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Week In Review: 7/20 - 7/26

By Steve Adams [July 27, 2008 at 8:57pm CST]

This one will be a bit lengthy, which can be expected as the deadline approaches. Here's a review of some of the major moves and rumors of the last week:

The Yankees acquired Xavier Nady and Damaso Marte from the Pirates for OF Jose Tabata, RHP Ross Ohlendorf, RHP Dan McCutchen and RHP Jeff Karstens . I agree with Tim that Ian Kennedy would've been a better centerpiece, but Tabata is pretty highly-touted himself. Kennedy would have made a more immediate impact, while Tabata is only 19 years old.
The Dodgers acquired Casey Blake for minor league RHP Jon Meloan and C Carlos Santana. The Dodgers get a nice boost to their lineup without giving up too much, although Santana's putting together a very impressive season in Class-A ball.
The Nationals sent Jon Rauch to the Diamondbacks in exchange for minor league 2B Emilio Bonifacio. Rauch adds to a strong bullpen for Arizona, while Bonaficio could become a very solid leadoff hitter in the future for Washington. They may have been able to get more for Rauch, but I personally like the move, regardless.
The Brewers acquired Ray Durham from the Giants for minor leaguers Darren Ford and Steve Hammond. Rickie Weeks has been a disappointment to an otherwise red-hot club. Can Durham provide a bit more stability? The power's gone, but he can still get on base.
The Astros acquired Randy Wolf from the Padres for minor league pitcher Chad Reineke. This one confuses me a little bit; with all due respect, did the Astros forget they were 12.5 games out? I don't see the logic in buying on a pitcher.
The Cardinals traded Anthony Reyes to the Indians for minor league pitcher Luis Perdoma. I don't get this one either. I feel like the Cardinals could have gotten more, despite Reyes' struggles in the past. The Indians could make this one look like a steal, in my opinion.
The Yankees are in deep discussion with the Mariners about acquiring Jarrod Washburn. Tim cites Buster Olney and Ken Rosenthal in saying that the Mariners want a top prospect in addition to the salary dump, but the Yankees are only offering a marginal prospect. Can't say I blame them. A top prospect for an mediocre pitchers who's due an additional $14MM? Sounds like Seattle's getting greedy...
A new, and surprising name surfaced in trade talks: Manny Ramirez. Manny has said he would waive his no-trade clause, and based on interviews, has basically said that 2008 will be his last season in Boston. I can't see Boston trading their (arguably) best hitter in the middle of a pennant race, however. I'd bet on him finishing out the season.
Speaking of corner outfielders, the Mets need one, and they know it. Having missed out on Nady and Blake, they will likely zero in on Raul Ibanez. Ibanez makes great sense for them, and the Mariners would obviously like to rebuild. I expect this one to get done.
There was a report that Roy Halladay came out and told the Blue Jays that he is unhappy in Toronto, which has provoked the Jays to explore their potential options. Halladay's price would have to be astronomical, I'd think. He's signed through 2010 and pitching like it's 2003 all over again. Personal speculation: I think Halladay to the Cardinals with a Colby Rasums centerpiece would make sense.
Crisitan Guzman signed a two-year, $16MM contract extension. Guzman has revived his career after surgery following an awful 2005. I like the signing for the Nats.
Jorge Posada could be out for the season. The Yankees are looking for catchers. In addition to the names mentioned there, they could take a shot at signing Johnny Estrada, who was DFA'ed by Washington this week. Estrada was terrible in Washington, but has put up solid offensive numbers for a catcher throughout his career.
Brian Fuentes, Huston Street, and George Sherrill are all still potential trade pieces. Fuentes is the most likely to go, I'd say, although the Rockies are asking for quite a bit.
Tim updated the left-handed reliever and left field markets.

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Comments

Halladay is NOT unhappy in Toronto. Just look at his comments this past week. You shouldn't look at what some idiot New Jerseyite wrote about a team he doesn't even cover.

Posted by: bs | July 27, 2008 at 09:06 PM

And...Nady and Marte were traded for Tabat, Ohlendorf, karstens and McCutchen. Coke and Kontos were rumored to be part of the deal but were not part of the final version. It was only the biggest trade of the deadline to date. I know everyone craps on the Pirates but you could at least get the players the acquired right.

