With so many sporting things going on and countless events happening in baseball honestly having to do a document on a weekly basis is too much information but now that the trade deadline has popped up we have something to talk about. Note with the 60 game season not many moves were made but here is a recap.
Leading the way with the best record in baseball are the Dodgers, no surprise there this was expected as well as Mookie Betts regaining 2018 form. I understand why they traded away Ross Stripling to Toronto, they have a few young guys like Dustin May, and Tony Gonsolin to go along with Kershaw, Buehler, and Wood in the rotation. They didn’t pay a ridiculous price for Lance Lynn, or go after reliever extraordinaire Josh Hader. Honestly with Cody Bellinger and Justin Turner having off seasons they need the rotation to step up in the playoffs unlike years past.
Their main challenger for that honor is the Tampa Bay Rays. I had questions surrounding this team when they played down early in the season but have had one of the best stretches in baseball as of late with the rotation being a machine as advertised even with Charlie Morton not pitching in last years form. They didn’t really buy or sell like last year they just traded away Jose Martinez to the Cubs for a highly touted prospect. When I look at them they have a chance at going to their first World Series in 12 years but they will have to go through a certain rival.
That rival is the Yankees. The offense has cooled off after their hot start but there isn’t really anything to talk about when they decided not to make any moves at the deadline. Their rotation is maxed out as well as the hitters and bullpen. If there is a year to win title #28 this could be it unless they have to face Tampa Bay or Oakland.
After their strong start the Chicago Cubs have been looking to add more depth in the bullpen and the hitting core if they have any chance at getting to another World Series. They got some bullpen help with Andrew Chafin, and Josh Osich, as well as getting Cameron Maybin, and a former Cardinal in Jose Martinez. I think considering how some of my favorite teams have fallen with high expectations this year at the moment, the Cubs better not join that party.
The Padres are the definition of an all-in push in the NL Pennant Picture. They added depth in the pen with Trevor Rosenthal, added two solid catchers in Austin Nola, and Jason Castro. Acquired Mitch Moreland from the Red Sox to add depth in the lineup as well. Then the big fish, Mike Clevinger from the Indians! They needed a No.2 starter to go along with Chris Paddock in the rotation. With Fernando Tatis having an MVP type season and Manny Machado regaining his prime. This is the first time in a long time that San Diego has a chance to one-up their big brothers in LA.
The Rockies are another team in that division that is sick and tired of being in the Dodgers shadows. (Vincent Price Laugh) They made some moves to bolster the depth at the deadline as well. Getting a defensive wizard in Kevin Pillar to roam Center Field, adding a strong closer in Mychal Givens, and deciding not to trade Charlie Blackmon. I understand their logic, they want to keep their window open by going for a playoff push since their pitchers have been performing better than their expectations.
The A’s are another team that is just trying to win now before the depth has to be paid. They made a couple moves to add more depth to rotation and lineup. They were able to get two rivals in Mike Minor and Tommy La Stella. With Minor being another ace in this rotation of young and emerging guys, as well as moving La Stella to second base, Oakland is looking for a chance to finally get a championship in the Billy Beane era. What a storyline for another Moneyball movie.
The White Sox are the one team I thought wouldn’t be ready for the big time entering this season. I was fooled there, wasn’t I. Luis Robert and Eloy Jimenez, have lived up to their potential. Jose Abreu and Tim Anderson are putting in career years, and Lucas Giolito is the Cy Young candidate they have missed since “Black Jack” McDowell in 1993. The only move the South Siders made was adding speed on the bench in the form of Jarrod Dyson. This team is desperate to end their 12 year playoff dryspell.
The Indians again have sold way too much at the deadline. Did they learn anything from trading Trevor Bauer to the Reds last year? NO! They traded one of their aces in Mike Clevinger to San Diego for a bunch of top prospects. This move I at least understand. Shane Beiber, and Zach Plesac are still dominating every 5th day, and they have several top pitching prospects in the minors. I honestly think that they need to win now because Lindor and Ramirez are Free Agents at the end of this year.
BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG! The Astros have regained form now that everyone is healthy but unlike 2017-19 they have been very quiet in terms of acquiring talent at the trade deadline. I think when you look at the bad start they got off to and now regained their power stroke. This is a good chance for them to test out a bunch of young pitching prospects to go along with Verlander, Grienke, and company. Also Altuve, and Springer are out of their early season slumps. That is always a good sign.
