Keep the Receipt?: Re-examining Eight Offseason MLB Trades

D.A. by Senior Analyst Written on July 20, 2009

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DENVER - APRIL 06:  Dan O'Dowd, Executive Vice President and General Manager of the Colorado Rockies looks out onto the field before the MLB game between the Arizona Diamondbacks at Coors Field on April 6, 2008 in Denver, Colorado.  (Photo by Steve Dykes/
Steve Dykes/Getty Images

Making trades are a vital part of a general manager's job. There are great general managers who usually make the right decisions and those who can't seem to ever get things right.

Here are eight trades from the offseason. Who came out on top for each deal? Do you agree or disagree?

Edwin Jackson for Matt Joyce

ST. PETERSBURG, FL - APRIL 15: Starting pitcher Edwin Jackson #36 of the Tampa Bay Rays pitches against the New York Yankees during the game on April 15, 2008 at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida.  (Photo by J. Meric/Getty Images)

Trade: The Tampa Bay Rays send Edwin Jackson to the Detroit Tigers for Matt Joyce

Winner: Detroit Tigers

This might have been the steal of the offseason. Matt Joyce has potential, but hasn't been useful at all as a Ray. In 11 games, he's batted .188 with seven RBI and a .270 on-base percentage. He's also only batting .267 in AAA-Durham.

On the other hand, Edwin Jackson is an All-Star. Jackson is 7-5 with a 2.52 ERA, 101 strikeouts, and a fantastic 1.08 WHIP. He has provided stability to a rotation that would be damaged without him.

Nick Swisher and Kanekoa Texeira for Wilson Betemit, Jeff Marquez, and Jhonny Nunez

TUCSON, AZ - MARCH 5: Nick Swisher #30 of the Chicago White Sox stands stands ready at bat during a spring training game against the Colorado Rockies at Hi Corbett Field on March 5, 2008 in Tucson, Arizona. The White Sox defeated the Rockies 5-2. (Photo b

Trade: The Chicago White Sox send Nick Swisher and Kanekoa Texeira to the New York Yankees for Wilson Betemit, Jeff Marquez, and Jhonny Nunez

Winner: New York Yankees

Well, let's see. Wilson Betemit has been designated for assignment after batting .200 with three RBI in his backup role.

In AAA-Charlotte, Jeff Marquez is 2-8 with a 9.95 ERA, and 2.06 WHIP.

Jhonny Nunez has been good, being in AA-Birmingham and AAA-Charlotte, and compiling a 3-0 record and 2.15 ERA in 30 games.

Nick Swisher has been good for the Yankees, especially during the early stretch of the season. Swisher is batting .235 with 14 home runs, 47 RBI, and an .821 OPS. That's a lot more value than Wilson Betemit.

In AA-Trenton, Texeira is 7-5 with a 2.88 ERA and 54 strikeouts in 68.2 innings pitched.

Matt Holliday for Huston Street, Greg Smith, and Carlos Gonzalez

OAKLAND, CA - OCTOBER 06:   Huston Street #20 of the Oakland Athletics celebrates after making the final out against the Minnesota Twins to win game three of the American League Division Series at McAfee Coliseum on October 6, 2006 in Oakland, California.

Trade: The Colorado Rockies send Matt Holliday to the Oaklan Athletics for Huston Street, Greg Smith, and Carlos Gonzalez

Winner: Colorado Rockies

Now, Holliday hasn't been bad. He's batting .276 with nine home runs, 47 RBI, and a .795 OPS. However, those aren't usual Holliday numbers.

Also, the fact is that the Rockies have been winning and the A's haven't been.

Huston Street has been a great replacement for Brian Fuentes. Street has 23 saves in 24 opportunities with a 2.68 ERA and 0.97 WHIP.

Carlos Gonzalez hasn't been great with a .213 batting average and five RBI in 30 games.

Greg Smith is in the minors with a 2-2 record and a 4.72 ERA.

