A look at how teams fared at this year's non-wavier trading deadline.

National League

ARIZONA thought it was going to be able to knock out Atlanta in the bidding for 1B Mark Teixeira from Texas, but the problem is while the Diamondbacks have a nice core of young players at the big-league level right now there is not quality depth in the system to make a trade like that.

ATLANTA made no secret about its desire to win now with the deals that saw them package prospects to add 1B Mark Teixeira, RHP Octavio Dotel and LHP Royce Ring. A key to adding the switch-hitting Teixeira is he gives the Braves run-production insurance for 2008 with the expected departure of CF Andruw Jones to look for free-agent riches in the fall.

CHICAGO made its move in early July, acquiring C Jason Kendall from Oakland to fill the void created by the trade of Michael Barrett. Not that the Cubs regret getting rid of Barrett, who had become a clubhouse distraction. The team has rallied to move atop the NL Central since Barrett's exile to San Diego.

CINCINNATI apparently decided to give up on 3B Edwin Encarnacion, which led to acquiring malcontent Jorge Cantu from Tampa Bay. The Reds will work in August to find someone to take OF Adam Dunn.

COLORADO felt it had better options to improve its pitching staff by promoting RHP Ubaldo Jimenez than giving up the prospects teams wanted to a middle-line veteran starter.

FLORIDA was tempted to move LHP Dontrelle Willis, but the Marlins feel keeping Willis is too critical for any chance to success not only this year but next year in light of the season-ending injuries suffered by starting pitchers Josh Johnson, who might not be back next year, Ricky Nolasco and Anibel Sanchez, all of whom opened the year in the rotation.

HOUSTON was concerned enough about the struggles at third base that it was willing to give up RHP Dan Wheeler, who had served in a setup and closer role, to land versatile Ty Wiggington from Tampa Bay. The Astros were so down on Morgan Ensberg that they were prepared to eat what was left of Ensberg $4.75 million salary until San Diego suddenly showed interest.

LOS ANGELES had flashbacks. The Dodgers gave up RHP Danys Baez, INF Willy Aybar and money to acquire INF Wilson Betemit from Atlanta a year ago, but he was pushed out of the third base job when Nomar Garciaparra was moved over from first base to create an opening for James Loney, prompting the Dodgers to move Betemit to the Yankees for RHP Dave Proctor. Ironically, in 2003, the Dodgers traded Proctor to the Yankees as part of the package for 3B Robin Ventura.

MILWAUKEE knew it had to patch its bullpen, which is being worn out by a lack of depth in the rotation, which is why they jumped at the chance to acquire RHP Scott Linebrink from the Padres, and then gambled on Seth McClung from Tampa Bay. McClung had lost the closer role at Triple-A Durham, but responded to handling setup duties, and had his fastball back in the mid-90s at the time of the trade.

NEW YORK didn't have a choice but to overpay for 2B Luis Castillo in light of the loss of Jose Valentin and the lack of confidence in Ruben Gotay to take over at the position. Castillo says he would re-sign but odds are he is just a short-term solution, having lost the extra step he had when he won two NL stolen base titles with Florida.

PHILADELPHIA GM Pat Gillick was beset with so many injuries that he not only took on Tadahito Iguchi from the White Sox to replace injured Chase Utley at second base, but he gamble on Kyle Lohse (6-12 with Cincinnati) despite having to give up LHP Matt Maloney, the No. 3 draft choice two years ago. Key is the Phillies feel LH prospects Josh Outman and J.A. Happ have higher ceilings than Maloney. The even bigger challenge will be RHP Julio Mateo, who Seattle had banished to the minor leagues in May after he was charged with third-degree assault on his wife.

PITTSBURGH made a couple of moves that exemplify why the Pirates are headed to a 15th consecutive losing season. Instead of putting some money aside to make impact additions, they took SS Cesar Izturis and his $5.45 million option for 2008 from the Cubs, and then agreed to assume the $14 million owed RHP Matt Morris in acquiring him from the Giants. It's one thing to say that roughly $3.5 million Morris is going to make the rest of this season fits in the budget, but what about the more than $10 million he is guaranteed next year?

ST. LOUIS gave indications that manager Tony La Russa may actually return next year. First, La Russa said he is looking at moving Braden Looper back into a relief role in 2008, and then the Cardinals picked up RHP Joel Pineiro, who had been a disappointment in a relief role in Boston this year, but is only 28 and did win 16 games as a starter in Seattle in 2003.

SAN DIEGO wasn't happy with its third base setup with Russell Branyan, who was released, and Kevin Kouzmanoff, forcing it to taking a flyer on Morgan Ensberg, and add the versatile Rob Mackowiak.

SAN FRANCISCO was shocked when Pittsburgh called the morning of July 31 and expressed a willingness to acquire RHP Matt Morris without the Giants having to pick up any of the nearly $14 million he is owed, which was a bigger deal to the Giants than who they got in return.

