MLB Trade Deadline: 10 Players Who Should Be Furious Post-Deadline

Greg Fiume/Getty Images

The MLB trade deadline has come and gone and has left many stars with a new city to call home, including a number of players who weren't originally projected to move.

And then there are other guys, who were mentioned in trade conversation since the season practically started yet are still playing for the same team they began with on Opening Day.

It just goes to show how unpredictable the summer can be in MLB.

But one thing is always consistent: The addition of players also means the subtraction of players.

Here are 10 players who should be pretty steamed following the July 31 deadline...

Honorable Mention: Matt Garza

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

Matt Garza was another name that was consistently mentioned in trade talks this summer.

According to ESPN Chicago's Bruce Levine, the Texas Rangers—an obvious playoff team—were interested in the 28-year-old Garza, but wound up acquiring Garza's teammate Ryan Dempster instead.

Garza's name had also been linked to the Yankees, another postseason contender, yet New York remained relatively quiet at the deadline.

I understand that the Cubs have Theo Epstein at the helm and he has a history of turning clubs around, but I can't see Garza being happy for too much longer playing for an organization that isn't accustomed to winning.

Yorvit Torrealba

Brian Kersey/Getty Images

Yorvit Torrealba got the short end of the stick when the Texas Rangers dealt for Chicago Cub's catcher Geovany Soto, as he was designated for assignment to make room for the 29-year-old Soto.

Coming in at the All-Star break hitting just .216, Torrealba was much improved in the second half, posting a .364/.417/.545 line.

Originally after the Rangers let him go, it was reported that the Washington Nationals were interested in Torrealba's services, but those talks have apparently foiled, according to NBC Sports.

Regardless, the addition of Soto in Texas has left Torrealba without a job. 

Bobby Abreu

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

Bobby Abreu started off well as a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers, but eventually his play dwindled, forcing the Dodgers to seek help in the outfield.

They did just that, acquiring two-time All-Star Shane Victorino from the Philadelphia Phillies to bolster the outfield and top of the lineup.

According to ESPN LA's Mark Saxon, the Dodgers designated the 38-year-old Abreu for assignment because, "With the Dodgers outfield now set with Victorino, Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier, Abreu wasn't going to get opportunities in double switches or spot starts, Mattingly said, leaving his only possible role as a pinch hitter."

This marks the second time Abreu has been designated for assignment this season, and so far no suitors have stepped forward to request his services.

Roy Oswalt

Jason O. Watson/Getty Images

Let's face it: Roy Oswalt deserved to be demoted.

After making six starts for the Texas Rangers and going 3-2 with a 6.49 ERA and 1.73 WHIP, Oswalt was sent to the bullpen after the Rangers acquired starter Ryan Dempster from the Chicago Cubs (via Fox Sports).

Injuries to Neftali Feliz and Colby Lewis undoubtedly factored into the acquisition of the 35-year-old Dempster, but one has to think the struggles of Oswalt were a big part of it as well.

Texas signed Oswalt at the end of May, hoping he could be the Roy Oswalt of the past, and that just wasn't the case.

Chase Headley

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

For all the trade rumors regarding Chase Headley, the 28-year-old third baseman wasn't moved at the deadline, which means he's stuck in San Diego playing for the 44-63 Padres.

According to ESPN's Jayson Stark, Headley was regarded as the best position player on the market and was drawing interest from possible playoff contenders such as the Yankees, Athletics, Orioles and Pirates.

It seemed that Headley was the most likely player on the face of the planet to be dealt—something I'm sure he wouldn't have minded—yet after the deadline, he still remains wasting away in San Diego.

My guess is that Headley isn't happy about still being a Padre.

Gregor Blanco

Tony Medina/Getty Images

The addition of Hunter Pence by the San Francisco Giants will leave fellow right fielder Gregor Blanco out in the cold.

Despite seeing Pence in right field and Blanco in center on Wednesday, August 1, Blanco is presumed to be booted from the outfield once center fielder Angel Pagan returns from a bruised right hand, per MLB.com.

Blanco is hitting just .240 with five HR and 26 RBI, so it's no wonder why the Giants went out and got the two-time All-Star, Pence, who owns a .269 average this season with 17 HR and 59 RBI.

San Francisco is looking to outlast the Dodgers in the NL West, and they have a much better chance with Pence in right field than Blanco.

