Jay Bruce and Edwin Encarnacion were traded back in June.. but July had plenty of trades. The deadline was slow until the Greinke trade along with others were completed in the final hours. It was interesting having the deadline on August 1st, because some teams, like the Mets, are technically still in the playoff hunt…
Teams that did little to nothing:
The Orioles kept Trey Mancini and other young guys, which was smart. They did not make a trade. The Red Sox needed some relief pitching and got none. Andrew Cashner was acquired after the all-star break, but they did nothing at the deadline. Dave Dom said they had the opportunity to make a lot of trades if they wanted.. well they didn’t. The Yankees need starters, even with Severino coming back soon. They got a 19-year-old one in Alfredo Garcia. Not what Yankee fans wanted to say the least. Watching pissed off Yankee fans react on Twitter is always fun. Examples. Astros got better by getting Zack Greinke!! and the Yanks and Red Sox stand pat..
The White Sox traded some minor league players, but essentially did nothing. I couldn’t find a great deal for them to make anyway. The Royals moved Jake Diekman, Homer Bailey and Martin Maldonado before the deadline.. but did nothing at the deadline. They did enough early to sit back. The Angels added catcher Max Stassi, but didn’t move the needle but adding strong pitchers. The Rangers received pitcher Kolby Allard, which was a good return for Chris Martin. Mike Minor prolly shoulda been traded.. The Phillies added Corey Dickerson and Jason Vargas.. not groundbreaking stuff. The Pirates got cash in return for Corey Dickerson. They had relievers to trade, but weirdly didn’t. The Cardinals traded Jedd Gyorko for cash reasons. The Rockies and Dodgers did nothing.
Teams That Did Some Things in Order of How Good Those Things The Teams Did are:
The Astros have done it again. Two years ago it was Verlander, now they have added Zack Greinke!! Martin Maldonado is a great backup catcher to add. Joe Biagini and Aaron Sanchez are pitchers that can improve in Houston. Kyle Tucker, Houston’s best prospect in many eyes, stayed with the team. They did give up some marquee prospects to the Diamondbacks for Greinke, but Ray from The Trailer Park Boys said it best, “That’s the way she goes”. Solid work done again in Houston. Morey ball crosses all sports I guess.
The Giants got rid of relievers Mark Melancon, Sam Dyson, Ray Black, and Drew Pomeranz for marquee prospect Mauricio Dubon essentially. The Braves took on all of Melancon’s contract, which was surprising to me. Dubon is a little “old” for a prospect at 25, but he is a solid shortstop. Madison Bumgarner stayed put. Scooter Gennett is a solid, but injured add. San Francisco is still in the wildcard race, and they got better in the minor leagues. Solid work.
The Indians got rid of Trevor Bauer, but they got some above average outfielders in Yasiel Puig and Franmil Reyes. Logan Allen, Victor Nova, and Scott Moss are solid youngsters to receive for Bauer. Cleveland are still in the playoffs as of now.. yes their pitching rotation got worse, but they added a ton of depth and prospects. Solid work similar to the Giants.
The Rays Jesus Aguilar addition is great if he can improve. Aguilar was bought low for a reason… Tampa Bay needs some more homers. Travis d’Arnaud can’t hit 3-homers against the Yankees every time. Trevor Richards will help the rotation. Nick Anderson is a good reliever. Giving up Ryne Stanek is tough, but the Rays did better than all of their division opponents.
The Tigers traded Shane Greene and Nicholas Castellanos for prospects like Joey Wentz, Travis Demeritte (who has over 20 homers in triple-A this season), and Paul Richan (who is 10-5 in the minors this season and was second round pick last year by the Cubs). Tigers did what they had to do. The Cubs are helping pay for Castellanos too.
The Braves added Shane Greene, Mark Melancon and Chris Martin. A great collection of relievers to stiffen up their bullpen. They could have added some stars, but I like what they did.
The Diamondbacks added a shit-ton of great prospects to cover a bunch of different weaknesses. Those weaknesses should be gone in the next few seasons now.
The Reds have been in the news for more than just brawling with their deadline moves. Trevor Bauer is a great addition for next year. Puig is gone, but that’s fine. Tanner Roark to the A’s for young outfielder Jameson Hannah is good work for the future. Cincy got better in 2020 at this deadline.
The Marlins traded Nick Anderson and Trevor Richards for Rays P Ryne Stanek and young outfielder Jesus Sanchez. That is a solid deal. They also picked up a guy named Jazz. Honestly, when Miami doesn’t trade their best players, I think they did well.
The Nationals made moves similar to their rival Braves, by adding solid bullpen depth in Daniel Hudson, Roenis Elias and Hunter Strickland.
The Twins added Sam Dyson for pennies. Dyson will help their bullpen.
The Brewers added Drew Pomeranz, Ray Black, Jordan Lyles, and Jacob Faria – good additions. Just good. Milwaukee lost too many prospects for my liking..
The Cubs added David Phelps in the bullpen. Not enough. Nicholas Castellanos is one of my favorite players, but I like him more than I should prolly. Decent deadline, but I would have liked some more pitching for Chicago.
The Padres added Taylor Trammell, but Franmil Reyes, Logan Allen and Victor Nova are a lot to give up for Trammell in my opinion.
If I forgot your team.. sucks. My bitch (dog) needs a walk.
Today’s plays:
92-83 on MLB last season and went up 34.31 units
33-32 on MLB this season down 5.45 units
Marlins at +160 for 1 unit. Jordan Yamamoto is my man. That is all. Still like Yelich more (bad trade Jeter), but Yamamoto has been impressive this season.
Atlanta Braves -1½ at +127 for 1 unit. Atlanta has some hot bats right now.
Cardinals at -125 for 2 units. Jon Lester against Jack Flaherty. The Cardinals are favored at home. Had the Cards at -160 so I’ll take the value.
Houston Astros -1½ at -118 for 2 units. Gerrit Cole on the mound is what I like against the Wildcard leading Indians. Houston should be able to hit Danny Salazar.