Iguchi to the Phillies
Philadelphia receives: Tadahito Iguchi
Chicago (A) receives: Michael Dubee
With Chase Utley out 4-6 weeks, the Phillies had to make a move. Iguchi’s down year is mostly the product of an awful May. The Phillies get a league average second baseman here and only owe him about $1.2 million. Philadelphia also gets some of the worst production in the majors out of the third base position and it would not be surprising to see Iguchi get time there once Utley returns. Iguchi will leave as a free agent in the winter, netting Philly at least one compensatory draft pick.
Michael Dubee is a right-handed reliever who currently sports a 3.88 ERA in the South Atlantic League. Dubee is striking out a batter per inning, but the other numbers do not bode well for the 21-year old’s chances of making the majors, let alone being good.
Winner: Philadelphia
Lofton Returns to Cleveland
Cleveland receives: Kenny Lofton
Texas receives: Max Ramirez
At some point, age is going to catch up with Kenny Lofton. But we’re not there yet. He’ll be solid for Cleveland, although his value is obviously diminished with Grady Sizemore entrenched in center. The problem I see is that Cleveland now has Kenny Lofton, David Dellucci, Trot Nixon, Jason Michaels, Franklin Gutierrez, Ben Francisco, and Shin-Soo Choo all competing for time flanking Sizemore. The left-handed hitters there have been disappointing, hence the acquisition of Lofton, but they have the potential to turn it around and I’m not sure this trade makes Cleveland that much better.
The player Cleveland is giving up is Max Ramirez, a 22-year old catcher who owns a career .901 OPS. Ramirez has not only been good, he’s been consistent. At every level, he’s hit for average, power, and on-base percentage. His defense is suspect, but he has a fighting chance at staying behind the plate. Ramirez works deep counts, leading to a good amount of strikeouts, but not so many that it’s concerning. This kid is going to hit in the major leagues.
Winner: Texas
Padres deal Linebrink
San Diego receives: Will Inman, Joe Thatcher, and Steve Garrison
Milwaukee receives: Scott Linebrink
Scott Linebrink has been perhaps the most underrated relief pitcher in baseball since 2003. However, there are disturbing signs that is about to end. His strikeout rate, which had been declining slightly since 2004, has fallen off a cliff this year down to 5.0 per nine innings. With this trade, Linebrink will depart the pitcher’s paradise in San Diego that has helped to mask just how HR prone he is for the last several seasons. Anything can happen over two months for a reliever and with warning signs like this, it’s not hard to imagine Linebrink pitching ineffectively then departing as a free agent in the offseason, leaving the Brewers with nothing but a draft pick to show for this trade.
The player that undoubtedly convinced the Padres to part with Linebrink is 20-year old righty Will Inman. Inman has been among the most dominant pitchers in the minor leagues for the last two seasons, racking up huge strikeout numbers. His stuff is not overwhelming, though. Inman challenges hitters with an 89-92 mph fastball and commands an average breaking pitch. This has led some to compare him with former Met farmhand Yusmeiro Petit. He won’t be anyone’s ace, but Inman should enjoy a nice career in Petco.
The other two pitchers are not major prospects, but both have a chance at a major league career. Thatcher drops down and uses a repertoire much like that of Pedro Feliciano to get lefties out. Garrison is a 20-year old lefty having a good season in the Florida State League. His stuff is underwhelming, but soft-tossing lefties have had their share of success in the majors.
Winner: San Diego
