The Marlins acquire Nick Johnson from the Nationals in exchange for left-handed pitching prospect Aaron Thompson. The 30 year-old injury-prone first baseman’s ability to get on base should provide more scoring opportunities for a Florida team vying for a wild-card berth.

In a stunning last-minute deal, the White Sox obtain Jake Peavy from the Padres for four pitching prospects, Clayton Richard, Aaron Poreda, Dexter Carter, and Adam Russell. The 2007 NL Cy Young Award winner, presently on the disabled list, had previously refused to waive his no-trade clause to join Chicago in a similar deal proposed in May.

On the frenzied last day before the trading deadline, a number of stars are on the move: P Jake Peavy goes from San Diego to the White Sox, C Victor Martinez moves from Cleveland to Boston, SS Orlando Cabrera from Oakland to Minnesota, 3B Scott Rolen from the Blue Jays to the Reds, and P Jarrod Washburn from Seattle to Detroit. Five other deals involving major leaguers are also completed, but the star most-rumored to be on the trading block over the past two weeks, Toronto’s Roy Halladay, stays put.

Cliff Lee’s adaptation to the National League is a quick one. Traded to the Phillies on July 29th, Lee gives up no hits over the first five innings against the Giants, on his way to a complete-game four-hitter. He adds two base hits of his own in the 5 – 1 win.