CATCHER

The Red Sox acquired Victor Martinez from the Indians for Justin Masterson and two minor leaguers.  Martinez gives Boston a ton of flexibility to help spell Mike Lowell, Jason Varitek, and even David Ortiz at DH.  Masterson will eventually earn a rotation spot although he may be in the bullpen at first.  Fenway Park's friendly confines should give Martinez's production a huge shot in the arm.

FIRST BASE

With V-Mart in town, Boston had no need to keep recently acquired Adam LaRoche.  The Red Sox sent him back to Atlanta in exchange for Casey Kotchman. LaRoche will once again receive regular at bats in familiar surroundings, so it looks like an upgrade.  Kotchman is merely bench material for the rest of the year.  The Giants picked up Ryan Garko from the Indians and they plan to play him regularly.  NL only owners should make a claim.  The Marlins acquired Nick Johnson from the Nationals.  Florida will move Jorge Cantu to third base, which will shave Emilio Bonifacio's playing time.

SECOND BASE

The Giants had a revolving door at second base this year, so they traded prized pitching prospect Tim Alderson to the Pirates for Freddy Sanchez.  Pittsburgh continues the rebuilding/dismantling process and didn't want to pay an 8 million dollar option in 2010 if Sanchez reached 600 ABs this year.  The Giants are in wildcard contention and really don't have any foreseeable options in the minors to man the second base position.  Sanchez's fantasy value is the same, maybe a slight up tick since he's in a more stable situation.

SHORTSTOP

Minnesota acquired Orlando Cabrera from Oakland for a minor league shortstop.  The Twins were in desperate need for middle infield help and the price came relatively cheap.  Cabrera was on fire for the past several weeks and should enjoy being in a lineup with Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau.  He probably won't displace Denard Span as the leadoff hitter, but he will hopefully stick at the top of the lineup.

THIRD BASE

The Reds and Blue Jays swapped third basemen Scott Rolen and Edwin Encarnacion.  Toronto was looking to shed Rolen's large contract and were happy to land a younger Encarnacion.   The Reds GM Walt Jockety also acquired Rolen in St. Louis so he clearly has a measure of faith in the aging veteran.  For fantasy purposes, Rolen should enjoy hitting in Great American Ball Park, while Encarnacion gives AL only owners another third bagger to consider as a flier.

OUTFIELD

Josh Anderson was the only outfielder of note to be traded.  Kansas City acquired Anderson from Detroit in exchange for future considerations.  Anderson is currently with his wife as they await the birth of their first child, so his Royal debut will be delayed.

STARTING PITCHER

Cliff Lee moves to Philadelphia after the Phillies were unable to swing a deal for Roy Halladay.  True, Lee goes to a hitter-friendly stadium, but the positives greatly outweigh the home field disadvantage.   He will be supported by a much more powerful offense and face a league that hasn't seen his pitching repertoire.  Also, he now gets to face a pitcher instead of a DH.  Lee (not Cole Hamels) will anchor the Phillies staff making them the favorites to win the National League title.  The White Sox picked up Jake Peavy from the Padres for a 4-player package that included Clayton Richard and Aaron Poreda.  Peavy may not even pitch this year while Richard and Poreda give San Diego two cheap youngsters that can be immediately slotted into the rotation.  NL leaguers should keep the two hurlers on the radar screen.   Tom Gorzelanny landed with the Cubs and will get another shot at making the rotation.  Detroit picked up Jarrod Washburn from Seattle to help bolster the back of the rotation behind Justin Verlander and Edwin Jackson.

RELIEF PITCHER

George Sherrill is the biggest fantasy victim at the trading deadline.  He was shipped to Los Angeles to setup Jonathon Broxton, essentially killing his chance for save opportunities.  However, NL only owners might take a look at him as a handcuff in case the gimpy Broxton hits the DL.