Major League Baseball’s trade deadline always brings its fair share of surprises and game-changing moves, and this year was no different.
Several contenders picked up some prime additions, including by two bitter divisional rivals.
Other teams, on the other hand, didn’t get what they needed or didn’t get rid of all their excess baggage.
Here’s a look at the winners and losers of MLB‘s trade deadline on Tuesday.
Winners
San Francisco Giants
On Tuesday, the Giants acquired outfielder Hunter Pence from the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for outfielder Nate Schierholtz, catching prospect Tommy Joseph and Class A right-hander Seth Rosin.
Pence, 29, is hitting .271 with 17 home runs, 59 RBI and 59 runs this season. He represents a big upgrade at right field for the Giants, who were starting Schierholtz and Gregor Blanco at the time of the trade.
While Pence’s average has dipped overall this season, he’s a two-time All-Star who hit .324 with 11 home runs, 35 RBI and 35 runs in 54 games with the Phillies last season. He’s a high-caliber player who should significantly help the Giants’ offense down the stretch.
The Giants had to give up Joseph, their No. 5 prospect according to MLB.com, but it may be well worth it, especially because there’s a chance they keep Pence after this season.
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Dodgers not only picked up a steady veteran in outfielder Shane Victorino for the stretch run, they also added Seattle Mariners right-hander Brandon League.
Victorino has batted .261 with nine home runs, 46 runs, 40 RBI and 24 stolen bases this season and should be a nice addition for the Dodgers, especially if they make it to the postseason. Victorino hit .316 in the playoffs for the Philadelphia Phillies last season.
As for League, he’s posted a 3.63 ERA this season in the AL. He will help add depth to the Dodgers’ bullpen.
Atlanta Braves
The Braves had to give up highly-touted prospects Arodys Vizcaino and Jaye Chapman, but they bolstered their starting pitching, which was much-needed, by acquiring left-hander Paul Maholm from the Chicago Cubs.
Maholm has backed up a solid 2011 campaign with a 3.74 ERA and 1.24 WHIP this season. Batters are hitting .256 against him in 2012, the best mark of his career since his first full season in 2006.
Cincinnati Reds
Right before the trade deadline on Tuesday, the Cincinnati Reds traded for closer Jonathan Broxton, significantly bolstering the bullpen.
The Reds figure to combine Broxton with Aroldis Chapman as a fantastic right-handed, left-handed one-two punch.
Broxton has posted a 2.27 ERA this season while converting 23 of 27 save opportunities with the Kansas City Royals.
Losers
Texas Rangers
The Rangers desperately needed an ace headed into the trade deadline after Colby Lewis was lost for the year, but instead they got a decent pitcher in Ryan Dempster and traded for a catcher in Geovany Soto who is hitting .199 for the season in 176 at-bats.
Soto is far removed from his All-Star season in 2008 and the Rangers may slide without a true ace in the second half.
On top of all of this, the Los Angeles Angels just landed former Milwaukee Brewers ace Zack Greinke.
Let’s put it this way: Before the trade deadline, the Rangers were arguably the No. 1 team in baseball. After the trade deadline, they’ve slid significantly.
Chicago Cubs
Sure, the Cubs got rid of Dempster (which was an adventure in itself), but they weren’t able to unload Matt Garza or Alfonso Soriano.
Garza should have netted them a few nice prospects or top draft picks, but the Cubs never got it done. The 28-year-old has posted a 3.91 ERA and 1.18 WHIP this season in Chicago, holding batters to a .236 batting average in the process.
Perhaps the Cubs can find a great deal for Garza in the winter, but, for now, they are losers at the deadline.
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