A lot has changed in baseball over the last eighty years, expect for the monumental structure that resides at E. 161st Street and River Avenue in the Bronx.
The Royals have been major players in the free agent market, making a big run at Andruw Jones while signing Jose Guillen, but they did lose David Riske to the Brewers.
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There were two trades recently that could shake up more than one division. In the first trade, the Braves acquired centerfield Mark Kotsay from the Oakland A’s for pitcher Joey Devine. In the second trade, Scott Rolen has finally been traded by the St. Louis to the Toronto Blue Jays for third baseman Troy Glaus.
Kotsay to the Braves
This moves signals the organization’s thinking that they needed a stopgap in centerfield before they put Jordan Schaefer out there full time. The A’s will also pick up the majority of Kotsay’s money this season, the final season of his deal, in exchange for right-handed pitcher Joey Devine.
Kotsay struggled with injuries last season, but he does bring some good attributes to the Braves for 2008. He still has above-average range in centerfield which will soften the blow of losing Andruw Jones. He also has experience in the lead-off position which has been a noticeable void for the Braves since they lost Rafael Furcal to the Los Angeles Dodgers after the 2005 season.
Expect him to hit lead-off and bat around .270 with five home runs, 45 RBI, 85 runs, and 15 stolen bases.
In Devine, the A’s get a former first round pick who was rushed to the major leagues shortly after being drafted and suffered for it mentally. He was hit very hard in the latter part of 2005 and has since been reluctant to throw strikes in fear of getting hit. However, he still has good stuff from a sidearm angle and can be a quality big league arm out of the bullpen.
Both teams come out well on this deal because the Braves get a stopgap in center that will help them compete in 2008 without having to overspend or give up any of the prospects they hold in the highest regard. For the A’s, they are able to unload another veteran in their rebuilding project and get a young arm they can mold into a future closer if Huston Street is eventually dealt.
Braves: B+
A’s: B
Rolen, Glaus swap leagues
The feud between Scott Rolen and Manager Tony LaRussa is officially over after the third baseman was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays for fellow third baseman Troy Glaus. Rolen has three years left on his contract at $36 million and Glaus, after having his 2009 option picked up by St. Louis, has two years left at $24 million, according to Cot’s Baseball Contracts.
Rolen, a seven-time gold glove winner, has seen injuries zap some of his power at the plate and range in the field, but he is still a solid major league player. In Toronto, he will provide a steady bat in addition to Vernon Wells, Alex Rios, and Frank Thomas, but it will be his defense that will be the biggest help for Toronto and especially sinker ball ace Roy Halladay. At the plate, he will be around .290 with 20 home runs and 90 RBI while competing for the gold glove.
In Glaus, the Cardinals get an upgrade in power and a bat that can protect Albert Pujols, who has had that lacking since the decline of Rolen and Jim Edmonds. His presence will also allow Chris Duncan to grow into his skills and develop at a slower pace than he was forced to last year. The Cardinals will see a decline in defense, though, because Glaus is below-average at third base and will miss not having the DH spot in the National League.
This isn’t a lopsided trade as it involves two quality players, but I have to give the nod to Toronto. Rolen is still a more complete player who will fit in well in Toronto both in the batting order and at third base. Glaus, while he will bring more power to St. Louis and thus create more runs, struggles in the field, and I don’t think his style of play will match with LaRussa in the long run.
Blue Jays: A-
Cardinals: B
Who do you think won these two trades? Email your thoughts to Douglas.Benton@RealGM.com