Garrett Richards

Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images

In what was one of the biggest trades this summer, the Los Angeles Angels acquired former AL Cy Young Award winner Zack Greinke to cement their rotation.

Now sporting a starting rotation of Jered Weaver, C.J. Wilson, Zack Greinke, Dan Haren and Ervin Santana, Garrett Richards is the lone man out.

Richards was 3-2 on the year with a 4.33 ERA and 1.57 WHIP, and he was the obvious choice to be moved out of the rotation.

Richards was already demoted to the minors once this season (via The LA Times) after surrendering seven earned runs on 10 hits in 4.1 innings of work against the Baltimore Orioles in early July.

Tommy Hanson

Rich Schultz/Getty Images

The Atlanta Braves are trying to overcome the Washington Nationals in the NL East, and the addition of Paul Maholm to the starting rotation is going to help.

Unfortunately for Tommy Hanson, that means the loss of a starting spot in the rotation.

According to Fox Sports South, Maholm will replace Hanson, who has been placed on the 15-day DL due to a lower-back strain (via MLB.com).

Hanson has an impressive 12-5 record this season but posts a 4.29 ERA and 1.44 WHIP, as opposed to Maholm, who's 9-6 with a 3.74 ERA and 1.24 WHIP.

Rafael Betancourt

Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images

Like Chase Headley, all signs pointed to Colorado Rockies closer Rafael Betancourt moving at the trade deadline, but that didn't happen.

According to The Denver Post, Betancourt is happy to be staying in Colorado: "I am glad to be staying here. I don't know if there's a better place elsewhere. This place is good for me. But I don't want to deal with this next year. I want us to be in a situation where we are bringing guys back, not letting them go."

The 37-year-old closer has performed well for the awful Rockies this season, saving 17 games while posting a 2.92 ERA and allowing just one earned run on the road.

Maybe Betancourt didn't get the memo, but the Rockies don't look like they'll be contending for anything anytime soon.

If I were Betancourt, I would be furious about staying in Colorado. Despite what he thinks, there are plenty of other places better than the Rockies right now that could use him.

Drew Smyly

Leon Halip/Getty Images

The Detroit Tigers shored up their starting rotation when they acquired Anibal Sanchez from the Miami Marlins, which of course spells trouble for rookie Drew Smyly.

After pitching to a 4-3 record with a 4.42 ERA in 15 starts this season, The Detroit News is reporting that after being activated from the 15-day DL, Smyly was optioned to Triple-A Toledo.

While it may not be that frustrating for Smyly—after all, he is just a rookie—the acquisition of Sanchez and demotion of Smyly leaves the Tigers without a left-handed starter in their rotation.

Smyly showed some bright spots—including a win at Yankee Stadium back on April 28—but for now, he's out of a starting job in MLB.

Cliff Lee

Drew Hallowell/Getty Images

Cliff Lee has got to feel a little spurned after the Phillies put his name on the block just before the deadline (via USA Today).

After winning the 2008 AL Cy Young Award as a Cleveland Indian, Lee was dealt to the Philadelphia Phillies for the second portion of the 2009 season, where he pitched to the tune of 7-4 with a 3.39 ERA and was a hit in Philly.

Despite pitching admirably for the Phillies in the 2009 World Series, he was dealt during the offseason to the Mariners, where he would last just 13 starts before being traded to the Texas Rangers for the remainder of the 2010 season, where he would again have a chance to pitch in the World Series.

And then there was the offseason drama that ensued, where it looked as if the Yankees had all but locked up Lee to a mega deal, only for Lee to accept a deal with the Phillies instead, opting to join Cole Hamels and Roy Halladay in pursuit of a World Series. Now he's on the chopping block again this summer.

Lee's 2012 numbers (2-6, 3.73 ERA and 1.18 WHIP) are a direct reflection of the Phillies offense and lack of run support he's received this season.

Did Lee not prove his worth to the Phillies brass with his postseason performance in 2009 and 17-8, 2.40 ERA campaign in 2011?

He may not admit it, but Lee has got to be upset with the way the Phillies are yanking him around. In my mind, he's better served pitching for a contender like Texas or the Yankees rather than being part of a rebuilding process in Philadelphia.

 

Like what you see or want to yell at me? Follow me on Twitter:

Follow @Pete_Schauer