Hired Guns: Midseason Pitcher Deals

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
Jul 30, 2010

Hired Guns: Midseason Pitcher Deals

Roy Oswalt

Three-time All-Star Roy Oswalt gave his OK to a trade from Houston to Philadelphia, becoming the latest ace to join the hard-charging Phillies. The Astros dealt Oswalt and cash to the two-time NL champions for pitcher J.A. Happ and two speedy prospects, outfielder Anthony Gose and shortstop Jonathan Villar.

Cliff Lee

For the second straight season, Cliff Lee was dealt to a contender before the July 31 trade deadline. In 2009, the Phillies acquired the left-hander and reaped the benefits. The former AL Cy Young winner went 4-0 with a 1.56 ERA in the postseason, including 2-0 in the World Series. This year, the Rangers are hoping Lee can do the same. Texas traded rookie first baseman Justin Smoak and three minor leaguers to the Mariners in exchange for the nomadic pitcher.

Jake Peavy

After declining to wave his no-trade clause just months before, Jake Peavy had a change of heart before the deadline, allowing the Padres to deal their ace to the White Sox in exchange for four prospects. The 2007 NL Cy Young winner, who has battled injuries since coming to the Windy City, has gone 10-6 since leaving California.

CC Sabathia

The Indians flipped CC Sabathia to Milwaukee for a package of prospects (Matt LaPorta, Zach Jackson, Bob Bryson and Michael Brantley). Sabathia was 6-8 with a 3.83 ERA when the trade was made, but he went 11-2 with a 1.65 ERA and seven complete games in helping the Brewers take the NL wild card. Sabathia lost his one postseason start, though, giving up five earned runs in just 3 2/3 innings to the Phillies.

Bartolo Colon

The Expos went all-in when they traded for Bartolo Colon at the deadline in 2002. The deal boosted the team's pitching staff -- Colon went 10-4 with a 3.31 ERA -- but the team failed to make the playoffs. The bigger problem? The Expos gave up Grady Sizemore, Cliff Lee and Brandon Phillips to the Indians for the Colon loan.

Jason Schmidt

One of many sour deals they've pulled off over the years, the Pirates sent Jason Schmidt to the Giants in 2001 for a trio of forgettables: John Vander Wal, Armando Rios and Ryan Vogelsong. Meanwhile, Schmidt went 78-37 with a 3.36 ERA over the next six seasons for the Giants and was one of baseball's most dominant pitchers in 2003 and 2004.

Randy Johnson

Perhaps the ultimate example of a rental player, Randy Johnson went 10-1 in 11 starts to lead Houston to the NL Central crown and then bolted for Arizona in free agency in the winter. The Astros, who lost in the first round despite having Johnson, gave up a ton of talent in the exchange: Freddy Garcia, Carlos Guillen and John Halama.

Andy Benes

Andy Benes was a pedestrian 4-7 with the Padres before being shipped off to Seattle where he went 7-2 the rest of the regular season. His efforts helped carry the Mariners into the playoffs that season before he bolted for St. Louis in the offseason.

David Cone

With free agency looming, David Cone was dealt from the Mets in 1992 and helped Toronto win its first World Series title. Cone went 4-3 with a 2.55 ERA during the regular season and pitched 22 2/3 innings in the postseason. Jeff Kent went to the Mets in the swap. In 2005, it was the Yankees who needed Cone's help, and he delivered by winning nine of his 13 starts as New York claimed the wild card.

Mike Boddicker

Mike Boddicker was just 6-12 with the Orioles in 1988 before being sent to the Red Sox that July in a midsummer deal. Once in Boston, the right-hander went 7-3 with a 2.63 ERA the rest of the way, helping the Red Sox reach the postseason.

Rick Sutcliffe

Do midseason acquisitions get any better than this? Rick Sutcliffe arrived in Wrigley in June and went 16-1 to lead the Cubs to the NL East title and claim the Cy Young Award. Among the players Chicago gave to Cleveland in the deal: future star Joe Carter and Mel Hall.