Who's on First/DH?
by
Asher B. Chancey,
BaseballEvolution.com
September 3, 2006
You've heard of win-lose trades, where one team hoses the other team – Larry Anderson for Jeff Bagwell, Bob Wickman for Ritchie Sexson. You've heard of win-win trades, where both teams make out like bandits – Tony Fernandez and Fred McGriff for Roberto Alomar and Joe Carter. But I bet you didn't realize that the White Sox and Phillies engaged in a win-win-win-win trade this past off-season, did you?
The trade only involved the two teams, but actually had a positive effect on no fewer than four teams, indirectly.
The easiest place to start is Chicago. The White Sox gave up Aaron Rowand and received Jim Thome in return. Jim Thome rewarded the Sox by surpassing all reasonable expectations, and performing like he hasn't performed in years. The Sox certainly got a "win" out of the deal.
As tempted as one might be to assume that the Phillies got hosed, one must not view this trade through a narrow lens. Having the high priced Thome on the same team with Ryan Howard only meant that one of them would have had to ride the bench. Since Thome is the veteran and Howard is the kid, and Thome makes the big bucks, I think we know who would have been on the field and who would have been on the pine.
Instead, Howard has treated the Phillies to one of their most special seasons ever, setting the franchise record for homeruns in a month and in a season. Before September 1st. Meanwhile, Aaron Rowand continues the role of "fan favorite" that he played in Chicago, as well as his role of "superior centerfielder" as well. The Phils won big as well.
But wait, there's more. Picking up Jim Thome to go with Paul Konerko meant that franchise star Frank Thomas no longer had a place in the lineup. This allowed Thomas, who hadn't played a full year since 2003, to be signed by the Oakland Athletics on the cheap. Thomas fits the Billy Beane mold perfectly – he walks, he doesn't steal, and he was cheap – and the A's could afford to take a chance on the aging veteran. As it turned out, Thomas has been the A's most consistent player this year, with Nick Swisher no longer hitting since May, Eric Chavez battling some sort of strange forearm ailment, and Bobby Crosby battling injuries. Thomas currently boasts an OPS over .900, has played more games this season than the last two combined, has more walks than strikeouts, and is nearly 30 dingers. This was certainly a win for the A's.
But wait, didn't the A's used to have a first baseman they were crazy about? That's right – Scott "Moneyball" Hatteberg. Hatteberg was positively lousy in 2005 after making Billy Beane look like a genius for three years. The A's let Hatteberg go just a few weeks before signing Frank Thomas, which freed Hatteberg up to sign with the Cincinnati Reds. Despite what one might expect from a player going from the American League to the National League, Hattberg has enjoyed a fine season. He has walked 22 more time than he has struck out, he is on pace to hit .300 for the first time in his career, with an OBP near .400, and his OPS is currently a career high .868, after a career low .677 last season. Oh by the way, do you think having a player who walks more than he Ks and rarely Ks at all has had a positive influence on the Reds. Well, they are in the wildcard hunt, so maybe so.
Hatteberg's arrival was a double win for the Reds. Having Hatteberg to play first meant that, for at least one more year, Adam Dunn remained in the perennially packed Reds outfield along with Ken Griffey, Jr. and Austin Kearns, which made Wily Mo Pena expendable. The Reds proceeded to trade him to the Red Sox for Bronson Arroyo. Although he has faltered of late, Arroyo was amazing in the first half, and has as much to do with the Reds winning ways as anything.
Unfortunately, the buck stops with Arroyo, as the acquisition of Wily Mo Pena has not been all the Red Sox were hoping for and more. But hey, you can't win'em all.
Though, I guess it would be more appropriate to label this, then, a "win-win-win-win-lose" trade. Four out of five ain't bad.
Disagree with something? Got something to add? Wanna bring up something totally new? Asher resides in Philadelphia, PA, and can be reached at asher@baseballevolution.com.
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