Trade Deadline Chaos

Now that it is officially past the trade deadline, it is safe to look back and take a look what some teams received and how it will impact their ball club. Some moves were blockbusters such as Price to Toronto or Cueto to Kansas City. Others were under the radar deals that still will play a huge role in the remaining games this season. Moss to the Cardinals and Parra to the Orioles are some examples. Now let's break down some of the moves. Pittsburgh Pirates Acquired: SP J.A.Happ OF/1B Michael Morse RP Joakim Soria RP Joe Blanton 3B Aramis Ramirez The Pirates moves are interesting in many ways. First off they acquire Aramis Ramirez, who played for Pittsburgh earlier in his career. In what is likely his last season playing baseball Ramirez is still a solid option at third base and will provide the Pirates veteran leadership. The questionable bullpen just added strength with the addition of former Tigers closer Joakim Soria and Royals relief pitcher Joe Blanton. Soria this season with the Tigers pitched to a 3-1 record with 23 saves in the closer role. He will provide as the setup man and give way to Mark Melancon who will continue to be the Pirates closer. Overall, with the moves the Cardinals made at the deadline I don't think the Pirates have enough to take over the division. However these moves will strengthen their lead in the wild card race. New York Mets Acquired: OF Yoenis Cespedes RP Tyler Clippard 3B Juan Uribe UTIL Kelly Johnson The Mets were thought to have acquired star outfielder Carlos Gomez from the Milwaukee Brewers last night, but that fell short due to trouble with the media. Either way the Mets have gotten another star outfielder in Yoenis Cespedes. The power hitter is hitting .293 with 18 homers and 61 runs batted in. Cespedes will be a free agent this offseason and is looking for some stability, now with his fourth team in two years. This is a big get for the Mets who have lacked a power hitter in their lineup as the team was on their way to a record breaking low for total offense. Juan Uribe and Kelly Johnson are both older players nearing the end of their respective careers but are still players that have made a difference for the Mets already and can help them get to the playoffs. Tyler Clippard is a former closer with the Oakland Athletics and is returning to the National League East where he played with the Nationals for a majority of his career. He won't be the closer right now because of Jeurys Familia who has 27 saves on the year. Clippard is a strong add to the bullpen and will be a solid eighth inning man. This team might be able to catch the Nationals if they're pitching continues to be dominant, if not the Mets just simply don't have enough offense to contend for the NL East title. Los Angeles Angels Acquired: OF David DeJesus OF David Murphy OF Shane Victorino 3B Conor Gillaspie Not much to say here. Since the Angels dealt away Josh Hamilton earlier this year they have needed another outfielder to play alongside MVP Mike Trout and Kole Calhoun. So they made sure they got three of them. Three veterans in Victorino, Murphy, and DeJesus should provide tons of leadership and much depth in the outfield. Gillaspie comes in because of David Freese's injury which will leave a hole for Los Angeles at third base. Gillaspie won't provide much more than a defensive replacement. Overall, not a very impressive deadline for the Angels who are fighting the Astros for the AL West crown. Toronto Blue Jays Acquired: SP David Price SS Troy Tulowitzki OF Ben Revere RP Mark Lowe The Blue Jays have gone all in and are sick of sitting at home during the postseason. The blue birds have the longest stretch without a playoff appearance in the big four major sports. Bringing in one of the best shortstops in the game along with a former Cy Young award winner will be fun to watch to go along with an already explosive Jays offense. The Blue Jays also got Ben Revere today who is a very solid pickup for them and will ma the ship in center field. This lineup now looks scarier than ever with Tulowitzki, Bautista, Donaldson, Martin, Travis, Encarnacion, Colabello, Smoak, and now Revere. I believe that the Blue Jays will snap the streak this season and finally make it to the playoffs, whether it be a wild card or winning their division I think they get in with the moves they've made. Houston Astros Acquired: OF Carlos Gomez SP Scott Kazmir SP Mike Fiers Only three players were acquired by the Astros this offseason but that will do the trick to te already talented roster in Houston. Carlos Gomez is a huge star and will be what I think is what gets the Astros over the hump. Gomez will hit in the middle of the order providing both pop and speed to the Astros as he is the last piece the Astros need. To go alongside young star Jose Altuve and budding young shortstop Carlos Correa, Astros fans must be excited. Scott Kazmir is another lefty to compliment an amazing lefty in Dallas Kuechel. This pitching staff got stronger with the big addition of Kazmir, who is better than his numbers. With these moves I believe the Astros will be playing baseball in October. Other noteable movers: Orioles- Gerardo Parra Rangers- Cole Hamels, Sam Dyson Nationals- Jonathan Papelbon Cardinals- Jonathan Broxton, Brandon Moss Red Sox- Ryan Cook Cubs- Dan Haren, Tommy Hunter Yankees- Dustin Ackley Dodgers- Mat Latos, Jim Johnson, Luis Avilan, Alex Wood Royals- Johnny Cueto, Ben Zobrist Giants- Mike Leake Follow me on Twitter - @nathanpigg5