The American Spectator

Like many people, my mind was on the August 2nd deadline to reach a deal concerning the debt ceiling which finally appears to have been resolved 48 hours ahead of schedule.

But my attention was also directed toward the MLB trade deadline which passed at 4 p.m. on Sunday. Here are my thoughts.

The Colorado Rockies trade pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez to the Cleveland Indians for four prospects

The Tribe have lost eight of their last ten games and are in desperate need of a number one starter who can stop long losing streaks. At 27, it would appear that Jimenez’s best years are ahead of him. But since going 14-1 in the first half of the 2010 season, Jimenez has gone 11-16 since. I question the wisdom of the Indians giving up four prospects especially when you consider that Jimenez will now be facing AL hitters. 

The Atlanta Braves acquire outfielder Michael Bourn from the Houston Astros for outfielder Jordan Schafer and three minor leaguers

I really liked this deal. Bourn might be the most underrated player in all of MLB. The Braves now have a legitimate leadoff hitter, a base stealing threat and a Gold Glove caliber center fielder. Nate McLouth was all these things but his skills have diminished and Schafer wasn’t ready for prime time. Perhaps he will get more consistent playing time in Houston. 

The Pittsburgh Pirates add first baseman Derrek Lee and outfielder Ryan Ludwick

For once the Bucs are buyers rather than sellers. They got some bats in Lee from the Baltimore Orioles and Ryan Ludwick from the San Diego Padres. But it might be a day late and a dollar short. Two weeks ago, the Pirates were in first place in the NL Central. Now they have lost seven out of their last ten games. Besides are Lee and Ludwick really significant improvements over Lyle Overbay and Garrett Jones?

The Detroit Tigers obtain pitchers Doug Fister and David Pauley from the Seattle Mariners

In one fell swoop, the Tigers added depth to both their starting rotation with the addition of Fister and to their bullpen with the addition of Pauley.

Rafael Furcal is now a St. Louis Cardinal

How exactly is the injury prone, sub-.200 hitting Furcal exactly an improvement at short over Daniel Descalso?

The San Francisco Giants obtain Orlando Cabrera from the Cleveland Indians

Well, it looks like the well travelled infielder will be appearing in his seventh post-season in eight years.

Relief for the Rangers

The Texas Rangers bolstered their bullpen with the acquisition of pitchers Koji Uehara and Mike Adams from the Baltimore Orioles and San Diego Padres, respectively. If closer Neftali Feliz continues to struggle then perhaps Uehara will get a chance to close games for the defending AL champions.

The Washington Nationals trade infielder Jerry Hairston, Jr. to the Milwaukee Brewers for a minor leaguer

Hairston will fill in at second base as Rickie Weeks recovers from an injury. Once Weeks comes back, Hairston will become more of a utility player - something every team aspiring to a championship needs.

The Washington Nationals trade pitcher Jason Marquis to the Arizona Diamondbacks for a minor leaguer

A veteran presence in the D’Backs starting rotation should be helpful to the likes of Ian Kennedy and Daniel Hudson. Marquis should fit that bill nicely.

The Boston Red Sox acquire pitcher Erik Bedard from the Seattle Mariners in a three-way trade with the Los Angeles Dodgers

A couple of days ago, the Sox were looking at Oakland Athletics southpaw Rich Harden. But they passed on that injury prone southpaw for another. But injury prone or not, I think Bedard is a better bet for the Sox than Harden.