General Trade Deadline Thread

[Clem Fandango]

Marlon Byrd and John Buck to the Pirates. Decent additions for them, I guess. Found this line funny in the article....

 

The 35-year-old Byrd should help the Pirates overcome the absence of leadoff hitter and star left fielderStarling Marte, who is on the disabled list with a hand injury.

 

http://espn.go.com/new-york/mlb/story/_/id/9605439/pittsburgh-pirates-acquire-marlon-byrd-john-buck-new-york-mets-source-says

 

The trading of John Buck essentially starts the Travis d'Arnaud era in New York. Adjust your fantasy leagues accordingly, if you prefer.

[sneakypower]

Marlon Byrd and John Buck to the Pirates. Decent additions for them, I guess. Found this line funny in the article....

 

The 35-year-old Byrd should help the Pirates overcome the absence of leadoff hitter and star left fielderStarling Marte, who is on the disabled list with a hand injury.

 

http://espn.go.com/new-york/mlb/story/_/id/9605439/pittsburgh-pirates-acquire-marlon-byrd-john-buck-new-york-mets-source-says

why is that funny

[Cubswin11]

You think Starling Marte is a "star?" I think that's a fairly liberal use of the word for him

[sneakypower]

he's been a 5-win player so far in his career, which i'd think qualifies him as a star

[Cubswin11]

he's been a 5-win player so far in his career, which i'd think qualifies him as a star

[expletive], you're right. I was not aware he's been that good.

[StarlinOnYou]

How much is that Marte's defense? I was surprised to see him as a 5 win player.

[sneakypower]

roughly 1.5 wins (and his baserunning has been worth ~2/3 a win)

 

as an aside, look at this guy's arm:

http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1283678/marte.gif

[Clem Fandango]

There was a flurry of waiver wires deals done today...

 

Orioles acquired 1B/OF Michael Morse from the Mariners for OF Xavier Avery.

The O's are hoping Morse is more of the .296/.345/.516 hitter he was over the previous three season as opposed to the .226/.283/.410 batter of 2013. He's likely to give them more than what they've received out of the DH spot this season (.217 average, .672 OPS), and he didn't cost much, so it's worth a shot.

 

Indians acquired OF Jason Kubel and cash considerations from the Diamondbacks for a player to be named later or cash considerations.

The D'Backs will pick up nearly all of the $2.5 million owed to Kubel, which includes next year's $1 million buyout. The 31-year-old batted just .220/.288/.324 for Arizona before being designated for assignment earlier this week. He'll see some time at designated hitter and the corner outfield spots against right-handed pitching.

 

Cardinals acquired RHP John Axford from the Brewers in exchange for a player to be named later.

Axford has been up-and-down since his breakout 2011 season, posting a 4.57 ERA over 137 appearances. He's struck out 147 over 124 innings over that span, though, and could potentially give the Cards a nice righty to pair with lefty Kevin Siegrist in the seventh ahead of Trevor Rosenthal and Edward Mujica. Axford is under team control through 2016, but he'll have to pitch well down the stretch to avoid being non-tendered.

[Clem Fandango]

FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal reports the Pirates have acquired Justin Morneau from the Twins for Alex Presley.

The trade gives the Pirates a much needed upgrade at first base over the current platoon of Garrett Jones and Gaby Sanchez. Morneau, 32, is batting .259/.315/.426 with 17 home runs and 74 RBI and is set to become a free agent this offseason. Presley, 28, should see the majority of playing time in right field with the Twins.

[Derwood]

Pirates as buyers = fun

[Cubswin11]

Axford will probably turn back into the shut down late innings pitcher he was 2-3 years ago now that he's on the Cardinals

[TruffleShuffle]

a strict platoon of gaby sanchez and morneau would actually be good offensively. i guess garrett jones pretty much never plays after this deal.

[davell]

According to Nick Caffardo, Red Sox looking for a reliever, no interest in Gregg, who cleared waivers. Considering he's on a minor league deal, I'm surprised no one claimed him, even if it is Kevin Gregg.

[Tangled Up in Plaid]

Nick Cafardo is a clown. He's like the Phil Rogers of Boston.

[davell]

Nick Cafardo is a clown. He's like the Phil Rogers of Boston.

True, but he actually gets more Cub-related info than our own beat writers, who consistently have gotten beaten to the punch by national guys since Theo has taken over. At any rate, tonight(unless deadline has passed) is last shot to deal Gregg or Navarro.

[Cubswin11]

Michael Young to the Dodgers

[davell]

Michael Young to the Dodgers for Rob Rasmussen. Looks like that's the last deadline move.

[davell]

Double. And beaten to punch.

[Guest]

Rob Rasmussen is from my town and I went to 8 years of school with his sister (and Rob went to UCLA). Poor guy was so excited when he was traded to the Dodgers.