MLB Trades: Matt Capps To Twins, Roy Oswalt To Phillies and More

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The Major League Baseball trade deadline is just over 24 hours away.  In the previous 24 hours, we have seen a number of trades pop up helping contenders get an extra bat or a team get an extra arm.

All the movement has been headlined by the Philadelphia Phillies' acquisition of three-time All-Star and two-time 20-game winner Roy Oswalt.  But the deal between the Phillies and the Astros is not the only deal that could have a significant effect on the pennant races in both leagues.

There amount of notable trades is still tepid compared to year's past, but that doesn't mean a flurry of big names will not be traded before Saturday's deadline.  Before then, here is a look back and a grade for all the trades already in the books.

Cliff Lee Traded to the Rangers

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Rangers Get: LHP Cliff Lee, RHP Mark Lowe
Mariners Get: 1B Justin Smoak plus three minor leaguers

The Rangers raced to a wide lead in the AL West entering July on the heels of a dynamic offense that can score virtually at will. Beyond that, the Rangers wanted to bolster their young starting rotation by acquiring former Cy Young winner and hired gun Cliff Lee.

In four starts with Texas, Lee is 1-1 with a 2.55 ERA. The Rangers lost their top offensive prospect (Smoak) in the trade, but landed a frontline starter that gives legitimacy to their rotation and the team as a World Series contender.

However, Lee is a free agent in the off-season and the Rangers, currently facing bankruptcy, have no shot of signing him in the fall.  Giving up the top prospect in the system for a rental is a gutsy move.

GRADE: A. The Rangers lost Smoak but should gain high draft picks when Lee walks.

Jorge Cantu Traded to the Rangers

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Rangers Get: Jorge Cantu
Marlins Get: Double-A RHP Evan Reed and Omar Poveda

The Rangers beefed up the rotation and now solidified their lineup by acquiring Cantu for two minor league pitchers.  The trade of Smoak opened up a spot at first base where Chris Davis (sent to Triple-A to make room for Cantu) had been very disappointing with the bat.

Cantu, who is hitting .262 with 10 homeruns and 54 RBI this year, gives the Rangers a right-handed bat at first base. He can play third base and may even see some time at second base while Ian Kinsler is on the disabled list.

Cantu adds depth to an already very potent Rangers lineup and provides flexibility in the field.  He is a free agent at the end of the year where his salary should push $8 million annually, making him another rental for Texas.

GRADE: B. Cantu is a solid bat with good power whose production could really pick up over the last two months now that he's out of the bigger Sun Life Stadium and in the hitter-friendly Ballpark at Arlington.

Matt Capps Traded to the Twins

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Twins Get: RHP Matt Capps
Nationals Get: C. Wilson Ramos, LHP Joe Testa

It's not everyday a contender can go get an All-Star closer at the deadline, but that's exactly what the Twins did. The Twins relied on Jon Rauch to get them through the first half of the season, but recent inconsistencies by Rauch persuaded the Twins to go get Capps.

Going the other way is Twins top catching prospect Wilson Ramos, who is obviously blocked at the big league level, and quality southpaw Joe Testa.

Capps, who has a 2.74 ERA, 26 saves and a league-leading 43 games finished, is in the midst of a career year and brings stability to a spot that was ruptured by the loss of Joe Nathan.

GRADE: A-. The Twins gave up a lot of value to get Capps, but they desperately needed a more reliable closer if they are going to grab the AL Central.  How he transitions to the American League will be something to watch.

Miguel Tejada Traded to the Padres

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Padres Get: Miguel Tejada, Cash
Orioles Get: RHP Wynn Pelzer

The Padres wanted to add some meat to their lineup without adding to much of a financial burden.  So, San Diego went out and got Miguel Tejada for one minor leaguer. Tejada, who is hitting .269 with seven home runs and 39 RBI this season, will be a free agent at the end of the year.

Tejada hasn't been an everyday shortstop in a few years and the Padres already have Chase Headley at third base. Nevertheless, Tejada will be expected to share time on the left side of the field with the hope that he can produce more at the plate in the National League.

GRADE: C. Tejada's bat and glove are nothing special at this point in his career. He helps stretch the Padres lineup a bit, but isn't a very assuming acquisition.

