Arizona Diamondbacks: Demotion of Armando Galarraga
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The Diamondbacks haven't made too many roster moves this season, but jettisoning Armando Galarraga was a smart move because it allowed Josh Collmenter to enter the rotation.
Galarraga was 3-4 with a 5.91 ERA in eight starts.
So far in 11 starts, Collmenter has an ERA of under three.
Atlanta Braves: Addition of Brandon Beachy to Rotation Out of Spring Training
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Much has been made of the Braves and their bullpen, in addition to starting pitchers Tommy Hanson and Jair Jurrjens.
One move that hasn't gotten as much press is that involving Brandon Beachy, in the rotation since the beginning of the season. He's posted a 3-1 record and an ERA of 3.21 in 12 starts.
Baltimore Orioles: Trade for J.J. Hardy
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Numerous trades took place last offseason, and J.J. Hardy to the Orioles might have been lost in the fray. He was acquired for a few middling prospects, and in his first season in Baltimore, he has hit a respectable .275 with 13 home runs and 33 RBI.
In addition, he just signed an extension, which gives the Orioles some infield stability, something they have lacked since Cal Ripken Jr.
Boston Red Sox: Addition of Josh Reddick
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Nearly every move made by the Red Sox is front page news all over the country, but reaction to the addition of Josh Reddick to the team due to various injuries seemed slightly more subdued.
His performance has been anything but.
Reddick has racked up 25 hits in less than 70 at-bats and has 17 RBI to his name already.
Chicago Cubs: Return of Kerry Wood
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Kerry Wood's return to Chicago hasn't exactly been exciting, but he's been a solid contributor out of the bullpen this season.
In 31 appearances this year, Wood has a sub-three ERA and 11 holds.
Chicago White Sox: Signing of Phil Humber
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Phil Humber bounced around in the 2010 offseason. He was claimed by the A's, released and then claimed by the White Sox.
He made the rotation out of spring training mostly due to injuries to other players. His performance has solidified his place in the Sox rotation.
In 16 starts, Humber has an 8-5 record with a 3.10 ERA and a legitimate beef with not making the All-Star team.
Cincinnati Reds: Activation of Jose Arredondo
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The promotion of Jose Arredondo was made without much fanfare. He was activated after recovering from Tommy John surgery.
His performance has been solid this year, with an ERA around three in 24 appearances.
Cleveland Indians: Promotion of Travis Buck
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To be honest, the Indians haven't made many transactions this year other than a few due to injury. Nobody has performed particularly well as a fill-in, but Travis Buck fits the bill.
He's got a .242 average in 132 at bats, which isn't great, but he's a passable fill-in in the outfield and plays with great effort.
Colorado Rockies: Keeping Jason Giambi
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Most people probably thought that Jason Giambi was done after last season, but the Rockies held on to him. That was a good decision.
In limited appearances, Giambi has 10 home runs and 22 RBI in just over 90 at-bats. Those are good numbers.
Detroit Tigers: Promotion of Al Alburquerque
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Alburquerque has been a solid addition to the Tigers bullpen since his promotion in April.
He made his major league debut on April 15 and since then has been a stable member of the bullpen. In 27 games, he has 47 strikeouts and an ERA of 2.76.
Florida Marlins: Signing of Randy Choate
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Randy Choate was signed in December to a two-year deal.
In the Marlins bullpen, he has acted as the primary lefty specialist. He's allowed only two earned runs in over 30 appearances and so far has only allowed 15 baserunners in 19.2 innings.
Houston Astros: Giving Jason Bourgeois a Roster Spot
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Bourgeois is an excellent utility player who can play the entire outfield and second base. He was acquired last season by the Astros and performed well enough to make the team out of spring training.
He battled injuries and in a utility role has hit .353 in just over 100 at-bats.
Kansas City Royals: Signing of Melky Cabrera
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The Royals signed Cabrera in December for a mere $1.25 million. He has more than paid for the investment.
Cabrera has started nearly every game for the Royals in 2011. He's hit 11 home runs with 52 RBI and has an average right around .300. Imagine if he was still on the Yankees.
Los Angeles Angels: Promotion of Mark Trumbo
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Prior to spring training, the consensus was that Kendrys Morales would be ready to go by opening day. That hasn't happened, but as a result, Mark Trumbo has been given the chance to shine for the Angels.
He's hit 18 home runs with 43 RBI in just over 300 at-bats.
Los Angeles Dodgers: Promotion of Rubby De La Rosa
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De La Rosa joined the Dodgers rotation due to numerous injuries to Dodgers starters.
He was rushed through the minors to make his debut and so far has been a solid contributor to the Dodgers pitching staff.
In seven starts so far, De La Rosa has an ERA under four and a 3-4 record.
