Top Five MLB Deadline Deals: Three Weeks Later

At the MLB trade deadline, or any professional league trade deadline, the analysts and pundits immediately declare who "won" or "lost" at the deadline.

Much like the NFL draft, the true winners or losers at the deadline can only be measured in the future.

So now, three weeks after the trade deadline has passed here are your Top Five Deadline Deals.

5. Boston Red Sox - Victor Martinez

The Red Sox acquired Victor Martinez from the Cleveland Indians on July 29 for pitchers Justin Masterson and Nick Hagadone. Since coming over to Boston, Victor Martinez has been better than advertised.

In the 16 games Martinez has played he has compiled a .333 batting average with four home runs and 13 RBI. Martinez is also slugging .565 with an on base percentage above .400.

The only thing keeping this deal from being higher on the list is the fact that Boston has only gone 8-9 since his arrival.

4. Los Angeles Dodgers - George Sherrill

On July 29, the Dodgers acquired pitcher George Sherrill from the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for minor leaguers Josh Bell and Steve Johnson.

Since making the move across the country Sherrill has been lights out.

Sherrill has appeared in nine games for the Dodgers, with nine-and-two-thirds innings pitched.

During those innings Sherrill has allowed zero runs, posted a minuscule 1.14 whip, and registered five holds.

Much like the Martinez move though, this move has not resulted in victories for the Dodgers.

In games Sherrill has pitched, the Dodgers are only 4-5.

3. Atlanta Braves - Adam LaRoche

On July 29, the Braves traded Casey Kotchman straight up to the Boston Red Sox for Adam LaRoche. This was the second time in a week that LaRoche had been traded, originally sent from the Pittsburgh Pirates to Boston on July 22.

LaRoche played like an average ballplayer while in Boston (.263/1/3); however, after the second trade, LaRoche has become a beast.

While in Atlanta, LaRoche has hit .389/6/12. He also has been on base about half the time and is slugging .741.

Also, since acquiring LaRoche the Braves are 11-6 and making a serious run at the NL Wild card.

2. Philadelphia Phillies - Cliff Lee

After weeks and weeks of pursuing Roy Halladay, the Phillies "settled" on acquiring Cliff Lee and Ben Francisco from the Indians for Jason Knapp, Carlos Carrasco, Jason Donald and Lou Marson on July 29.

Since the reigning AL Cy Young winner came over to the NL he has been nothing but spectacular. Lee has gone 4-0 in the four games he has pitched.

In 33 innings pitched, Lee has 34 strikeouts, an ERA of 0.82 and a whip of .073.

For the second straight year a former Cy Young award winner from Cleveland has had a dramatic effect on the pennant race.

Unlike CC Sabathia from last year though, Lee is still under contract for next year.

1. St. Louis Cardinals - Matt Holliday

The Cardinals acquired Matt Holliday from the A's for top prospect Brett Wallace and two other minor leaguers on July 24.

At that time the Cardinals were in first place in the NL Central one-and-a-half games ahead of both the Cubs and the Astros.

Since that time Holliday has hit .417/5/23, with an OBP of .450 and a slugging percentage of .698. Holliday has been the perfect complement to perennial MVP candidate Albert Pujols in the Cardinals line-up.

The Cardinals have gone 16-7 since acquiring Holliday and now stand six games ahead of the Cubs in the NL Central.

This and the fact that Holliday is an everyday player is what put him No. 1 over Cliff Lee.