DISCUSSION OF THE WEEK: MLB TRADE DEADLINE

[Oscarxena]

Tigers deal Ramirez to Braves

DETROIT -- The Detroit Tigers have traded outfielder Wilkin Ramirez to the Atlanta Braves for a player to be named or cash.

The deal was announced Saturday.

The Tigers designated Ramirez for assignment this week after getting Jhonny Peralta from the Cleveland Indians.

Ramirez hit .216 with four home runs and 14 RBIs in 41 games with Triple-A Toledo.

Yea, I know, who cares!

[Oscarxena]

Pirates get catcher Snyder

NEW YORK -- Wrapping up their flurry of deals before baseball's non-waiver trade deadline, the rebuilding Arizona Diamondbacks shipped catcher Chris Snyder to the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday in a five-player swap.

Arizona also sent minor league shortstop Pedro Ciriaco and cash to the Pirates for former AL Rookie of the Year Bobby Crosby, outfielder Ryan Church and right-hander D.J. Carrasco.

The trade was the second of the day for the struggling Diamondbacks, who also moved reliever Chad Qualls to Tampa Bay for a player to be named. Earlier in the week Arizona unloaded a pair of All-Star pitchers, shipping Dan Haren to the Los Angeles Angels and then Edwin Jackson to the Chicago White Sox.

"I guess maybe you could say it was somewhat of a distraction recently. There's been a lot of talk about these things. But we just want to try and get on track," interim manager Kirk Gibson said Saturday before his team played the New York Mets. "We certainly are not the team that has played so poorly and accomplished so little as we have so far."

The trading frenzy saved the Diamondbacks money and brought several youngsters to the organization.

"We've done a lot of positive things the last few weeks," interim general manager Jerry Dipoto said. "We're a struggling ballclub and we needed to get better."

In a deal between two last-place teams, Pittsburgh receives a catcher who had a 240-game errorless streak end on June 6, the third-longest run in major league history behind those of Mike Redmond and Mike Matheny. Snyder, 29, is hitting .231 with 10 homers and 32 RBIs. He will supplant the injured Ryan Doumit (concussion) as Pittsburgh's primary catcher.

Doumit, who will mostly play right field when he is activated from the disabled list, has thrown out only five of 61 runners attempting to steal (8 percent). Snyder has a 16.1 percent success rate (9 of 56) and is considered a far superior defensive catcher.

"Ryan will continue to get some time behind home plate. It will also allow us to keep Ryan's bat in the lineup by playing him in right field as well," Pirates general manager Neal Huntington said. "There are still plenty of at-bats for all of those guys."

Snyder missed the final three months of last season with a back injury that required surgery. He is making $5.25 million this season as part of a three-year, $14.5 million contract he signed with the Diamondbacks in December 2008. It includes a club option for 2012.

The emergence of 27-year-old catcher Miguel Montero, who has shown pop at the plate when healthy, made Snyder somewhat expendable in Arizona.

"Unfortunately, Chris' playing time has waned the past few years," Dipoto said.

Ciriaco, 24, batted .259 with six homers, 51 RBIs and 14 steals at Triple-A Reno this year and was picked for the Futures Game. He is expected to report to Triple-A Indianapolis.

Pittsburgh also recalled infielders Argenis Diaz and Jeff Clement from Indianapolis. In other deals, the Pirates sent left-handed reliever Javier Lopez to San Francisco and closer Octavio Dotel to the Dodgers, gaining a total of six players whose rights they control for several years.

Of the five players they traded, the Pirates controlled only Dotel's rights for next season.

"We feel this is a pretty solid return and another step for us as we build depth and try to return winning ways to the major league level," Huntington said.

The Pirates are last in the NL Central at 36-66 and headed to a major league-record 18th consecutive losing season. Arizona was last in the NL West at 38-65 going into Saturday night's game.

"We wanted to be in a flexible position. There are still holes to fill. We maintained a core group to build around. We have the flexibility from a payroll perspective to move into next year," Dipoto said. "For the most part, we feel the group of players on the field right now, the core group, is the group we want to build with."

The 31-year-old Church was signed as a free agent in January and is hitting just .183 with three homers and 18 RBIs. His production dipped sharply after he sustained a pair of concussions in a three-month span while with the Mets in 2008.

Church is expected to join the Diamondbacks on Monday when they open a series at home against Washington.

Crosby, a 30-year-old utility infielder, also signed with the Pirates as a free agent during the offseason and hit just .224 with one homer and 11 RBIs. In 2004, he was voted the AL rookie honor after hitting .239 with 22 homers and 64 RBIs for Oakland.

He is expected to arrive in time for Sunday's series finale against the Mets.

"Experience on the bench," Dipoto said. "They are pending free agents, and we know that."

Carrasco, 33, is 2-2 with a 3.88 ERA in 45 games this season, striking out 45 in 55 2/3 innings. He has a 22-18 record in 23 starts and 203 relief appearances in six big league seasons with Kansas City, the Chicago White Sox and Pittsburgh.

