11/8/14

MLB Trade Deadline

Every year, many baseball fans get excited for July 31. Why is that? July 31 is the date of the MLB Trade Deadline. I am one of those many fans who gets the urge to look at the computer to find out the various activity that is going on. I especially enjoy it when the Pirates are the team that is making moves. The 2010 season was a terrible season for the Pirates, as they finished with a record of (57-105). Despite the poor record, the Pirates made multiple trades at the Trade Deadline. The Pirates acquired pitcher Joe Martinez and outfielder John Bowker from the San Francisco Giants in exchange for pitcher Javier Lopez. The Pirates swung a trade with the Dodgers right before the deadline ended when they acquired pitcher James McDonald and outfielder Andrew Lambo from Los Angeles in exchange for closer Octavio Dotel. The Pirates' biggest trade of the day was when they acquired catcher Chris Snyder, infielder Pedro Ciriaco, and cash considerations from the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for pitcher D.J. Carrasco, infielder Bobby Crosby, and outfielder Ryan Church. The Pirates improved in the 2011 season and were showing that they were able to compete, but finished with a record of (72-90). During the Trade Deadline in 2011, the Pirates acquired first baseman Derrek Lee from the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for minor league first baseman Aaron Baker. The Pirates swung one more trade, as they acquired outfielder Ryan Ludwick from the San Diego Padres in exchange for a player to be named later. In 2012, the Pirates gave every fan the chance to believe that they could finally end the losing streak, but a late-season collapse prevented that from happening, as the Pirates finished with a (79-83) record. At the Trade Deadline, the Pirates acquired pitcher Wandy Rodriguez from the Houston Astros in exchange for pitchers Colton Cain and Rudy Owens and outfielder Robbie Grossman. The Pirates also acquired first baseman Gaby Sanchez and pitcher Kyle Kaminska from the Miami Marlins in exchange for outfielder Gorkys Hernandez. The Pirates also swung a trade with the Blue Jays, as they acquired outfielder Travis Snider from Toronto for pitcher Brad Lincoln. For one more final trade, the Pirates acquired pitcher Chad Qualls from the New York Yankees in exchange for infielder Casey McGehee. The Pirates did not make any trades at the Trade Deadline in 2013 or 2014, but they did make some trades prior to the August 31 Waiver Trade Deadline. It is very interesting to see what activity goes on throughout the MLB Trade Deadline.