How the MLB trades affect the league

Some big trades went down this past week.

Some bigger than others simply because of the fantasy impact. Let's take a look, after the jump of course.

Cliff Lee (Ken) from CLE to PHI
Fantasy impact: Substantial. Big move for Ken's team. Even though he's currently getting shut out (again!), this will help him in the long term. Lee, a ground ball pitcher, won't be too affected moving from Jacobs Progressive Field to Citizens Bank Park. And he should easily amass a strong record from here on out. Could even turn out to be a potential 1-year keeper too.

Victor Martinez (Jack) from CLE to BOS
Fantasy impact: Very substantial. The rich get richer. Both the Red Sox and Jack. If Jack didn't already have a stranglehold on the division, he absolutely does now. Martinez should thrive in that offense.

George Sherrill (Richie) from BAL to LAD
Fantasy impact: Poor. Richie loses a closer, although at this point, does it even matter?

Freddy Sanchez (Bob) from PIT to SF
Fantasy impact: Little. Sanchez is Sanchez, and you know what you're going to get with him. He's not exactly going to be hitting in the 27 Yankees' lineup.

Matt Holliday (Richie) from OAK to STL
Fantasy impact: Very substantial. Richie has a big opportunity to package Holliday and try to acquire a big-name keeper. Holliday's hitting better than .500 since making his way back to the National League.

Jarrod Washburn (Andy) from SEA to DET
Fantasy impact: Little. Washburn goes from a similar situation in Seattle to Detroit. The best part for Andy is that he avoids Washburn with the Yankees and that little league ballpark where broken bat homers happen.

Orlando Cabrera (Ricky) from OAK to MIN
Fantasy impact: None. Ricky just picked up Cabrera. Who knows how long he'll be a Fireball for?

Scott Rolen (Mike) from TOR to CIN
Fantasy impact: Poor. Rolen leaves a good hitting lineup where he was having a very nice season for a weaker one. Might diminish his trade value. Sources tell me one manager was trying to acquire Rolen. Might not be the case anymore.

Nick Johnson (Mike) from WSH to FLA
Fantasy impact: None. To quote one manager I spoke to about this deal, "all it means is that less fans will be in the stadium watching him play each night."

Jake Peavy (Jack) from SD to CHW
Fantasy impact: Very substantial. Wow. This is huge for Jack. Whereas Peavy probably wouldn't have pitched for the rest of the season, now he most definitely will attempt a comeback. And he'll be back just in time for the playoffs. Major coup for Jack, he is clearly the big winner of the day.

Stay in touch with the blog to be updated as more trades happen!