Trade Deadline Evaluation

                Now that we’ve had a few days to sit back and digest what happened in the final week before the non-waiver trade deadline, let’s evaluate which teams did the most in loading up for a play-off spot and possibly, a lengthy journey into October.

               

Toronto Blue Jays

                The Jays made the biggest noise during the last several days in acquiring five players who can benefit them quite a bit. Obviously the biggest acquisition was landing starting pitcher David Price from the Detroit Tigers. Price automatically becomes the ace of the Toronto rotation. The bullpen also received an upgrade with LaTroy Hawkins and Mark Lowe. Even though Lowe struggled in his first appearance yesterday afternoon, the two pitchers will improve possibly the weakest link on the team.

                Offensively, shortstop Troy Tulowitzki is an upgrade over Jose Reyes, who was never the same player after seriously injuring his ankle back in 2013. Outfielder Ben Revere, added from the Phillies, will become the base stealing threat Reyes never did due to his injury.

                All-in-all, Jays’ fans can no longer complain about General Manager Alex Anthopoulus not pulling the trigger on any major deals. Of course, if Price leaves as a free agent after the season, I’m sure the fans will complain about the prospects given up to get him.

Kansas City Royals

                The biggest move the Royals made was obtaining pitcher Johnny Cueto from the Cincinnati Reds. The pitching staff needed a boost and Cueto should definitely give them one. Also new to the team is outfielder/infielder Ben Zobrist. After playing for several years with the Tampa Bay Rays, Zobrist was in his first season with the Oakland Athletics before being traded to the Royals last week. Zobrist comes with post-season experience, but exactly what position he will be playing, we’ll just have to wait and see.

Los Angeles Angels

                The Angels have struggled in the last week or so and have fallen behind the Astros in the race for first place in the AL West. The Halos added three outfielders: David Murphy (Cleveland Indians), David DeJesus (Tampa) and Shane Victorino (Bos) who should strengthen the outfield and add some punch off the bench.

National League East

                The New York Mets added some pop with the addition of Yoenis Cespedes from the Tigers. The Mets are in hot pursuit of the Washington Nationals for first place in the division. The Nationals improved their bullpen with trade with the Phillies for closer Jonathan Paplebaum.

Pittsburgh Pirates

                In their quest for their first division title since 1992, the Pirates added pitcher JA Happ from the Seattle Mariners, pitcher Joakim Soria from Detroit, pitcher Joe Blanton from Kansas City power-hitting outfielder Michael Morse, and infielder Aramis Ramirez from the Milwaukee Brewers. The Pirates are in a strong second-place in the NL Central (they lead the Wild Card race) but passing the Cardinals to finish in first place in the division will be extremely important for a team that has had their playoff position hinge on a one-game sudden death Wild Card game for the past two seasons.

                Only time will tell if the trades made will help the teams who made them, or if they’ll regret shipping all the prospects they had to in order to get the proven vets. But in MLB these days, every attempt must be made to take advantage of the small window of opportunity that comes along. The window closes extremely fast.