What the heck just happened?
That is probably the reaction most MLB fans had this afternoon after checking their Twitter timelines and various baseball sites.
And that’s just the non-waiver trade deadline. Some teams might not even be done dealing players (*cough* Dodgers *cough*).
Most trade deadlines begin with more hype than Google Glass, and end up falling flat like, well, Google Glass. This one, however, had everything: popular players, head scratching deals, rejection and anger.
(Not sure if I listed 2016 MLB trade deadline attributes or middle school dances.)
Here is a quick rundown of the trades the shook up MLB.
Reds-Mets
Mets acquire: RF Jay Bruce
Reds acquire: 2B Dilson Herrera, LHP Max Wotell
The Mets needed a bat, and boy, did they get a good one. Jay Bruce leads the NL in RBI and is hitting .265/.316/.559 and .360/.406/.719 with runners in scoring position. On the other hand, the Mets are a dreadful .206/.282/.324 with runners on second and third. He won’t improve the Mets defense, but he’ll give New York what they need at the plate.
The Reds get two nice pieces to add to a rebuilding project. Herrera averaged .276 in Triple-A with 13 home runs and 55 RBI in 86 games as a 22-year-old. Nineteen-year-old Wotell is 3-1 with 31 strikeouts in 29 2/3 innings.
Rangers-Brewers
Rangers acquire: C Jonathan Lucroy, RHP Jeremy Jeffress
Brewers acquire: CF Lewis Brinson, RHP Luis Ortiz
Almost needed to triple check this one to be sure the trade wasn’t vetoed, but it appears this one is going through. A couple days after killing a trade to Cleveland, All-Star catcher Jonthan Lucroy is headed to the Texas Rangers. Lucroy is a defensive catcher with an offensive pop (13 home runs, 50 RBI) that will be a big upgrade at the position for the Rangers.
Jeffress also helps the Rangers in their bullpen by providing a consistent relief pitcher that has closed 27 or 28 games this year. He’ll be a good set-up man for Sam Dyson.
The Brewers get talented youth in this trade, acquiring Baseball America’s 15th and 64th ranked prospects in Brinson and Ortiz respectively. Brinson has struggled a bit in Double-A, but his .332/.403/.601 Class A-Advanced 2015 season with 20 homers shows he has the skills. Ortiz is a pitcher that can be developed, throwing 62 strikeouts against 13 walks in 16 minor league appearances.
Dodgers-Athletics
Dodgers acquire: RF Josh Reddick, LHP Rich Hill
Athletics acquire: RHP Frankie Montas, RHP Grant Holmes, RHP Jharel Cotton
With Clayton Kershaw out indefinitely and other left-handers on the mend, the Dodgers got a nice band-aid with Rich Hill. In 14 starts this year, Hill is 9-3 with a 2.25 ERA and 90 strikeouts. Reddick is basically a Yasiel Puig replacement for the rest of the season, hitting .296 and playing great defense in right field.
Oakland gets what they always get in trades: good prospects that will eventually make the league, perform well, and then get traded for more prospects. Cotton, Holmes and Montas have combined to throw 241 strikeouts in 218 2/3 minor league innings.
Pirates-Blue Jays
Pirates acquire: RHP Drew Hutchinson
Blue Jays acquire: LHP Francisco Liriano, C/DH Reese McGuire, OF Harold Ramirez
The headlines for this trade will say, “Liriano and two prospects traded,” but in reality, Liriano is the throw-in here. According to MLB.com, McGuire and Ramirez were ranked the eighth and ninth best prospects in a respectable Pirates farm system. Liriano’s numbers are trending the wrong the direction, but he could find his groove surrounded by good pitchers in Toronto.
The Pirates get Hutchinson, who never really panned out for the Blue Jays. He still has a lot of talent and could be a better pitcher for cheaper if he improves in Pittsburgh. At worst, he becomes a part of a salary dump.
Angels-Twins
Angels acquire: RHP Ricky Nolasco, RHP Alex Meyer, cash considerations
Twins acquire: RHP Hector Santiago, RHP Alan Busenitz
Bottom dwellers in their respective divisions trade pitchers in what would essentially be a net-gain-zero salary dump. Nolasco’s four-year, $49 million contract is partially off Minnesota’s books, and they take on Santiago, who they can easily dump if he doesn’t perform.
The Angels get Meyer, who is fighting shoulder problems, and the aforementioned Nolasco, who looked like a bust. Not sure what both teams were thinking other than unloading the headaches they had for new ones.
Giants-Rays
Giants acquire: LHP Matt Moore
Rays acquire: 3B Matt Duffy, SS Lucius Fox, RHP Michael Santos
The Giants are getting a hot pitcher in Moore, who has posted a 1.99 ERA in his last six outings. He is only 7-7 this year, but will be in the starting rotation as soon as he puts on a San Francisco uniform.
