MLB Trade Deadline: 5 Biggest Winners

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - JULY 31: Hunter Pence #3 of the Philadelphia Phillies follows through on his swing while hitting a double in the 10th inning during the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Citizens Bank Park on July 31, 2011 in Philadelphia, Pennsylv

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Every MLB front office in contention feels the need to make one last move to prove to their players and fans that they are serious about a deep playoff run.

All of these teams went out and got the exact player(s) that were important to their team.

These trades should help their teams immediately, but it is never certain whether these will make a true difference.

If nothing else, it motivates the team that their money banks up in the box suites do have faith in them.

5. St. Louis Cardinals

LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 23: Rafael Furcal #15 of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrates his game-winning RBI double against the Washington Nationals in the ninth inning of the game at Dodger Stadium on July 23, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers de

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The Cardinals didn’t make the conventional trade for the big piece to their puzzle, but instead they got a lot of small pieces that will fill that void.

Rafael Furcal isn’t going to put up the numbers he used to, but he still has the speed on the base paths and has valueable playoff experience. They also grabbed Edwin Jackson, a starting pitcher to help fill that problem. He is a hard throwing young pitcher that could be very good in the future.

They also acquired Octavio Dotel and Corey Patterson from the Blue Jays. Neither of these guys are everyday players/pitchers but both of them will get the job done when asked to step up. I think the Cardinals went out and did a good job at making their team playoff ready.

4. Pittsburgh Pirates

CHICAGO - MAY 09: Derrek Lee #25 of the Chicago Cubs swings at the pitch during the game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on May 9, 2008 at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois. The Cubs defeated the Diamondbacks 3-1. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

The front office of the Pirates made a couple of moves that should be enough to make it into the playoffs. They need power bats to help finalize their playoff run and that is exactly what they did.

They went out and got Ryan Ludwick who is only batting .238 but has 11 home runs and 64 RBI’s. He is a powerful bat that will bring in lots of runs.

The other big trade the Pirates made was for Derek Lee. He is batting .246 with 12 home runs and 41 RBI’s. Both of these players should only improve the Pirates who only had two players with 10 or more home runs before these trades. The Pirates were definitely winners at the trade deadline.

3. San Francisco Giants

CINCINNATI, OH - JULY 1: Orlando Cabrera #20 of the Cleveland Indians throws out a runner at first base after fielding a ground ball against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on July 1, 2011 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty I

Joe Robbins/Getty Images

The Giants positioned themselves for a deep playoff run with their two aquistions at the trade deadline. After picking up Carlos Beltran earlier this week, they traded Thomas Neal for Orlando Cabrera.

The Giants needed infielders after losing Freddy Sanchez to injury ealier this year. Surprisingly, Eli Whiteside has filled in for the loss of Buster Posey.

Carlos Beltran gave the Giants a much needed powerful bat, something that the Giants lacked. The Giants are only batting .240 as a team and after acquiring Carlos Beltran who is batting .281 with 15 homeruns and 67 RBI’s.

The Giants have amazing pitching, both starting and relief and with these two trades, I expect them to reach the NLCS and play the Phillies.

2. Philadelphia Phillies

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JULY 31: Hunter Pence #3 of the Philadelphia Phillies follows through on a swing during the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Citizens Bank Park on July 31, 2011 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Drew Hallowell/Getty Images)

Drew Hallowell/Getty Images

They only picked up one player, but he might be the final piece to the World Series puzzle. Hunter Pence was the best player to be traded at the deadline and will definitely improve the Phillies lineup.

They have lots of firepower in Ryan Howard, Jimmy Rollins, and Chase Utley as well as many others. Hunter Pence is batting .306 with 11 homeruns and 63 RBI’s.

He is a young player at only 28 and can play all three positions in the outfield. I think this puts the Phillies into the NLCS in a showdown with the Giants.

1. Texas Rangers

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - JULY 6: Mike Adams #37 of the San Diego Padres pitches against the San Francisco Giants in the bottom of the eighth inning during an MLB baseball game at AT&T Park July 6, 2011 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henders

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The Rangers added the best value to their team at the trade deadline. They obviously have a lethal hitting attack led by Josh Hamilton. The bullpen was their biggest weakness and they went out and filled it with two very solid setup men. The addition of Koji Uehara will improve their bullpen tremendously.

Before he was traded, he has a 1.72 ERA in 47 innings with 62 strikeouts and only eight walks. He has a tremendous .70 WHIP and should pitch mostly the seventh inning for the Rangers.

Mike Adams was the other acquisition on July 31st. Adams had a 1.76 ERA in 66.2 innings with 73 strikeouts. Opponents are only batting .196 against him when he was Heath Bell’s setup man in San Diego. Adams will definitely improve the Rangers' bullpen.

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