The Braves are another team that felt like they needed to make a key move to push towards a championship. Their hitting core is in their primes and the rotation is decent and the pen is a question mark. What is Atlanta’s response? THEY STRUCK OUT SWINGING! They were in the running for Lance Lynn but they didn’t want to pay the ridiculous price that Texas wanted. They wanted Mike Clevinger but the Padres beat them first. They did get Tommy Milone to add depth to the rotation. Do you expect the Braves to win their first playoff series since 2001? I honestly don’t know.
The Brewers are looking for some breathing room in the Wild Card hunt after a slow start but look like they are ready for another late run at a playoff berth. They only traded away David Phelps to the Phillies for a few prospects but honestly they need to make the World Series before Braun retires or ownership trying to start over. I hope they at least get another chance.
Nothing makes me laugh harder than the St. Louis Cardinals striking out at the deadline. They wanted to get Lance Lynn to come back but failed, as well as potentially getting Robbie Ray. I think the MLB fan base will count these guys out at some point and they will gain that good old pixie dust and make the playoffs again. As a Cubs fan I don’t want to play them prior to the NLCS.
The Phillies are in an interesting situation. The bullpen is once again shot with David Robertson being on the DL for the remainder of the season again. So they decided to get Brandon Workman, and Heath Hembree from Boston, and David Phelps from Milwaukee. The goods news is for Philly that Bryce Harper is putting in a solid season at the plate. So they won’t have to boo him.
The Reds are still looking to add even more depth to a team that continues to play down to the hype of their fans and media. They made an interesting move by getting Archie Bradley from Arizona in return for a bunch of minor leaguers. This is an interesting move because the pen other than Amir Garrett is absolutely in decline. As well as the hitters not living up to their potential. I think they still have a chance at a Wild Card. AT BEST!
Whenever you have moments when a team is banged up yet still finds a way to remain in the race, that is what the Minnesota Twins are experiencing. Look at this. No Josh Donaldson, No Miguel Sano, No Byron Buxton, and most of the depth in the pen is injured as well. I think this team is doing everything they can to remain in title contention. The only problem is that they didn’t add to their core at the deadline since they are expecting their main guys to come back. Decisions, Decisions, Decisions.
I once again don’t understand the Mets follosify. They have disappointed their fans yet again and waisted another generational year from Jacob Degrom so far. But they remain 2 games back of the Wild Card because the NL is packed with competition. They decided to trade for a middle reliever in Miguel Castro, add depth at catcher with Robinson Chirinos and TODD FRAZIER LOL! I don’t understand their thinking on that move. Frazier I think sweet talked the Rangers into sending him back to New York. I feel like the Mets are trying everything they can to get back in the playoffs to avoid fan meltdowns and be loyal to former players. This organization is literally a comedy show.
I do have one simple question, how are the Baltimore Orioles doing. (Looney Tunes Baseball Theme Playing). It appears that the clock has struck midnight on another Cinderella Story because of the O’s selling at the deadline. They are technically still in the Wild Card race but they will have to face the Yankees and Rays for a majority of their schedule to end the season. Not cool.
This deadline has been awfully quiet. Something has to give. BOOM! There it is! A 3 team trade that includes Starling Marte to Marlins, Jonathan Villar and Robbie Ray to the Blue Jays, and Caleb Smith to the Diamondbacks. The Marlins have their center fielder they have been looking for as well as potentially shocking the baseball world if they make the playoffs. The Blue Jays appear to be going all-in not with just adding Villar, Stripling, and Robbie Ray. But also adding Taijuan Walker to the rotation. So Toronto will be throwing a rotation with Ryu, Ray, Stripling, and Walker as their top 4. Not to mention they have Vald Jr. Cavan Biggio, Bo Bichette, Travis Shaw, and now Villar in their everyday lineup. With this trade it is official that the Arizona Diamondbacks have brought out the tanks for the first time since 2014. So that was the trade deadline Ladies and Gentlemen, I’ll see you in the Playoff Push Doc in a few weeks, or the NFLs weekly recap.
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