Yesterday
Haren was traded to the Dbacks
Valverde was traded to the Astros
Floyd was signed by the Rays
Jim Edmonds was traded to the Padres
Vizcaino signed with the Rockies
Mike Lamb signed with the Twins
And according to mlbtraderumors.com the Astros, Nationals, Mets and Yankees are all interested in Prior (preliminary interest)
There are two different ways to look at the Haren and Valverde trades. The first is that for Haren, the Dbacks gave up most of their farm system, including a mix of very young pitching and hitting prospects. Many of these players will not be seeing Major League action until the end of next year. In the Valverde trade, the Dbacks gave away their closer for three young players that could play in the majors this year, but wouldnt have to. One way to look at this Valverde trade is that it was a step in rebuilding their farm system. I am not so postive on this trade for the Dback perspective. Valverde was a great closer for them and even though he had only 2 years left on contract, keeping him would have been a big sign that the Dbacks are in it to win it. Chad Qualls from the 'stros, is figuring to the Valverde's replacement in this deal, but I have problems seeing it.
On the Haren side of the deal, this is a clear victory right now for the Dbacks. The NL west is a very weak hititng division and Haren's numbers should really be a big boost for this club. Yes the dbacks gave up a lot of talent for Haren, but its talent that has seen little major league action. Beane took a big gamble. On that same note, 5-7 years from now, the A's might be the best team in the league, you never know.
Back to Valverde, on the Astro's side this trade is pretty good. I do not think the Astros can make it to the playoffs just by adding Tejada and Valverde, but it doesnt hurt and at least they are doing something. The downside is that they probably wont make the playoffs, and now they dont have a farmsystem, which means next offseason if they want to rebuild, they will either have to trade away all that they have or sign a large group of free agents.
I'm a big Cliff Floyd fan, I feel a good number of Mets fans are too, so in a selfish way I am glad that he signed with the Rays because at least I'll be able to see him Baltimore 9-10 times a year. For the rest of the guys that were moved and signed yesterday, I really do not have much to say.
I agree that the Haren trade for the Dbacks was a good move- most of their major prospects are already on the major league level, anyways. Might as well get something for the guys still stuck in the minors. My only problem (which is tangenital to the trade) is that I'm not sold on Tracy, Jackson, Young, and Reynolds yet. Time will tell, but their pitching is definitely solid.
As for the Valverde trade….I'm also wondering what that was about, other than to make the Astros a better team. The 'stros now have a very good lineup- Loretta, Matsui, Tejada, Berkman, Lee, and Pence- a decent bullpen, and Roy Oswalt. If they can hit (which I think they will) they may have enough to let their young pitchers establish themselves. Wandy and Sampson have talent, and are just waiting for it to click. Maybe this will do it.
A's just did their usual deal. Watch for Billy Beane to gloat in 2 years that he got the next coming of Nick Swisher or Derek Jeter.
And Floyd will help the Rays with his veteran presence, if anything. If his legs were healthy, he'd be a starter. I still get goosebumps when he comes up in Game 7, 9th inning. Willie was really hoping for a Kirk Gibson moment there. Sigh.