WASHINGTON general manager Jim Bowden got shutout in the trade market, but he did sign contract extensions with veterans 1B Dmtri Young and 2B Ronnie Belliard. The decision with Young appears to signal that Nick Johnson's recovery from a broken leg that sidelined him this year isn't going well. Why else would the Nationals want to tie up Young, who is more a DH than a first baseman and would be challenged to play left field next year if Johnson were healthy.

American League

BALTIMORE could have acquired 1B Mark Teixeria from the Rangers, but refused to part with LHP Erik Bedard, who is signed through 2009, and SS Miguel Tejada. The Orioles will risk waivers in an attempt to make an August deal involving RHP Steve Trachsel, OFs Jay Payton and Corey Patterson, and 1B Kevin Millar.

BOSTON was able to keep the fact that RH reliever Brandon Donnelly needed reconstructive elbow surgery quiet until after it landed Eric Gagne from Texas, but it's not like the Red Sox got a steal. They gave up LHP Kason Gabbard, who was 4-0 with a 3.73 ERA with the Sox plus OF Angel Beltre, who they signed to a $700,000 bonus as a 16-year-old last year, and OF David Murphy, a first-round draft out of Baylor in 2003.

CHICAGO was unable to move RHP Jose Contreras, who is guaranteed$18 million in the next two seasons, but did ship 2B Tadahito Iguchi to Philadelphia for RHP Michael Dubee, who is the son of the Phillies' pitching coach. More importantly, though, indications were the Sox began to talk to OF Jermaine Dye about an extension instead of a trade.

CLEVELAND decided to see how charming the third time will be with CF Kenny Lofton, giving up well-regarded catching prospect Max Ramirez to acquire Lofton from Texas. Ramirez was the player the Indians received a year earlier from Atlanta for RHP Bob Wickman. Lofton is being counted on to provide some run production that the Indians have lacked from the corner outfield spots.

DETROIT ran into trouble trying to beef up a bullpen that remains the key concern for a return to the postseason. The Tigers figure to still come up with a shortstop – Omar Vizquel from the Giants or Jack Wilson from the Pirates – and then can move Carlos Guillen to first.

KANSAS CITY general manager Dayton Moore doesn't wander too far when he is in need. Looking to move reliever Octavio Dotel he went back to Atlanta, where he had been farm director, and came away with RHP Kyle Davis, whose control was a concern in his 17 starts with the Braves.

LOS ANGELES finally got rid of C Jose Molina, who it had been looking to move since last October, sending him to the Yankees for prospect Jeff Kennard.

MINNESOTA didn't plan to re-sign 2B Luis Castillo so the Twins came out ahead in sending him to the Mets for two moderate prospects – Justin Martin, who projects as an extra outfielder, and Drew Butera, son of former Twins catcher Sal Butera, who figures to at least be a defensive backup at the big-league level.

NEW YORK strengthened its bench by adding switch-hitting Wilson Betemit, but it is a stretch to think he is a possible alternative at third base if Alex Rodriguez opts out of his contract at the end of the season.

OAKLAND made its move early, getting three prospects from the Cubs for C Jason Kendall. The most intriguing of the three is LHP Jerry Blevins, who is 3-2 with an 0.86 ERA and nine saves in 37 games at Triple-A. He has struck out 69 and walked 13 in 52 innings.

SEATTLE couldn't get any takers for 1B Richie Sexson and his $14 million guarantee, but as soon as the deadline passed it became clear that Sexson is on borrowed time. Manager John McLaren basically set up a platoon with Sexson and left-handed-hitting Ben Broussard.

TAMPA BAY got rid of a problem by shipping INF Jorge Cantu to Cincinnati, but also renewed its relationship RH reliever Dan Wheeler, who came from Houston but was originally signed by the Devil Rays as their 34th round pick in their first draft, 1996. Cantu hit 28 home runs two years ago, but battled injuries last year, and found himself in the minors this year, which led to his demanding a trade.

TEXAS stocked up its farm system by getting three prospects each in return for 1B Mark Teixeira who went to Atlanta and RHP Eric Gagne who went to Boston. The Rangers also got C Max Ramirez from Cleveland for Kenny Lofton. The Braves packaged include C Jarrod Saltalmacchia, considered the No. 1 catching prospect in the game, and Boston's package included LHP Kason Gabbard, who was 4-0 his first seven starts in Boston.

TORONTO couldn't get a trade done, but it did sign veteran LHP Mark Redman to a minor-league contract and sent him to Triple-A Syracuse. Redman, 33, was signed by Atlanta in the midst of spring training when Mike Hampton was lost for the season, and he went 0-4 with an 11.63 ERA before the Braves released him on May 22.

Back to Top