The 2014 MLB trade deadline definitely was not boring. With players like Jon Lester, Yoenis Cespedes, and David Price on the move yesterday, the 2014 playoff race is set to be one of the best ever. With so many major league ballplayers on the move, there were winners and losers.
2014 MLB Trade Deadline Winners
Boston Red Sox
Boston made the first major deal of trade deadline day when they shocked the baseball community and acquired Yoenis Cespedes. The Red Sox traded away ace Jon Lester, who is available for free agency at the end of this season, and Johnny Gomes to get the powerful outfielder from the A’s. The Beantown Boys were far from finished after this. Next to go would be number two starter, John Lackey. Lackey would be dealt to the St. Louis Cardinals for position player Allen Craig, and starting pitcher Joe Kelly. Boston and Baltimore would swap Andrew Miller and highly touted pitching prospect Eduardo Rodriguez, and the final trade of the day would be Stephen Drew to the rival Yankees for Kelly Johnson.
Far from being in contention, Ben Cherrington and the Sox are already building for next year. The hope is that Jon Lester will sign with the team after the season’s conclusion, getting him back into their rotation. The Boston pitching rotation is now: Anthony Ranaudo, Clay Bucholz, Allen Webster, Rubby De La Rosa, and Joe Kelly.
Oakland Athletics
Billy Beane is a genius, for the short term at least. While he did lose significant power from the A’s lineup, what he gained was much more valuable. After the acquisition of Jeff Samardzija for three minor leaguers, Beane decided that he needed just one more top of the line starting pitcher. As it stands now, Samardzija is the “worst” starter on the staff with a 3.19 ERA. The starting rotation now features: Sonny Gray, Jeff Samardzija, Scott Kazmir, Jon Lester, and either Jesse Chavez or Jason Hammel.
The thing about acquiring Lester for Cespedes, is that Cespedes is under control until 2016, while Lester’s contract is up at the end of this year. If the A’s don’t win the World Series, which is the main reason for the flurry of acquisitions that Billy Beane has made, and are not able to resign Lester, the trade might wreak havoc for the Athletics.
Detroit Tigers
When you have two Cy Young award winners, why do you need a third? Oh, because Dave Dombrowski wants a World Series. David Price, the ace of the Tampa Bay Rays rotation was traded in a three-way trade between the Tigers, Seattle Mariners, and the Rays. Detroit receives David Price, and sends Austin Jackson to Seattle, and Drew Smyly to the Rays. Detroit now has three former Cy Young award-winners in their rotation. The Tigers new (and better) rotation is now: Max Scherzer, David Price, Justin Verlander, Rick Porcello, and Anibal Sanchez.
Seattle Mariners
Seattle won big yesterday. While getting rid of an underperforming Nick Franklin, the Mariners got Austin Jackson from the Tigers. Yes, Franklin is still a prospect, yes he hasn’t even played 162 games as a Major Leaguer, but no, his numbers aren’t good enough for him to play on a Major League team (yet). Austin Jackson, however, is having a very solid year hitting a comfortable .272 with four home runs. Yes, his power numbers are down, but he was never really a power hitter anyway.
To access part two: Trade Deadline Losers, Click here.
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