The Beltran Trade

First off let me say that I'm glad Carlos Beltran didn't get traded to the Red Sox. Outfield is not a problem for the Sox (especially with Trot Nixon back). Now let's take a look at how this trade helps the teams involved:

Houston - they get Beltran but lose their closer Octavio Dotel (and catcher prospect John Buck). Losing Dotel doesn't hurt so much because they have Brad Lidge ready to step in as closer (and I always thought Lidge was the better pitcher between him and Dotel). The Astros had added an extra arm by trading Richard Hidalgo for David Weathers but now that extra arm in the bullpen is gone (Dotel traded). So I would look for the Astros to either add another arm or get rid of Jimy Williams who doesn't have a clue as to how to use a bullpen. I would bet on the latter.

This trade also seems to jive with the idea that the owner in Houston is trying to win for today (2004 season) because tomorrow (this offseason) he's selling the club.

The trades for Houston have had a net zero effect on the payroll as well. Losing Hidalgo and Dotel's salaries make taking on Beltran's and Weathers' cost nothing.

Oakland - you have to like a GM that can admit when they are wrong and that's what Billy Beane just did. Arthur Rhodes as closer? Three year contract? Sorry Arthur - you're not a closer and for the next 2.5 years - you're back to doing set-up. (I must also admit that I thought Rhodes would be successful at closer.)

The difference between Dotel's 3 blown saves in 14 chances (and 3.12 ERA) and Rhodes 5 blown saves in 14 chances (and 5.28 ERA) is the difference between first and second place in the AL West (Oakland trails Texas by a single game right now). Second place this year probably means no playoffs (and no playoff revenue).

This deal also fits into Oakland's history of being frugal. Dotel has a salary of $2.8 million this year - so the A's will have to pick up less than $2 million and they got cash back (less than a million) from Kansas City in the deal. Plus Dotel is arbitration eligible after the season which gives Billy Beane even more options to deal with.

The A's lost prospects Mark Teahan and Mike Wood but with Eric Chavez one of the best 3rd baseman in baseball and signed long term - there wasn't much of a future for Teahan in Oakland to begin with. Mike Wood may be a number 3 starter some day but with the A's rotation - that day may never have come in Oakland.

Kansas City - the Royals were going to lose Beltran no matter what. By trading him - they got three players who really could step in and start for them right now. What did the Royals gain in the trade?

- first off don't forget that they saved a ton of money. Beltran had a $9 million salary for the year - so when you factor in the money Kansas City sent to Oakland - the net savings was about $5 million

- the Royals got three young players who can step in and play right away and they didn't have to pay them signing bonuses. These three will also be cheap talent for the Royals for years to come.

- Mark Teahan doesn't have a ton of power but who is to say he doesn't develop it? Jeff Bagwell didn't show much power at AAA level either. Plus - the guy Teahan will replace doesn't really have much power to begin with (Joe Randa - career high of 16 HR).

- Look for the Royals to move Joe Randa to make room for Teahan. This move will probably garner the Royals another young player and also save them a couple million (Randa makes $3.25 million this season).

- By putting Mike Wood into the rotation right away - the Royals get themselves a crowd draw. "Come see the pitcher we got in the Beltran trade!" He is also a decent player - 11-3 with a 2.80 ERA in 90 innings at AAA this year.

- The Royals are assembling what could be a good young staff of Greinke, Gobble, Affeldt, and now Wood

- Buck may allow the Royals to move Benito Santiago once he gets off the 15 day DL. This would also be a good cost savings move by the Royals (Santiago makes $2.15 million both this year and next).

- With both Santiago and Kelly Stinnett on the 15 day DL - the Royals needed a catcher NOW! and Buck fills that need nicely.

All-in-all I would have to say that this trade worked out nicely for all involved.