Baseball Trade Reactions: 7/31 part one

Saturday night was a busy night for trades and might have seen more big names switch teams in MLB. Lots of moves including the Indians following up its trade for Kosuke Fukudome.

Moves I Loved:

Detroit acquiring RHPs Fister and Pauley: Doug Fister may be the most underrated starting pitcher in baseball despite his pitiful 3-10 record. He suffers from the worst run support in baseball (1.98 runs per game) and has a major league-leading three complete game loses. Throw in Pauley who used to be one of the untouchables in Boston and has been the primary set up man for the Mariners, and the Tigers have killed two birds with one stone. The price? OF Casper Wells, INF Francisco Martinez, and LHP Charlie Furbush also known as mid-level prospects. Low risk, high reward.

Boston Acquiring INF Mike Aviles from Kansas City: It is no secret that Boston is hurting at the shortstop position and Aviles has always been an underrated guy who plays both middle infield spots. This move did not get much attention from the mainstream media, but it is very possible that this move brings back the most return on investment. Boston did not have to give up any significant pieces of its vast farm system (INF Yamaico Navarro and RHP Kendall Volz) and got a bat that is well suited for the green monster.

Moves I Liked:

Cleveland Acquiring RHP Jimenez from Colorado: I don't know what's more surprising: the fact that the Rockies traded Ubaldo Jimenez or that the Indians were the team to get him. Colorado was rumored to be asking for a king's ransom and they got it from Cleveland by acquiring four prospects including the promising arms of Alex White and Joseph Gardner. The messages being sent by both teams is loud and clear: Colorado is rebuilding and Cleveland is going for it this year.

San Francisco Acquiring Orlando Cabrera from Cleveland: This may have been a salary dump for Cleveland to make room for Ubaldo Jimenez, but this is a steal for San Francisco. Cabrera is a winner. Plus, he provides excellent defense and a little pop from the shortstop position, which has been a position of need for the Giants. OF Thomas Neal is not going to see any time in Cleveland any time soon but San Francisco is positioning itself for another World Series run.

Pittsburgh Acquiring 1b Derrekk Lee: How long has it been since anyone can say that the Pittsburgh Pirates were buyers and the trade deadline? Exactly. I wasn't born yet, either. One of the best ballparks that no one goes to finally has increased intrigue with Lee coming over from Baltimore. I don't think Lee will make a huge difference, but the message it sends to the Pittsburgh fanbase is significant enough where it's a move that I like.

Moves I Hated:

Texas Acquiring Koji Uehara from Baltimore: Good for the Rangers for addressing their bullpen needs by getting Uehara from Baltimore, but the price they paid in RHP Tommy Hunter and INF Chris Davis was ridiculous. I don't understand why a team would trade a starting pitcher that has had success in the major leagues for a relief pitcher that has was battling for a closer role and lost...to Kevin Gregg. Throw in promising INF Chris Davis and you have the Orioles acing this trade when they were "selling."