The details may yet to be finalized, but it looks like two blockbusters took place in the sports world Monday. With the baseball trade deadline fast approaching, let's critique the deals that have been all but completed thus far:
Mark Teixeira for Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Elvis Andrus, Neftali Feliz and a PTBN.
Braves outlook: The Braves are in the enviable and unique position of having two of the 5-6 most valuable commodities at catcher in major league baseball. A trade makes more sense than moving one to first base, but I was at first hesitant regarding the Mark Teixeira proposed deal. After all, Teixeira does have a career .848 OPS away from friendly Ameriquest Field, and with Scott Boras as his agent, he'll be searching for a massive deal at the end of next season (think 10 years). However, I'm starting to change my tune a bit and can see the Braves' point of view. Teixeira's actually hit better on the road over the last two seasons, so he's not necessarily just a product of his hitting environment. He's also developed into an above average defensive player and immediately makes the Braves legit contenders in the National League. Jarrod Saltalamacchia may have more long-term value in a vacuum, but Atlanta can't play two catchers at once, and when moved to first base, Teixeira becomes the better option of the two. Teixeira may only have 13 homers this season, but he's got solid plate discipline, is a switch hitter, and is signed through 2008, so he's not purely a rent-a-player if they eventually decide to pass on Scott Boras' inevitable demands. He's also only 28 years old and prospects are prospects – far from sure things. With Brian McCann around, Salty was less valuable to Atlanta than about 27 other teams in baseball, and Tex fills a massive hole at first base. It's also a good time to go for gold, since Andruw Jones is soon to be a free agent, and John Smoltz' arm could fall off at any moment. But right now, this team looks like at minimum the co-favorites to come out of the Senior Circuit.
Rangers outlook: A rare trade that legitimately looks like both teams came away winners. The Rangers are smartly playing for the future here, but they need to keep Salty behind the dish, as he possesses above average defensive ability, and his bat will play a whole lot better there. Andrus and Feliz are so young (18 and 19, respectively) that we may not truly be able to judge this deal for another five years or more. That said, they both possess huge upside, so make no mistake, the Rangers brought in quite a haul for a player they likely would have let walk in 2009.
Verdict: Draw.
Kevin Garnett for Al Jefferson, Gerald Green, Sebastian Telfair, Ryan Gomes(?), and Theo Ratliff
Celtics outlook: Well, they immediately become one of the 2-3 most likely teams to represent the East in the NBA Finals. And of course get swept. I could run the point alongside Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and KG, and the team would still be a contender in that conference. I'm a big fan of Garnett – a legitimate superstar who is unselfish to a fault and also plays very good defense. One of the biggest rarities in the sport today. However, he's 31 years old, and teammate Allen is 33 and coming off major ankle surgery, leaving the team with a fairly small window of opportunity and depth that's thinner than the Olsen twins. I must admit, I'm pretty excited to watch Boston play next season.
Timberwolves outlook: Minnesota fans are no doubt mourning the loss of the franchise's best player ever, but this deal absolutely could not have been turned down. Check out these numbers:
Player A: 20.5 ppg, 11.4 rpg, 4.5 apg, 1.4 spg, 1.7 bpg, 47.6% fg, 2.6 TO
Player B: 19.8 ppg, 11.5 rpg, 1.8 apg, 1.1 spg, 1.7 bpg, 55.4% fg, 2.1 TO
Player "A" represents Garnett's career numbers, while "B" are the gaudy stats Baby Al posted during the second half of last season. He did so while playing just 36.1 mpg, to boot. He needs to improve his free throw shooting and defense, but we are talking about one of the three toughest players to defend in the paint in the league right now, and he's only 22 years old. Gerald Green hasn't exactly lived up to the hype (an absolute travesty on defense), but he's flashed plenty of potential as well. He averaged 15.5 points during the final month of last season and is 21 years old. Bassy Telfair is terrible, but Ryan Gomes looks like an above average sixth-man. Add in the Theo Ratliff expiring deal (extremely valuable) and this is a king's ransom.
Verdict: It's tough to argue against trading for KG, but the T-Wolves are the clear long-term winners here. I won't go as far as to call it a rip off, but it's in the neighborhood.