Jhonny Peralta Traded to Tigers

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Tigers Get: SS/3B Jhonny Peralta
Indians Get: LHP Giovanni Soto

Peralta was pursued by teams looking for flexibility and depth in the infield. With Carlos Guillen on the disabled list and a young left side of the infield.  Peralta gives the Tigers a veteran presence, but the biggest question is how much can he provide with the bat?

Peralta is hitting roughly .250 with 18 home runs since the start of the 2009 season. In the four seasons before that, Peralta hit roughly .275 with 81 home runs. Chances are the Tigers will not get that kind of production by they are hoping for at least consistent production from Peralta when called upon.

GRADE: C. Peralta is a solid bench acquisition by expectations are low.

Dan Haren Traded to Angels

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Angels Get: RHP Dan Haren
Diamondbacks Get: RHP Rafael Rodriguez LHP Joe Saunders LHP Patrick Corbin, Player to be named

The Angels acquired Haren with the thinking that he gives the Angels rotation necessary depth in 2010 with a look to the future. Haren is signed for $25 million through the 2012 season with a $13.5 million option for 2013. The Angels hit the trade deadline nine games back as of Friday, giving this trade more of a look to the future than an instant impact move.

GRADE: B+.  Haren is enduring one of the worst seasons of his career (7-8, 4.60 ERA, 1.35 WHIP with Arizona this year), but again this is a move for 2011 and beyond. Haren has been so consistent in his career to let 2010 be the start of a downward trend.

Alex Gonzalez Traded to Braves, Yunel Escobar Traded to Blue Jays

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Braves Get: SS Alex Gonzalez, LHP Tim Collins, INF Tyler Pastronicky
Blue Jays Get: SS Yunel Escobar, LHP Jo-Jo Reyes

The Braves wanted to ship out the disgruntled Escobar which they did by acquiring veteran shortstop Alex Gonzalez. It's a solid mutual move for both teams. The Braves wanted a more experience and a winning pedigree which Gonzalez has. The Blue Jays are looking to get younger and build for the future.

The results are already paying off for Toronto where Escobar is hitting .354 with two home runs and seven RBI in 11 games after hitting .238 with 19 RBI in 75 games with Atlanta.

GRADE: B+. The trade is beneficial for both teams, even on the minor league side where both clubs received solid organizational depth.

Brett Wallace Traded to Astros

Astros Get: 1B Brett Wallace
Blue Jays Get: OF Anthony Gose

The Astros surprised many when they acquired highly-touted prospect Brett Wallace from the Blue Jays for outfield prospect Anthony Gose. Wallace arrived in Toronto from Oakland as part of the three-team trade that landed Roy Halladay in Philadelphia.

Gose, meanwhile, has long been an object of desire for Toronto general manager Alex Anthopoulos.  Wallace was hitting .301 with 18 home runs and 61 RBI for Triple-A Las Vegas while Gose was hitting .263 with four home runs, 20 RBI and 36 stolen bases for High-A Clearwater.

The move for Wallace could spell the end of Lance Berkman in Houston, but general manager Ed Wade has not publicly committed to that notion.

GRADE: B. Wallace is a highly rated prospect in every scouting publication and has all the look of a franchise first baseman. He has hit for power at every level and should break with the big league club in 2011.

The grade may turn out to be higher in the long run, but one never does now how a player will make that final leap to the big leagues. Thus, the grade stays conservative for now.

Roy Oswalt Traded to the Phillies

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Phillies Get: RHP Roy Oswalt, cash
Astros Get: LHP J.A. Happ, two minor leaguers

Following weeks of speculation and rumor, Roy Oswalt was finally shipped out of Houston to Philadelphia. The Phillies make a big deadline splash for a frontline starting pitcher for the second year in a row. This time, it's Oswalt who is pitching better than his 6-12 record indicates. He has a 3.42 ERA and a 120/34 K/BB ratio in 129 innings pitched.

The Astros' main piece is Happ who is a promising left-hander who served as a swingman in Philadelphia during his first three years, but has made just three starts this season after battling injuries.

GRADE: A-. Oswalt unquestionably bolsters the Phillies rotation for the stretch run and they were able to hold onto top prospect Dominic Brown. Also, the Phillies will pay only $11 million of the $23 million Oswalt is owed through the end of 2011 and did not have to pick up Oswalt's $16 million option for 2012 before executing the trade. That's a big win for the Phillies.