Roy Oswalt Traded to Phillies & Other Deals

The trade deadline doesn't expire until 4 p.m. on Saturday but already there have been a number of trades.

The Houston Astros trade pitcher Roy Oswalt to the Philadelphia Phillies for pitcher J.A. Happ and two minor leaguers

This is the biggest deal thus far. Oswalt has pitched his entire big league career with the Astros which began in 2001 winning 143 games. Although Oswalt leads the NL in losses with 12 it must be remembered he was pitching for a club that didn't score a lot of runs for him. His ERA is a respectable 3.42.

So now the Phillies have two Roys to anchor the staff. Phillies fans are already calling him "Roy Story 2." And who could blame them? The Phillies have won eight in a row and have pulled to within two and a half games of the Atlanta Braves for top spot in the NL East.

As for Happ, after winning 12 games in his rookie season last year for the NL champions, he has been hurt most of this season with a forearm injury. Happ may be of help to the hapless Astros.
(Yes, I had to write that.)

The Baltimore Orioles trade infielder Miguel Tejada to the San Diego Padres for a minor leaguer

Tejada, who returned to the Orioles this off season, goes from a last place team to a first place team. While he doesn't possess the power he once had he can still provide some protection for Adrian Gonzalez.

The question is will he play at short or at third?

The Washington Nationals trade relief pitcher Matt Capps to the Minnesota Twins for two minor leaguers

Capps had a sensational half season plus in D.C. saving 26 games in 30 chances. Good enough to rank 4th in the NL.

It is a curious trade considering that Jon Rauch has saved 21 games for the Twins this season filling the breach left when Joe Nathan had to undergo Tommy John surgery in spring training.

While Rauch has not given up a run in his last three outings he has given up thirteen runs in eight and one third innings pitched this month. SoRauch will revert to his old role as an eighth inning set up man.

The Twins are currently a game and a half behind the Chicago White Sox in the AL Central.

The Florida Marlins trade infielder Jorge Cantu to the Texas Rangers for a minor leaguer

After two and a half seasons in Miami, Cantu provides an extra right handed bat for an already potent Rangers offense. With Ian Kinsler hurt, Cantu should see some time at second base.

The Rangers are currently eight and a half games up on the Oakland Athletics in the AL West.

The Kansas City Royals trade outfielder Scott Podsednik to the Los Angeles Dodgers for two minor leaguers

Podsednik will see time in left field while Manny Ramirez recovers from a right calf strain. The veteran outfielder can still run swiping 30 bases in a little over half a season with the Royals.

Podsednik and Reed Johnson give the Dodgers outfield a lot of depth.

The Cleveland Indians trade infielder Jhonny Peralta to the Detroit Tigers for a minor leaguer

Injuries to both Brandon Inge and Carlos Guillen (not to mention Magglio Ordonez) necessitated a move to get a veteran infielder. Peralta has played his entire big league career in Cleveland which began in 2003.

However, this move might prove a day late and a dollar short. The Tigers have lost 11 out of 14 games since the All-Star break and are now six games behind the Chicago White Sox in the AL Central.

I'll keep you posted with my thoughts on any additional trades.