"He brings flexibility," Dipoto said.

The right-hander was expected to be available out of the bullpen Saturday night, taking Qualls' spot.

To replace Snyder, the Diamondbacks recalled catcher John Hester from Reno. He could catch newcomer Daniel Hudson on Sunday, Gibson said. Hudson was acquired from the White Sox in the deal for Jackson.

Qualls, a 31-year-old right-hander, is 1-4 with 12 saves and an 8.29 ERA this season, striking out 34 and walking 15 in 38 innings, down from a career-high 24 saves last year.

"He had a rough year. He was very thankful for his opportunity here," Dipoto said.

[Oscarxena]

O's swap Ohman for VandenHurk

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The Baltimore Orioles traded left-hander Will Ohman to the Florida Marlins on Saturday for right-hander Rick VandenHurk.

VandenHurk was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk after the trade, and third baseman Josh Bell was recalled from the Tides.

The 32-year-old Ohman was 0-0 with a 3.30 ERA in 51 appearances during his first season with the Orioles.

"I thought there was a possibility. Nothing's ever certain," Ohman said. "You're with the team that wants you the most, so I guess my time here is done."

"Anytime you get traded, it's a good feeling to know that you did well enough in a place that you were to merit the trade. There's somebody else out there that thinks you're serviceable. In that way, I guess, it's a compliment."

To make room for Ohman, the Marlins sent right-hander Alex Sanabia to Triple-A.

VandenHurk, 25, allowed one earned run in 1 1/3 innings and two games for Florida, and he was 8-4 with a 4.68 ERA in 98 innings for Triple-A New Orleans with 87 strikeouts.

Orioles interim manager Juan Samuel said the deal was made shortly before the 4 p.m. EDT deadline for non-waiver trades. Samuel is managing his last series -- the newly hired Buck Showalter takes over next week.

"It came right down to the wire, as we were looking at the time and we thought, 'Well, nothing's happened,' and then the next thing you know, my phone is ringing and we lose Ohman," Samuel said. "He was somebody we relied on to be our situational lefty out of the 'pen."

Earlier this week, the Orioles traded infielder Miguel Tejada to San Diego.

"You wish those guys well. ... The same with Tejada when we lost him the other day -- he got a chance to play for something," Samuel said. "I know a lot of guys who were probably a little uncomfortable this time of the month not knowing if they were staying here or not. We do the best we can with what we've got and it's just unfortunate we lost those guys."

[Oscarxena]

Just my two cents worth here, I love what the Padres did. A lot of teams have been in their position in the past (Seattle comes to mind) and decided to do nothing at the deadline and then faltered down the stretch. To add Tejada at SS and Ludwick in the OF is a big plus, maybe enough for them to hold on in the NL West. I don't understand why St. Louis would want to unload Ludwick just to get Jake Westbrook but only time will tell there I guess. The Rangers made significant strides in my opinion and I think the Yankees will be helped by those over the hill players (Berkman, Wood & Kearns). Teams I didn't understand were the Orioles, White Sox and Giants. The Orioles did not pull off any trades for the bums that they have although some teams might have wanted those bums, the White Sox talked a lot but really got nothing and the Giants really needed a bat and did not get one. Again, just my two cents on the trading deadline.

 

[HOVA]

Just my two cents worth here, I love what the Padres did. A lot of teams have been in their position in the past (Seattle comes to mind) and decided to do nothing at the deadline and then faltered down the stretch. To add Tejada at SS and Ludwick in the OF is a big plus, maybe enough for them to hold on in the NL West. I don't understand why St. Louis would want to unload Ludwick just to get Jake Westbrook but only time will tell there I guess. The Rangers made significant strides in my opinion and I think the Yankees will be helped by those over the hill players (Berkman, Wood & Kearns). Teams I didn't understand were the Orioles, White Sox and Giants. The Orioles did not pull off any trades for the bums that they have although some teams might have wanted those bums, the White Sox talked a lot but really got nothing and the Giants really needed a bat and did not get one. Again, just my two cents on the trading deadline.

 

I think the Cards thought process was we won 12 straight or whatever it was w/o Ludwick in the lineup, so he's expendable. I also think his salary goes up a significant portion next year.  Plus that Jason Jay is murdering the ball. 

As for the Sox I don't like the Jackson deal AT ALL.  I think Kenny got caught in the Nats and Dunn hype and got burned.  Those Nats "supposedly" loved Jackson but changed their mind.  To give up 2 prospects (1 with MLB experience already) just didn't make sense. 

Jackson is an innings eater, but I think after throwing that no hitter (where he threw like 150 or more pitches I believe), I think it has messed up his arm.  Now there  weren't many other pitchers out there and the Sox definitely needed to add something to their rotation, but I think they could have done better than Jackson. 

