Big names in big deals before deadline
Eliot J. Schechter/Getty ImagesKen Griffey Jr. (3) of the Cincinnati Reds runs the bases after hitting his 600th career home run against the Florida Marlins in the first inning on June 9 in Miami, Fla. The Reds traded Griffey Jr. to the Chicago White Sox Thursday.
Manny's on the move. Junior, too.
With more than 1,100 homers between them, two of baseball's greatest sluggers switched leagues just before the trade deadline Thursday to play prominent roles for playoff contenders.
Unhappy in Boston, Manny Ramirez got his wish when he was shipped to the Los Angeles Dodgers in a blockbuster, three-team deal that sent outfielder Jason Bay from Pittsburgh to the Red Sox.
Ken Griffey Jr. also agreed to a trade, leaving his hometown Cincinnati Reds at age 38 to get back in a pennant race with the Chicago White Sox.
Despite all kinds of names being thrown around, only a handful of deals were completed in the days leading up to the deadline. But the ones that did get done featured several big stars.
Mark Teixeira went from Atlanta to the Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday. The New York Yankees acquired Ivan Rodriguez and Xavier Nady within the past week. And a pair of top pitchers were traded in early July, with CC Sabathia going to Milwaukee and Rich Harden to the Chicago Cubs.
The only other deals announced Thursday drew little attention. Florida acquired left-handed reliever Arthur Rhodes from Seattle for Double-A pitcher Gaby Hernandez, and the Yankees sent slick-fielding shortstop Alberto Gonzalez to Washington for pitcher Jhonny Nunez in a swap of minor leaguers.
Teams can still make trades but the players involved must pass through waivers first, which limits availability.
Ramirez and Griffey could have blocked their trades, but both were happy to find new homes. It was the first time two players with at least 500 homers have been traded during the same season - let alone on the same day, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.
Griffey hit his 600th home run this season, and Ramirez connected for No. 500.
"When a player like Manny becomes available, I don't think there's a manager in baseball who wouldn't say they're interested," said Dodgers skipper Joe Torre, whose Yankees teams went toe-to-toe with Ramirez for years.
As of early Thursday, it appeared Ramirez might be on his way to the Florida Marlins. But when those talks fizzled, the Red Sox and Pirates found a willing third partner in the Dodgers.
After years of speculation, Boston finally parted ways with the enigmatic outfielder - minutes before the 4 p.m. EDT deadline.
"We figured we had to do it," Los Angeles general manager Ned Colletti said. "There was obviously a point in time that you have to make a major decision. We did and we were glad we did it. Hopefully it pays dividends. We're confident we've got one of the best hitters in baseball coming in here - one of the best hitters of his generation from the right side."