Ramon Ramirez and Javier Lopez give the Giants two experienced relievers. (Getty/AP)
I can't criticize these moves too much, if at all. They fill a definitive need, they came at a relatively low cost and the bat they may be looking for could become available from the waiver wire sometime in the near future. After the Saturday trade deadline, players must pass through waivers in order to be traded.
OF John Bowker leaves in the deal for LHP Javier Lopez. He goes from AAAA prospect to a AAAA team in the Pirates. He became spare parts after losing the battle with Schierholtz for rhe RF position this spring. Perhaps Bowker can become the hitter many still predict he can be in the less than bright lights of Pittsburgh. RHP Joe Martinez also leaves in the deal and he too may blossom with the opportunity to log regular innings in Pittsburgh. There just was not a regular spot in the rotation here in SF for Martinez. His upside seems to be a solid bottom of the rotation starter, not dominating, but keeps the ball in the yard and competes.
Roughly the same can be said for RHP Dan Turpen who leaves for Boston in exchange for RHP Ramon Martinez. Turpen is a big 6-4,215 RHP who pitches to contact somewhat and keeps the ball in play (a career 1.26 WHIP, 8.6 H/9, 7.2 K/9, 0.2 HR/9, 2.48 K/BB entering this season). A middle of the rotation starter or long reliever perhaps for the BoSox.
The Giants get a RHP and LHP to fill middle innings relief which is an underrated role in todays game. So many games are lost or won when a starter leaves earlier than expected but the game remains in play. Teams that convert those games into W's manage to stay in contention.
The Dodgers loaded up on talent for a late season push adding LHP Ted Lilly and SS Ryan Theriot from the Cubs and later RHP Ocatavio Dotel for bullpen help. Cubs fans will not be happy about the return from this deal, they expected more of a ransom for Lilly and Theriot was very popular if somewhat unproductive of late.
The Padres added a significant bat in OF Ryan Ludwick from the Cardinals as well as 3B Miguel Tejada. They helped their offense significantly.
With the moves the Giants made, I would like to see them match the Padres Ludwick / Tejada moves with a veteran bat. The Dodgers moves I don't think are enough to make up the seven games they need, but there are two long months ahead. Lilly will be a plus for them, Dotel is a plug for a leaky bullpen of late and Theriot is a wash for giving up IF Blake DeWitt to the Cubs.
FROM SFGIANTS.COM
GIANTS ACQUIRE JAVIER LOPEZ AND RAMON RAMIREZ
In two moves design to strengthen their bullpen, the Giants on Saturday acquired left-handed pitcher Javier Lopez from the Pittsburgh Pirates and right-handed pitcher Ramon Ramirez from the Boston Red Sox. The Giants sent pitcher Joe Martinez and outfielder John Bowker to the Pirates, and sent pitcher Daniel Turpen to the Red Sox.
Lopez, 33, has gone 2-2 with a 2.79 ERA with 22 strikeouts in 50 games for the Pirates this year, performing particularly well against left-handed hitters, having held them to a .204 batting avg. against. Throughout his career, he has held lefties to a .243 batting avg. against.
Ramirez, 28, has gone 0-3 with a 4.46 ERA in 44 relief appearances with the Red Sox this season. Since the All-Star beak, Ramirez has appeared in seven games, tossing 6.2 innings with seven strikeouts and has held opponents to a .190 avg. against. Ramirez has been particularly tough on right-handed hitters throughout his career, fashioning a .210 avg. against.
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