Here at MLBDD, we're keeping track of all of the untouchable prospects this week, but if you're more interested in deals that are actually happening, we're going to group up all of this week's trade posts here. We'll keep bumping this post up on the front page, but obviously the best way to follow this week's latest rumors and transactions is simply to check in with us every couple hours.
While Fukudome is certainly not going to vault the Indians far past the Tigers or White Sox in the Central, it does give them a decent improvement, while keeping their future intact.
Toronto Blue Jays acquire OF Colby Rasmus, LHP Trever Miller, LHP Brian Tallet and RHP P.J. Walters from the St. Louis Cardinals in exchange for RHP Edwin Jackson, LHP Marc Rzepczynski, RHP Octavio Dotel, OF Corey Patterson and three players to be named later or cash considerationsBeltran will slot into the middle of the order and immediately provide a boost to an offense that has scored the second fewest runs per game in the National League. With only the fading Arizona Diamondbacks still in contention in the NL West, this deal makes the Giants likely playoff-bound and in a position to defend their World Series title.
And yes, that collective gasp you hear is a reflection of the ridiculously weak package that St. Louis is receiving from Toronto. While Jackson is arguably the best player in this deal at the moment, he's a free agent at the end of the season; when the 2011 season concludes, Toronto will be looking at Rzepczynski and a couple draft picks as their return for a player that was once viewed as a franchise cornerstone.
Stewart has never been ranked in Baseball America's top 100 and will most likely become a good reliever, says Kevin Goldstein. (Worth noting that Keith Law ranked Stewart as a top-50 prospect in the game before the 2011 season) According to Kenny Williams - the White Sox GM, this move will save the Sox $9.5 million through 2011.
Gomes, 30, is currently hitting .211/.336/.399 on the season with an OPS+ of 100. The Reds have also promoted top prospect 1B/OF Yonder Alonso. Alonso hit .296/.374/.486 in 91 games at Triple-A Louisville.