Trades Other Than The Blockbusters

Of course we are all interested in the trades that involve the stars but, we cant forget about some of the other smaller trades that went down and will be overlooked by most, but can play a really important role in a teams fight to the playoffs. It is not always about getting the big name guy, sometimes it is about getting the guy that fits into a role that you need help in.

Let's get to it and review some of the "smaller" trades at the deadline.

Oakland Athletics Get:                Minnesota Twins Get:
OF Sam Fuld                                     LHP Tommy Milone

This is a good trade for both teams and the players involved in the deal. Milone who won 12 games last year and 13 in 2012 was a solid member of the rotation that helped the A's reach the playoffs these past two seasons but, has had some injury problems this year and has been stuck in Triple-A with the ever improving A's rotation. Once the news broke the A's traded for Lester many saw their next move was to trade Milone. Now Milone gets a chance to show his skills and pitch for a team who is in dire need of starting pitching.
In return the A's received outfielder Sam Fuld who is another guy who had a former stint with the team and just like Gomes, goes out and plays every game at 110%. Not to mention that he has made some of the most ridiculous diving catches over his seasons in the league. He will be able to spell Coco Crisp in center and play as a platoon player with Gomes in left.

St.Louis Cardinals Get:              Boston Red Sox Get:
RHP John Lackey                          RHP Joe Kelly
P Corey Littrell                               OF Allen Craig

The Cardinals are able to acquire Lackey (11-7, 3.60 ERA) who has been a decent pitcher this year to bolster their rotation which has and will be a huge question after Adam Wainwright. What makes Lackey attractive is that he is only set to get paid the league minimum of 500K next year. They also get Corey Littrell who is a pitcher that has pitched for the Red Sox high class-A affiliate this year.
For the Red Sow they acquire RHP Joe Kelly who has been a back rotation/spot starter for the Cardinals and really doesn't project for more than a mid-rotation starter at best. Will try to showcase himself this year and fight for a spot in the Red Sox 2015 rotation.
    They were also able to acquire Allen Craig who has battled injury problems and has had an off year. But, if he can return to the form he was the last two years at the tune of .300+ BA and 90+ RBI's, he can be a big threat in the middle of the Red Sox order going forward.

Other Trades:

• The Nationals acquired SS Asdrubal Cabrera from the Indians. Cabrera will most likely shift over to second to from an infield with Ian Desmond at SS and Anthony Rendon at 3B. Nationals must belive Ryan Zimmerman out for a while. Indians got back SS Zach Walters who might flip positions with the rising Francisco Lindor likely gunning for that Indians SS job sooner rather than later. 

• The Orioles acquired LHP Andrew Miller from the Red Sox for P Eduardo Rodriguez. Miller has been good out of the bullpen especially vs lefties who are only hitting .150 off him the year. Rodriguez projects to be a middle-back of the rotation pitcher.

• The Yankees acquired SS Stephen Drew from the Red Sox for IF Kelly Jonson. Drew will be used to spell Jeter. Yankees also acquired UTIL Martin Prado from the Diamondbacks for UTIL Peter O'Brian. Prado is a nice player who can play many positions and handles the bat well, could play an important role in the Yankees playoff push. 

• The Atlanta Braves acquired UTIL Emilio Bonifacio and LHP James Russell from the Chicago Cubs in exchange for C Victor Caratini. Bonifacio is a player with excellent speed and a good bat who can play many positions. Russell will be used as a specialist out of the bullpen.

• The Miami Marlins acquired P Jared Cosart,OF Austin Wates, and INF Enrique Hernandez from the Houston Astros for OF Jake Marisnick, P Frances Martes, 3B Colin Moran. Cosart is a solid young starter who has the stuff to maybe become as high as a number two rotation guy. Marisnick has had some time with the Marlins this year but needs to improve hitting. 

Let me know your thoughts on these trades