Michael Bourn went from the bottom of the NL Central in Houston to the top of the wild-card standings with Atlanta. Other players joining the pennant race included ex-Cardinal Ryan Ludwick and Erik Bedard.
On a topsy-turvy weekend, the surprising Cleveland Indians, Pittsburgh Pirates and Arizona Diamondbacks made some of the boldest moves at the trade deadline, shedding those seller tags and shopping for immediate help.
The Indians completed their Saturday night deal for Colorado ace Ubaldo Jimenez about a half-hour before the 3 p.m. deadline as Jimenez passed his physical.
"This was a rare and unique opportunity, especially in our market, which comes along few and far between," Indians general manager Chris Antonetti said.
Pittsburgh acquired San Diego outfielder Ludwick for a player to be named or cash, and San Diego sent reliever Mike Adams to Texas for two minor-leaguers.
"I'm excited because I've got another chance to make the playoffs, going to a team that's in the pennant race, back in the Central to an area I'm familiar with," said Ludwick, who led the Padres with 11 home runs and 64 RBIs.
He leaves a team that was 15 games under .500.
"He plays hard and will be a big help for our ballclub," Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said.
For lead-off hitter Bourn, the Astros received outfielder Jordan Schafer and three minor league pitchers.
"It's definitely tough leaving Houston, my hometown," the outfielder Bourn said in a statement. "But I understand the trade. I have the chance to be in a pennant race, so I'm happy about that."
The Diamondbacks bolstered their bullpen, adding Oakland submariner Brad Ziegler as they chase the World Series champion San Francisco in the NL West.
Boston picked up a much-needed starter after a deal for Oakland's Rich Harden fell through late Saturday, landing Bedard from Seattle in a three-team, seven-player trade involving the Los Angeles Dodgers.
