MLB Trade Rumors: Late Saturday Afternoon Trade Analysis

Am I the only one who thought the Dodgers did very well on Saturday afternoon before the trade deadline? I am pretty tough on Dodgers GM Ned Colletti, but I have to say he landed some quality pitching in starter Ted Lilly and closer Octavio Dotel and gave up several prospects who may not do well at the major league level. It will take some time for Ned to get over the Carlos Santana for Casey Blake deal, but, he did well this July 31st.

Octavio Dotel-his deal to the Dodgers placed him on a team with a chance to make the playoffs, but fantasy owners are left holding a setup man for the time being. I say time being because if Jonathan Broxton continues blowing saves, Dotel could find himself closing in LA.

Evan Meek/Joel Hanrahan-one of these two guys saw their value jump tremendously on Saturday, but manager John Russell is reluctant to name a closer. Here is what the Pirates' SB Nation site-Bucs Dugout-had to say about the deal.

Ted Lilly-his value should be about the same, maybe slightly higher moving to a pitcher's ballpark, and to a team that could increase his win total a bit. Lilly will slot in as the Dodgers #4 starter, but will probably pitch like their #2.

Ryan Theriot-will be the Dodgers primary second baseman and will see no change in his value as his game is all speed.

Blake Dewitt-his value has not changed a bit as a result of the deal that sent him to the Cubs. He will more than likely platoon at second base.

Andrew Lambo-I own this guy in the UBA NL-only keeper league, but may have to keep retain him now that he is a Pirate. He could be their left fielder by 2012 should he get his act straight and his head focused on baseball rather than off the field partying. The Pirates sent him to their AA outfit in Altoona, which gives me a chance to see him play the Trenton Thunder in 2011. Lambo recently returned from a 50-game suspension, which I assume was drug-related.

James McDonald-he had a few solid relief outings two years ago in the NLCS vs the Phillies, but since then he has struggled at AAA and at the major league level as a starter. Maybe he needs a change of scenery, but I am not counting on him blossoming into a reliable mixed league starter, or NL-only league starter for that matter.

Rick Ankiel-traded to the Braves, he could see alot of playing time in centerfield for Bobby Cox, so his value should increase a bit, as he is slated to get the majority of the playing time vs lefties. He won't hit for a high BA, but could help in the power department.

Kerry Wood-like Dotel, his fantasy value plummeted on Saturday after he was traded to the Yankees to set up future Hall of Famer Mariano Rivera.

Tyler Clippard/Drew Storen/Sean Burnett-with the deal that sent Matt Capps to the Twins, the Nationals are left with a closer by committe, but I was watching highlights of the Phillies-Nationals game, and saw Clippard pitching in the 7th inning with the Nationals leading 4-2, and he proceeded to serve up a two run HR to Raul Ibanez. Burnett got one out in the 8th and two outs in the 9th. Storen got one out for the win. My money is on Storen. They didn't draft him 10th overall in the 2009 draft to setup.

Chris Snyder-traded to the Pirates, Snyder sees his value increase as he will more than likely be the primary catcher in Pittsburgh, and could be the starter even when Ryan Doumit returns from the DL. Doumit could see some time in right field and at first base when he returns. He more than likely would have been traded had he not been on the DL on Saturday. He still could be dealt in August.

Jon Jay-Jay takes over in right field for the Cardinals now that Ryan Ludwick has been shipped off to San Diego. Jay is hitting .383-.433-.583 with 3 HRs and 12 RBIs in 115 at bats this season. In 5 minor league seasons, Jay has a career triple slash line of .301-.367-.432, but with very little power. He doesn't fit the profile of the typical right fielder who hits for power, but with Colby Rasmus in center field, the Cardinals can get away with it.