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Here's the deal

Post-trade deadline analysis of every team

Posted: Wednesday August 01, 2001 12:51 AM
Updated: Wednesday August 01, 2001 5:14 PM
 

By John Donovan, CNNSI.com

In the cell phone-toting, salary-dumping, deadline-pushing world of baseball trades, the teams that don't move are often the ones left behind.

Unless, of course, you're talking about the Seattle Mariners.

Here's a breakdown of all 30 major league teams and how they fared in the trade market this month. Baseball's non-waiver trade deadline was Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET.

We've separated the teams into five categories: Those who made big moves to get better (Going for It), those who made subtle moves to improve (Tweakers), the teams who decided to go with what they have (Standing Pat), the ones who might have made moves, but not for this year (Building for the Future) and those who wanted to make big moves but didn't for whatever reason (Missed the Boat.)

Going for it | Tweakers | Standing Pat | Rebuilding | Missed the boat

Going For It
Athletics Analysis
The A's made their best move by not moving at all, keeping Jason Giambi, Jason Isringhausen and Johnny Damon for a run at the wild card. The one move they pulled off -- getting Jermaine Dye in a three-team deal -- provides much-needed protection for free-agent-to-be Giambi.
Cubs Analysis
The postseason comes around only once every generation or so for the Cubs, so they jumped on the chance -- and kept up with the Astros -- by trading for slugger Fred McGriff (finally) and getting bullpen help in David Weathers. An earlier trade netted Michael Tucker from the Reds.
Giants Analysis
Last weekend's sweep of the Diamondbacks proved to the Giants that they can win the NL West. They've added a proven bat in Andres Galarraga, got another starter and an  OF from the Pirates (Jason Schmidt and John Vander Wal) and added lefty Jason Christiansen to the pen.
Twins Analysis
All that small-revenue moaning? It didn't come into play as the Twins picked up a solid starter in the Mets' Rick Reed and a proven closer in the Tigers' Todd Jones. It didn't help their hitting any to give up Matt Lawton, but the Twins now have perhaps the best rotation in the AL.
Astros Analysis
The Astros have plenty of hitting. Now, they've added Pedro Astacio, maybe the most sought-after starter on the trade market. And Mike Williams will help as a setup man in the bullpen. The Astros may not have the Cubs' staff, but the Astros' bats are better.
Red Sox Analysis
It's amazing the Red Sox are even in contention. In Ugueth Urbina, Boston gets a dominating stopper for one of the best staffs in baseball. With Nomar Garciaparra back -- and if injured ace Pedro Martinez returns -- Boston has all it needs.
 
Tweakers
Indians Analysis
Milton Bradley is not much help now -- the Indians immediately optioned him to the minors -- but he could help as a leadoff man in September. Their failure to address a spotty pitching staff could come back to haunt.
Braves Analysis
Ken Caminiti, claimed off waivers, has helped a so-so hitting attack. The trade for K.C.'s Rey Sanchez shores up a suspect infield defense, and Sanchez can hit a little, too. They have great starting pitching, but is it enough? In the NL East, it could be.
Yankees Analysis
No blockbuster from the Yankees is surprising, but the way they've been playing, how much more do they need? Padres lefty Sterling Hitchcock certainly won't hurt, especially with questions about Roger Clemens' health.
D'backs Analysis
Getting Albie Lopez from the Rays hopefully gets them a little deeper than just 1-2 in the starting rotation. Catcher Mike DiFelice is kind of a throw-in. Arizona is better after the trade, but does it have enough to challenge the hard-charging Giants and the improved Dodgers? Hmmm.
Dodgers Analysis
Los Angeles, like Boston, has no business being where it is considering all the injuries. The Dodgers know that, so they got reliever Mike Trombley and spot starter Terry Mulholland to aid a decimated staff. The biggest move was landing starter James Baldwin from the White Sox. Solid.
Phillies Analysis
The Phillies would have loved to do more, especially to get some hitting. Instead, they shored up their pitching staff by getting Turk Wendell and Dennis Cook from the Mets. If guys like Scott Rolen and Pat Burrell continue to under-produce, though, that won't be nearly enough.
White Sox Analysis
GM Ken Williams insists he wasn't waving the white flag by dealing James Baldwin to the Dodgers, but the fact is the White Sox are a longshot at best. They did get two minor-league arms and a minor-league outfielder for Baldwin, so it was a solid move in a bad-luck year for the Sox.
 
