Arizona Diamondbacks Complete Trades: Acquire Dan Haren, Trade Jose Valverde

There were several trades in several leagues today, but the Arizona Diamondbacks made quite a splash with the players they acquired (Dan Haren, Chad Qualls) and sent away (Jose Valverde). Let's break their deals down...

Deal Number 1: Oakland sends SP Dan Haren and SP Connor Robertson to Arizona in return for SPs Brett Anderson, Dana Eveland, and Greg Smith, infielder Chris Carter, and outfielders Aaron Cunningham and Carlos Gonzalez.

So Arizona gets another top flight starter to add onto the top of their rotation with former Cy Young award winner Brandon Webb. Dan Haren is quite an accomplished starter in the MLB, and his move to the NL will bode even better for his already-stellar numbers. Arizona sports a definite up-and-coming lineup, and Haren will also enjoy greater run support, which will result in more wins.

Many of Oakland's trades have originally appeared as great deals for the other team, but Billy Beane is a true general management mastermind. He knows what to look for in young talent, and got quite a quality youthful return from this deal. Outfielder Carlos Gonzalez is among the top prospects in baseball, and is the true centerpiece in this deal. He has the ability to put up statistics similar to New York Mets outfielder Carlos Beltran. Dana Eveland is another name that sticks out, and Oakland acquired three quality left handed prospects from this deal. They should be very important pieces in Oakland's future rotation.

Deal Number 2: Houston trades RP Chad Qualls, utility player Chris Burke, and pitcher Juan Gutierrez in exchange for closer Jose Valverde.

The Diamondbacks say that they needed to "reacquire depth" after trading away so many key pieces of their farm system, and they certainly did it. But it didn't come at a cheap price. Jose Valverde, one of the top closers in the league, had to be sacrificed, but Arizona got a nice package of players in return. Valverde has had injury issues in past seasons, but Houston needed to firm up their closing situation after inconsistent Brad Lidge was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies.

I really like this deal for the Astros, as they add two big pieces in just under a week. They should be able to contend in the NL Central again, but I do not seem them being a legitimate threat.