What to start a dyalogue like this one?
to start one of your own.Which major league baseball team made the best moves at the trade deadline this year?
The Red Sox added Victor Martinez and, for reasons unclear, Casey Kotchman. The Phillies added Cliff Lee. The Dodgers added George Sherrill. The White Sox added Jake Peavy. Other trades were also made. Which team did the most to reinforce its post season hopes?
David Mitchell
There were a lot of interesting trades at the trade deadline this year. Perhaps the biggest news, of course, was Toronto's failure to move Roy Halladay. Of course, the Padres delivery of Jake Peavy to the White Sox -- only two months after Peavy had rejected such a move -- came as a big surprise, especially since Jake may be out for the entire season with a wounded wing. The Indians dealt two of their best players -- Cliff Lee to the Phillies and Victor Martinez to the Red Sox -- and are left with hopes of a rebuilding year so that they can contend again in 2011.
When we look back on this season, I believe the biggest move will be the Red Sox acquisition of Victor Martinez. He gives the Red Sox a potent bat in the middle of the line up and he gives Terry Francona a lot of flexibility. I expect Martinez to be an every day player but his play will be at catcher (allowing the aging and clearly fatiguing Jason Varitek more time off), at first (allowing Kevin Youkilis to move back to third and give Mike Lowell's hips a rest) and at DH (a great protection plan in case more bad news comes out regarding Big Papi).
Natesh Sood
As much as I hate to admit it, I think the Red Sox were the clear winners in the MLB Trade deadline. Even though they traded away a piece of their bullpen, they bolstered their lineup with the addition of All-Star Victor Martinez. If they were able to add in another pitcher, I think they would be the team to beat in the American League. However, the addition of V-Mart makes them even more of a formidable force in the AL. Possibly forgotten amongst all the trades was Adam LaRoche to the Braves for Kotchman, another legitimate trade by Epstein.
With that in mind, the Red Sox definitely made the most moves to improve their team needs. However, we must remember what the AL Central did to fill their needs. The Detroit Tigers added Washburn who will improve their rotation and join the likes of Verlander and Edwin Jackson. The White Sox added the injured Peavy, a former Cy-Young winner who can definitely help the White Sox for the stretch run. He joins Buehrle and Floyd as the top pitchers in the White Sox rotation.
I know this wasn't part of the question, but in my opinion, the Yankees made the worst move of the offseason. Doing nothing. Sure Hairston's a decent player, but I would have loved to acquire a starting pitcher or some bullpen help.
Now here's a question, do you think V-Mart will help the Red Sox to the playoffs, then to the ALCS and World Series? Is his position on the Red Sox similar to what Lee brings to the Phillies?
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David Mitchell
While I fully agree regarding V-Mart, I don't think that Kotchman adds much. The Red Sox have ample talent at first and I suspect that as soon as Wakefield returns from the DL, Kotteras will aso return from the DL to catch for Wake, and Kotchman will be designated for assignment.
The AL Central did improve but I don't think that any AL Central team will be able to take down the Yankees or the Red Sox -- unless Peavy returns in good form, in which case both the Yankees and the Sox may have a challenge. I like the Tigers but I just don't believe that they have the stamina to make it out of the first round of the playoffs, if they even get there.
The Yankees were surprisingly quiet. I don't really know why they did not make more of a push for Halladay. If they do not make it out of the wild card round, I suspect some heads will roll. Of course the Yankees and the Sox have the luxury of getting into the playoffs almost assured so perhaps the Yankees decided on a path of fiscal conservatism for once.
V-Mart will get the Sox at least to the second round of the playoffs. After only two games, it is clear that he is bringing pop back into the Sox line up by protecting the early part of the order. I still believe the Sox will take the AL East, and we should get a clearer picture of that when the Sox play the Yankees this week.
Where do you see the AL East finishing the season?
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Natesh Sood
Kotchman is a pretty good player, he is hitting .282 this season, but I guess the Red Sox do not need him. Watching the White Sox destroy the Yankees over the weekend, I think the White Sox are the team to beat in the AL Central, and will probably win it assuming Peavy comes back healthy. I agree, the AL Central is still not enough to take down the Red Sox, Yankees, or Angels when each team is playing their best.
Now, Halladay would have cost the Yankees Hughes and Chamberlain; I agree with Cashman for not dealing those two players just for Halladay. I still think we should have acquired at the very least Washburn. Who knows, maybe the economy finally caught up with the Yankees as we spent a lot of money in the offseason this year.
Based on the recent trades by the Red Sox and the strength of their starting rotation, I believe the Red Sox will win the AL East by a small margin, while the Wild Card goes to the Yankees. You are right, however, the upcoming 4 games series at Yankee Stadium will be a pivotal series both teams.
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David Mitchell
I think the Yankees needed to trade away Hughes and Chamberlain unless Cashman really thinks he can get five brilliant years out of them both. The Yankees have not won since 2000 and Joe Torre probably has a better shot at a World Series ring this year than Cashman does. Halladay would have given the Yankees more wins in the home stretch and I think he might have signed with the Yankees in the off season (he still may).
When it comes to trades, you have to win this year and worry about next year later.
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Natesh Sood
I wouldn't give away Hughes or Chamberlain for Halladay. Hughes has been practically lights out in the bullpen, and we need someone like that to setup Rivera. Joba has recently done very well in the starting rotation, but the only thing that worries me is the innings cap.
Torre is still a better manager than Girardi, but I think our chances are still strong. As long as CC, Burnett, and Joba can deliver in the postseason, and if A-Rod can hit as well, we will be in good shape. If we traded for Halladay for this season we would practically mortgage away our future just for this year. Part of the reason he didn't sign was because teams didn't want to give away so many promising prospects. Hopefully we can trade for him next season, if not sign him as a free agent if he remains with the Blue Jays.
Ideally, I wish the Yankees could have traded for Lee or Washburn and let the Phillies take Halladay out of the AL East. Could you imagine how bad it would look if we traded away Hughes and Chamberlain for Halladay and didn't get out of the ALDS?
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In this dyalogue...
Starter
David loves to write and to give advice. When he can combine the two activities, he is a very happy fellow, indeed!You can also find David Mitchell at:
- http://www.ww2f.com/book-reviews/
- http://www.savingadvice.com/blog/author/david
- http://www.bibliobuffet.com/content/blogcategory/72/336/
Responder
Enjoys all things tech especially MP3 players and computers. At any given moment, he can be find rocking out to music, following baseball, fixing his friends electronic problems, playing video games, or running to the local volleyball court.You can also find Natesh Sood at:
- http://www.centralgadget.com
- http://www.gadgetell.com/tech/author/Natesh%20Sood/
- http://www.sportsfullcircle.com
- http://www.twitter.com/ynksrule93
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