Trade Talk

I just thought that I'd give my thoughts on a few recent trades by a few of my favorite teams.

The Arizona Diamondbacks trade Ian Kennedy to the San Diego Padres.  It seems like only yesterday that the Diamonbacks appeared to be set at the top of their rotation for years to come, then Daniel Hudson goes down with a career threatening injury and now they trade Ian Kennedy, baseball is sure a crazy game.  Anyways, the Diamondbacks receive LHP Joe Thatcher, minor league RP Matt Stites and a Compensatory B draft pick next year from the Padres.  I'm okay with this trade, Kennedy hasn't been the same pitcher since 2011 and I don't think they wanted to deal with having to extend his contract.  The Diamondbacks got decent (not great) return, they really needed another lefty in their bullpen and Thatcher fills that need, they need a future closer and Stites appears to fill that need, and the draft pick is fairly high so that could turn out well too.  

The Phoenix Suns trade Luis Scola to the Indiana Pacers.  The Suns receive SF Gerald Green, C Miles Plumlee and a 2014 first round draft pick.  It appears to be a fair trade for both sides, Indiana needed another talented big man, the Suns got younger and more athletic.  The first round draft pick really seems like the key to the deal though, the Suns now have 3 number one draft picks next year in what appears to be one of the deepest drafts in years, they can now either select 3 players or they can package them up to move up in the draft, it really improves their flexibility.  The Suns also open up playing time for the Morris twins which will help in their development.  I like it, good trade by the Suns, those had been in short order prior to Ryan McDonough's arrival.

The Minnesota Twins trade Drew Butera to the Los Angeles Dodgers.  The Twins receive future considerations (i.e. a fringe minor leaguer or cash).  Why the Dodgers would want Butera is beyond me, how he stuck around with the Twins as long as he did is puzzling, the dude just cannot hit a baseball.  Congrats to him though, perhaps he can pick up a World Series ring.