NL West rivals active at deadline as Rockies stand pat
The Colorado Rockies made no moves at the trade deadline despite efforts early in the week to find interest in starting pitcher Aaron Cook and outfielder/first baseman Brad Hawpe. The Rockies decided Friday they would trade neither player, Cook from lack of interest at their asking price and Hawpe over concerns about Todd Helton‘s health. What efforts the Rockies made close to the deadline were aimed at trading one of their left-handed relievers, Randy Flores and Joe Beimel, but they found no buyers at their asking price, a legitimate prospect.
The NL West-leading San Diego Padres added outfielder Ryan Ludwick from the St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday after acquiring infielder Miguel Tejada from the Baltimore Orioles earlier in the week.
The San Francisco Giants were primarily shopping for a bat but instead acquired a pair of relievers, both former Rockies: Javier Lopez \ from the Pittsburgh Pirates and Ramon Ramirez from the Boston Red Sox.
The Los Angeles Dodgers were the most active buyer in the division. Already having acquired outfielder Scott Podsednik earlier in the week, the Dodgers added starting pitcher Ted Lilly and infielder Ryan Theriot from the Chicago Cubs, reliever Octavio Dotel from the Pittsburgh Pirates.
The last-place Arizona Diamondbacks, meanwhile, traded starting pitchers Edwin Jackson and Dan Haren, reliever Chad Qualls and catcher Chris Snyder but held on to the other pieces they were shopping, Kelly Johnson and Adam LaRoche.
I just read in the Post that Cook fouled a ball off his foot in BP and had to be taken to the hospital for x-rays. Could we be seeing the possible mystery injury and DL stint to get Chacin back in the rotation?
Thought they would stand pat. The only real trade that makes me go “damn” is the Dodgers getting better with Lilly and Theriot (who I really like). Ludwick’s year was 2008 and Tejada’s was many ago.
Well, now we’ll see what team chemistry can do to produce wins.
Wayne, I agree with you fully. Theriot would have replaced both Mora and Barmes (freeing them up to trade him, since he has value). The rest of the trades…eh. Lopez was needed by SF with old J Affeldt going on the DL, but he is a one out lefty guy at this point (37 innings I think). Lilly is not a game changer, although the Dodgers needed starting pitching period. Ludwick was a one season wonder, and one wonders how much Tejada has left in the tank (remember he wasn’t exactly highly sought after over last off-season), though he has had decent alley power and SD needs hitters, but can he stay healthy at his age the next two months? So, we are not really anywhere greatly different than we were last week. Best for the Rocks they have their depth in case someone does become available either at the waiver deadline (when more teams are out of it) or next offseason.
One thing Dealin’ Dan has seemingly learned is that to make a trade just to make the deal doesn’t necessarily improve the team. This team, as constituted, is good enough to win. Now they need to do it, like Wayne says.
None of these deals really make our opposition significantly better. Plus some (Dodgers) may make the club worse in future years. Nice job standing pat, Dan.
I mostly agree with the above comments. Don’t think any of the deals are that big except perhaps for the Dodgers getting Octavio Dotel because their bullpen has really been overworked.
However one thing O’Dowd said on KOA before the game is that getting Hawpe back to playing like he used and getting Helton back in the lineup would be better than any trade they could make, especially because of their upside. Upside for Todd? I’m thinking that even if Todd does come back and play well the rest of the year, this is the end of his career. Maybe I’m wrong but getting a couple of hits and a Sac Fly in Casper doesn’t really mean alot.
But as fare as team names go the Casper Ghosts are right at the top of the list.
As a vocal proponent of standing pat until winter,I’m not unhappy and agree with all above except one Lilly will be much better in Dodger pitchers park,and he already has ERA in upper 3′s!And as a lefty you can bet[dred]that he will give the ROX FITS!
If we can make the post season this year, the 2-9 road trip will prove to be a blessing in disguise.
The chemistry of this club remains unchanged, and that can be huge for a team that thrives on runs and streaks.
Now, if our boys can figure out how to be effective on the road, we should be in for a treat here in the remaining games.
Bill,
Yeah, Casper Ghosts is pretty good. My personal favorite is the Albuquerque (sp?) Isotopes.
Oh, one point about all the trades, the national sports are all touting Ludwick going to the Padres as one of if not the best trade to help a contender. He’s hitting something like .287 this year so wondering why everyone here is badm mouthing him. Just wondering….
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