Analyzing the trade deadline deals
August 1, 2012


I haven't been writing here much lately but I coulnd't pass up an opportunity to comment on an incredibly busy trade deadline.  I can't remember so many deals happening in such a short time.  I'll try to restrict my comments to fantasy baseball value but there were a couple players who I think were acquired with only October in mind. 

For example, Ichiro Suzuki getting traded to the Yankees.  Yes, he adds a good arm to their outfield and he can still cover some ground there.  But his bat appears to be at the end of its usefulness with some occasional exceptions.  One of those exceptions happens to pitch for what may be one of the Yankees' stiffer tests in the post-season: Yu Darvish of the Texas Rangers.  The Rangers ousted the Yankees in the 2010 postseason and are the reigning AL champs.  They also got stuffed by the Rangers earlier this year two games to one with one of those games a dominating performance by Darvish - 8.1 innings, 10 Ks, no runs allowed.  The Rangers rotation has been in flux over the past month but regardless who they finish the season with, Darvish still looms for the Yanks.  In a seven game series facing him twice would be daunting; in a five gamer, moreso.  However, while he was with Seattle, Ichiro was 6-for-11 against him and the Mariners are one of two teams that have given Darvish trouble this season (the other being the White Sox).  My guess is that Ichiro is a big reason why a terrible offense such as the Mariners has given him so much trouble.  Darvish grew up in Japan where Ichiro was an icon comparable to Ruth.  Darvish wanted to badly to defeat his countrymen that he lost himself on the mound trying to defeat a myth rather than pitching to the man and made uncharacteristic mistakes with his pitches.  I think the Yankees want to have that same advantage come playoff time.  The two teams will meet in August so we'll see if this theory has any legs, especially since the Yankees are walking wounded right now. 

Wandy Rodriguez to the Pirates - Wandy benefits from a better home park and now he gets to face an anemic Astros line-up a couple times.  Getting some run support should help his confidence too.

Hanley Ramirez to the Dodgers - Given the injury to Dee Gordon, I am quite surprised that the Dodgers have not moved Hanley back to shortstop.  Regardless, the new setting should energize Ramirez after an offseason where he was pilloried in the local media for not being a team player, despite the fact that he was an all-star shortstop.  I'd like to see how those sportswriters would act if they were suddenly switched from the pressbox to selling beers in the upper deck.  Take one for the team, boys!  Dodger Stadium is a pretty neutral park for home runs so Ramirez should see a tick up in his power numbers and RBI.  Winning might help his outlook as well, so I'm betting we see shades of the 2007-2010 Hanley.  Unless the LA media call him out for not being a team player.

Nathan Eovaldi to the Marlins - Eovaldi has a big arm and that stadium is playing friendly to pitchers.  He's still pretty young but the talent is there to be a top of the rotation starter.  The question is do the Marlins have a pitching coach who can get him there.

Omar Infante and Anibal Sanchez to the Tigers - I think both of these guys are going to have a rude awakening.  Infante was having a ridiculous year like he had in 2004.  His isolated power is way out of line with anything he's done in six years and his other periforals have actually detiorated, so we can believe one of two things: this is a fluke at age 30 or he has had medical help.  I am leaning toward the former and am betting we see a big drop-off in production from the league switch.  Sanchez' numbers look much worse than previous seasons, but they're not that different.  However, the league change will keep the hurt on. 

Jacob Turner to the Marlins - I've never been a fan of Turner's until now.  I think the trade to the National league gives him a huge boost, both in getting out of the AL where he faces the DH, but also getting to face relatively weak line-ups in the Mets and Phillies.

Francisco Cordero to the Astros - this one is already playing out badly for Cordero.  He's shown considerable deterioration from his peak which is a bad combination with that park. 

Ryan Roberts to the Rays - Tat-man gets a change of scenery to a tougher park and division and is coming off a year that was a bit fluky.  He can play different position which will help his playing time once Longoria returns, but the Rays already have Sean Rodriguez and Ben Zobrist who can do that and they are better at it. 

Brett Myers to the White Sox - He becomes the set-up man for Addison Reed.