MLB Showdown Cards

#ShotsFriday: Trade Deadline

The trade deadline is an exciting around here like everywhere else. For those who are unfamiliar to answer the most asked question: We always put the player in the uniform of the team they ended the season with. It simplifies things. We also try and give more emphasis on the stats for the team they ended with. So last year Soriano was more powerful with the Yankees than Cubs so his card reflected that. I thought I would show how some of last year’s trades worked out.

Bud Norris from the Astros to the Orioles

                Norris had a serviceable 3.93 ERA with the triple A Houston Astros last year before the 

trade deadline. The Orioles were 59-49 on July 31^st and in third place in the division behind the Red Sox and Rays. They would trade for Norris who had an ERA of 4.80 for the O’s who would go 26-28 the rest of the year and miss the playoffs.

Justin Maxwell from the Astros to the Royals

                The Royals were 53-51 at the deadline last year and not out of reach of the playoffs. They traded for a young platoon worthy outfielder from the Astros. Maxwell who had 18 homers in 124 games in 2012 struggled with the Astros in 2013 with 2 homers in 40 games while hitting .241. With the Royals he would hit 5 homers in 35 games and hit .268. The Royals would finish the year 33-25 and miss the playoffs.

Ian Kennedy from the Diamondbacks to the Padres

                Ian Kennedy won 21 games in 2011. Something the Diamondbacks likely reminded everyone of around the trade deadline last year, because he was awful for them in 2013 with a 3-8 record and 5.23 ERA. Thoughts were he would go to a contender as a fifth starter. Turns out the Padres who were 50-59 got him. He finished the year 4-2 with a 4.24 ERA for San Diego.

Jose Iglesias to the Tigers from the Red Sox/ Jake Peavy from the White Sox to the Red Sox

                Peavy was 8-4 with the White Sox with a 4.28 ERA. He would hold form going 4-1 for the Red Sox with a 4.04 ERA. Peavy would be seen cussing out everyone from umpires to bat boys every time he threw a ball from August 1^st till the end of the World Series parade. Like most quirks this was very endearing while the Red Sox were on their way to a championship. 365 days later don’t be surprised to see Peavy moved again as his Youkilis like intensity may see him moved again.

                Jose Iglesias was hitting .330 for the Red Sox when he was traded. No one believed Iglesias was anywhere near that type of hitter. He was however the best available glove at shortstop at the deadline. If he hit at a serviceable level for the next team they would be happy. He would hit .259 for the Tigers which is much more accurate depiction of him as a hitter. The Tigers were 61-45 before the trade and 32-24 after. They would fall to Iglesias’s old team the Red Sox though of no fault to Iglesias who hit .357 in that series.

Alfonso Soriano from the Cubs to the Yankees

                The Yankees at 56-51 were not out of the hunt by any means. They brought back a familiar face in Alfonso Soriano. Soriano had 17 homers and hit .254 for the Cubs in 93 games. In 58 games with the Bombers Soriano would also have 17 homers and hit .256. Soriano’s time in the national league did little to improve his games biggest weakness…defense. The idea that he could have done well moving the American League where he could DH would help. The problem is he went to the team with the most depth at DH in the league. And I qualify a DH as anyone over 30.

10: @TomWyliehart – 2012 Champ

8: @Roktikitiki5 (Rizzo X2, Derby)

7: @BucNforthecard (Tulowitzki 11^th)

6: @Orioles881  (Abrue 11^th)

5: @MLBShowdown247  (Tulo, Goldshmidt and Stanton and derby)

4: @JMoeller05 (Stanton)

4: Kris_Barnes7 

4: @Avery25

3: @MLBShowdownguru 

3: @Youngfarm

3: @Benboozer623 

2: @TherealJohnR 

2: TweeterLeGrand

1: @Piatz1019

1: @KyleVanPelt – 2011 Champ

1: @GregLeasure

1: @Landerulo (Goldschmidt)

Playerboard

16: Jose Abreu

9: Giancarlo Stanton 

4: Pedro Alvarez

3: Josh Donaldson

3: Troy Tulowitzki

2: Mark Trumbo

2: Miguel Cabrera

2: Chris Davis

2: Nelson Cruz

2: Edwin Encarnacion

2: Paul Goldschmidt

2: Anthony Rizzo

1: Albert Pujols

1: Josh Hamilton

1: Mike Trout

1: Justin Upton

1: Yeonis Cespedes

1: Starling Marte

1: Joey Votto

1: Yasiel Puig

1: Scott Van Syke

1: Brandon Moss

1: Adam Dunn

1: Jose Bautista

1: Khris Davis 

1: Adrian Beltre

1: Corey Dickerson