MLB Trade Deadline: Winners and Losers Of Each Trade

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The following summarizes each trade and which players are involved in the deal. It also gives the winners and losers of each trade. The trades that are shown below occurred on Thursday (the day of the deadline).

Trade 1:

Boston Red Sox: Yoenis Cespedes

Oakland Athletics: Jon Lester and Jonny Gomes

This was a surprising trade out of Oakland, as they traded away slugging outfielder Yoenis Cespedes. Acquiring Lester to bolster their already dominant rotation for their playoff run may help short term, but in the long run, having Cespedes is more valuable. Lester boasts a career-low 2.52 ERA and a 1.12 WHIP thus far. Jonny Gomes is just a “free” addition, hitting .234 with six home runs. He will be an extra hitter that could not cover the loss of the two-time Home Run Derby champion. Cespedes is batting .256 with 17 home runs and 67 RBI. The Red Sox added a much-needed bat; if they lock him up to an extension – which they couldn’t with Lester – they will benefit far more than Oakland’s short stint with Lester (unless they offer him a large contract over $100 million which is not on Billy Beane’s to-do list).

Winner: Although the Athletics may get an ace for their quest for a championship in 2014, the Red Sox get a powerful bat for at least the next year.

Trade 4: 

Minnesota Twins: Tommy Milone

Oakland Athletics: Sam Fuld

After acquiring starting pitcher Jon Lester, the Athletics sent Tommy Milone to the Twins for Sam Fuld. The Athletics designated Fuld for assignment in April, but it seems as though they will try him out again. Imaging the awkward confrontation between Fuld and the front office. “Welcome to the team again. Sorry we designated you for assignment. It’s just business, you know?” Milone is having a solid year as he has a 3.55 ERA in 16 starts. Fuld was batting .274 for the Twins before the move.

Winner: The Minnesota Twins acquire a solid pitcher in Tommy Milone for a player they just recently added to the roster.

Trade 3: 

Boston Red Sox: Allen Craig and Joe Kelly

St. Louis Cardinals: John Lackey and Corey Littrell

Another starting pitcher leaving Boston. The St. Louis Cardinals have suffered multiple injuries to their starting rotation losing Micahel Wacha until early September and Jaime Garcia for the year. Attempting to reconstruct their rotation, the Cardinals added Justin Masterson and now John Lackey. They also receive former fifth round draft pick Corey Littrell, but he won’t be making a debut in the majors any time soon. The reason the Cardinals made such a great move in acquiring Lackey is that the right-hander has a club option attached to his contract for the 2015 season. The catch? Because he dealt with multiple injuries, his club option is worth $500,000 dollars. Yes. Half a million dollars for a starting pitcher who has a 3.60 ERA and a 7.6 K/9 rate. The Red Sox do receive a solid starting pitcher in Joe Kelly and a struggling Allen Craig. However, a new change of scenery may be what it takes for him to turn his season around and become the .300 hitter he was in 2013.

Winner: The St. Louis Cardinals win by a long shot. Although they give up two solid players, acquiring Lackey – who has a $500,000 club option attached to him – is far more valuable.

Trade 4: 

Arizona Diamondbacks: Mitch Haniger and Anthony Banda

Milwaukee Brewers: Gerardo Parra

This is a small move by the Milwaukee Brewers with the hopes of receiving a solid outfielder to help them in their playoff run. They give up a former first round pick in Haniger, who is hitting .255 with 10 home runs and Banda, who is 6-6 with a 3.66 ERA in Single-A. The Diamondbacks are focused on rebuilding for the future, so giving up Parra – who struggling in 2014 – is not a big deal.

Winner: The Arizona Diamondbacks win due to the upside of Mitch Haniger. Gerardo Parra is just an average outfielder who will be nothing more than a backup in the outfield.

Trade 5: 

Seattle Mariners: Chris Denorfia

San Diego: Abraham Almonte and Stephen Kohlscheen

Another small trade, the Seattle Mariners are trying to make a late run for the playoffs and adding a solid bat like Denorfia could help them short-term. Denorfia is a career .275 hitter who lacks speed and power; he can get on-base but relies on the hitters to hit him home. In return, the Padres – like the Diamondbacks – are rebuilding for the future. They acquired a solid pitcher in Stephen Kohlscheen and a weaker bat in Almonte. In Triple-A, Kohlscheen has 15 appearances, posting a 3.38 ERA as well as a 2-0 record. He could be a reliable bullpen option in the future. Almonte is hitting .198 in the majors with just one home run.

Winner: The Seattle Mariners acquired a solid outfielder who could help in their attempt to make the playoffs. Almonte has struggled to make a splash in the majors and Kohlscheen is just a solid reliever who won’t be anything special.

Trade 6: 

Baltimore Orioles: Andrew Miller

Boston Red Sox: Eduardo Rodriguez

The Red Sox were having a fire sale. “Pick one, take one, any price!” Well, the Orioles did so, acquiring relief pitcher Andrew Miller, who is tearing up opponents in 2014. He has a 2.34 ERA and a 14.7 K/9 rate; dominance at its finest. In return, the Red Sox traded for struggling starter Eduardo Rodriguez. Rodriguez has a 4.79 ERA and a 1.44 WHIP for Double-A.

