MLB Trade Recap: Biggest Winners, Losers in Thursday's Trades

In a very deadline-type day, three major deals took place less than 48 hours before the clock will strike 12 on potential trades.

Which teams got the best deals? Which players will have a greater stretch run impact? Which teams set themselves up for the short term, or the long haul?

Here's a brief analysis of the day's big moves:

Roy Oswalt can help Philadelphia forget about Cliff Lee

This former Astro is everything this surging team needs to try to catch and surpass the Atlanta Braves. Very few teams, if any, can offer the one-two punch of Roy Halladay and Roy Oswalt. Phily fans may even start considering Roy as the new favorite name for future-born sons.

On the flip side, Houston has finally started to rebuild, with rumors of Lance Berkman being the next to go. The centerpiece of the Oswalt trade, J.A. Happ, gives the Astros a major league-ready (and so far, successful) pitcher. Trading one of the prospects acquired in the deal for Toronto's minor league first baseman Brett Wallace gives the Astros the heir apparant to Berkman.

A potential All Star pitcher and starting first baseman for Oswalt and some salary relief? Sounds like both sides did well in this one.

Jorge Cantu to Texas Makes the Rangers Top Deadline Winner

Just acquiring Cliff Lee alone would have made the Rangers big winners. Adding a proven 100-RBI producer in Jorge Cantu as well?

Did I also mention that Texas did this without having really any money to spend?

Give Jon Daniels the Executive of the Year award now.

Finding a way to add two major contributors and impact players at one deadline is nearly impossible to accomplish. Doing it under the constraints Daniels has had to work with nearly constitutes a miracle.

Texas not only made sure they will win the AL West, but another bat in that very potent and scary lineup will allow them to mash with any team in the AL.

It also happens to make them legitimate contenders against the Yankees, Rays and Twins/White Sox for the AL pennant.

Take a look at this Texas lineup:

SS Elvis Andrus
3B Michael Young
CF Josh Hamilton
DH Vladimir Guerrero
RF Nelson Cruz
1B Jorge Cantu
LF Dan Murphy
2B Joaquin Arias
C Taylor Teargarden

In return, the Marlins acquired two minor league pitchers for a player who would not be on the team past this year. Not a bad move, especially not when this move happens...

Minnesota Solidifies Closer Position at High Cost

Many are going to write this move off as a huge blunder for Minnesota. Trading away your best prospect and potential impact catcher Wilson Ramos for a guy his former team couldn't even give away doesn't sound like good business.

But sometimes a chance to get invited to the postseason dance is worth the risk.

Ramos was struggling at Triple-A. His trade value has peaked and may never be higher.

But is Capps really the best they could get as a return for such a high prospect?

No matter how much you try to defend it, this move smells of desperation.

And the only way desperate moves get overlooked is if they work out exceptionally well.

As in, it's playoffs or bust for this trade to even be considered in Minnesota's favor.

For Washington, they moved a luxury piece who was picked up off the scrap heap for their catcher of the future. Slowly, yet surely, the Nationals are acquiring pieces they can build around. Pieces that can bring them to respectability.

If the Nationals can acquire some MLB-ready talent for Adam Dunn or Josh Willingham (preferably a starting pitcher), Washington could challenge for a .500 record with Strasburg at the helm.

Who's Next to Be Moved?

1. Ted Lilly to the Brewers—After a recent surge, Milwaukee refuses to admit they are out of the race. And in the NL Central, who knows?

2. Lance Berkman to the White Sox—GM Kenny Williams is determined to add a slugging 1B/DH. If Dunn is too expensive, Williams moves to No. 2 on his list.

3. Adam Dunn to the Rays—this deal makes too much sense, which is probably why it doesn't happen.

The next 48 hours will be interesting. Let the rumors continue!