Just when I thought that the Yankees trading their way into serious contention was going to be the big story of this year’s trade deadline, along comes news of the blockbuster three-way trade sending Manny Ramirez to the Dodgers, Jason Bay to the Red Sox, and a quartet of prospects (featuring Andy LaRoche) to the every-rebuilding Pirates. Taking a look at it from the perspective of each team:
Pirates: They did a lot better for themselves in this deal than they did in virtually giving away Xavier Nady and Damaso Marte to the Yankees. Andy LaRoche has a legitimate shot at become an above average third baseman. Brandon Moss also looks like he could stick as a big-leaguer, and the two pitchers coming their way (Craig Hansen from Boston and Bryan Morris from the Dodgers) at least have some potential. Overall, not a bad deal for the Pirates long-term.
Red Sox: They have to eat the remaining $7 million on Manny’s contract for this season, but they get rid of what has become a huge headache for them, and in return get a good outfielder whose numbers so fat this season is comparable to Manny’s. For a team that basically “had to do this” I think they made out fine. I’m not sure it makes them a better team for this year’s pennant race, and with the Rays not going away and the Yankees having definitely upgraded at the deadline they run a serious risk of not making the playoffs, but in the long run Bay is an asset and they will have some extra money to play with this off-season.
Dodgers: Of all the teams in this deal, the Dodgers are the ones with the highest risk-reward factors. They trade away one of their legitimate blue chip prospects, albeit one in whom they apparently lacked confidence since they didn’t give him a good chance to prove himself as a major league 3rd baseman before trading for Casey Blake. They seriously needed a big bat in the middle of their lineup, which Manny provides, but they already had a glut of outfielders and the potential is there for Manny’s presence to be a big distraction in a clubhouse that apparently had some veteran versus young guys issues last season. Joe Torre has his work cut out for him. Also, reports are that the Dodgers had to waive the club’s option to pick up the next two year’s of Ramirez’ contract, so this is basically a half-season rental. Still, if Ramirez produces at anywhere near the level he is capable, this pushes the Dodgers to the front of the NL West contenders. They are definitely in position to give the Diamondbacks and resurgent Rockies a run for their money, and with their pitching once they get into the playoffs anything is possible. So, yes, it is a gamble, but is probably a gamble worth taking. “Flags fly forever,” as they say, and the NL pennant is there for the taking in 2008.
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