The 2014 trade deadline has passed, but there was no lack of action. Major names were moved, including an unusual amount of players at the MLB level. Here are the big winners and losers of the deadline.
WINNERS
Boston Red Sox
Traded: Jon Lester, John Lackey, Andrew Miller, Johnny Gomes, Stephen Drew, Corey Littrell, Jake Peavy, Felix Doubront, Heath Hembree, Edwin Escobar
Acquired: Yoenis Cespedes, Allen Craig, Joe Kelly, Eduardo Rodriguez, Kelly Johnson
The Sox don't have good pitching anymore. They gave up on 2014, and rightly so being as far out as they are. This offense is revamped, and will be one of the most powerful in the sport next season if Craig can find the form he had in the three seasons prior to this one. They also have a chance to re-sign both Lester and Miller this offseason. If they can pull that off this was a magical day. Grade: A
Detroit Tigers
Traded: Austin Jackson, Drew Smyly, Willy Adames
Acquired: David Price
Wow! Price is a former Cy Young winner who has struck out 189 batters this season and walked just 23. They gave up a talented but underachieving outfielder (Jackson), a useful but replaceable starting pitcher (Smyly) and a big-time prospect who, at 18 years old, is years away from contributing. They also guarded against the likely departure of Max Scherzer this offseason.
Oh yeah, they now have the last three Cy Young winners on the same team. Grade A
St. Louis Cardinals
Traded: Allen Craig, Joe Kelly, James Ramsey
Acquired: John Lackey, Justin Masterson
They gave up a little too much for Lackey, but on the whole they're improved. Lackey and Masterson could be big producers down the stretch, and even though they coughed up Craig it opens up playing time for Oscar Taveras, one of the best young prospects in the sport. They'll do well. Grade: B
Washington Nationals
Traded: Zach Walters
Acquired: Asdrubal Cabrera
Ryan Zimmerman's clearly hurt badly, and adding Cabrera fills the hole to a degree. He's going to play second base, and he's an obvious upgrade over Danny Espinosa while letting Rendon play at third base and give them above-average production there. Grade: B
New York Yankees
Traded: Kelly Johnson, Peter O'Brien, Player to be Named Later
Acquired: Stephen Drew, Martin Prado
The Yankees didn't add any major pieces, but they gave up very little as well. They would've liked more power, preferably in the form of Marlon Byrd, but his money and what the Phillies wanted back was too great. They've upgraded with veterans, and both acquisitions can play all over the field. Grade: B-
LOSERS
Seattle Mariners
Traded: Nick Franklin, Abraham Almonte, Stephen Kohlscheen
Acquired: Chris Denorfia, Austin Jackson
I don't think they did too badly, but to compete in the AL West they needed more offensive punch and they didn't really get it. Jackson has upside and Denorfia is good against lefties, but neither player really moved the needle too much. Grade: C
Tampa Bay Rays
Traded: David Price
Acquired: Nick Franklin, Drew Smyly, Willy Adames
This is just not enough for a player of Price's caliber who was also signed through next season. Adames may turn out to be a stud, but at just 18 years old how long will they have to wait to find out? Franklin's been a bust in two MLB stints and Smyly is useful but unspectacular. Lester's a rental and netted Yoenis Cespedes-enough said. Grade: D
Philadelphia Phillies
Traded: None.
Acquired: None.
Yep, an aging team full of players that haven't meshed but would be big additions to other clubs did absolutely nothing. They'll keep paying two aces that could've netted big prospects or MLB-ready players, a top closer on a last-place team, and a slugger who should be moved so somebody young could prove themselves. What is happening here? Grade: F
CAN'T DECIDE
Oakland A's
Traded: Yoenis Cespedes, Tommy Milone
Acquired: Jon Lester, Jonny Gomes, Sam Fuld
This trade can go either way. With Lester, they might have the best rotation in the American League and Jonny Gomes is an underrated addition. He will form a platoon in Cespedes' stead that could outproduce the departed Cuban. However, Cespedes may not have been finished improving, and they may only have Lester for the rest of this season. If Oakland doesn't win it all, it's possible Lester heads back to Boston and they gave up Cespedes literally for nothing.
Fuld is a useful player who was already on the A's this season. He'll be fine. Grade: ?
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