MLB Trade Winners and Losers

Another trading deadline has come to pass and while the flurry of speculation and wild predictions may not have panned out, there were still a number of moves made around both leagues that could alter the playoff picture come October. Yes Alfonso Soriano is still a National, Barry Zito still an A and the biggest name to be moved, Greg Maddux, has won four games since May - but there were a number of role players that changed teams and are poised to make an impact.

Winners: New York Yankees, Greg Maddux, Texas Rangers, Los Angeles Dodgers

New York Yankees

Once again George Steinbrenner has proved that with deep pockets, anything is possible. Sunday afternoon the Yankees were able to acquire All-Star outfielder Bobby Abreu and solid starter Corey Lidle from the Phillies for next to nothing. Sure they gave up a handful of prospects, but none were the coveted double-A starter Philip Hughes. All Uncle George had to do was whip out the checkbook and the Yankees were able to add another huge bat to their already ridiculously potent lineup. Oh and just to build on their depth, the Yankees also acquired 20-plus-homer a year Craig Wilson to come off their bench.

Greg Maddux

What a great deal for the fledgling future hall-of-famer. He went from stinking it up on a team who couldn't see the playoffs with a telescope to being right in the thick of the National League West Division race. The pressure is on in LA and if history is any guide, Maddux should be able to rise to the occasion.

Texas Rangers

Just as it looked as though Texas was ready to pack it in for the summer and melt under the sweltering Dallas heat, they pulled off the shocker of the deadline. The Rangers were able to steal slugger Carlos Lee out from under the nose of the rest of the American League by shipping over-the-hill reliever Francisco Cordero, unknown Laynce Nix and Julian Cordero and Kevin Mench - who has hit three homeruns since the end of May.

As if adding Lee's 28 homers, 82 RBI and .292 average wasn't enough, the Rangers also picked up starter Kip Wells from the Pirates. While Wells' numbers won't show it (1-5, 6.69 ERA in seven games ), this kid has a ton of talent. A Texas native, Wells should have no problem pitching in the August heat. And if Wells is able to capture his 2004 form, this move could help propel the Rangers into the postseason.

Los Angeles Dodgers

Though I don't completely agree with the Greg Maddux acquisition, the Dodgers made two other moves that should help them close the gap in the NL West. Last Friday LA received Braves third base prospect Wilson Betermit in exchange for reliever Danys Baez and Willy Aybar. Betermit is loaded with talent and, though he may need another year to fully reach his ability, could easily become the future of the Dodgers. As for Baez, originally brought in as Eric Gagne's set up man, he failed to step into the closer’s role that he had mastered in Tampa Bay. His and Aybar’s departures don't hurt the Dodgers nearly as much as the acquisition of Betermit will help them.

With Jeff Kent and Nomar Garciaparra injured and former All-Star Caesar Izturis gone to Chicago for Maddux, the Dodgers stepped up big time and landed the best infielder for sale -- Julio Lugo. In Tampa Bay Lugo was hitting .308 with a near .400 on base percentage while swiping 18 bases. While Lugo should be able to contribute immediately, the Tampa Bay-Los Angeles transition may not be easy to make - just look at Baez.

Losers: Philadelphia Phillies, Cleveland Indians, Pitsburgh Pirates Fans, Washington Nationals

Philadelphia Phillies

How, if you are Phillies GM Pat Gillick, could you possibly let a talent like Bobby Abreu get away for so little? Yes this move frees up some money for next season, but who do they expect to be able to sign? The only possible scenario is that the Phils could be looking to sign PA native Mike Mussina next year when he becomes a free agent, but it's hard to believe that the Yanks won't exercise an option on their ace.

Cleveland Indians

Want more proof that the Tribe shouldn't have traded 17-save closer Bob Wickman? Just ask Fausto Carmona who tried to earn his first save of the season against the Red Sox, only to watch David Ortiz bomb a three-run, game-winning, walkoff homer last night. I know the Tribe are well out of first place, but by trading Wickman and starting first baseman Ben Broussard for next-to-nothing, are they really going to throw in the towel to an embarassing degree? I guess the answer is yes.

Pittsburgh Pirates

Poor, poor Pirates fans. Not only has your team been out of it all season, but now GM Dave Littlefield seems to be unwilling to try to get better. None of the trades that the Pirates made, the Wilson-Chacon or Wells-Chavez trades, will help the team in the long run and there doesn't seem like much hope for this once-proud franchise. The worst part is that the All-Star game that was hosted in the Steel City this year only helped illustrate how talented the rest of the league is.

Washington Nationals

Does GM Jim Bowden really think he can sign Alfonso Soriano after this season? Maybe he thinks the Nats can somehow make up the 17 games back of the Mets they are in the NL East. Either scenario could be the only reason why Bowden didn't deal Soriano at the deadline. Soriano may have accepted his role in left field for Frank Robinson, but that doesn't mean he likes it out there. Don't be shocked at all if this offseason Soriano doesn't even give the Nats and Bowden the time of day during contract negotiations.

Benefiting from inaction: Boston Red Sox, Alex Rodriguez, Chicago White Sox

Boston Red Sox

Kudos to the boy wonder Theo Epstein for not panicking and making a foolish deal. Could the Bo-Sox use another starter? Absolutely. But would it be worth giving up the likes of Craig Hansen, Mike Lowell and Jon Lester? Definitely not. Lowell has been a double machine this year and his solid play at third base has been priceless. Lester is the new No. 3 starter and if given time to mature, could become a cornerstone of the Red Sox organization. And Hansen, well don't tell Jonathan Papelbon, but Hansen will someday be Boston's closer.

Alex Rodriguez

Was A-Rod ever really going to be dealt from the Yankees? No, of course not. However, with the deadline gone and the addition of another big bat in Abreu, the pressure is off of Rodriguez. Let's see if the numbers go up.

Chicago White Sox

The Southsiders have struggled out of the gates during the second half, but still have the talent to make a run at the postseason. Today they are 7.5 games behind the first place Tigers, but with Kenny Rogers looking more and more hittable every start Detroit is looking less and less like a lock to run away with the AL Central. Kenny Williams was smart not to deal any of his big names as it is only a matter of time until the White Sox turn it around.

Agree or disagree with these designations? Did I miss anybody? Sound off here.