It was a wild day around the diamonds as Cy Young award winners and all-stars changed addresses around the league.
It was an 11th-hour trading frenzy that would make the NHL drool with envy. Too bad thousands of dollars and man-hours weren't used to give Canadian baseball fans a glimpse into a wild afternoon. Luckily I'm with the Jays in San Francisco (that's where we stay, who in their right mind would want to stay in Oakland?) and ESPN News was all over baseball's non-waiver trade deadline. It made for some compelling television as it wasn't just grinders or pluggers traded on this day -- Cy Young Award winners and All-Stars were on the move as well.
When the dust settled, some very high-profile players and pitchers changed area codes. The Red Sox added another offensive threat by landing switch-hitting catcher/first baseman Victor Martinez from the Indians for right-handed reliever Justin Masterson and two other pitching prospects. They then sent recently acquired first baseman Adam LaRoche to the Braves for Casey Kotchman who will strengthen their bench. The White Sox, surprisingly, picked up Jake Peavy, currently on the disabled list, from the Padres for four pitchers, none of whom should be expected to replace Peavy atop San Diego's rotation. The Marlins added a great bat in Nick Johnson from the Nationals for a Double-A pitcher. The Yankees added to their bench depth by acquiring utility man Jerry Hairston from the Reds. The Tigers solidified their rotation by sending two pitchers to the Mariners for left-hander Jarrod Washburn. And division-rival Minnesota shored up their middle infield by trading a Class A shortstop to the Athletics for Orlando Cabrera.
The Blue Jays finally got in on the action just as the clock struck 4:00 PM Eastern and his name wasn't Roy Halladay, although a rumour did pop up as the clock ticked down that he might be moved to the Angels for left-hander Joe Saunders, third baseman Brandon Wood and two other prospects. Instead, Gold Glove third baseman Scott Rolen was sent to the Reds for third baseman Edwin Encarnacion, right-handed reliever Josh Roenicke and AAA right-hander Zach Stewart. And, as usual, the Blue Jays also had to send cash to the Reds to help pay part of Rolen's salary.
Was that enough of a return for a player of Rolen's stature, even though injuries have eaten away at his power stroke? It's hard to say. Encarnacion will never make anyone forget about Rolen in the field. He led the Reds with 23 errors last season and has never lived up to his promise. He missed two months earlier this season due to a left wrist injury and is batting just .209 with five home runs and 16 RBI. Roenicke has made 11 appearances for the Reds and had a 2.70 ERA. Stewart was a third-round pick a year ago and has a 1.52 ERA in 47 career minor league appearances and at just 22, he might be the one that defines this deal a few years down the road. But Blue Jays pitchers will certainly miss Rolen's glove playing behind them. He made the tough plays look easy and saved many runs in his two years in Toronto.
You only get to trade a pitcher like Roy Halladay once so Ricciardi had to get it right. There are no mulligans in the trade game. By not dealing his ace for the parcel of players that he wanted was the right move. If he's still the general manager, Ricciardi can now go to the Winter Meetings in December and sit down face-to-face with possible suitors if dealing away Halladay before he becomes a free agent after 2010 remains a priority. I personally believe that keeping 'Doc' through the remainder of his deal is best for all involved. Unless they can somehow get whichever team wants Halladay to finally agree to the Jays' demands -- then why deal him for a sub-standard package? I've always believed that I would rather keep what already is than gamble of what may be.
So, it's finally back to the game. Sifting through all the rumours to find out what is real and what is guano can be quite tiring. Oh, by the way, Roy Halladay's next start will be Tuesday night at the Rogers Centre against the Yankees. And he can finally just concentrate on pitching.