Posted by: Slick | July 27, 2008 at 09:14 PM

Hopefully the M's can get a deal done for Wash and Raul, but we need to det some decent players. A salary dump does not help us. We are better off just keeping them if we can't get anything in return.

Posted by: ZBham | July 27, 2008 at 09:20 PM

Today was a really boring day in the trade market. Nothing new today except for Manny and his stupid comments. Just Manny being Manny I guess. I dont see any reason why he's not happy. He's got 2 ring there and makes 20 mil/year.

Posted by: Sal from Tampa | July 27, 2008 at 09:20 PM

I realized my mistake about 10 seconds after the post, Slick, but it takes a minute or two for the story to re-publish and update after an edit. The changes have been made. That was a terrible mistake by me.

Thanks for the heads up, though. I appreciate it.

Posted by: Steve Adams | July 27, 2008 at 09:23 PM

I know Doc loves Toronto, I think him getting the pot stirred up is his way of putting pressure on to get the team winning. Either hey Uncle Ted give the team more payroll, or what ever else he thinks needs to be changed.

On the other hand tho Doc's not old but he is at the point of his career where his chance at winning it is going down hill. Stay with the team you love or Go to a team thats competing and have a chance at your world series dreams.

Also if Halladay was delt for a package of Rasmus + others. I'd say more then likely you'd see the Jays shop Wells also. Move Rios to Center then some combo of Rasmus, Snider, Lind in the corner OF and DH spots.

Posted by: Dev0 | July 27, 2008 at 09:42 PM

Pretty disappointing take for the Pirates. Tabata has disappointed this year (though he is very young for his level). They'd have been better off holding out for AJax or Kennedy.

As for my O's...this deal certainly would appear to hurt their chances of dealing Sherrill. Without a solid return it ain't happening, which, I suppose, is a good thing. Still, I was hoping they'd flip him for a nice shortstop prospect. Maybe a little unrealistic, but I was hopeful anyway. Oh well.

Posted by: milehigh78 | July 27, 2008 at 09:58 PM

Is it just me, or is the Blake deal eerily similar to the Renteria-Jurrjens/Hernandez deal? A contending team with prospects just burning a hole in their GM's wallet, looking for an offensive boost for their infield, only to come to an over-performing veteran. The Blake trade doesn't look to be as bad, seeing as Meloan projects to be a good addition to the bullpen, and not a #2 starter like Jurrjens. Not to mention that Renteria is severely underperforming to the point that Ramon Santiago is looking like a better choice for everyday shortstop, seeing as Santiago offers much better defense with about the same offense. Blake might even benefit from the mythical NL boost.

Even the lesser prospects offered in each deal are very intriguing, with Hernandez looking to be the better of the two so far.

At least Blake's deal ends in two months. The Tigers will have to pay $3 million to buy out Renteria, because there's no way Dombrowski is picking up an $11 million option for a .632 OPS and severely limited range at shortstop.

Oh, finally. Just looked up his stats on The Baseball Cube. Apparently Santiago has an offensive line this season of .358/.485/.547!! Granted it is a small sample size (53 AB's), but come on Leyland!! Give Santiago a few more starts to see if this trend continues!!

Posted by: harenFTW | July 27, 2008 at 11:23 PM

crisitan guzman??? christian

Posted by: golfstar2020 | July 28, 2008 at 03:35 AM

Trade Halladay for Manny Ramirez. Makes sense.

Posted by: bball | July 28, 2008 at 10:25 PM

why r people saying that the mariners need to get good players in return for wasburn they dont need any good players they just need good prospects i mean ther the worst teamin basbeall they need to start building for the future aand get prospects even if its a salary dump

Posted by: yankeefanbriccio13 | July 28, 2008 at 10:48 PM

Halladay for Ramirez? What are you smokin man?

Give it up. Halladay is staying for the short term anyway. Halladay wont be traded unless we can also get rid of Rolen and Wells' contracts and at least 3 TOP 20 prospects in return (i.e. a complete and total raid of the farm system of whomever acquires him).

Just not happening, and darn annoying to see it coming up again.

As for the suggestion in the article above, Colby Rasmus plus who? Do the Cards have 2 other Top 20 Baseball America type prospects to offer? Actually, it wont happen, so no use speculating.

Posted by: jadd | July 29, 2008 at 08:45 AM

Week In Review: 7/20 - 7/26

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