Javier Vazquez and Boone Logan for Brent Lillibridge, Tyler Flowers, Jon Gilmore, and Santos Rodriguez

TUCSON, AZ - MARCH 1:  Javier Vazquez #33 of the Chicago White Sox pitches against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Tucson Electric Park on March 1, 2007 in Tucson, Arizona. (Photo by Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images)

Trade: The Chicago White Sox send Javier Vazquez and Boone Logan to the Atlanta Braves for Brent Lillibridge, Tyler Flowers, Jon Gilmore, and Santos Rodriguez

Winner: Atlanta Braves

Javier Vazquez has been brilliant. Vazquez is 7-7 with a 2.86 ERA, 141 strikeouts, and a minuscule 1.05 WHIP. Boone Logan has only played in eight games for the Braves, and has looked decent with a 2.16 ERA.

Brent Lillibridge was playing in the majors, but was awful, batting .162 without an RBI. He's also only batting .253 in AAA-Charlotte.

Jon Gilmore has that same batting average in A-Kannapolis. Santos Rodriguez has a 1.50 ERA in the Rookie-Class minors. Tyler Flowers looks like he has a bright future, batting .296 with 14 home runs, 44 RBI, and a .435 on-base percentage in between AA-Birmingham and AAA-Charlotte.

Coco Crisp for Ramon Ramirez

BOSTON - APRIL 29: Coco Crisp #10 of the Boston Red Sox follows his pop-fly during the MLB game against the Toronto Blue Jays on April 29, 2008 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts.The Red Sox defeated the Blue Jays 1-0. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Trade: The Boston Red Sox send Coco Crisp to the Kansas City Royals for Ramon Ramirez

Winner: Boston Red Sox

Coco Crisp is injured and done for the year. He was only batting .228 with 14 RBI in 49 games.

Ramon Ramirez has been great for the Red Sox. He has eight holds with a 2.27 ERA and a 1.08 WHIP.

Jason Marquis for Luis Vizcaino

DENVER - APRIL 24:  Starting pitcher Jason Marquis #21 of the Chicago Cubs delivers against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on April 24, 2008 in Denver, Colorado. The Rockies defeated the Cubs 4-2.  (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

Trade: The Chicago Cubs send Jason Marquis to the Colorado Rockies for Luis Vizcaino

Winner: Colorado Rockies

Jason Marquis is an All-Star, leading the MLB in wins. Marquis is 12-6 with a 3.49 ERA and 1.26 WHIP.

Luis Vizcaino has since been designated for assignment by the Cubs and he now pitches for the Cleveland Indians.

Mike Jacobs for Leo Nunez

MIAMI - APRIL 11:  Mike Jacobs #17 of the Florida Marlins bats against the San Diego Padres during the home opener at Dolphin Stadium on April 11, 2006  in Miami, Florida. The Padres defeated the Marlins 9-3.  (Photo by Eliot J. Schechter/Getty Images)

Trade: The Florida Marlins send Mike Jacobs to the Kansas City Royals for Leo Nunez

Winner: Florida Marlins

Mike Jacobs hasn't been good at all for the Royals. He's batting .225 with 13 home runs, 33 RBI, and a .305 on-base percentage. He also is a strikeout machine (83).

Leo Nunez has been a reliable reliever for the Marlins. He has 13 holds with a 3.60 ERA and 1.23 WHIP. He's also filled in as the closer as Matt Lindstrom went on the disabled list.

Luis Valbuena for Franklin Gutierrez

BOSTON - OCTOBER 13:  Franklin Gutierrez #38 of the Cleveland Indians at bat against the Boston Red Sox during Game Two of the American League Championship Series at Fenway Park on October 13, 2007 in Boston, Massachusetts.  (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Ima

Trade: The Cleveland Indians send Franklin Gutierrez to the Seattle Mariners for Luis Valbuena

Winner: Seattle Mariners

OK, the deal was a bit more complicated than this. But this was the main jist.

Luis Valbuena is batting .219 with 4 home runs, 11 RBI, and a .280 on-base percentage in 45 games.

Franklin Gutierrez has been excellent for the Mariners, batting .295 with 12 home runs, 42 RBI, and an .814 OPS. He also plays good defense.

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written on July 20, 2009 Opinion

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