Added: Well, they got back on June 27. Does that count? Given his 10.38 ERA, it probably shouldn't count.
Subtracted: in the same deal. His ERA for the is about nine runs lower than Frieri's. They also sold minor-league veteran to the back on July 7.
Winner or Loser? Loser, loser, loser, loser. The NL Central is there for the taking with the Brewers floundering and the battling injuries to their pitching staff, but the Pirates sat on their hands instead of making a bold push for David Price. The fan base deserved better, and given what the realized on Price, it's hard to think the Pirates couldn't have won out with an aggressive bid.
Added: None
Subtracted: Hey-howdy! None!
Winner or Loser? Losers. They're playing Brayan Pena and at first base at first base with out. He won't be back anytime soon, and neither will , not that he was hitting. In fact, the Reds haven't hit much even when their players were healthy. A very fine pitching staff is going to waste.
St. Louis Cardinals
Added: RHP Justin Masterson, RHP John Lackey, LHP Corey Littrell
Subtracted: OF James Ramsey, OF Allen Craig, RHP Joe Kelly
Winner or Loser? Winners. The Cardinals added needed starting pitching depth in the aftermath of Michael Wacha's injury and a disappointing year from Shelby Miller and gave up a decent prospect, a position-less veteran who wasn't hitting, and the strikeout-lite pitcher Joe Kelly, who hasn't been a big contributor this year.
Justin Masterson, Photo credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Added: C Victor Caratini, LHP Felix Doubront, RHP Jonathan Martinez, SS Addison Russell, RHP Dan Straily, OF Billy McKinney
Subtracted: LHP James Russell, INF Emilio Bonifacio, INF , RHP Jeff Samardzija, RHP Jason Hammel
Winner or Loser? Even though the Samardzija deal happened back at the beginning of the month we'll count it here, especially since by July 31 all the good pieces were off the shelf. A young catcher with a good eye at the plate isn't a bad return for fringe bits like Bonifacio and Russell, and if he disappears as he climbs the ladder, as catchers often do, well, at least you tried. Addison Russell remains the big prize. Winners.
National League West
By Eric Stephen
Added: INF Darwin Barney
Subtracted: Jonathan Martinez
Winner of Loser? Los Angeles was in discussions for top arms David Price and Jon Lester, but was unwilling to part with two of , and , three of the top 20 prospects in baseball. The Dodgers, buoyed only by , with a three-game lead and the consensus best roster in the division were the one team in the NL West that didn't have to make a move. Not a winner, but not a loser either.
Quote: "My team's on the floor." -Coach Norman Dale, Hoosiers.
Added: P Jake Peavy
Subtracted: P Edwin Escobar and RP Heath Hembree
Winner or Loser? With starter out for an extended time, San Francisco was desperate for a starting pitcher, even one who was 1-9 with a 4.72 ERA. Peavy lost his first start for the Giants, but with a shift from the AL East to his old stomping ground in the NL West and a reunion with his old manager Bruce Bochy, he could regain at least some semblance of his old form. Winner, then, at least a little.
Quote: "I can't swim." "[Laughter] Are you crazy? The fall will probably kill you." -Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid
Jake Peavy, Photo credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
Added: OF Abraham Almonte, P , P , P Elliot Morris, INF and INF
Subtracted: OF Chris Denorfia, RP , minor league P
Winner or Loser? Incomplete. While the Padres were active despite technically having no general manager -- a triumvirate serves a interim GMs as San Diego tries to find its next wheeler/dealer-in-chief -- they were more notable for who the didn't trade by Thursday. Both closer , with $9.5 million guaranteed due beyond 2014 and starter , arbitration-eligible next year, were said to be in high demand. But instead the Padres will wait, perhaps until the offseason, to deal their assets.
Quote: "The people are insane. They just like talking to salesmen." -John Williamson, Glengarry Glen Ross
Added: C/1B Peter O'Brien, OF Mitch Haniger, P
Subtracted: INF/OF Martin Prado, OF Gerardo Parra, P Brandon McCarthy
Winner or Loser? Haniger was ranked the Brewers' No. 3 prospect by Baseball America and O'Brien is a power-hitting backstop, with 33 home runs between Class-A and Double-A this season, in 102 games. These are two top prospects from widely denigrated farm systems, so... winner?
Quote: "But our trip was different. It was to be a classic affirmation of everything right and true in the national character. A gross physical salute to the fantastic possibilities of life in this country. But only for those with true grit." - Raoul Duke, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
Added: Nada
Subtracted: Zip
Verdict: The division's most dysfunctional team did just about what we should have expected: nothing, continuing the road to oblivion.
Quote: "All I can tell you is who's gonna be last." - Will Munny, Unforgiven