2012 MLB Trade Deadline: First Place Winners, Last Place Losers
In a very Brian Cashman-esque move, the Yankees acquired 3B Casey McGehee from the Pirates in exchance for RP Chad Qualls and Cash considerations. From 2009 to 2010 Casey McGehee was the new rising star at 3B in Milwaukee hitting .301 and .285 respectively smacking 39 Homers and 170 runs batted in, since he has fallen off a bit hitting only .227 with an on base percentage under .290 and only 21 homers. The Yankees need another right handed batter and if McGehee can utilize the 318 foot left field to his advantage he could be a nice filler until Alex Rodriguez returns.
Ryan Dempster was rumored in association with at least four teams, most notably the Dodgers, Yankees and Rangers. In the end he goes to Texas to play for the Al West first place Rangers. Dempster who only has 5 wins in 2012 thus far has pitched to a 2.25 ERA in over 100 innings of work. Many will think the move will cost Dempster his wonderful ERA, but in his 9 game starts on the road in 2012, his ERA is under 1.90 and he has actually struck out more, and walked less than in his own home park. His win totals will certainly receive a jump going from the last place Cubs to the first place Rangers which will certainly sit well as you make the final push to make the playoffs in your league. This deal makes two in just as many days the Rangers and Cubs were able to pull off as on Monday the Cubs sent Geovany Soto to Texas for minor leaguers.
Gaby Sanchez was a once highly touted prospect for the Marlins has worn out his welcome in Miami and has now been shipped off to the Pirates. Sanchez is having his worst statistical year of his short lived career so far but has shown the ability to hit for decent power and get on base. Prior to 2012, Sanchez hit 19 homers in back to back years getting on base .341% and .352% respectively. Sanchez won’t start in Pittsburgh but he will provide a nice bat for the Pirates who just lost McGehee to the Yankees.
Earlier in the day the Pirates were also able to land another promising prospect that has fallen out of the graces of his team when they grabbed Travis Snider from the Blue Jays for a pair of prospects. Snider who hasn’t played very well in Toronto since being called up a few years ago was once ranked in the top 10 of prospects but he just hasn’t panned out. In his days in the minor leagues Snider should flashes of power, and the ability to get on base which allowed him to sky rocket up the rankings. The majors have been a different story as he failed to get on base more than .338 percent of the time in any major league stint. Snider has never been given a full shake in the majors but that is more due to his lackluster playing ability than anything else. A change of scenery might work well for Snider who could fit in nicely with McCutchen and Alvarez for years to come.
Several first place teams made their teams better over the last 48 hours which can’t be said for many of the other teams stretching for a playoff spot. Teams that needed to make moves failed to do so, while teams who sat comfortably in first place attempted to distance them further and these moves might do just that.
Written by Justin Mandaro exclusively for www.thefantasyfix.com
Follow Justin on twitter @PeckinTheFix
Photo Credit: August 1, 2012 – Source: Rick Yeatts/Getty Images North America
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