Standing Pat
Mariners Analysis
When you're playing like the M's, you don't want to mess around too much. They talked a lot with the Blue Jays about Shannon Stewart and Jose Cruz Jr. But in the end they didn't do anything, and that might be their best move of the year.
Rangers Analysis
Texas long ago decided to give up on 2001, a smart move, all things considered. Their big trade was dealing Andres Galarraga for three minor leaguers, a solid move that could pay off in the future. Now if they can just find some pitching somewhere in the offseason ...
Orioles Analysis
The Orioles could be big players in the winter, with only $50 million in salary tied up in 2002. They didn't get rid of Jeff Conine or Sidney Ponson, and no one would take Brady Anderson off their hands. But they did get a couple of prospects from the Dodgers for Mike Trombley.
Marlins Analysis
The Marlins are a young team on the rise. But after a weekend wipeout in Cincinnati, of all places, they decided to keep all those young arms to themselves and take their chances in an unsteady NL East. They could still win the thing, but, if they don't, watch out for them in 2002.
Padres Analysis
San Diego, looking to dump salary, pawned Sterling Hitchcock off on the Yankees but couldn't get rid of Woody Williams. The Padres have some talent -- Phil Nevin and Ryan Klesko come to mind -- but they certainly didn't get better by jettisoning Hitchcock. Again, wait till next year.
 
Building for the Future
Pirates Analysis
The Bucs have a moneymaker in PNC Park and a boatload of young talent, so they could be building toward being good -- some day. They unloaded Terry Mulholland (for Mike Fetters and a young pitching prospect), Mike Williams (for a pitching prospect) and Jason Schmidt (for two youngsters). See a trend here?
Rockies Analysis
The Rockies moved Pedro Astacio (for Scott Elarton) and shortstop Neifi Perez (for three solid minor leaguers). They probably got cheaper and better with the deals. Now they can use the money to buy more pitching and get back in the race for 2002.
Devil Rays Analysis
Getting rid of Fred McGriff, Albie Lopez and Mike DiFelice saved the Rays money (which they needed) and made room for young talent (which they have). But they're still weighted down by Greg Vaughn's contract. They may be the youngest team in the league in 2002.
Mets Analysis
This is one season to forget for the Mets. But this July will help. They made a strong trade for Matt Lawton, who helps in the field and as a long-needed leadoff man. And they got rid of relievers Dennis Cook and Turk Wendell for two young pitchers, including Bruce Chen. They can spend. They'll be back.
Reds Analysis
Dmitri Young and Pokey Reese are still around, but GM Jim Bowden unloaded Alex Ochoa and Michael Tucker in separate deals for Todd Walker and prospects. The new park opens in 2003. Can you wait?
Expos Analysis
Who knows with the Expos? They finally found a taker for Ugueth Urbina and also dealt CF Milton Bradley. But they're still a low-revenue, low-hope team. When you're on as rocky footing as the Expos, every step is an adventure.
Tigers Analysis
Big plans turned into dust for the Tigers, who got rid of fallen closer Todd Jones, getting a possible steal in lefty Mark Redman from the Twins. This is another case of a team waiting for its younger players to carry the day. Whenever that is.
Brewers Analysis
Milwaukee, awful as of late, got a possible stud in Class AAA All-Star Ruben Quevedo, giving up reliever David Weathers in the deal with the Cubs. That alone puts them on the plus side of the ledger, but it's not even close to enough. Nice park, though.
 
Missed the Boat
Cardinals Analysis
The Cardinals didn't get the starter they wanted. They didn't get any help for their offense. They tried to unload Ray Lankford but couldn't. The one thing they did? Trade with the Giants, getting a minor league pitcher. The result: A strikeout, looking.
Blue Jays Analysis
No one made more smoke but turned out less fire than the Jays, who had talks with just about everyone about Jose Cruz Jr., Shannon Stewart, Alex Gonzalez, Esteban Loaiza, Kelvim Escobar and the team batboy. What'd they get? Nothing.
Royals Analysis
The Royals dealt Jermaine Dye after getting Neifi Perez. They gave up the probably unsignable Rey Sanchez for a couple of borderline prospects. Now they have to sign a filet mignon like Mike Sweeney on a hamburger budget. The future's not too bright in Kansas City.
Angels Analysis
The Angels didn't even make a move to make a move. Some teams asked about closer Troy Percival, but nothing came of that, and GM Bill Stoneman didn't feel any urgency to buy for the sake of buying. So the offensively challenged Angels stay with the status quo. Right now, a good 6 1/2 games or so from the wild card.


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