MLB Trade Winners and Losers: Grading Biggest Triumphs and Flops

Major League Baseball's non-waiver trade deadline officially passed at 4 p.m. ET on Wednesday, putting an end to a period that was rather quiet based on history.

There was a blockbuster deal completed, mind you, but for the most part few teams made big moves. One bottom-feeder made a horrible move in the process as well.

Here's a look at the deadline's winners and losers this season, complete with grades.

San Diego Padres

The San Diego Padres decided to acquire struggling right-hander Ian Kennedy from the Arizona Diamondbacks while giving up a solid left-handed reliever in Joe Thatcher, a productive Double-A right-hander in Matt Stites and a compensatory-round draft pick, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today.

In a word, "Huh?!"

This is an unthinkable trade for the Padres on so many levels.

For one, they are 50-58 this season. If anything, they should be acquiring prospects, not dealing them away.

Secondly, the Padres didn't exactly get Kennedy for nothing. Thatcher has posted a 2.10 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 29 strikeouts in 30 innings (50 appearances) this season. Stites has posted a 2.08 ERA, 0.87 WHIP and 51 strikeouts in 52 innings (46 appearances) for Double-A San Antonio. Oh yeah, and why not throw in a draft pick while you're at it?

Last but not least, what has Kennedy done lately?

The 28-year-old has registered a 5.23 ERA this season, fifth worst among all eligible pitchers in Major League Baseball. He's also posted a 1.42 WHIP (14th worst).

Kennedy may have won 21 games in 2011 while boasting a 2.88 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP, but he is not the same pitcher anymore. Last season, he posted a 4.02 ERA with a 1.30 WHIP. Downward spiral, he is on.

Perhaps the Padres think Petco Park (notoriously a pitcher's park) will help Kennedy. Petco is ranked as the third-toughest park in terms of runs produced this season, according to ESPN.com.

Of course, Chase Field is ranked 23rd in the category, so Kennedy shouldn't receive that much of a boost.

Grade: F

Detroit Tigers, Boston Red Sox, Chicago White Sox

The Boston Red Sox, Detroit Tigers and Chicago White Sox all exchanged players on Tuesday, and they all won.

It's rare that everybody appears to get who they want in a seven-player deal, but that may have been the case with the Red Sox, Tigers and White Sox.

In the deal, per Gordon Edes of ESPNBoston.com, the Red Sox acquired right-hander Jake Peavy, one of the top arms on the market. Peavy, a four-time All-Star, is not the same pitcher as he was when he won the Cy Young Award with the Padres in 2007, but he's still a solid pitcher. He's posted a 4.28 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 76 strikeouts in 80 innings pitched (13 starts) this season with the White Sox.

Boston also added 26-year-old right-handed reliever Brayan Villarreal. Villarreal posted a 2.63 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 66 strikeouts in 54.2 innings last season with the Tigers, but he has struggled this season with a sprained thumb.

Red Sox Grade: A

As for the White Sox, they were obviously in the mood to sell before the deadline, posting a 40-64 mark so far, 19.5 games behind the Tigers for the AL Central lead.

Well, the White Sox got plenty for Peavy. Not only did they acquire Avisail Garcia—the top prospect in Detroit's system—but they also landed Red Sox prospects Francellis Montas, J.B. Wendelken and Cleuluis Rondon. 

Garcia, the 22-year-old outfielder from Venezuela, opened eyes last year when he batted .319 in his first 47 at-bats in the majors. He's batted .374 in 33 games with Triple-A Toledo this season. 

Montas, Wendelken and Rondon are all raw but have potential, especially Montas. Montas may have posted a 5.70 ERA in 19 games (18 starts) this season, but he's registered 10.13 strikeouts per nine innings. He has a huge arm (hitting 100 mph at times).

White Sox Grade: B+

The Tigers got huge help in the form of Jose Iglesias, who is widely considered to be one of the best defensive shortstops in baseball. 

Iglesias may never be much of a hitter. He has a short, compact swing but very little power. He's hitting .330 for the season, but has come back down to earth in July, posting a .205 average for the month.

But, with Jhonny Peralta reportedly on the verge of a suspension for allegedly taking PEDs, per John Lowe of USA Today, the Tigers needed someone with sure hands they could be comfortable with down the stretch this season. Iglesias has just one error in 2013.

Tigers Grade: B+