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Sports

MLB trade deadline brought few surprises

by Eli Jabbe
The Daily Cougar

Every baseball season, the end of July is a time where trade rumors are flying everywhere. This year was no different; many names were mentioned, including several star players. However, when the smoke cleared, only a few major trades were made. 

New York bolstered its already powerful lineup with the addition of outfielder Bobby Abreu from the Phillies. Abreu is an All Star-level player with a strong arm. Though he's having a bit of an off year in terms of power, Abreu hits for a decent average and is always a threat to steal a base. 

But, the addition will mean his $15 million-per-year contract will boost New York's infamously high payroll more than $200 million. 

Philadelphia received several Yankee minor leaguers in this trade.

All-Star slugger Carlos Lee going from Milwaukee to Texas qualifies as the second-biggest trade this year, which shows you how inactive this year's trade market was. 

Veteran pitcher Greg Maddux, a future Hall-of-Famer who is in the absolute twilight of his career, was moved from the flailing Cubs to the Dodgers. 

The biggest surprise though was that Washington's Alfonso Soriano, whose name was mentioned the most in rumors, was not moved. 

The Astros, despite an abundance of talk, didn't pull the trigger on any trades. The team recently finished a crucial homestand with three-game-series against the Cincinnati Reds and the Arizona Diamondbacks, both of which are at the top of the wild card standings. Unfortunately, Houston lost two out of three to both teams. 

The Cincinnati series was particularly disappointing because Houston should have easily swept the series, as the Astros blew the two games they lost. 

The team then wasted a masterful Roger Clemens performance against the Diamondbacks. Clemens' seven innings and no earned runs allowed were for nothing as the bullpen blew a 5-1 lead, leading to another Houston loss. 

The Astros also didn't trade struggling closer Brad Lidge as expected. 

They're still within five games of the wild card lead, but they no longer have the option of making a big trade to spark a run at October.

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