White Sox Get Rios for Free

When was the last time a player in the prime of his career was moved from one team to another in exchange for nothing?  I can’t think of a time and I hope for the sake of the sport of baseball that Monday was the last time.

The Blue Jays placed 28 year old Alex Rios on waivers last week and he was claimed by the White Sox.  Ordinarily, the team placing the player on waivers would pull him back and try to work out a trade with the team claiming him.  Not in this case.  The Blue Jays just let the White Sox have him.  For nothing.  The rich get richer.  Tell me why, if baseball is so concerned about parity, something like this is allowed to happen because of the rules regarding player movement.

I think this is terrible for baseball.  The rich get richer.  For free.  This wouldn’t raise any flags if there was a player to be named later (the last pick in the draft, an inconsequential minor leaguer) or if he was traded for cash.  But no, the Blue Jays didn’t insist on anything and were just happy to not have to pay the remaining five years on his contract.  Toronto GM JP Ricciardi claims this move wasn’t financially motivated, but what else can it be?

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.

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.