If you’re going to increase your World Series odds, the trade deadline is the time to do so as you can find some great players out on the market. Here’s a look at four teams who won out, and two that failed to make a much-needed move.
Philadelphia got Cliff Lee from Cleveland after not giving in to Toronto’s demands for Roy Halladay, and he proceeded to throw a complete game in his debut. This helped the defending World Series champions leapfrog the Dodgers for the best bet in the National League, and he instantly aids a pitching staff that has been shaky, at best, this season.
Boston is just behind the rival Yankees in this year’s World Series odds, but by picking up Victor Martinez in the Cleveland fire sale, and Casey Kotchman from Atlanta, the Red Sox are loading up on bats and depth for a postseason push.
The Chicago White Sox made a late deal for Jake Peavy, who makes the move from San Diego, and when he’s healthy, the White Sox have a rotation that can rival anyone in the American League. The White Sox have longer World Series odds than American Central rivals Detroit and Minnesota, but if Peavy can get healthy, they’re the frontrunners for the division.
St. Louis picked up Matt Holliday from cash-strapped Oakland, giving them some protection for Albert Pujols, who now has Ryan Ludwick and Holliday batting behind him. Teams will now pay a bigger price if they choose to pass on Pujols, who leads the majors in intentional walks by 20.
Los Angeles Dodgers/Texas: it was tough to decide on both these teams, so they both lose. How they could pass on either Lee or Halladay, it’s a wonder. The Rangers have gotten this far with an overachieving pitching staff, and either pitcher would have given them a huge second-half lift as they chase the Angels in the American League West. As for the Dodgers, they badly need someone in the rotation as they are 13th in the National League in quality starts. Think having Lee or Halladay leading the rotation would boost their World Series odds?