Zack Greinke (9-4, 3.39 ERA, 130 Ks) – SP, Los Angeles Angels
Acquired from: Milwaukee Brewers
Traded away: Ariel Pena – SP, John Hellweg – RP, Jean Segura – SS
The Brewers have been going nowhere fast this season, in light of the defection of Prince Fielder to the Detroit Tigers via free agency. Greinke is in the final year of his contract, with a $13 million 2012 salary.
The two pitchers received in the trade have mowed opponents down in their minor league careers. Segura, a rookie, was a five tool standout as a minor leaguer. Plenty of upside….
Meanwhile the Angels starting pitching rotation just got STOUT! A solid rotation featuring Jered Weaver and C.J. Wilson just became the playoff rotation of steel with the addition of the former Cy Young winner. While still three games back of the first place Texas Rangers, the Angels just jumped into the A.L. West’s driver’s seat. In addition, Greinke is young enough and Los Angeles is a market that is big enough to where the Angels could make a run to sign Greinke after this season.
This deal was a win-win.
Hat Trick Grade, Brewers: A+
Hat Trick Grade, Angels A+
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| The Angels, like Greinke's fastball, are on fire. 1 |
Ryan Dempster (5-5, 2.25 ERA) – SP, Texas Rangers
Acquired from: Chicago Cubs
Traded away: Christian Villanueva – 3B, Kyle Hendricks – SP
Contract years can do interesting things to a player’s performance. I don’t think there are many Cubs fans who feel like Dempster truly played up to his 4 year/$52 million contract until the final year of his contract ($14M salary). Now the Cubs get to recoup some of their losses.
Dempster has been a good, quality starter in Chicago, but not a clear cut eight figure salary starter, until now. This year, Dempster was a legitimate National League Cy Young Award candidate prior to being traded to the American League. With an opportunity to help the Rangers reach a third straight World Series and his contract expiring, I think Dempster will take it.
The Cubs are abominable, as evidenced by the fact that they have a starter with a sub 2.50 ERA over 100 innings pitched, but without enough run support to help him earn more than a .500 win-loss record. I question whether or not Christian Villanueva will ever see Wrigley Field without a ticket or a tray of cotton candy. However, Kyle Hendricks has demonstrated crazy control and absolutely dominated this past season in the minor leagues.
Theo Epstien is a shrewd, smart GM who knows how to spot potential. He may have hit the prospect lottery with Hendricks. Time will tell.
The Rangers, on the other hand, may have saved their season in acquiring Dempster, particularly in light of the Greinke acquisition by the Angels. With all due respect to Matt Harrison they were badly in need of bona fide ace in the rotation – a guy you expect to start a Game 1 in a playoff series.
Hat Trick Grade, Cubs: B
Hat Trick Grade, Rangers B+
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| At least he wil have something worth watching on his off days. 2 |
Acquired from: Minnesota Twins
Traded away: Eduardo Escobar – 3B, Pedro Hernandez – SP
A change of scenery can do anyone good and there are fewer scenes in MLB bleaker than in Minnesota this season. The White Sox, on the other hand, need a boost in their rotation if they are to hold their lead in the American League Central over the surging Detroit Tigers. To call Phillip Humber a liability in the rotation would be a compliment and to call Gavin Floyd inconsistent or an underachiever this season would be accurate.
Liriano’s 2012 stats are a little misleading. His win loss record is as much of a reflection of the putrid play of his team as it is Liriano’s extraordinarily horrendous play in the month of April. Liriano has, more or less, looked like the reliable, ace-caliber starter he has been for the Twins since then. With 117 strikeouts, he has not lost his gas when in need of a punch out.
The Twins did not receive much in return. Neither of the players they received in the trade were particularly outstanding at the AAA level or greater, but both demonstrated enough potential for the White Sox to call them up to the majors.
Hat Trick Grade, Twins: C
Hat Trick Grade, White Sox: B-
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| "Finally! A chance to win! More than once a month...!" 3 |
Hanley Ramirez (.246, 15 HR, 56 RBI) – SS, Los Angeles Dodgers
Acquired from: Miami Marlins
Traded away: Scott McGough – RP, Nathan Eovaldi – SP
This is a bit of a gamble by the Dodgers. The Dodgers are gambling that a change of scenery for Ramirez, the 2009 National League batting champion, will be worth the excess of $30,000,000 in salary he is due over the remainder of his contract, running through 2014. The Marlins were happy to part ways with Ramirez (and his salary) and the feeling was mutual.
Ramirez, whether he is hitting well or not, has good discipline at the plate and is a threat to be in scoring position every time he can reach base. His power won’t put the fear of the Lord into opposing pitchers, but has to be respected. In addition, the Dodgers received seasoned veteran reliever Randy Choate, who could be valuable in certain situations down the stretch and into the playoffs.
The Marlins achieved “addition by subtraction” in this trade. Rookie Nathan Evoldi has potential as a major league starter and Scott McGough has shown good control and the ability to fool batters in the minor leagues. But the most appealing trait of these two prospects is what the Marlins do not have to pay them.
Hat Trick Grade, Marlins: C-
Hat Trick Grade, Dodgers: B+
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| Han Ram to the Marlins: "See ya later, suckahs!" 4 |
Acquired from: Philadelphia Phillies
Traded away: Ethan Martin – SP, Josh Lindblom – RP
The Flyin’ Hawaiian will finally suit up for the team that drafted him back in 1999. The Phillies officially threw in the towel when they conducted their fire sale prior to the trade deadline. The Dodgers were first in line.
Victorino will give the Dodgers a capable bat with some pop and the ability to stretch one base into extra bases, either while the ball is in play or via the stolen base. His steady bat was badly needed in the Dodgers lineup, heading into October.
The Phillies didn’t just get Victorino off of the books, however. Josh Lindblom, a rookie, has shown enormous potential in limited appearances out of the Dodgers bullpen. He has to stop serving up the deep ball, however, to succeed, long term, in the majors. The Dodgers have made it clear that they are willing to pay a premium price for a real chance to win the National League pennant for the first time in 24 years. Not next year…now!
Hat Trick Grade, Phillies: C+
Hat Trick Grade, Dodgers: B
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| Victorino is finally where the baseball draft gods intended him to be. 5 |
Acquired from: Philadelphia Phillies
Traded away: Seth Rosin – RP, Tommy Joseph – C, Nate Schierholtz – RF
San Francisco was desperate for an all around offensive threat and they landed one in Pence for the remainder of this season. Pence has it all – hitting for contact, power, clutch situations and is capable of drawing a walk. The Giants have absolutely lacked power and run production in key moments.
In addition, while the Giants gave up a talented prospect in catcher Tommy Joseph, they have no need at the position with young star Buster Posey on the roster. This is a big move for the Giants in their tit-for-tat battle for the N.L. West with the Dodgers.
Hat Trick Grade, Phillies: C
Hat Trick Grade, Giants: B
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| "So long Philly! I'll be taking my Playmate wife with me." 6 |
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3) Image from http://scores.espn.go.com
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