ESPN's Buster Olney takes a look at some "trade deadline ripples." ESPN Insider is required for the whole story, but here's some quick highlights:
- The Padres had to trade Jake Peavy for financial reasons, and don't be surprised to see them continue the firesale in the offseason. Olney says we could see both Adrian Gonzalez and Heath Bell moved to restock what's become a poor farm system.
- Olney says it may be the Braves who have done the best work of all this season, bolstering their offense with Nate McLouth and Adam LaRoche. At just four games back of the Wild Card, Olney is right to say that the Braves are indeed dangerous.
- Olney praises the Indians for building a solid foundation of young pitching through its moves this season.
- The Rays may move both Scott Kazmir and Carl Crawford this season, for financial reasons.
- Olney states that the Brewers did the correct thing by playing it conservative this year. Medium-market teams can't afford to trade off prospects for veterans every year and expect to contend.
- Roy Halladay's trade value dropped by 30 to 40 percent, in Olney's estimation. He has a hard time seeing them trade Halladay before the July 2010 trade deadline. Wouldn't it be fun to relive the drama all over again a year from now?
- Scott Rolen's $11MM 2010 salary will account for almost 15% of the Reds' payroll next season, which Olney says "makes no sense."
