2008 Major League Baseball's Better Trades
Many teams waited to some last-minute dealing in order to strengthen their teams in 2008. These sorts of better trades were common, with more teams in the playoff hunt than previous years, and with new franchises getting a rare sniff of postseason fever. A lot of new players entered the better trades arena and came away with a few plums.
Milwaukee landed the biggest fish in pitcher C.C. Sabathia, who they obtained from Cleveland in exchange for four players, including outfielder Matt LaPorta and pitchers Zach Jackson and Rob Bryson. Sabathia helped pitch the Brewers into the playoffs for the first time since Robin Yount was playing shortstop for the club. The Brew Crew made one of the better trades this time, as LaPorta is a quality hitter who should eventually help the Indians, but the other two pitchers aren't exactly locks to make it to the bigs. This better trade advantage goes to Milwaukee.
The Cubs weren't content to sit by idly and allow their biggest in-division rival to make better trades. Chicago went out and acquired pitcher Rich Harden (along with right-hander Chad Caudin) from the Oakland A's in exchange for four young players, including highly regarded catcher Josh Donaldson ands slugger Matt Murton. The A's lost on the front end, but may have come away with the better trade, depending on whether the Cubbies can keep the oft-injured Harden under contract.
It took three teams to complete this better trade, but Jason Bay ended up leaving Pittsburgh and landing in Boston, where he jumped into the outfield lineup for the defending world champions. Pittsburgh, always on a building plan, extorted four young players from their trading mates, including reliever Craig Hansen and third baseman Andy LaRoche. The Bosox go the quick fix, but the long-range better trade probably belongs to Pittsburgh.
The other portion of the trade sent Manny Ramirez to the Dodgers. Ramirez, perhaps the most feared slugger in baseball, is equally flaky and unreliable in the field. Since the National League doesn't use a designated hitter, Ramirez must play the outfield, where he the skills of Barney the Dinosaur. The Dodgers won the battle for Manny's rights, beating out the Marlins for the honor.
A year earlier the Atlanta Braves gave up four top prospects for first baseman Mark Texeira, who they believed would help get them back in the playoffs. Turns out Texeira didn't help and the Braves cut their losses by shipping Tex to the California Angels for young first baseman Casey Kotchman and reliever Steve Marek. These aren't the sort of better trades you fill the history book with, since the Angels knew they were getting a two-month rental player in exchange for a talented young first baseman.
