Catcher/firstbaseman Victor Martinez of the Cleveland Indians was swapped to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for pitcher Justin Masterson and minor leaguers Nick Hagadone & Bryan Price. Masterson will pitch out of the bullpen for the Indians, while Martinez will play firstbase for Boston this year, and eventually will probably take over for Jason Varitek behind the plate for the Red Sox.
Jake Peavy finally agreed to be dealt to the White Sox in exchange for Clayton Richard, Aaron Poreda, Adam Russell, & Dexter Carter. Jake nixed a 5/21 trade to the Southside of Chicago, but decided the White Sox wanted him enough and wanted to win, that he agreed to come to Chicago. This might be like when Greg Maddux signed with the Braves. The 2007 NL Cy Young Award winner will move into the Sox rotation as soon as his ankle heals. Clayton Richard & Aaron Poreda are two great lefthand arms that should become members of the Padres rotation in the very near future.
Tyler Ladendorf of Des Plaines & the Minnesota Twins was traded to the Oakland A’s in exchange for Orlando Cabrera. Now Cabrera once again is in the playoff hunt, while Ladendorf is on the fast track to the big leagues. Tyler was hitting .410 in rookie ball, but was batting only .233 in low A ball, still this shortstop’s bat is his calling card.
Detroit retooled for the playoff push acquiring Jarrod Washburn from the Seattle Mariners for Luke French and Class A lefty sensation Mauricio Robles. Robles looks to be the real deal, striking out 111 batters in only 91 1/3 innings.
Baltimore closer George Sherrill was traded to the LA Dodgers in exchange for AA thirdbaseman Josh Bell & AA pitcher Steve Johnson, Steve is the son of former Orioles pitcher Dave Johnson.
The Toronto Blue Jays got thirdbaseman Edwin Encarnacion and pitchers Josh Roenicke & Zach Stewart for Scott Rolen. Rolen will provide veteran leadership for the young Reds.
Nick Johnson was sprung from the Washington Nationals in exchange for lefthanded pitching prospect Aaron Thompson, so now Nick finds him in the middle of the NL East Playoff race.
Adam LaRoche came back home to Atlanta when the Braves traded Casey Kotchman for him, it was the second time Adam was traded this season, LaRoche will be the starting firstbaseman in Atlanta, while Kotchman will bolster Boston’s bench.
The Cubs added lefthanded reliever John Grabow to their relief corps, along with Tom Gorzelanny, in exchange for Kevin Hart, Jose Ascanio, & Class-A infielder Josh Harrison. This deal should help both clubs, with Hart possibly moving into the Pirates rotation.
In a head scratcher, Jack Wilson (along with Ian Snell) was also dumped off the Buccos, but to the Seattle Mariners, who are sellers, for Ronny Cedeno, Jeff Clement, Aaron Pribanic, Brett Lorin, & Nathan Adcock.
Pittsburgh picked up pitching prospect Tim Alderson from the SF Giants in exchange for .300 hitting secondbaseman Freddy Sanchez. The Giants also got Ryan Garko from the Tribe for another pitching prospect Scott Barnes.
This is an exciting time of the year, with ballclubs jockeying for playoff position, and players changing uniforms.