In a flurry of deals just before the trade deadline, ace pitcher Jake Peavy was shipped out of San Diego to join the Chicago White Sox on Friday while Victor Martinez went from the rebuilding Cleveland Indians to the Boston Red Sox.
Scott Rolen, Jarrod Washburn, Orlando Cabrera and Nick Johnson were other notable players on the move as teams stocked up for playoff runs during a busy day that featured 11 trades.
One man that didn’t move was Toronto pitcher Roy Halladay. After fielding offers for the coveted ace, the Blue Jays decided to retain him — at least for now.
The biggest surprise of the day was Peavy. Sidelined with an injured ankle, he finally agreed to join the White Sox, who landed him with their second offer of the season.
Locked in a crowded race for the AL Central title, the White Sox sent four young pitchers to the Padres: Clayton Richard, Aaron Poreda, Dexter Carter and Adam Russell. The teams came within seconds of missing the cutoff to make deals without waivers.
The 28-year-old Peavy had spent his entire career with the Padres. He has been on the disabled list since June 13 with a strained tendon in his right ankle and the White Sox don’t expect him to pitch until the end of this month.
Boston, looking for a big batter to boost their offense, acquired All-Star slugger Martinez for pitcher Justin Masterson and minor league pitchers Nick Hagadone and Bryan Price.
It was the Indians’ second major trade in 72 hours — they dealt ace pitcher Cliff Lee to Philadelphia on Wednesday.
Boston also sent recently acquired Adam LaRoche and approximately US$1.5 million to Atlanta for Casey Kotchman in a swap of first basemen.
Martinez, who had spent his whole career with Cleveland, fought back tears after being told he’d been traded.
He sat in front of his locker, hugging his son who earlier in the day asked his dad: “Are we still an Indian?”
“It’s tough when you know you’re leaving your house and leaving the organization that gave you a chance to play in the big leagues,” Martinez said. “This organization made me a better ballplayer and a better person.”
Rolen was dealt from Toronto to Cincinnati for a package of three players that included fellow third baseman Edwin Encarnacion. The Reds included cash to cover part of Rolen’s salary.
Detroit acquired Washburn from Seattle for pitcher Luke French and minor leaguer Mauricio Robles, giving the Tigers an experienced left hander as they try to hold on to the AL Central lead.
Minnesota upgraded at shortstop, acquiring Cabrera and cash from Oakland for minor league infielder Tyler Ladendorf.
Johnson went from last-placed Washington to Florida, a surprise contender in the NL wild-card race. The Marlins acquired the first baseman and cash for pitching prospect Aaron Thompson.
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