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Week in Review: 8/17 - 8/23

By Steve Adams [August 24, 2008 at 5:32pm CST]

Another week in the books, and we keep seeing big names moved after the July 31 non-waiver deadline. Let's look back on the past week:

The Dodgers acquired Greg Maddux from the Padres for two minor league players to be named later. Nice acquisition to bolster their rotation, and does anyone want to place bets on how excited 20-year-old Clayton Kershaw is to get tips from Maddux every day for the rest of the season?
The Pirates are exploring the idea of trading Jack Wilson this offseason more and more. Given the slim free agent market for shortstops, he would likely gather a lot of interest.
Nate Robertson's struggles this season have lost him his spot in the rotation, but have they also lost him a spot with the Tigers after 2008?
Orlando Hernandez needs surgery on his foot, and that could likely mean that El Duque's career would be over.
Lots of speculation lately about where Ben Sheets is going to land after 2008. And while there's no way to tell right now, Roy Oswalt and Lance Berkman have stepped up and said they would like the Astros front office to go out and sign him in the offseason.
A lot of minor-league deals signed this week: Kip Wells signed with Kansas City, the Mets added Al Reyes, the Astros signed Jose Castillo, the Red Sox signed Dave Ross, and the Braves took a flyer on Rodrigo Lopez following his Tommy John surgery last year. The Jays made a trade to acquire Jose Bautista for a PTBNL as well.
The Rangers would like Milton Bradley back in 2009, and the feeling is mutual, though negotiations will wait until after the season. Similarly, Frank Thomas would prefer to stay with the A's in 2009.
Eric Gagne, David Riske, and David Weathers all cleared waivers this week. The first two make sense to me, but given Weathers' success this year, his affordable contract for the rest of the season, and all of the teams desperately seeking bullpen help, it seems strange that no one would place a claim on him. Here's an updated list of all the players who have been confirmed to have cleared waivers this year.

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Comments

Robertson may have lost his spot in the rotation this year, but he will have every opportunity to earn it back next year. With that kind of salary, he won't be in the bullpen unless he has to be.

Posted by: TigerFan54 | August 24, 2008 at 06:49 PM

He does have to be. Hence the move. I haven't given up on Willis either, and hopefully we can retain garcia for next year. And why don't the tigers claim weathers? their bullpen is so terrible it couldn't hurt. He can't be worse than rodney or jones.

Posted by: Calriver | August 24, 2008 at 07:44 PM

He doesn't have to be. I think that with the offseason, he has a chance to find his slider that makes him so good. If he can find that, he'll be a 4 or 5 starter.

Verlander
Bonderman
Galarraga
Robertson
Willis/Garcia/Vasquez/FA

Posted by: TigerFan54 | August 24, 2008 at 08:46 PM

el duque's career has been over since he left the yanks. ben sheets should sign in japan if he wants big dollars! Oh, this isn't the nba...
amazing that bradley hasn't had a tantrum yet.

Posted by: twoseamer | August 24, 2008 at 09:55 PM

Even before this year, Robertson has been too inconsistent for my liking. Maybe he can be the lefty our bullpen needs if he can rediscover the slider. But if they can pick up some decent pieces for him, i'd like to see that.

twoseam: Japan? please.

Posted by: Calriver | August 24, 2008 at 10:01 PM

I haven't been following him... how far away is Porcello from major league ready? Can he at least step in midseason next year? It might effect the decision on whether or not to move Robertson.

Posted by: start_wearing_purple | August 25, 2008 at 01:52 AM

Porcello will not be with the Tigers next year unless something radical happens. Not even 20 yet, and in high A, he only struck out 68 in 111 IP. Still very promising considering his age but he is at least 1-2 years away.

And just because Robertson is getting paid a bunch doesn't mean he should pitch in the rotation. A pitcher earns the same whether he pitches in the rotation, bullpen, or the minors, so the only question should be whether he helps the team or not (a fact my M's fail to grasp).

Posted by: scottiedawg | August 25, 2008 at 08:05 AM

I'm also very skeptical about Dontrelle, His high leg kick was a big part of his success; it hid the ball well and was unique for the hitter to look at. Now that he has had to tone down the leg kick to reduce injuries, some of his effectiveness may be gone forever.

Posted by: scottiedawg | August 25, 2008 at 08:06 AM

Hopefully, the Rangers will get Bradley back for the next 2-3 years.

Posted by: MadmanTX | August 25, 2008 at 10:32 AM

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Week in Review: 8/17 - 8/23

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