MLB Trade Deadline Day

The deadline for trades is 4:00 EST today - so I thought I would look at yesterday's moves and speculate about those moves that could happen today.

New York Mets

The Mets added two starting pitchers neither of which are Randy Johnson. They added Kris Benson (who has a hot looking wife - references to Anna Benson now have to be made whenever Kris is mentioned - it's a new law or something). To get Benson they gave up Ty Wigginton (who was playing Carney Lansford to David Wright's Wade Boggs if you know what I mean) and lefthanded prospect Matt Peterson plus infielder Jose Bautista who was acquired earlier in the day from KC for catcher Justin Huber.

Now I don't have any problems with this trade. Benson is basically this year's Jeff Suppan but the Mets didn't really give up anything that will hurt them long term (except maybe Peterson). When you consider that the Mets are just 7 games out of the NL East and 7.5 out in the NL Wildcard - even though until recently they were forced to use guys like Scott Erickson in the rotation - then this is a move that had to be made.

The bigger move made by the Mets yesterday though was the acquisition of Victor Zambrano (and flotsam Bartolome Fortunato) from the Devil Rays for top prospect Scott Kazmir (and jetsam Jose Diaz). Kazmir has a chance to be a star. What were the Mets front office thinking?

I get the impression that Jim Duquette was maybe goaded into these trades by other GM's who A) didn't want Benson or Zambrano to go to rival teams and B) were able to convince Duquette that the Mets have a real shot at the playoffs (even though they don't).

Dodgers / Marlins

The Dodgers and Marlins completed a six-player trade. The Dodgers got Brad Penny, Hee Seop Choi and minor leaguer Bill Murphy. The Marlins got Paul Lo Duca, Juan Encarnacion and Guillermo Mota. I like this trade for both teams.

The Dodgers have plenty of young outfielders who are both as talented and less expensive as Encarnacion. Choi's HR power basically replaces Encarnacion in the line-up with Green moving back to right field. Penny is an excellent arm (the best pitcher dealt yesterday by far) and the NL West will be won by pitching (except Colorado - all pitcher's parks in that division). Mota was a loss for the Dodgers - no doubt - but they probably had to throw him in because the Marlins were assuming Encarnacion's $4.5 million 2005 salary (the Dodgers also sent cash in the deal it should be noted).

The Marlins shore up the catcher's position with Lo Duca both offensively and defensively. Mota can both set-up and close. This added bullpen depth may be the key to wining the NL East. Encarnacion was a key part of last year's World Series winner - so he's no stranger and should fit right back in.

Three additional comments about this trade:

1. It should be noted that Encarnacion was not a Paul DePodesta guy. He was acquired by the Dodgers before DePodesta was named GM - so I have to wonder if this was a mini-purge of sorts.

2. Who will play first for the Marlins now? Miguel Cabrera? If so - let the Albert Pujols comparisons begin (or continue). Maybe the Marlins aren't done with trading?

3. Lo Duca was the emotional leader of the Dodgers. He was the "intangibles" guy. I believe his offensive production has been in decline (if you can really say that because he did just have that one big year in 2001). If the Dodgers team ERA stays the same (or maybe even improves) and the Dodgers make the playoffs - then this is a bad sign for another intangibles guy like Jason Varitek. DePodesta was also able to avoid the free agent wrangling fan favorite Lo Duca would have been able to do and thus maybe avoid a situation where a player is overpaid because of his "intangibles'.

Other Players on the Move?

Thursday I cataloged the AL players who may be on the block. Here are some more NL players who may have new addresses by the end of the day:

- Randy Johnson: in order I would say the likelyhood is A) Johnson goes to the Dodgers, B) stays in Arizona or C) gets traded to the Yankees.

- Larry Walker: he would be a fit with so many teams that it would be useless to try and name them. The problem with Walker is his $12.5 million 2005 salary and his no trade clause contract. My guess would be Yankees - followed by Boston (because Trot Nixon is such a question mark).

- Jose Mesa: the Pirates are paying Mesa very little ($800,000) so they may be inclined to just hold on to him but a good young prospect ready to step into a MLB line-up may pry him away (if you are desperate enough to use Jose Mesa as your closer)

- Steve Finley: the consensus is he either goes to the Dodgers or Padres. Finley should finish his career with at least 300 HR, 300 SB and four Gold Gloves. He was (and is) a better player than he ever got national recognition for being.

- Preston Wilson: I doubt if anyone will take on Wilson's $12 million 2005 salary but just last year Wilson was one of the top 50 players in baseball so you never know.

- Todd Helton: ????