Detroit Tigers — C
On the surface, it seems a bit curious for a team that clearly is in a win-now mode to part with its still-productive, future Hall of Fame catcher.

But a handful of contributing factors are at work here: The void left in the Bronx by Posada’s season-ending injury created urgency; the increasingly uncomfortable fit of Rodriguez on the Tigers roster, and the fact that they weren’t going to pick up his pricey option this winter; the presence of a ready-made replacement in Brandon Inge, who finally gets the job he was supposed to have before Rodriguez’s arrival; and the absolutely frustrating experience the Tigers’ late-inning bullpen merry-go-round has been for Jim Leyland.

Todd Jones’ demise cleared the way for Farnsworth, who likely will get some closing opportunities, even though his history says a setup role is where he belongs.

But Tiger fans won’t soon forget it if Pudge turns around and becomes a key player in October for the Yankees — a team Tiger fans love to hate.

Cincinnati Reds — C-
Griffey Jr.’s time with his hometown team never came close to matching the initial excitement surrounding the move. His injuries and the team’s long-standing struggles — two not-unrelated events — put a bittersweet spin on things, but at least he hit milestone homer No. 600 in a Reds uniform.

So his departure shouldn’t be all that sad, and the fact that the Reds could only get a decent middle reliever (Nick Masset) and a light-hitting middle infielder (Danny Richar) tells you that the market for the future Hall of Famer was rather limited.

But trading Griffey Jr., rather than Adam Dunn and/or Bronson Arroyo, was the wiser way to go for general manager Walt Jocketty at this point. Dunn and Arroyo still could be pieces of the near-future Reds, who could become a contender built around quality young starting pitching, Jay Bruce, Joey Votto and Brandon Phillips.

Boston Red Sox — D
Far be it from this space to come to the defense of Ramirez and his idiosyncrasies. But after 7 1/2 years of putting up with him, all of sudden the relationship became untenable for the Red Sox?

So much so that they put a serious question mark on their chances of even getting to the playoffs — let alone winning another World Series — without him in the middle of their lineup?

Special report Breaking down MLB's big deals

Apparently so, because the Sox shipped away Ramirez just before the deadline — and after a deal with the Marlins wasn’t completed. And besides Ramirez, they gave up outfielder Brandon Moss and reliever Craig Hansen — all for Jason Bay, who has rebounded nicely this season, but can’t erase two down seasons in 2006-07.

The move saves a lot of money next season, as Bay will make $7.5 million and the option on Ramirez was $20 million. It also may be a positive for clubhouse harmony, but the fact that the Red Sox could fall out of the playoffs isn’t going to make anybody happy around Red Sox nation.

Say what you want about Ramirez, but he’s a Hall of Fame hitter still near peak-production level, and the Sox’s lineup had issues at times even with him in it. Bay will have to prove he is a suitable replacement under the toughest of circumstances — no easy task.