Kingdom

We had a flurry in the last two days, so I will break it up in a couple of parts.


We need a bigger boat
Cleveland receives: SP Ubaldo Jimenez
Colorado receives: SP Drew Pomeranz (technically a PTBNL), SP Alex White, P Joseph Gardner, and IF Matt McBride

This is a deal we'll look back on, possible as soon as the season ends, and wonder out loud "what?". What defines this deal is simply how Jimenez performs or..holds up. This is either going to be Scott Kazmir or Johan Santana, where a good pitcher in his prime does well at first then falls apart mostly due to injury. But this could be a game changer, ala CC Sabatha, Cliff Lee, Bartolo Colon, etc. where Jimenez has a huge impact this season. Will it be enough to make the playoffs? Remember, the four teams in the mix for the Central, no one really stands above one another. Expect a fight all the way. Colorado got a touted arm that was just drafted last season, and Alex White has already shown potential. It's worth noting that despite the need for infield help, the Indians pulled the deal off without having to move Kipnis or Chisenhall.


Identity, Supremacy, Ultimatum, ...Tomahawk?
Atlanta receives: OF Michael Bourn
Houston receives: OF Jordan Schafer, P Juan Abreu, SP Paul Clemens, and SP Brett Oberholtzer

There is a chance that even the less heralded players in a deal, could end up being the best ones. For now, in my opinion, and in many's, it was a really bad deal for a good player and one of the best defensive center fielders in the league. One in which an average player like Span was commanding a great reliever in Clippard or Storen, the Astros could only muster a defensive replacement that's on the DL (Schafer), a possible cup of coffee reliever in the foreseeable future (Abreu, who's not even a prospect), and two less than heralded arms in a deep farm system. I will wager to say that if this deal ever turns in Houston's favor, it will be because of Oberholtzer or if Schafer fully figures it out. Bourn gives the Braves a golden glove in center and speed to kill at the top of the order (he has almost as many steals at the entire Atlanta roster).


Groundhog day
Oakland receives: OF/IF Brandon Allen and P Jordan Norberto
Arizona receives: MR Brad Ziegler

It's a classic boom or bust trade, in which Oakland landed two high potential players but neither has put it together yet. Allen has what Billy Beane covets, power and walks. Allen also has what most Oakland hitters tend to have over the last 3-4 years.. lack of contact or recognition of what they're even doing at the plate. Ziegler gives Arizona a quality arm in the pen, and one that could close if needed. They're in the playoff race, as hard as that is for anyone to believe. Will they pass San Fran? You'd say likely not, but, Arizona didn't part with any sure fire quality, it's worth the gamble.


Ten things I hate about Overbay
Pittsburgh receives: 1B Derrek Lee
Pittsburgh receives: OF Ryan Ludwick
Baltimore receives: 1B Aaron Baker
San Diego receives: PTBNL or Cash

We all know that it's unlikely that Lee or Ludwick make much of an impact. Injures have pushed Lee well past his prime, when he was a slugging 1B that owned the gold glove. Ludwick hasn't hit since he was dealt from St. Louis. While Lee came out like gang busters in his first start as a Pirate, it's difficult to see him making up for the black hole at SS and the overall mediocrity of the infield sans Neil Walker. It's still an upgrade over Lyle Overbay, who was easily one of the ten worst starters in the Majors. But, nothing much was given up and it is the very notion that this team was trying to buy at the deadline. They did not mess up with the future. They did not sell off any of their solid starting pitchers, their closer, or hand McCutchen to the Evil Empire or Evil Nation. Instead, they kept their core and they tried to add. There is hope for the Pirates, for the first time since 1992, and there's direction. Clear direction. It's been awhile.