With the non-waiver trade deadline in the rear view mirror, it’s time for me to finally finish up my thoughts and analysis on the trades.

Trade
Saint Louis Cardinals acquire: Joel Pineiro (MLB - RH SP/ RP)
Boston Red Sox acquire: Player to be named later

My thoughts: No one has ever been traded more often than that pesky player to be named later. One thing was clear though: the Red Sox had no use for Pineiro in their bullpen or rotation and St. Louis needs all the help they can get.

Winner: The Cardinals get Pineiro who will work with Dave Duncan to see if he can regain some of his form. He has a club option for 2008 so this isn’t necessarily a rental and Boston is picking up part of his salary.

Note: this all changes if the player to be named happens to fall in or near the Cardinals’ top 10 prospects this quickly becomes Boston’s victory

Trade
Los Angeles Dodgers acquire: Scott Proctor (MLB - RH SP/ RP)
New York Yankees acquire: Wilson Betemit (MLB - 2B, 3B, SS)

My thoughts: Ummm. So correct me if I’m wrong but isn’t trading someone from your weak bullpen make it weaker? I don’t see the logic behind this one from the Yankees point of view if they are, in fact, still pushing for the playoffs.

Winner: TKO goes to LA and Betemit goes to his third team in two seasons. At some point this guy needs to put up or shut up.

Trade
San Diego Padres acquire: Rob Mackowiak (MLB - UTIL IF/ OF)
Chicago White Sox acquire: Jon Link (A - RH RP)

My thoughts: Mackowiak becomes the left-handed bench player to compliment Ensberg and Kouzmanoff at third and Scott Hariston in left field. Link is currently closing out games in High A and might be an option for the bullpen in 2-3 years time.

Winner: San Diego, despite the fact that they might not really need Rob… injuries happen and they probably needed another left handed bat somewhere in that lineup.

Trade
Texas Rangers acquire: Kason Gabbard (MLB - LH SP), David Murphy (AAA - OF), Engel Beltre (Rookie ball - OF)
Boston Red Sox acquire: Eric Gagne (MLB - RH RP)

My thoughts: The Rangers again add depth to their minor leagues, not to mention their current rotation. The Red Sox pick up the best reliever to the market and add it to what was already the best bullpen… which will be huge in the playoffs.

Winner: The Red Sox got the best pitcher on the market (arguably) and did not give up a single prospect in their top 10. Well done Theo.

Trade
San Diego Padres acquire: Morgan Ensberg (MLB - 3B)
Houston Astros acquire: Player to be named later

My thoughts: Ensberg has hit 100 RBIs once in his career… once; never reaching 70 in any other season. His strikeout rates are increasing and he’s not stealing bases anymore. Without the Mackowiak deal it makes some sense; but with Mackowiak and Kouzmanoff both able to play third this makes less sense than the Chewey defense.

Winner: The Houston Freakin’ Astros.

Trade
Philadelphia Phillies acquire: Julio Mateo (AAA - RH RP)
Seattle Mariners acquire: Jesus Merchan (AA - 2B, SS)

My thoughts: This all depends on how strong an emphasis you want teams to place on morals. Mateo is a wife beater with a few off-field issues and Merchan really isn’t a “top” prospect in the Philly system.

Winner: I don’t want douchebaggery in my farm system… Seattle gets the tip of the cap.

… only two more to go… this was way more than I wanted to really take on…

Trade
Pittsburgh Pirates acquire: Matt Morris (MLB - RH SP)
San Francisco Giants acquire: Rajai Davis (MLB - CF)

My thoughts: Sweet merciful crap… it finally happened! I can’t believe my freakin eyes: Brian Sabean made a good deal. Let’s face it; Davis isn’t exactly a prized prospect… but Morris has been awful, just awful and Morris is owed $12.5 million from now until the end of next season. The Giants desperately need to hit the free agent market with some serious cash and this certainly helps.

Winner: Brian Sabean makes smart deal; my head is spinning.

Trade
San Diego Padres acquire: Wil Ledezma (MLB - LH RP), Will Startup (AAA - LH SP/ RP)
Atlanta Braves acquire: Royce Ring (MLB - LH RP)

My thoughts: If you ask me, Startup might be the best player in this deal. Ring has a piss poor K/BB ratio and I don’t see him helping this year.

Winner: Really Atlanta? I mean, good job dumping Ledezma but Ring has not pitched well in the majors and is 4 years older than Startup.