Pitching coach Don Cooper has a good reputation of bringing guys along that struggled in the past, so maybe he'll work something out and the light will finally go on for Jackson. 

I still expect the Sox to make another move before its all said and done though.   

[Oscarxena]

I don't think acquiring Jackson is a bad move, he does have great stuff but I question if that is a good overall move for the future. It almost seems like they traded for him just because they wanted to obtain someone else and then failed to do it. Whether that was the managements fault or other teams they were negotiating with, it has to be viewed as a failure. However, I do feel they are still going to win the AL Central, they just seem to have more pieces to the puzzle than their competitors do, so you have my jinx going for you!

 

[MacDaddy]

What a boring fucking trade deadline.

No wonder only me, Game, and a few others chimed in.

Or is it that over half our members keyboards don't fucking work.   

    Or maybe some of us are Pirate fans and baseball just hasn't FUCKING been relevant for the last 20 years! 

[GreatLaker]

Just my two cents worth here, I love what the Padres did. A lot of teams have been in their position in the past (Seattle comes to mind) and decided to do nothing at the deadline and then faltered down the stretch. To add Tejada at SS and Ludwick in the OF is a big plus, maybe enough for them to hold on in the NL West. I don't understand why St. Louis would want to unload Ludwick just to get Jake Westbrook but only time will tell there I guess. The Rangers made significant strides in my opinion and I think the Yankees will be helped by those over the hill players (Berkman, Wood & Kearns). Teams I didn't understand were the Orioles, White Sox and Giants. The Orioles did not pull off any trades for the bums that they have although some teams might have wanted those bums, the White Sox talked a lot but really got nothing and the Giants really needed a bat and did not get one. Again, just my two cents on the trading deadline.

 

I think the Cards thought process was we won 12 straight or whatever it was w/o Ludwick in the lineup, so he's expendable. I also think his salary goes up a significant portion next year.  Plus that Jason Jay is murdering the ball.  

As for the Sox I don't like the Jackson deal AT ALL.  I think Kenny got caught in the Nats and Dunn hype and got burned.  Those Nats "supposedly" loved Jackson but changed their mind.  To give up 2 prospects (1 with MLB experience already) just didn't make sense.  

Jackson is an innings eater, but I think after throwing that no hitter (where he threw like 150 or more pitches I believe), I think it has messed up his arm.  Now there  weren't many other pitchers out there and the Sox definitely needed to add something to their rotation, but I think they could have done better than Jackson.  

Pitching coach Don Cooper has a good reputation of bringing guys along that struggled in the past, so maybe he'll work something out and the light will finally go on for Jackson.  

I still expect the Sox to make another move before its all said and done though.  

Apparently, Dunn was pretty adamant about not DH'ing.  Since he's not the worlds greatest glove the Sox may be better off w/o a disgruntled DH.  

Supposedly the money isn't an issue between Dunn and the Nats.  Dunn wants a 4 yr deal and the Nats are thinking 2 years.  Seems like an easy answer to me...Uh, how about 3?  I'm delighted that he was wearing a Nats uniform yesterday.  The Nats are putting some pieces together but they still have a ways to go, like 2nd base, RF and possibly short if Desmond continues to use his feet instead of his glove to pick up ground balls.  He had 2 more errors yesterday.

If the Nats lose Dunn now they get 2 compensatory draft picks.  I can't imagine that Rizzo would allow him to get away for nadda...could he?

Speaking of the Nats, I'm thrilled over the Capps deal.  While I think he can help the Twins this year I see his value going nowhere but down.  Getting a top catching prospect like Ramos might be a move that pays off for years.  If nothing else, it should force Wil Nieves out the door.  He may as well have a Nerf bat in his hands 

[HOVA]

Buster Olney of ESPN.com reports that the Nationals have placed first baseman Adam Dunn on waivers.
As Olney notes, teams now have 48 hours to claim the slugger. The Giants were somewhat interested in Dunn before the trade deadline and are likely to at least put a claim out. If a trade can't be worked out from there, so be it, but they'll at least block other contending teams from snatching him up. Dunn has a .933 OPS and 26 home runs over 377 at-bats this year for the Nats.

[TheGame]

Buster Olney of ESPN.com reports that the Nationals have placed first baseman Adam Dunn on waivers.
As Olney notes, teams now have 48 hours to claim the slugger. The Giants were somewhat interested in Dunn before the trade deadline and are likely to at least put a claim out. If a trade can't be worked out from there, so be it, but they'll at least block other contending teams from snatching him up. Dunn has a .933 OPS and 26 home runs over 377 at-bats this year for the Nats.

I'm sure a few teams will put in claims for him.
Might even be a team that is out of it. But thinks they can sign him for next year.

[TheGame]

Phillies acquired 1B Mike Sweeney from the Mariners for a player to be named later or cash considerations.Aug. 4 - 4:55 pm ET