Now that the MLB trade deadline has passed -- though the wheeling and dealing probably isn't over yet -- it's time to take a look at some of the more notable trades that were made around the league. With fewer than two months left in the regular season, I will be focusing mainly on the playoff impact of these trades, while also discussing each player’s potential impact for franchise mode players in MLB 09: The Show. If you have not started a franchise in the game yet, now would be the best time to attempt to make a playoff push with your favorite squad. I have picked five of the most important players who swapped jerseys at the trade deadline, and also broken down the potential impact of each player for his new team.

MLB Impact: Holliday being sent to St. Louis was by far one of the biggest trades made during the 2009 season, and since he joined the Cards, Holliday has had success. The Pujols-Holliday combo is now a truly terrifying proposition for every opposing pitching staff, and it makes St. Louis an instant World Series contender.MLB 09: The Show Impact: Holliday’s offensive capabilities will certainly bolster the Cardinals’ offensive production in the game. He will provide protection for Albert Pujols in the lineup, and I would not be surprised to see the average number of runs scored in a game jump up drastically for the Cardinals.MLB Impact: christian audigierIn a surprising trade made right before the deadline, the Boston Red Sox dealt Adam LaRoche to the Atlanta Braves only nine days after acquiring him from the Pittsburgh Pirates. In exchange for LaRoche, the Braves sent fellow First Baseman Casey Kotchman to Boston. In the deal, the Braves reacquired their first baseman from the 2004-2006 seasons, while simultaneously upgrading their offense with LaRoche’s home-run power. In just a few games back in a Braves uniform, LaRoche has already hit a home run and driven in a number of runs, thus immediately making a positive impact on the team.

MLB 09: The Show Impact: While LaRoche certainly doesn’t have the kind of power someone like Prince Fielder or Ryan Howard does, he also isn’t as likely to strike out as much as the other two.mlb jerseys He brings with him a good glove at first base and will provide consistent offense in the lineup. This trade probably looks better in videogame form because LaRoche's power translates better than Kotchman's attributes. So while the trade can arguably be considered a wash in real life or even a win for the Red Sox, the Braves look smart in The Show.

MLB Impact: Instead of pursuing Roy Halladay, the Philadelphia Phillies "settled" for the 2008 AL Cy Young award winner, Cliff Lee. With Cole Hamels continuing to have trouble on the mound,wholesale cigarettes Lee should give the Phillies another dependable arm in the rotation, and he should become another anchor for a team that will do anything to get a chance to defend the World Series title in just a few short months. Since the Phillies already own a nice lead in the NL East, this trade should help keep the Phillies afloat at the top of the division.

MLB 09: The Show Impact: Lee’s status as a dominant pitcher was already confirmed by his Cy Young award last year, and one of the keys to his success is his devastating knuckle-curve pitch. Ed HardyWith a rotation already featuring Cole Hamels, Jamie Moyer (sup, Pedro?) and Joe Blanton, the Phillies look to have one of the more solid rotations going forward, which will certainly give franchise players more confidence when they face a difficult opponent.