The Rangers picked up Jorge Cantu from the Marlins for minor leaguers Evan Reed and Omar Poveda. Cantu is no star but his power and versatility are useful, and he's a nice pickup for Texas in exchange for a couple of Grade C/C+ pitching arms. Reed looks like he could be a useful middle reliever eventually, but we have to see how well Poveda comes back from Tommy John. I have no problem with this trade from the perspective of either team.

The Padres picked up Miguel Tejada from the Orioles for Wynn Pelzer. I know the Padres were looking for some veteran offensive help, but Tejada looks like he's aging pretty rapidly to me, and I've liked Pelzer for a while. He has to get his command back in gear and has been erratic in Double-A, but he's got plus stuff and I still like him intuitively. I think this is a nice pickup by Baltimore, and I don't think I would have done this if I was San Diego.

The Twins traded Wilson Ramos and Joe Testa to the Nationals for Matt Capps. Capps reinforces the Twins bullpen for the stretch run. Testa isn't a prospect, but Ramos definitely is. I have some misgivings about his bat due to his sketchy plate discipline, but his glove has really come around and his power potential remains impressive. I like him, but not enough to pan the trade from Minnesota's point of view; I think it is fair for both teams. In my Shadow Twins universe, I will make this trade.

More to come.