rasmus they acquire a centerfielder that can do just about anything on the baseball field and who was in obvious need of change of scenery as he just couldn’t get along with Cardinals manager Tony LaRussa.\u00c2\u00a0 It may take Rasmus the rest of this season to get acclimated to his new surroundings, but next year he may finally live up to his vast potential, and there are very few more hitter friends ballparks than Toronto.\u00c2\u00a0 What’s even more impressive in this deal was that the Blue Jays gave up very little talent, and certainly not anyone they are going to miss going forward.<\/li>\n
  2. Baltimore Orioles:\u00c2\u00a0 Koji Uehara may have a 1.72 ERA and a WHIP of .702 but he is also 36 years of age and certainly not someone you can count on long term.\u00c2\u00a0 The O’s turned Uehara into Chris Davis and Tommy Hunter.\u00c2\u00a0 Davis is still a project, and some could argue that what the O’s have in Davis is someone who’s upside is 30+ HRs, but with that will come a truckload of strikeouts.\u00c2\u00a0 Hard to argue with that, but still the team hasn’t had a 1B they can rely on since Rafael Palmiero.\u00c2\u00a0 Hunter will never be a top of the rotation starter, and may struggle with the offenses in the East, but could still be a useful 4-5 starter, and you can never have enough pitching.<\/li>\n
  3. Detroit Tigers:\u00c2\u00a0 We all knew the Tigers needed pitching.\u00c2\u00a0 They were in on everyone from Ublado Jimenez to Hideki Kuroda and if you look at Doug Fister’s record (3-12) you might think they settled, but a closer look at Fister’s numbers reveals his ERA is just a tick over three and his WHIP is impressive at 1.171 and it’s not like he went to a hitters ballpark in Detroit.\u00c2\u00a0 Once again, Detroit didn’t lose anything off the major league roster that will hurt them, and they were able to keep prize prospect Jacob Turner.<\/li>\n
  4. Texas Rangers:\u00c2\u00a0 The addition of Koji Uehara and Mike Adams may make the Rangers the favorite to win the AL Pennant.\u00c2\u00a0 The Rangers can hit with anyone, and although they may not have the aces that Detroit, Boston, and New York have, their rotation is deeper and their bullpen is pretty close to dominant.\u00c2\u00a0 The trade for Adams also allows the team to move Neftali Feliz to the starting rotation next season if they so choose.<\/li>\n
  5. Seattle Mariners:\u00c2\u00a0 Getting Trayvon Robinson from the Dodgers for next to nothing was highway robbery.\u00c2\u00a0 Seems the Dodgers gave up on him or just flat out don’t think he can play at the major league level.\u00c2\u00a0 Robinson may not be so happy with this trade however as SafeCo Field is where good offensive players go to die.<\/li>\n
  6. Atlanta Braves:\u00c2\u00a0 The Braves seemed close to becoming losers at the trade deadline as they were rumored to be in on every outfielder in the majors (Carlos Beltran, Hunter Pence, Carlos Quentin) and seemed to have struck out, but finally got their man in Michael Bourne, and didn’t have to surrender one of their top pitching prospects to get it done.\u00c2\u00a0 Bourne is almost the perfect player for the Braves as it gives them a true centerfielder and leadoff man.<\/li>\n
  7. New York Mets:\u00c2\u00a0 Everyone knew the Mets were going to trade Beltran, and everyone also knew that he would be nothing more than a two month rental and that the acquiring team would not be able to get draft pick compensation once he leaves the team after the season.\u00c2\u00a0 Kudos to GM Sandy Alderson for holding his ground and getting a top prospect that he demanded.\u00c2\u00a0 Zack Wheeler should be able to help the Mets in 2013-14.\u00c2\u00a0 The Mets almost didn’t make this list as I believe they should have traded Jose Reyes.\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 They aren’t going anywhere this season and Reyes could’ve brought two to three more top prospects.\u00c2\u00a0 The Mets changed their mind and now want to re-sign him, but it seems to me that they could’ve traded Reyes and explained to him that they love him and want to re-sign him, the best of both worlds.<\/li>\n
  8. Philadelphia Phillies:\u00c2\u00a0 The Phillies went for broke this season in acquiring Hunter Pence, also giving up their top two prospects in Jonathan Singleton and Jarred Cosart.\u00c2\u00a0 The difference between Philly and Cleveland is that the addition of Pence completes the Phillies team.\u00c2\u00a0 It gives them the righty bat they need to break up all of their left-handed hitters.\u00c2\u00a0 The Phillies are a team built to win the World Series now, and when you have that chance, you go for broke.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Losers:<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. New York Yankees:\u00c2\u00a0 Although I don’t blame the bombers for not being in on the Jimenez deal, Colorado wanted every top prospect the Yankees have and wouldn’t let them do a physical, to not do anything was a bit strange.\u00c2\u00a0 I understand there wasn’t a #2 starter out there, but a lefty out of the bullpen seems to be a need.<\/li>\n
