Three-way trade shakes up division, league

This will go down as one of the all-time blockbusters this league has ever (will ever?) see.

Three of the top 14 picks in the draft get dealt less than five full weeks into the season. And not just that. They get traded WITHIN the division. And none of them are keepers. I can't say I've ever seen anything like it. And to boot, it's a three-team deal! We haven't been this excited over a three-way since, well... OK we won't go there.

"I'm shocked we pulled it off so easily," Shea said.

Yes, Shea, all parties involved were. Andy, Chris and Shea completed the first-ever successful three-team deal. To recap:

Andy receives: Hanley Ramirez and Maicer Izturis
Chris receives: Mark Teixeira and Pedro Alvarez
Shea receives: Justin Verlander, Starlin Castro, and Martin Prado

Andy gives: Mark Teixeira, Starlin Castro, and Martin Prado
Chris gives: Justin Verlander and Maicer Izturis
Shea gives: Hanley Ramirez and Pedro Alvarez

Broken down in other terms:
Andy: Teixeira, Castro, and Prado for Ramirez and Izturis
Chris: Verlander and Izturis for Teixeira and Alvarez
Shea: Ramirez and Alvarez for Verlander, Castro, and Prado

From all reports, this is how we believe the trade went down: Chris expressed interest to Andy in a trade for Mark Teixeira, and when Andy balked at Justin Verlander as the centerpiece in return, the idea of getting another team involved was mentioned. Rosters were explored, and Andy decided he would be OK with trading Teixeira to arguably his biggest rival if he'd be getting Hanley Ramirez back. Enter Shea.

Chris said he "enjoyed negotiating with both managers and then selling the idea of a three way trade to the league."

But let's take a closer look at this deal. Alvarez's stats not included because he was cut immediately.

So Shea, one would think, improves this year by getting (for all intents and purposes) three guys for the second pick in the draft. And, let's remember, Shea auto-drafted, so he had a lot of holes heading into the season. He had the luxury of moving Ramirez because he has several keeper options, including Verlander now.

"I needed more balance and a top-tier pitcher besides The King [Felix Hernandez]," Shea said.

Chris, meanwhile, gives up Verlander and all-around utility player Izturis in return for Teixeira. Alvarez was cut immediately, so you can tell Chris had no plans in making him a reason to or not to do this trade. It was all about Teixeira and adding a power bat. Looking at it from the draft day, he gave up the 14th pick and another player (a pickup who had a hot start) for the 8th pick in the draft. Will he survive the sacrifice of a top pitcher?

"Wanted to shake things up," Chris said. "Sought a keeper-caliber hitter to replace Adrian [Gonzalez] after this year and am a big fan of Teixeira."

And Andy gives up Teixeira, Castro and Prado for Ramirez and Izturis. Did he give up too much? If we cancel out Castro and Izturis, based on the above stats, it's Teixeira and Prado for Ramirez. If Ramirez finds his swing, one would think it'll be a fine deal for Andy. If not... we bring to light the question of just how valuable Ramirez is or will be. Because Andy made this trade with two hitter keepers locked up in multi-year deals. So, either he plans on making another move or cutting one in the offseason to sign Ramirez. It will be interesting to see what he does.

"I'd say it's pretty clear I'm not done changing my roster this season," Andy said.

No matter what happens, this is one of the league's biggest stories in its 5-season history. The after-effects of this might not be decided now, or anytime soon, as this clearly seems like it will have an impact for years to come.

But we sure are enjoying breaking it down and reacting to such a monster deal. Let's see some more three-ways deals!
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Ouch

And I say ouch because it has a double meaning.

Ouch because some of these injuries look like they hurt these players. And ouch because, well, they most certainly hurt some of our managers.

Bob, Ken and Jack all take potential major hits this week thanks to the injury bug.

A broader look at the impact after the jump.


Jack takes the biggest hit, finding out that his could lose All-Star Adam Jones and Russell Branyan for the year.

On top of that Jake Peavy and Aaron Cook are on the DL.

When asked if this could derail his season and how he planned to overcome it, Jack did not seem too pleased.

"At this point no comment, but they are hiding my belts and shoelaces," he said.

Well, then. It will be interesting to see what he does with Jones, who has established himself as a potential star in this league. Jones may or may not be back this year, but is he keeper status?

And of course, needless to say, what does this do to Jack's championship hopes? He hasn't had a truly meaningful game in three weeks and won't for another week and a half.

As for Bob and Ken, both also took hits. Bob loses Michael Young for a couple weeks, and Ken loses Hanley Ramirez for who knows how long.

In fact, Ken was so mad that Ramirez left a game earlier this week that it caused a closed-door meeting in the Marlins' clubhouse after Ramirez had some not-so-nice things to say about Ken.

Ramirez said that he "got some people upset" for leaving a game early the night before with an injury, according to the AP.

"You don't get the same respect when you're not playing," Ramirez said. "I got people upset when I got out of the game last night. I try to do the best I can. Whatever."

Michael Young is another key shortstop with hamstring problems, and like Ken, Bob is going to feel this injury bigtime for a couple reasons.

First, he doesn't have many moves left, like Ken. Second, it's doubtful either player goes on the disabled list, so that's going to use up an important roster spot.

You have to imagine that none of these managers can be happy with these inopportune injuries.
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BREAKING NEWS: Ken agrees in principle with SS Ramirez

Big news from New York today.

I've learned that Ken has agreed in principle to a 1-year contract extension with shortstop Hanley Ramirez.

A person close to the situation says Ken was pleased with Ramirez's year and willing to give up a draft pick to sign him.

The person was not authorized to speak publicly and requested anonymity because the contract has not yet been signed.

More after the jump...


The deal keeps the All-Star under contract until the end of the 2010 season.

According to the source, Ken met with Ramirez on Monday to discuss how they would need him to step up with the loss of Carlos Beltran. Ramirez responded with a big week, hitting .500 with three homers, 13 RBIs and two stolen bases.

"Ken has agreed to start working towards a contract for next year," the source said.

The source said Ken was unhappy with himself for not originally signing Ramirez to a 3-year deal.

Ken will lose a 5th round draft pick if the deal goes down.

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