So...

I haven't posted in about a week, as I've been disecting the trade deadline and watching the Jays shit the bed.

I am going to give my thoughts a place to sit for all of time, so that I can look back at them at be amazed at how silly I was.

So, starting with the most recent trade (Peavy to Chi Town) and working backwards with the biggest trades, here I go. (Fuck the small trades. No one cares that the Marlins picked up Nick Johnson or that Nick Johnson once killed a woman, then raped her.)


The White Sox acquired SP Jake Peavy from the Padres for P Clayton Richard, P Aaron Poreda, P Adam Russell, and P Dexter Carter

So, the Pads got the #2 prospect (Poreda, according to Baseball America and John Sickels), and the #3 (Richard, according to BA and #5 according to JS). They also got Russell, a RH reliever with good numbers in AAA this season, who can come right into San Diego's bullpen. Dexter Carter is the furthest away from the Majors, but has impressive numbers in A ball as a starter. Overall, it is a pretty impressive haul for an injured player with a lot of money coming to him. San Diego did a great job to get 4 young arms at various stages for their ace. The White Sox also got an established ace without giving up Gordan Beckham, so good job on that end.

The Reds acquired 3B Scott Rolen from the Blue Jays for 3B Edwin Encarnacion, P Josh Roenicke, and P Zach Stewart

I love this trade as a Jays fan. Encarnacion has the power that we need from a corner guy, while the arms are impressive. Roenicke (who was rated as having the best fastball in the Reds' system by BA) has closer stuff, and could move into that role very soon. Stewart is a very young arm who has rocketed through the minors and is in AAA a year after being drafted. He could either be a stud reliever or a solid starter at peak. Losing Rolen hurts, but it's not that bad when you get the quality the Jays got. John Sickels ranked Roenicke and Stewart the 6th and 7th prospects coming into the season.

The Red Sox acquired C Victor Martinez from the Indians for P Nick Hagadone, P Justin Masterson, and P Bryan Price

I love this deal for both sides. The Red Sox get a catcher for next year, while improving their offense this year at 1B, moving Youkilis to 3B. The Indians got Hagadone, ranked #8 by JS and #3 by BA (who named his slider best in the system) and Price, ranked #12 by JS. Masterson is the key here. He spent most of last season in the Sox bullpen and was very effective. He still has the ability to be a front line starter as well, so Cleveland did a great job.

The Phillies azquired P Cliff Lee and OF Ben Francisco from the Indians for P Carlos Carrasco, IF Jason Donald, C Lou Marson, and P Jason Knapp

I think this is a good deal for both sides as well. Philly didn't sell the farm, keeping their top 3 prospects (Drabek, Taylor, and Brown in no particular order) and their young rotation fixture (Happ). Still, Philly gave up some very good prospects. Donald is a SS who could move to 2B in Cleveland who ranked the #4 prospect by JS and BA. Marson is a good defensive catcher who was ranked #3 by BA (who called him the best defensive catcher in the system) and #10 by JS. Carrasco is a starter who John Sickels ranked the #1 prospect pre-season, while BA named him #2 (with the best change-up in the system). Knapp, who some are calling the key to the deal, was rated #10 by BA and #8 by JS. Knapp is really young, but is getting very high praise.


So, those are the trades I have decided to go with. Word.