    2. Tampa Bay Rays:\u00c2\u00a0 It seems the Rays just couldn’t bring themselves to be sellers, perhaps they couldn’t admit to themselves that they are out of the race.\u00c2\u00a0 James Shields was probably never going to be traded but Tampa had let it know that BJ Upton was available.\u00c2\u00a0 Teams were scurrying for outfielders and Atlanta probably would’ve come calling had they not gotten the Bourne trade done, but in the end, Tampa stood pat.\u00c2\u00a0 Even if you weren’t going to trade Shields, your lesser pitchers had value also, and right now you have a six-man rotation and Matt Moore seems to be ready in the minors.\u00c2\u00a0 Perhaps Tampa believes they will get more for their players in the off-season rather than at the deadline.<\/li>\n
    3. Minnesota Twins:\u00c2\u00a0 Like the Rays, they seemed not to be able to make up their minds as to whether or not they are contenders or pretenders.\u00c2\u00a0 The American League Central isn’t the strongest of divisions but they are 8.5 games behind the Tigers and would have to climb over three teams in order to make the playoffs.\u00c2\u00a0 Teams were very interested in Michael Cuddyer, he could have commanded a package close to what the Astros got for Pence, and Jason Kubel also could help someone.\u00c2\u00a0 Francisco Liriano surely would’ve been on the Yankees radar had he been available, even Jim Thome could help a team off the bench.<\/li>\n
    4. Los Angeles Angels:\u00c2\u00a0 We all assume the Rangers will win the AL West, but the Angels are only a game behind and with a weak schedule are certainly in the hunt for a playoff berth.\u00c2\u00a0 Seems kind of odd that they didn’t make any moves.\u00c2\u00a0 They may have been hurt by the Mets decided not to trade Jose Reyes and the Cubs Aramis Ramirez not wanting to waive his no-trade clause as shortstop and third base are the biggest needs for the halos.<\/li>\n
    5. St. Louis Cardinals:\u00c2\u00a0 I know they received a bunch of useful parts, but just can’t get over the fact that they seemed to have sold awfully low on Colby Rasmus.\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0 Certainly didn’t help my thinking when the biggest piece they did receive in the deal, P Edwin Jackson, gave up 10 runs today.<\/li>\n
    6. Chicago Cubs:\u00c2\u00a0 Not being able to talk Ramirez into waiving his no trade clause seems like a mistake, but he still could be a solid player next season.\u00c2\u00a0 Carlos Pena however should’ve been dealt, and possibly still will be.\u00c2\u00a0 Carlos Zambrano and Alfonso Soriano have two of the worst contracts in baseball and aren’t going anywhere.<\/li>\n
    7. Los Angeles Dodgers:\u00c2\u00a0 Why oh why did they give up on Trayvon Robinson without getting much in return.\u00c2\u00a0 They didn’t even give him a chance to play the major league level despite their obvious need for outfield help.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

      Last week we looked at the teams that could be big players before the non-waiver trade deadline, this week we will look at the winners and losers. \u00c2\u00a0This is where the general manager of a team makes his money.\u00c2\u00a0 You’re under pressure to make the best deal possible.\u00c2\u00a0 Everyone knows what you need, so you […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":785,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[13522,9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-15627","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-clearing-the-bases-fantasy","category-general"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/seamheads.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15627","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/seamheads.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/seamheads.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/seamheads.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/785"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/seamheads.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=15627"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/seamheads.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15627\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/seamheads.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=15627"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/seamheads.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=15627"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/seamheads.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=15627"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}