Baseball’s trade deadline frenzy always brings about incessant scrolling and refreshing of one’s Twitter feed as fans await dramatic reshapes to the Major League Baseball (MLB) landscape. With teams across the league scrambling to make changes in anticipation for either postseason runs in October or rebuilding plans for the future, forecasts attempting to outline the movement of marquee players and top-rated prospects across the league did not even scratch the surface of what is always a frantic, yet exciting time for baseball fans. And this year’s deadline was certainly no different. Below are three of the biggest trades to go down before the non-waiver July 31 deadline accompanied by a grade and commentary on how well teams addressed their needs and negotiated to keep the transactions fair and comparable.
*Stats and records provided by baseball-reference.com and correct as of Aug. 7.
Johnny Cueto traded from Cincinnati Reds to Kansas City Royals
Sunday’s blockbuster move made just five days prior to the July 31 deadline confirmed the status of two teams going down rather opposite directions in their respective divisions. Johnny Cueto’s departure from the Great American Ball Park signaled the start of the Reds’ (48-58) rebuilding phase, while highlighting the Royals’ (63-44) “win-now” attitude. Bidding their starting pitcher farewell undoubtedly stings, but in return, the Reds received three quality lefties, headlined by Brandon Finnegan, with whom they can build their rotation around. Meanwhile, the Royals, not typically buyers at the deadline, took a risk by swapping three, highly regarded minor league prospects for an impending free agent. Yet, in doing so, the Royals bolstered its flailing rotation by adding one of the best arms in baseball to supplant an underperforming Yordano Ventura and injured Jason Vargas. Despite allowing 12 hits and 5 runs against the Detroit Tigers (53-55) in his debut, Cueto, who posted a 2.62 ERA with the Reds, will play a huge role in bringing the Royals back to the Fall Classic after their agonizing loss in 2014.
Reds – B, Royals – A
Los Angeles Dodgers, Miami Marlins, Atlanta Braves make 13-player, 3-team trade
A simple trade between the Dodgers (62-46) and Marlins (43-66) was said to be completed on the Wednesday, but instead required a third team before being officially completed the next day. The final trade involved 13 players from three teams and marked one of the biggest blockbuster transactions in recent memory. The Braves (49-60) emerged only later as the third team and had to surrender right-hander Alex Wood, but managed to obtain the services of third baseman Hector Olivera, who, if injury-free, could prove to be an intriguing asset with upside. Meanwhile, from Miami’s perspective, the move was little more than a wake-up call for a club that was originally projected to be contenders in late-October. However, as none the prospects come with much acclaim, parting ways with starting pitcher Mat Latos and outfielder/first baseman Michael Morse was simply nothing more than a salary dump, freeing manager Dan Jennings to seek out more pieces in the future. The Dodgers needed only to release four minor leaguers and assume $45 million in contracts to fortify their rotation with two starting pitchers, acquire depth to their bullpen, and add infield prospect Jose Peraza. Sounds like a clear winner.
Dodgers – A, Braves – B, Marlins – C+
David Price traded from Detroit Tigers to Toronto Blue Jays
With two major moves both coming within a week’s time, Toronto has made its intentions of making the playoffs clear to all its AL rivals. Just days after adding slugger Troy Tulowitzki, the Blue Jays followed up by going all-in to acquire a rental in starting pitcher David Price. The move, although steep in its give, appropriately addresses the team’s pitching, which ranked in the bottom five in total strikeouts in the season. In doing so, the Blue Jays had to part ways with three promising prospects, including lefthander and potential no. 3 pitcher Daniel Norris, but in light of pursuing the team’s first postseason appearance since 1993, Price could be the difference-maker. On the Tigers side, the team should be delighted with their return. Moreover, Detroit could join in the Price sweepstakes later this winter when the former AL Cy Young winner goes into the open market.
Blue Jays – B+, Tigers – A-
