I'm breaking almost a nine month
silence on the sports blog I'd created and then promptly ignored. The
combo effect of having a bunch of free time again, coupled with just
a general sense of narcissism wanting to see my own name attached to
something I wrote have miraculously led me back. So without further
ado, my look at the trade deadline winners and losers
Winners
New York Yankees: Some may scoff, but I
really thought stealing Ichiro away from the Mariners might have been
the best deal anyone made. He's aging, and his slash and run style
losses effectiveness when one is about to turn 39. Howevvvaaaa
(Stephen A. Smith voice), I'm fairly certain I could hit a HR out to
right field in Yankee Stadium, and its always been said that Ichiro
can hit for much more power than he shows in games. Throw in the fact
that he's still a better than average defensive outfielder, and gives
the Yanks a much needed stolen base threat, and I feel like he's
going to be a major part of the Yankees going anywhere in October.
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Los Angeles Angels: I'm going to keep
this one as simple as possible. I challenge anyone to name a better
4-man playoff ready pitching rotation that what the Halos have going
right now in picking up Zack Grienke. They can now throw Weaver,
Grienke, Wilson, and Dan Haren out there, while let's say they
matchup with the Rangers foursome of Matt Harrison, Yu Darvish, Ryan
Dempster, and Derek Holland. Their bullpen worries me, as evidenced
by the slow-pitch softball games that broke out in Arlington the last
four days, but with Trout, Pujols et al ensuring that they won't get
shut down offensively very often, I'd say they're my favorites to
win the AL pennant.
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San Francisco Giants: As of right now,
I'm predicting an Angels-Giants World Series. The problem in San Fran
was that Melky Cabrera, Buster Posey, and Pablo Sandoval were the
only people in the lineup that would scare me as an opposing manager.
Now, in adding Hunter Pence and Marco Scutaro, you get a top 10 NL
outfielder and a scrappy utility-type middle infielder. They now have
a better offense than their championship team of two years ago.
Other Winners
Detroit Tigers: Adding Anibal Sanchez
and Omar Infante will help shore up a major problem area at 2B, and
Sanchez gives them another potential Doug Fister type addition to an
already strong staff.
Atlanta Braves: As a Cubs fan, I know the streaky nature of Paul Maholm. I like the Reed Johnson pickup more. He's the prototype for a 4th OF, someone who leads the league in pinch hits, and will play outstanding defense. If Maholm gives them what he's been giving the Cubbies the last month, they may catch the Nats.
Cincinnati Reds: Marshall-Broxton-Chapman. Sounds a lot like the template for how the Cards did business last season.Call Me Maybe
Chicago White Sox: The Youka was on fire, but has come back to earth a bit. Francisco Liriano is a little too inconsistent for my liking. They could have used some bullpen help.
Pittsburgh Pirates: They took chances on Gaby Sanchez coming back from his struggles early in the year whiie Garrett Jones has been playing well, and again rolled the dice with Toronto's hyped prospect that has never done much in Travis Snider. That being said, the Bucos had to something, and getting Wandy Rodriquez covers them for when the inevitable Eric Bedard injury happens.
Arizona Diamondbacks: I really like getting proven playoff vet Scott Podsenik. And Chris Johnson is an upgrade from Ryan Roberts. But with the moves that the Dodgers, and especially the Gigantes made, I don't know if it will be enough.
L.A. Dodgers: This all depends on whether Hanley reverts back to the Hanley of old. Hopefully he can take Matt Kemp's Maturity Seminar and start raking. Shane Victorino could also have an impact, and at the very minimum is an upgrade over Bobby Abreu.
Big Fat Losers
Boston Red Sox: I don't have enough time to try and analyze this train wreck. So I'll keep it simple. Craig Breslow does not win you a championship.
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Tampa Bay Rays: TB is really limited monetarily. And with Evan Longoria coming back to DH, they didn't think they had to do anything. I would have tried to grab a bat, but maybe they can get Johnny Damon or something. If they win, it will be because of pitching anyway.
Texas Rangers: As an unabashed Cubs homer, I love Ryan Dempster. I also don't think his stuff is going to play very well in Texas, and that he's heading for about a 7-something ERA in the playoffs. They need to either move Alexi Ogando do the rotation, or plan on winning a bunch 12-10 games
Washington Nationals: I would have preferred the Nats to get some kind of Strasburg insurance if they're insisting upon this absurd innings limit that they seem to be holding onto (More on this at a later date).
Oakland A's: No one expected them to get this far, so they basically can't complain unless they go 0-57 the rest of the way. They don't really lose, they just don't get into the winners category either.
(google images)
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