Blogging the Trade Deadline

We’re counting down to MLB’s non-waiver trade deadline, although I think the biggest name that is going to be traded, Cliff Lee, already happened.  Maybe some smaller deals today?  Here’s what’s goin’ down:

Speaking of Trickling In: For the second time this season, Jake Peavy has been traded to the White Sox.  This time, though, it looks like Peavy waived his no-trade clause to go to Chicago.  It looks like Aaron Poreda, the Chicago’s #2 prospect (a pitcher) is headed to San Diego.  This move one-ups the Tigers trade for Washburn earlier in the day.

That’s All She Wrote… 4:00 p.m. has come and gone.  Busy last hour if I do say so, myself.  Things still may trickle in, but that should do it.

Nick Johnson Gone: Johnson was dealt to the Marlins, with the Nats paying his remaining salary for this year.  I didn’t think the Nats had any money?

Rolen Headed to Cincy: The Blue Jays exchanged third basemen with the Reds, sending Scott Rolen to Concinnati for Edwin Encarnacion.  Nice upgrade for the Reds and Rolen is signed through 2010.

The Return of Shelly: In an internal move, the Yankees called up Shelley Duncan to serve as an extra outfielder/right-handed bat.  It’s about time they brought him up.  He only has about 25 homers in Scranton and they need an outfielders now that Brett Gardner is on the DL.

Nats Make Move: No, Nick Johnson wasn’t traded (yet), but reliever Joe Beimel was sent to Colorado, as the Rockies continue to solidify their bullpen.

HUGE Yankee Move: The Bombers acquired Jerry Hairston, Jr. for probably a glove or two.  Could this spell the end of the Cody Ransom era?

Adam LaRoche Traded Again – Now expendable with the Red Sox’s acquisition of Martinez, Adam LaRoche was traded to the Braves, where he began his career.  Looks like Casey Kotchman is headed to Boston in the deal.  Hope Boston has enough playing time for Kotchman/Martinez/Jason Varitek/Kevin Youkilis/Mike Lowell.  Is this even an upgrade for Atlanta?

Victor Martinez to Boston – He’s been on their radar for the last several days and provides an upgrade over their beloved captain.  Looks like no Clay Buchholz or Daniel Bard in the trade… Justin Masterson looks like the big name headed to Cleveland.

Orlando Cabrera to Minnesota – Last time Cabrera was dealt at the deadline, he went to Boston (in a whirlwind deal that sent the guy pictured above to the Cubs) and won a World Series… foreshadowing for the Twins?

Tigers Get Jarrod Washburn – The Yanks were looking at him too, but Detroit pulled the trigger sending Luke French to Seattle in exchange for the lefty.

Down Goes Ortiz

Unfortunately, I have to take a break from my addiction to trade deadline rumors and address a NY Times report that indicated that David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez each tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs during baseball’s “survey-testing” of 2003.  That means they’re on the same list as A-Rod, the same list that was supposed to be destroyed after the testing was completed.

The fact that these names keep getting leaked is a big problem for baseball and the player’s union.  This list will continue to be leaked until all of the remaining 90 or so players’ names have been released.  That could take a while.  The union continues to disappoint (to put it lightly) its players, who agreed to the testing only because it was supposed to be anonymous.

There was a lot of discussion, when the Mitchell Report came out, about whether or not the Yankee dynasty was tainted because of Roger Clemens and other Yankees names were on the list.  What about the Red Sox now?  Personally, I think that the idea of tainted championships is stupid, but how will their fans feel?  Waiting from 1918 to 2004 for a championship, only to have it “in question.”  Hmm.

Again, I will reiterate the fact that I believe 85-90% of MLB players used some sort of performance-enhancing drug during the peak of the steroid era (whenever that was).  Manny shouldn’t surprise anyone, having already failed one test, and Ortiz is more of a disappointment as he seemed to be a genuninely nice guy.  Let’s face it, though, Ortiz was straight up released by Minnesota in 2002 after hitting .272/20 HR/75 RBI.  Then… all of a sudden… in 2006 he hits 54 home runs?  Then… all of a sudden… in 2009 he’s hitting .224 with 13 home runs.  That’s too much of a roller coaster to be done naturally.

Big Day for Trades

Big Moves right now across MLB.

The Pirates continue to dismantle their team, sending Jack Wilson and Ian Snell to Seattle in exchange for Jeff Clement (former top 5 draft pick) and a few minor league pitchers.  Wilson had discussed his displeasure with the way the organization was moving after the Pirates sent Nate McLouth packing to Atlanta.  As an impending free agent, there was no way he was staying in Pittsburgh.

The Phillies got their ace, although he didn’t come from Team Canada (The Blue Jays… duh).  The Indians sent Cliff Lee to the reigning champions along with outfielder Ben Francisco in exchange for a collection of top Phillie prospects including infielder Jason Donald, catcher Lou Marson, and pitcher Carlos Carrasco.  I’ve had the pleasure of watching each of them play at AAA Lehigh Valley, and the Indians did very well for themselves.  They really didnt have a choice since the Indians were way out of contention and Lee, the reigning Cy Young award winner in the AL, was likely going to walk after 2010 when he became a free agent.

My guess is that now Roy Halladay stays in Toronto, Cleveland also trades Victor Martinez (Boston?), and the Pirates trade Freddy Sanchez.

I’ll live blog on Friday for the trade deadline, so mark your calendars.