Milwaukee Brewers: Trading for Nyjer Morgan
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Morgan was traded to the Brewers for minor leaguer Cutter Dykstra in late March. Morgan has filled the role of extra outfielder and has done so quite well.
In 170 at-bats, Morgan has hit .331 with 17 extra-base hits.
Minnesota Twins: Promotion of Ben Revere
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Ben Revere was promoted in May to fill in for Delmon Young. He's earned an everyday role since then.
His batting average is just over .270, and he has 13 steals and 27 runs scored in 190 at-bats.
New York Mets: Promotion of Dillon Gee
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Gee's promotion in April resulted in the rejuvenation of the Mets starting rotation. Gee went 7-0 in his first nine games, and after 14 starts he has an 8-3 record and a sub-four ERA in 88 innings.
New York Yankees: Signing of Luis Ayala
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Every transaction the Yankees make is big news, but Ayala might be an exception.
He signed a minor league deal in February and, through injuries, has had a very good season thus far. He has allowed only five runs in 28 innings with 19 strikeouts.
Oakland Athletics: Trading for Scott Sizemore
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The A's had a glut of relievers and unloaded one of them for Scott Sizemore of the Tigers.
Sizemore had forever been a 4A type of player but got another chance this year with the A's. So far, he's been a pleasant surprise, hitting .271 with four home runs and 15 RBI in just over 100 at-bats.
Philadelphia Phillies: Promotion of Vance Worley
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The Phillies have great pitching; that much is obvious.
What is less obvious is the fact that it extends beyond their big four. Vance Worley has been a fill-in for both Joe Blanton and Roy Oswalt and will be tough to remove upon their return.
Worley's numbers so far this season include a 2.15 ERA and a 5-1 record in nine starts.
Pittsburgh Pirates: Promotion of Daniel McCutchen
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Few people outside of Pittsburgh know that there are actually two very good McCutchens playing for the Pirates.
Many know Andrew, but Daniel is also very good.
Recalled in April and given a spot in the bullpen, Daniel McCutchen has been very good this year for the Pirates.
He has a 2.27 ERA and 26 strikeouts in 47 innings pitched this season.
San Diego Padres: Signing of Aaron Harang
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Aaron Harang has never been a heralded starter, but he has always been a very solid middle of the rotation guy.
Since joining the Padres this offseason, he has been a very good addition.
In 15 starts, Harang has a 7-2 record with a 3.19 ERA and 65 strikeouts in over 90 innings.
San Francisco Giants: Promotion of Brandon Crawford
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The Giants haven't made too many big roster moves this season. They've been ravaged by injury, but it's been more of a musical chairs of a roster.
Brandon Crawford has been one real roster addition through it all, and while he's teetered below the Mendoza line most of the year, he has provided a spark occasionally on offense and plays very solid defense at shortstop.
Seattle Mariners: Promotion of Dustin Ackley
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Ackley is a highly touted prospect but wasn't expected to make an impact for another season or two.
So far this year, he has been as good as advertised. In limited playing time, he's batted around .300 with three home runs and nine RBI in 80 at-bats.
St. Louis Cardinals: Promotion of Tony Cruz
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Most people would discount the value of a backup catcher, but Tony Cruz has done a very good job backing up Yadier Molina.
Cruz was promoted after injuries to Gerald Laird and has 15 hits in 47 at-bats while also handling the Cardinals pitching staff on occasion.
Tampa Bay Rays: Promotion of Casey Kotchman
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Casey Kotchman can thank Manny Ramirez for his 2011 season.
Kotchman started the season at AAA but was called up to replace Ramirez after his retirement.
Kotchman is hitting .340 this year in 77 games and is finally living up to the potential that the Angels saw in him.
Texas Rangers: Moving Alexi Ogando to the Rotation
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Ogando was forced into the rotation due to injuries to Tommy Hunter, Scott Feldman and other members of the Rangers rotation.
It's going to be tough to pry him away from the Rangers' starting five.
Besides making the All-Star team, Ogando has a 9-3 record, 78 strikeouts and a 2.92 ERA in over 100 innings.
Toronto Blue Jays: Promotion of Eric Thames
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Eric Thames has been a solid fill-in for the Blue Jays this year. They have sustained numerous injuries, so they are pleased to have Thames as a backup.
In 32 games, he's hitting over .300 with four home runs and 14 RBI.
Washington Nationals: Trade for Henry Rodriguez
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Josh Willingham was traded to the A's in the offseason. In return, the Nationals received Henry Rodriguez, amongst others.
Rodriguez has a dominant arm, and though he has a penchant for wildness, he could be a very good reliever. In 32 innings this season, he has 36 strikeouts and a sub-three ERA.
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