Previously, we broke down all of the low-impact baseball trades in July before the deadline. Today we look at some guys on the next rung up who have spent several parts of seasons in the majors. All of them won’t have a huge impact on this season, but some will have a chance to help a playoff contender.
Twins trade Drew Butera to Dodgers for player to be named later
Butera is, for all intents and purposes, a backup catcher. He’s played in 186 games with the Twins from 2010 – 2013, but hasn’t seen a lot of success. Butera, the owner of a .182 career batting average is primarily a backstop who can give a starting catcher a break. He’s performed a little better in the minors but was never a top prospect. Butera has proven he can catch a game here or there and has some pedigree, being the son of Sal Butera—a major league catcher. Still, the Dodgers currently have a capable starter in A.J. Ellis, and while current backup Tim Federowicz isn’t very good, he’s a younger option than Butera. It’s hard to see playing time for him this season barring an injury.
Mariners trade Alex Liddi to Orioles for international signing bonus slot
Liddi doesn’t have a wealth of major league experience, but has spent time on the Mariners’ squad from 2011 – 2013. He’s never performed all that well in each stint, only batting .208 for his career in Seattle. However, the corner infielder/outfielder has displayed at least a little bit of power, hitting six home runs in 173 at bats. He’s played reasonably well at Triple-A over the past three seasons, but his stock has fallen since hitting 30 home runs in 2011. Liddi hit only 14 last year in Triple-A and with Seattle and has 13 this year. Still, at only 24, he’s not a bad prospect and he gives the Orioles another possibility down the stretch as a bench player as they sit only 5.5 games out of first place in the AL East.
Mariners trade Robert Andino to Pirates for player to be named later or cash
The Pirates didn’t make a big splash this year. They did, however, add several minor players, hoping one of them can contribute to their playoff run. One of those guys is Andino, somewhat of a journeyman infielder in the majors. Andino’s played games in the major leagues with the Marlins, Orioles, and Mariners, appearing in a game in every season since 2005. Over the past two seasons, he’s had a taste of significant playing time, logging over 800 at bats with Baltimore. With a .232 career average, 18 home runs, and 96 RBI to his name in 1,320 career at bats, he’s not been a strong offensive player. But Andino’s real value comes in his versatility as he can play second base, third base, or shortstop. He’s even occasionally made his way into the outfield. Andino also doesn’t stand out defensively, but is just an all-around utility infielder with some experience in case someone goes down with an injury.
Cardinals trade Mitchell Boggs to Rockies for international signing bonus slot
In Boggs, St. Louis traded of one of the mainstays of their bullpen since 2010. The reliever had shown some promise and was even considered one of the club’s best relievers last year when he went 4-1 with a 2.21 ERA. This season Boggs has been disastrous, with an ERA over 11.00 before being dealt by St. Louis. His prior track record with the Cardinals was average and they surely would have demanded more if he had pitched better in the past. Before last season Boggs was only a so-so reliever and at 29, has probably reached his peak. Colorado has already tossed him into two games so far, so he could be a player that helps (or hurts) them down the stretch.
Cardinals trade Marc Rzepczynski to Indians for Juan Herrera
St. Louis dumped another underperforming bullpen guy in Rzepczynski to Cleveland – this time for a minor leaguer. In exchange, the Cardinals secured 20-year-old infielder Juan Herrera. Herrera is an above average hitter (.281 batting average in the minors), but a poor defensive option. He has a whopping 31 errors and doesn’t field any position (2B, 3B, or SS) particularly well. Still, the Cardinals didn’t give up much in Rzepczynski. The reliever has spent a significant amount of time in the majors from 2009 – 2013, but other than 2011 (3.34 ERA, striking out 61 batters in 62 innings) hasn’t done much. This season in 11 contests, Rzepczynski has seen his ERA balloon to 7.84 and St. Louis didn’t want him anywhere near their bullpen as they’re mired in a playoff race.
Astros trade Justin Maxwell to Royals for Kyle Smith
Kansas City is still in the hunt for a postseason berth, sitting only 4.5 games out from a Wild Card spot and are hoping that Maxwell can help the bench. Last season, the outfielder broke out for a big year with 18 home runs and 52 RBI in only 315 at bats. Houston was hoping to catch lightning in a bottle, but this season, the 29-year-old took a giant step back, hitting only two bombs in 140 at bats before his trade. The Astros must have been convinced that, in part, his 2012 performance was a fluke since they still held his rights until 2017. Meanwhile, Houston continued its rebuilding plan, picking up Class A+ pitcher, Kyle Smith. Smith, a 20-year-old and former fourth round MLB Draft pick, has been a solid starter this season with a 5-4 record and 2.85 ERA with 96 strikeouts.
Angels trade Alberto Callaspo to A’s for Grant Green
Callaspo isn’t your prototypical third baseman as he’s never hit more than 11 home runs in a season. His abilities really would make him a more productive middle infielder, but at second base, he struggled defensively and has played at third primarily since 2010. That hasn’t scared the A’s off as they are giving him a shot there. If he can man the position well enough defensively, he would bring a bit more power than Eric Sogard did as the prior starter. In exchange, Oakland gives up second baseman Grant Green. Green, a 25-year-old, gives the Angels a younger option. He’s played in only a handful of major league games, but has performed well throughout the minor leagues. He hit 20 home runs in 2010, 15 last year, and this season is batting .322 with 11 home runs. In five minor league seasons, he’s batted .306 and clubbed 55 home runs. This deal works out well for both teams, but I have to wonder if the upgrade from Sogard to Callaspo will be great enough to justify dealing a younger second baseman that projects with more power than Callaspo.
