Scuffed Balls

Winners-   Los Angeles Dodgers The Dodgers addressed every need they had except starting pitcher in a flurry of trades leading up to and on the trade deadline. Hanley Ramirez and Shane Victorino give the Dodgers the power and speed so desperately needed to the lineup. The Dodgers had arguably the worst offense in the league and with these two acquisitions to go along with Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier they now have a formidable lineup. Brandon League was a quality non headline grabbing move that adds depth to the bullpen. Look for the Dodgers to make a minor waiver wire move to add a starter after not giving in to the Cubs by giving up top prospects for Ryan Dempster. The Dodgers have now put themselves in the driver seat to win the NL West or at least get into the playoffs as a Wild Card. Chicago White Sox The White Sox are trade deadline winners for not making the usual big splash at the deadline by GM Ken Williams. Getting Francisco Liriano to replace injured starter John Danks was a solid move and the prior deal for closer Brett Myers from the Astros fills the need for a closer. The White Sox are now primed for a AL Central title and playoff run which nobody could see coming before the season. Los Angeles Angels The Angels addition of Zack Greinke was a great and needed move to add a front line starter making the Angels rotation very formidable. The Greinke deal was made to add depth to the rotation and make up for the poor performance of Ervin Santana and injury concerns for Dan Haren. More importantly it was made to shut down the recently struggling but still loaded Rangers lineup. The Angels still need a reliever for depth and experience to help out a young bullpen. Texas Rangers The Rangers trade for Ryan Dempster was a must otherwise the Angels would have rolled right on by for the AL West crown. With the season ending injuries to Neftali Feliz and Colby Lewis the Rangers had no choice to make the last minute deal. The offense is struggling but will come back around, it's to loaded and deep to stay down for too long. The bullpen is fine and the major need for a top starter was filled so the Rangers are trade deadline winners for the Dempster deal. Pittsburgh Pirates The Pirates are big winners getting a front line starter in Wandy Rodriguez to go along with A.J. Burnett, James McDonald, Erik Bedard, Jeff Karstens and Kevin Correia who may be traded in a waiver wire move since he is a now regulated to the bullpen. The moves to get Gaby Sanchez and Chad Qualls also give the Pirates depth and more flexibility in the bullpen and lineup. Travis Snider adds outfield depth and gives the Pirates more left handed pop. The Pirates will probably make more minor moves to help them get into the playoffs for the first time since 1992. San Francisco Giants The Giants needed a bat, which is what they always need. Picking up Hunter Pence was a great move to help the Giants contend with the Dodgers in the NL West. Hunter Pence should fit in perfectly to the Giants lineup giving them a good mixture of power and speed. The Giants still need a closer or at least another reliever to help fortify the bullpen. The loss of Brian Wilson has left the Giants with a gaping hole at closer that needs to be filled. I expect Giants GM Brian Sabean to make a August waiver wire trade to address the closer need. Atlanta Braves The Braves addressed their need for a starting pitcher without mortgaging their future by trading away top prospects to the Cubs for Ryan Dempster. Instead dealing for Paul Maholm from the Cubs in what could turn out to be the under the radar, non headline grabbing great deal like last years Tigers move for Doug Fister (FISTER!) that put the Tigers over the top. Getting utility guy Reed Johnson in that deal as well was a great pickup but that is what the Braves do and why they have been an elite team for 20 years now. The Braves seem to have a knack for addressing needs without over paying for them. The only question now is whether or not the Braves bullpen will fall apart from too much work like last year.   Losers-   Baltimore Orioles The Orioles needed a starting pitcher and reliever, they got neither. With the O's hanging around the AL East and Wild Card not making a move for pitching will cost them a playoff spot. The O's pitching staff will not be able to hold up in the tough AL East without major upgrades. For a team and city that hasn't sniffed the playoffs for 15 years a big splash could have put them in the Wild Card hunt at least. Cincinnati Reds The Reds needed another starting pitcher and leadoff hitter, they instead added Jonathan Broxton, a reliever which is the teams strength. Broxton is a great pickup but wasn't needed. The Twins wanted too much for Denard Span and was smart of the Reds not to give in but there are plenty of other options. The Reds will probably still make the playoffs but don't expect them to advance or win the World Series without a productive leadoff bat and another starting pitcher. Arizona Diamondbacks The D-Backs needs were starting pitcher, reliever and another bat (preferably a leadoff hitter). Instead they traded away Craig Breslow, a quality left hander out of the pen for a right handed reliever Matt Albers from the Red Sox. That trade doesn't accomplish anything for the D-Backs but is a nice pickup for the Red Sox. With the Dodgers and Giants addressing their needs the D-Backs will get left behind in the NL West and Wild Card races. Cleveland Indians The Indians needed a starter, a big bat and relief depth. The Indians made no moves to help contend with the White Sox and Tigers leaving the title starved fans of Cleveland hungry for another year at least. They also could have been sellers but didn't do that either.