Fox and Santos give the Rays some assets to grow in the minor league, and Duffy is limping through the season with an Achilles injury. The Rays look like they are looking to the future.
Angels-Cubs
Angels acquire: RHP Jesus Castillo
Cubs acquire: RHP Joe Smith
Joe Smith will bring his own style to a bullpen that brings the heat. Smith hasn’t done well in the past couple seasons, but he could find his form again with a team in the hunt for a championship.
The Angles look like they gave up on a pitcher who is struggling for a prospect that will hopefully develop eventually. Castillo, at 20 years old, is more of a grab-and-stash at this point.
Twins-Red Sox
Twins acquire: LHP Fernando Abad
Red Sox acquire: RHP Pat Light
Abad was having a bounce-back season before hitting the wall his last couple of outings, allowing eight runs in 14 2/3 innings. But with the Twins playing for nothing more than pride, what does it matter?
Rangers-Yankees
Rangers acquire: OF Carlos Beltran
Yankees acquire: RHP Dillon Tate, RHP Erik Swanson, RHP Nick Green
The Rangers get a 39-year-old who is hitting like a 27-year-old. Beltran was named to the All-Star team and is batting .304/.344/.546 with 22 home runs and 64 RBI. He will definitely add some pop to Texas’ lineup.
The Yankees get a highly regarded prospect in Tate who is struggling, but the Bronx Bombers seem like they’re in an investing mood.
Giants-Brewers
Giants acquire: LHP Will Smith
Brewers acquire: RHP Phil Bickford, C Andrew Susac
The Giants get Smith, who is coming back from a knee ligament injury. So far this year he has a 3.68 in relief, but in 2015, he struck out 91 batters in 61 1/3 innings.
The Brewers get the Giants' first round pick in 2015 and second round pick in 2011. Susac will be a good piece to have now that Lucroy has been traded.
Yankees-Indians
Yankees acquire: OF Clint Frazier, LHP Justus Sheffield, RHP J.P. Feyereisen, RHP Ben Heller
Indians acquire: Andrew Miller
The Indians are another buyer in the Yankees fire sale, getting an All-Star left-hander for a group of prospects. Miller had a 1.39 ERA with the Yankees, and struck out 15.3 batters per nine innings.
Clint Frazier appears to be the headliner for the Yankees. Brian Cashman is a fan of his offense.
Yankees-Cubs
Yankees acquire: SS Gleyber Torres, RHP Adam Warren, OF Billy McKinney, OF Rashad Crawford
Cubs acquire: LHP Aroldis Chapman
The Cubs needed bullpen help and a 100-mph hurler can certainly tip the scales in their favor. Chapman is five-time All-Star and converted 20 saves in 31 games for the Yankees.
Torres is the Cubs top-rated prospect as a 19-year-old. He will be the piece that the Yankees will hopefully groom into a monster.
Padres-Braves
Padres acquire: 3B Hector Olivera, cash considerations
Braves acquire: OF Matt Kemp
Salary dump. Salary dump. Salary dump. Kemp’s game has declined quickly and the Padres were looking to unload him as quickly as possible.
Olivera is expected to be designated for assignment once he is back from his 82-game suspension for violating the league's domestic abuse policy.
Pirates-Nationals
Pirates acquire: LHP Felipe Rivero, LHP Taylor Hearn
Nationals acquire: RHP Mark Melancon
Speaking of decline, the Nationals needed to combat closer Jonathan Papelbon’s, so they get an All-Star in Mark Melancon. Melancon has converted 30 of his 33 save chances and held a 1.91 ERA this year.
The Pirates get a hard-throwing Rivero for their troubles, and Hearn is a good prospect to build slowly.
Padres-Marlins
Padres acquire: RHP Jarred Cosart, RHP Carter Capps, RHP Luis Castillo, 1B Josh Naylor
Marlins receive: RHP Andrew Cashner, RHP Colin Rea
The Miami Marlins are surprisingly making a playoff push, and they traded for arms to help them out. Andrew Cashner had not been doing well for the season, but has lately been solid posting a 2.55 ERA in this last three starts. Colin Rea was also supposed to help, but an injury forced the Marlins to trade him back to the Padres for Luis Castillo.
San Diego got a struggling Cosart to replace Cashner, and Capps won’t be back until 2017 after undergoing Tommy John surgery. The Padres also got prospects to help them build through their farm system.
Red Sox-Padres
Red Sox acquire: LHP Drew Pomeranz
Padres acquire: RHP Anderson Espinoza
The Padres also unloaded their All-Star left-hander Drew Pomeranz to Boston. The Red Sox are looking to make a final push to the playoffs to honor David Ortiz in his final season. Pomeranz is 8-7, but posted an ERA of 2.47 while with the Padres, numbers that Boston hopes will bring them to October.
Boston also gave the Padres an intriguing pitching prospect that was regarded as the organization's best. Espinoza is very young, but could develop into a great piece for San Diego down the road.
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