The 2014 MLB Non-Waiver Trade Deadline was arguably the most memorable deadline in recent history. With the likes of David Price, Jon Lester, John Lackey, Yoenis Cespedes, Austin Jackson and many more stars moving around, experts and fans alike were in full swoon mode.
But sometimes when All-Stars are on the move, the brilliant, lesser trades fall through the cracks. In an attempt to pay proper homage to such, below are the five deals from this past deadline that deserve to share a bit of the spotlight with the bigger fish.
1) Arizona Diamondbacks Acquire Peter O'Brien from New York Yankees for Martin Prado
Making intelligent moves in not usually the Arizona Diamondbacks' strongest point (for instance, trading Gerardo Parra to the Milwaukee Brewers for a pair of non-prospects this deadline). But when the self-proclaimed "gritty" National League West team makes one, credit must be given.
Picking on the New York Yankees' knack for stockpiling has-been veterans, the Diamondbacks exchanged 30-year-old Martin Prado and his remaining $25.6 million contract (through 2016) for catching prospect Peter O'Brien.
Considering the Yankees have Brian McCann in tow and Gary Sanchez waiting in the wings, there wasn't any room at the current or future major-league Bombers' roster for O'Brien. But that doesn't mean the catcher doesn't have a future in the big leagues.
O'Brien was drafted by the Yankees in the second round of the 2012 draft. The 24-year-old didn't begin his minor-league career on a high note, however, posting a mere .212 batting average, park-adjusted 88 wRC+ and 4.7 percent walk rate at Staten Island in 2012.
But O'Brien quickly turned heads the following season. The then 22-year-old hit to the tune of a .291 batting average, 8.1 percent walk rate, .893 OPS and 22 home runs between multiple levels (and ending the year in Advanced-A).
Going into 2014, the Florida native was still an unranked prospect -- although he did receive a C+ grade from Minor League Ball's John Sickels in his Pre-2013 team rankings.
To date, O'Brien has continued to display massive power, swatting 33 home runs between Advanced-A and Double-A in 2014 -- but has fallen off in the on-base department, walking at a mere 4.8 percent clip. He's also struck out 27.4 percent of the time.
Yet, given Martin Prado's offensive struggles in 2014 (a park-adjusted 91 OPS+ versus a career 107 OPS+) -- not to mention his hefty contract--general manager Kevin Towers deserves a rare pat on the back for acquiring Peter O'Brien while shedding Prado.
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