July 30: The Mark Teixeira deal
Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images
Rangers trade 1B Mark Teixeira, and LHP Ron Mahay to the Braves for C Jarrod Salatalamacchia and minor-leaguers SS Elvis Andrus, RHP Neftali Feliz, LHP Matt Harrison and LHP Beau Jones.
Impact grade: A. People in Atlanta are comparing this deal to the 1993 trade that landed Fred McGriff and propelled the Braves to a division title. Teixeira and Chipper Jones – both switch-hitters – could be a terror in the middle of the Braves' order. But the Braves gave up a lot. Saltalamacchia is a big-league-ready catcher who could solidify the position in Texas for years. Andrus played in the MLB Futures Game last month, and Feliz is on a fast track upward. He has dominant velocity and big-league stuff.
July 31: Red Sox land Gagne
Photo by Elsa/Getty Images
Rangers trade P Eric Gagne to Red Sox for LHP Kason Gabbard, OF David Murphy and minor-league OF Engel Beltre
Impact grade: A. This trade was made with the postseason in mind. A late-innings parade of Gagne, Hideki Okajima and Jonathan Papelbon is a nightmare for Red Sox opponents. And Gagne can take some of the stress off Papelbon in back-to-back situations as closer. In return, the Rangers got a big-league ready starter in Gabbard and a decent outfield prospect in Murphy. The young Beltre has potential, but is hitting .213 in rookie ball.
July 30: Mets land second baseman Castillo
Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images
Twins trade 2B Luis Castillo to Mets for minor-league OF Dustin Martin and minor-league C Drew Butera
Impact grade: B. Castillo is a decent veteran who gets on base, plugging a big hole for the Mets. It seems strange that the Twins would part with him, as they're not out of the AL Central race. Any impact from Martin and Butera is years away.
July 27: Phillies quickly fill 2B hole
Photo by Harry How/Getty Images
White Sox trade 2B Tadahito Iguchi to Phillies for minor-league RHP Michael Dubee
Impact grade: B. The Phillies moved quickly to pick up Iguchi after losing Chase Utley for at least a month to injury. Iguchi was a solid hitter for the White Sox in their 2005 championship run, and the deal cost basically nothing long-term. Dubee is a Single-A middle reliever. Good steal for Philly.
July 27: Lofton back in Cleveland
Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images
Rangers trade OF Kenny Lofton to Indians for minor-league C Max Ramirez.
Impact grade: C. The Indians get Lofton for the third time, and he fills a need in the outfield, where injury and inconsistency have plagued them. Lofton can still hit, and paired with Grady Sizemore at the top of the order, the Indians solidified their lineup. Ramirez could be a good one in a few years, but he's still in Single-A ball.
July 31: Braves get Dotel, too
Rangers trade P Octavio Dotel to Braves for RHP Kyle Davies
Impact grade: B. Dotel gives the Braves some more options at the end of games (could he replace Bob Wickman in the stretch run?) and has a power arm. Davies has struggled making the adjustment from Triple-A to the majors, but has promise.
July 25: Brewers land Linebrink
Padres trade RHP Scott Linebrink to Brewers for minor-league pitchers Will Inman, Joe Thatcher and Steve Garrison
Impact grade: B. The Brewers wanted a set-up reliever, and they got a player who was one of the best during the last few years in Linebrink, who struggled a bit in 2007 with San Diego. Strange that the Padres would make this deal in a pennant race, but they did get some decent prospects back from Milwaukee. Inman was leading the minors in strikeouts at the time of the trade, even though most of his dominance came at the Single-A level.
July 31: Yankees' big deal is ... Betemit?
Dodgers trade IF Wilson Betemit to Yankees for RHP Scott Proctor
Impact grade: C. Wilson Betemit was the best New York could do at the deadline? Betemit is just 25 and has 10 homers this season, but is hitting just .231. And his primary position is third base – don't see him beating out Alex Rodriguez anytime soon. Betemit will provide some depth in the stretch run in the infield. Proctor was a decent middle reliever in New York, and what team couldn't use decent middle relief? He'll help in Los Angeles. Since the Yanks made no other deals, they didn't fortify their bullpen, which makes this deal strange.
July 28: Wheeler for Wigginton
Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images
Astros trade RHP Dan Wheeler to Devil Rays for IF Ty Wigginton
Impact grade: C. Wheeler is a decent set-up reliever who filled in at closer a bit in Houston, while Wigginton is a solid hitter who can play a variety of infield positions. He'll play third base initially in Houston, replacing Morgan Ensberg, who was traded three days later to San Diego. Neither team is a contender, so this deal will take time to evaluate.
July 21: Yankees get backup backstop
Yankees trade minor-league RHP Jeff Kennard to Angels for C Jose Molina
Impact grade: D. Molina is probably the worst of the Molina family in the big leagues, but all are solid defensively. He'll be a decent backup to Jorge Posada. Kennard could help the Angels' bullpen in a year or two.
