August 2nd, 2016

MLB Trade Deadline recap

Yesterday was one of the biggest days for each of the MLB teams and thats the trade deadline. This is a time where we look at each team to see where there strengths are and where there weaknesses are. The general managers are usually the most important people for the trade deadline because there the ones who think about if were a contending team like the Cleveland Indians or a non contending team this year like the New York Yankees or the Tampa Bay Rays. There were a lot of big time players that moved and didn't move. In case you missed watching the deadline yesterday, here's a recap of the MLB players that got dealt.

Big Time Trades:

Aroldis Chapman from the Yankees gets traded to the Chicago Cubs- The Chicago Cubs have landed the biggest piece that they needed. This trade made sense as the Cubs are looking to make a huge postseason run. General Manager Theo Epstein figured that Chapman was a guy who could come into the ninth inning and close games for the team the rest of the season. The Yankees got a pretty good return back as they got 4 prospects including the top prospect in Gleyber Torres. With now Hector Rodon who use to close games in the ninth before getting Chapman, now goes to the eight inning role makes them now the most dominating one two punch in baseball. Chapman is expected to be a free agent after this season and hopefully the Cubs can keep him long term.

Andrew Miller from the Yankees gets traded to the Cleveland Indians- Besides Chapman, the Yankees gave away Miller to continue their rebuilding process. The Indians are getting a guy in Miller who throws a 95.4 mph fastball and a 84.3 mph slider. His slider is his go to pitch when he needs a strikeout to the righties inside and the lefties outside. Miller will be a huge upgrade for that bullpen, and they definitely will like this guy to pitch late in gameswhen the games are on the line. The Yankees got 4 players in return including minor league outfielder Clint Frazier and pitcher Justus Sheffield.

Athletics Outfielder Josh Reddick and Pitcher Rich Hill go to the Dodgers for 3 pitching prospects- This trade in my mind was a very good trade. The Dodgers who will be a contending team this year got a good proven pitcher in Rich Hill and a outfielder who can hit the ball out of the ballpark in Josh Reddick. Hills currently on the disabled list with a blister issue but when he comes back, he should be a very good pitcher for them. The Dodgers are not exactly sure of when star Clayton Kershaw will be back. Hill could be a good pitcher in Kershaws absence and he'll be an important piece in that rotation come the rest of the year. Josh Reddick is a player with a great arm and can hit for power. With Reddick projected now to play right, that leaves the door to if Yasiel Puig will either be traded or demoted down to the minors. A rebuilding A's are getting some prospects who might be able to help them in the future.

Texas Rangers acquired catcher Jonathon Lucroy and reliever Jeremy Jeffress from the Brewers in exchange for outfielder Lewis Brinson, right-hander Luis Ortiz and a player to be named later. The Texas Rangers offense just got even better. With already having guys like Adrian Beltre and Elvis Andrus, Lucroy will be a huge addition both behind behind the plate and with the bat. Lucroy in my opinion is one the best catchers in baseball and a contending Texas team just got a lot more help.

New York Mets acquire Jay Bruce from the Cincinnati Reds-

Mets got a big power bat in Jay Bruce. He'll strike out quite a bit but he's also a great player with runners in scoring position that should give a good protection in the cleanup role before outfielder Yoenis Cespedes. Bruce had a pretty good year with the Reds this year but with the Reds rebuilding, it's time for Bruce to leave the team.

Yankees trade outfielder Carlos Beltran to Texas Rangers for right-handed pitching prospect Dillon Tate and others.

Beltran was a player who was rumored to possibly be on the move come the deadline. General Manager Brian Cashman figured out with Yankees selling and with Beltran was their best hitter, Cashman figured that Beltran would fit well with a contending team like Texas.

There was one trade that wasn't huge but the Boston Redsox made a trade for a left handed bullpen pitcher in Fernando Abad. Abad gives the Redsox a boost to their bullpen who's looking for bullpen help.

To wrap things up, I think that this was a very productive trade deadline. There wasn't I would say a big blockbuster trade but there were many good trades that are good. Pitchers like Chris Sale, Julio Teheran, and Sonny Gray who were looking maybe for a trade. For other teams it would be too much money to get big time pitchers.