Winner: The Baltimore Orioles steal the show here. They acquire a great reliever for a struggling minor leaguer.

Trade 7: 

Washington Nationals: Asdrubal Cabrera

Cleveland Indians: Zach Walters

Two years ago, Asdrubal Cabrera was one of the best second baseman in MLB. However, as of late, he has struggled. Cabrera is batting .246 with nine home runs and 22 doubles. He does have the power, but his average needs to rise. The Nationals acquired him for nothing, as they sent Zach Walters to Cleveland. Walters is batting .205 with three home runs; he will likely be a bench option in the majors or a solid start in the minors. Cabrera will presumably cover the second base duties (with Danny Espinosa) while Anthony Rendon is at third (due to Zimmerman’s injury).

Winner: The Washington Nationals receive a former All-Star and solid second baseman for a weak middle infielder. An great pick up for the Nats.

Trade 8: 

New York Yankees: Stephen Drew

Boston Red Sox: Kelly Johnson

The New York Yankees made a splash in free agency, trading Kelly Johnson to the Red Sox for Stephen Drew. Johnson is a frequently injured utility man. He is batting .219 with six home runs in 2014 (in 2012 and 2013 he had a .225 and .235 average respectively). Drew is also struggling as he is batting .176. But, he has the potential to hit for power – he hit 29 doubles in 2013. He will take over the second base job for the Yankees.

Winner: The New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox swap struggling middle infielders. The thing that sets the two players apart is health. Drew can stay on the field while Johnson struggles to.

Trade 9: 

New York Yankees: Martin Prado

Arizona Diamondbacks: Peter O’Brien and a player to be named later (or cash considerations)

The New York Yankees made their second trade deadline move, acquiring utility man Martin Prado for catching prospect Peter O’Brien. Prado is a great hitter who can play almost anywhere in the field. He’s a career .290 hitter who has decent speed. However, the Yankees had to give up O’Brien – a catcher with a lot of potential – to acquire Prado in their hopes of making the playoffs. O’Brien is batting .267 with 33 home runs in 102 games. He is currently in Double-A but will make it to the majors if he continues to play the way he has so far.

Trade 10:

Miami Marlins: Jarred Cosart, Enrique Hernandez, and Austin Wates

Houston Astros: Jake Marisnick, Colin Moran, Frances Martes and a 2015 compensation pick

This was a pretty small trade as well. The Houston Astros acquired Marisnick, Moran, Martes, and a 2015 compensation pick. Marisnick has solid numbers in the minors but struggles to hit above the Mendoza line in the majors. The Astros also receive Colin Moran who is a near .300 hitter with 21 doubles and five home runs. Adding to the mix is a draft pick and a struggling Martes who has a 4.97 ERA. The Marlins received Hernandez, Wates, and Cosart. Hernandez is batting .284 in 24 games while Wates is batting .299 with 31 steals. Wates and Cosart – who has a 4.41 ERA – are great additions to the Marlin lineup.

Winner: The Miami Marlins receive an average starter in Cosart and a fast outfielder – who can swipe 50 bags easily – in Wates. They also get Hernandez in return for three average players – who are struggling – and a 2015 pick.

Trade 11: 

Chicago Cubs: Victor Catarini

Atlanta Braves: James Russell and Emilio Bonafacio

The Atlanta Braves acquired a solid utility man and a left-handed stud in the bullpen. Bonafacio is batting .279 with 14 stolen bases. He can get on-base and swipe bags with ease – this will be a big addition to the Atlanta outfielder corp as they have a struggling B.J. Upton in the lineup. Russell on the other hand is a great reliever who has a 3.51 ERA. He not only does well against lefties, but he dominates righties as well. However, the Cubs – who have a bright future ahead of them – have added Victor Catarini. Catarini is a .279 hitter with five home runs; he can hit for average but his lack of power makes him less valuable.

Winner: The Atlanta Braves acquired two solid pieces to help for their playoff run. They only gave up a solid catcher who hits for only average to help boost their chances at winning.

Trade 12: 

Tampa Bay Rays: Nick Franklin, Willy Adames, and Drew Smyly

Seattle Mariners: Austin Jackson

Detroit Tigers: David Price

The biggest move of the trade deadline was former Cy Young winner David Price being traded to the Detroit Tigers in a three-team deal. The Seattle Mariners were the third team involved as they sent Nick Franklin to the Rays. In return, they acquired Austin Jackson from the Tigers. The Rays also acquired Drew Smyly and Willy Adames.

Winner: The Seattle Mariners and the Detroit Tigers won this three-team trade. By participating in the trade, the Mariners acquired Austin Jackson for Nick Franklin; that’s a HUGE upgrade. The Tigers also won because they acquired the best piece in the trade David Price. All they had to give up were Willy Adames and Drew Smyly, both of which have the potential to be solid starters in the majors.