Trade Reaction: Carlos Zambrano to the Marlins

I apologize for not being active, I wasn't able to write for a bit, but here I go again.

The Chicago Cubs have traded Carlos Zambrano and cash to the Marlins for Chris Volstad.

I think the Cubs just wanted to get rid of Zambrano to stop all these incidents and to try and bring in a new era for the Cubs. They had to pick up a significant portion of his contract to get him out of town even though he can be a good pitcher if his emotions don't keep him from taking the mound.

The Marlins gave up a young pitcher who has been starting since he was 21. He has a pretty good track record. Mid 4 ERA's combined with 150+ innings being eaten. He had a rough year last year, but he may be able to rebound. He may not pitch as an ace, but he can eat enough innings to be a number 3 or 4 starter. He is only 24, so he still has time to improve.

Overall Verdict: Tied

The Cubs got rid of Zambrano and acquired a young proven starter to eat up innings. They had to eat a large portion of his contract, but they will no longer have to deal with his personality.  The Marlins acquire another big name for the new ball park, and they will not have to pay him like a star, that will be at home with Guillen and other Venezuelan players. I will be looking out for him to start producing now that he is out of ChiTown.

Trade Reaction: Andrew Bailey to the Red Sox

The Boston Red Sox have trade Josh Reddick, Miles Head, and Raul Alcantara to the Athletics for Andrew Bailey and Ryan Sweeney.

The Red Sox acquired one of the best relievers on the market, along with a backup outfielder who still has potential. They gave up 2 good prospects for him and a major league ready young player in Reddick. They didn't have to dish out their top prospects. The Red Sox got what they wanted without giving up any high ranking prospects.

The Athletics continue to dismantle their team for young players. Reddick will immediately contribute this year for the Athletics while the other two acquired in the deal have some years ahead of them in minor league play. They got good prospects for a reliever, and about the biggest package you can get for a reliever.

Overall Verdict: Tied

Both teams seem to of gotten what they wanted. The A's get some good prospects and give Reddick a chance to start everyday while the Red Sox got one of the best relievers out there.

Cardinals sign Carlos Beltran

The St. Louis Cardinals have signed Carlos Beltran to a 2 year contract worth $26 million and the contract also has a full trade clause.

The Cardinals have effectively filled the void that was left when Pujols left. I know you can't replace the number that the best hitter in baseball currently and what may be one of the best of all time have put up, but a outfielder that still has the potential to hit 30 homers and bat .300. Beltran will most likely play centerfield, being backed up by Jay. Berkman can move over to first base from right field, leaving Allen Craig to start in right.

I think this is a great signing for the Cardinals. They showed fans that they aren't going to let things run their course while they lost the best player of franchise history. They went out and acquired an all star that might be able to put up great numbers to propel them to the division title and get them back into the playoffs. All I hope is that Beltran's knees don't get the best of him during the contract and allow him to play well enough that Cards fans don't loathe this contract by the end of 2013.

Trade Reaction: Gio Gonzales to the Nationals

The Washington Nationals have traded for Gio Gonzalez with minor league pitcher Robert Gilliam for AJ Cole, Brad Peacock, Tom Milone, and Derek Norris.

Why would the Nationals dish out so many top prospects for a single pitcher and a 24 year old who hasn't made it past A+ yet? The Nationals definitely want to win now, and if Gio pitches well and leads them to a division title, they will be ecstatic and hopefully not worried about the prospects they gave away. This trade reminds me all too much of the Expo's Colon trade they made way back when.

I guess you can say that the Nationals should be happy because they went out to acquire what could be an ace to the rotation, and they got it, albeit costing top prospects. When you are a team that has released statements before saying that you are ready to "overpay" for top of the line players that you will need to compete(as when they were trying to trade for BJ Upton), teams are going to try and ram you out of as many prospects as they can. The Nationals rotation is going to look very solid next year, with Strasburg, Gonzalez, Zimmermann. and Lannan, with Chien Ming-Wang and prospects competing for the 5th spot, it is a rotation to be matched. The only team in the AL East with a better rotation in my opinion is the Phillies, and this rotation costs $34 million dollars cheaper.

The Athletics acquire a great group of prospects in this trade. As I stated earlier, 3 of the prospects they acquired were in the National's top ten list. These players are Peacock(#3), Cole(#4) and Norris(#9). They were looking for a huge package of prospects for Gonzalez and got it.

Overall Verdict: Athletics Win

The Nationals overpayed for Gonzalez and unless he becomes the next Cliff Lee, you can't justify this trade yet. The Nationals want to compete, but they don't know how to buy without giving up the farm.  The Nationals wanted to acquire an ace, and they got it.