The Non-Waiver trade deadline has come and gone in MLB, and it was a rather quiet one. There were a few minor deals, but overall less activity then was expected. While there are many possible reasons, the unknown suspensions and what will happen with Biogenesis, more teams involved in the playoff race with an extra wild-card, the way the CBA changes the compensatory draft pick formula, the increasing value teams are putting on developing and keeping prospects, the luxury tax, and a number of other theories have been thrown out there. Whatever the reason, we’ll leave that for another column and another day, for now let’s look at what did go down.
Red Sox, White Sox and Tigers, OH MY!
In what is probably the biggest move in the 24 hours preceeding the deadline we saw a three-team deal between Boston, Chicago and Detroit. The Red Sox acquire starting pitcher Jake Peavy (8-4 with a 4.28 ERA and a 76/17 K/BB ratio over 80 innings in 13 starts this season) from Chicago. Peavy, who is signed through next year gives the Red Sox a top end starter should Clay Buchholz arm issues continue to linger. The Tigers get rookie shortstop Jose Iglesias (.330/.377/.409 in 215 at-bats) from the Red Sox. Iglesias is good insurance with Tigers starting SS Jhonny Peralta heavily rumored in the Biogenesis suspension angle. Meanwhile the White Sox get Avisail Garcia, a 22-year-old OF prospect (.382/.414/.549 in 144 at-bats in Triple-A; .241/.273/.373 in 83 at-bats in MLB) from the Tigers and 3 lower level prospects (SS Cleuluis Rondon, RHP Francellis Montas, RHP Jeffrey Wendelken) from the Red Sox.
This Bud’s For You, Baltimore
One of Boston’s rivals in the American League East race also bolstered their starting pitching. The Baltimore Orioles picked up Bud Norris (6-9 with a 3.93 ERA and a 90/43 K/BB ratio in 126 innings for the Astros) for outfielder L.J. Hoes (23 years-old; .304/.406/.403 with 3 HRs, and 7 steals in 365 at-bats at Triple-A), left handed pitcher Josh Hader (19-years-old, 3-6 with a 2.65 ERA and a 79/42 K/BB ratio in 85 innings in low Single-A) and a competitive balance draft pick from Baltimore (a between the 1st and 2nd round sandwich pick). A key here is that Norris is only 28, and is still under team control until 2016.
California Trading
Division and State rivals the Anaheim Angels and Oakland Athletics made a rare deal. The Angels sent utility infielder Alberto Callaspo (.252/.324/.347 with 5 HRs and 36 RBI) to the Athletics for prospect Grant Green (325/.379/.500 11 home runs and 50 RBI in Triple-A). Callaspo is expected to start at second base for the A’s, while Green is a second baseman who was the 13th overall pick in the 2009 MLB Draft.
Kennedy on the Move
Another inter divisional trade saw the Arizona Diamondbacks move starting pitcher Ian Kennedy (3-8 with a 5.23 ERA) to the San Diego Padres for reliever Joe Thatcher (2.10 ERA and 20/4 K/BB ratio over 30 innings this year), minor league reliever Matt Stites (2-2 with 2.08 ERA and 14 saves, 52/8 K/BB in 52 innings at Double A), and a compensatory draft pick (sandwich between rounds 2 and 3).
Scrabble to the Tribe
The St. Louis Cardinals traded lefty reliever Marc Rzepczynski to the Cleveland Indians for minor league infielder Juan Herrera. After being acquired from Toronto, Rzepczynski was a big part of the Cardinals bullpen in their 2011 run to the World Series, but has since struggled and has even spent most of this season in Triple A. Cleveland hopes they can revitalize the lefty specialist. Herrara is a SS in the low minors.
Astros Move Again
The Astros would make their second trade of the day moving outfielder Justin Maxwell (241/.311/.387 with two home runs in 137 at-bats) to the Kansas City Royals for minor league right-handed starter Kyle Smith (5-4; 2.85 ERA and 96/29 K/BB ratio in 104 1/3 innings in high-A ball).
Dodgers get a backup catcher
The Dodgers got backup catcher Drew Butera (.182/.230/.263 in 490 career at bats) from the Twins for a player to be named later.
Pirates and Mariners
The last trade of the day, this one was made just before 4:00pm, the Pittsburgh Pirates acquired utility infielder, Robert Andino (.232/.294/.318 career 1,467 appearances) for a Player to be named later. How minor was this last deal of the day? Andino has already been assigned to Pittsburgh’s Triple-A farm team.
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