Analysis and Predictions from MLB Deadline Trades

(Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

With the passing of the non-waiver trade deadline and newly acquired players making an impact on their new teams, it's time to take a renewed look at the already intense Major League Baseball playoff picture.

AL East

Content with their roster, the Yankees did not make any significant moves while the Red Sox destroyed any doubt that the division is now a two-team race.

Give credit to Theo Epstein for another deadline masterpiece, with his acquisition of Victor Martinez to an already potent lineup. Martinez is already proving his worth to the Sox, as evidenced by his 5-for-6 performance in Boston's 18-10 thrashing of Baltimore.

Boston already has incredible depth in their pitching staff, a strength that will give them the advantage over the Yankees.

New York's starting rotation is two injuries away from implosion. The depth that's so apparent in Boston is lacking in the Yankees' staff. When Sergio Mitre is your fifth starter, can that really be debated? The offense is there, but New York fans better pray that no one in the pitching staff gets injured.

For the Tampa Bay Rays, the wild card is their best hope and will only happen if the aforementioned Yankees pitching collapse happens. Tampa Bay is a good team that unfortunately plays in the AL East.

My Prediction: Martinez powers Boston to the East crown while the Yankees' pitchers survive the season and claim the wild card. The Rays will wonder what might have been if the first couple of months had turned out differently.

AL Central

This should end up being the most interesting race of any division, AL or NL.

Newly acquired Jake Peavy and Jarrod Washburn instantly make the Chicago White Sox and Detroit Tigers the teams to beat.

A year removed from a massive spending spree that ended in disaster, the Tigers currently hold a 1.5-game lead over the White Sox. Washburn adds to the best rotation (outside Boston) with Justin Verlander, Edwin Jackson, and Rick Porcello, with Jeremy Bonderman sitting on the DL.

The White Sox definitely received the better player in Peavy, but it's unclear when he'll see his first action in Chicago. GM Ken Williams's plan is for Peavy to return in time for a September playoff run.

So far, the Sox rotation, anchored by Mark Buehrle and John Danks, has held up, and the offense has provided just enough to keep Chicago near the top of the division.

The Minnesota Twins continue to linger behind the scenes. Their trade for Orlando Cabrera was overshadowed by Detroit's and Chicago's moves, but it figures to be an upgrade for the team.

My Prediction: Detroit will build a sizable lead in August. Peavy will enter the Sox rotation and make for an interesting September, but the Tigers will ultimately take the division.

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