Around the League:
Around the League: Thoughts from the Mind of an Avid Baseball Guy
By Mike Carreiro
One of the most exciting times of the baseball season is the trade deadline. As hardcore fans and observers of the game, we are constantly refreshing news and updates from baseball’s best reporters to keep up to date on the latest transactions and moves that have been made and this year’s deadline was full of movement.
While it may not have been the flashiest of trade deadline’s, the teams that needed to make moves were ferociously doing whatever it took to improve their teams. The final result, a fun filled day and so many players have found new homes.
Be sure to check out the latest episode Around the Diamond, where yours truly makes a special appearance to give my freshest thoughts on the deals of the day. But now some 24 hours after the deadline, here are some thoughts regarding the biggest moves made and not made on this day.
The High Cost of Pitching
Bullpen help is always among the most coveted positions on trade deadline day, and this year was no exception. High leverage arms were on the move from the get go as the deadline approached and teams were spending a ton of prospect capital to acquire these players.
The San Diego Padres led the way and set a very high bar for the relief arm market. Having acquired Jason a few days prior to the deadline from Tampa Bay, they dove back into those negotiations and secured the services of Tanner Scott also. The cost for these 2 young arms? Just 7 prospects including Homer Bush, Dillion Head, Dylan Lesko and Robby Snelling.
This paved the way for other relievers to be moved, but at high cost as we saw Lucas Erceg (3 Prospects), Carlos Esteves (2 Prospects), Luis Garcia (4 Prospects) all find new homes. In fact, 20 of the 34 players that were traded this week were bullpen arms. The high cost thusly being understandable as General Managers of many contending teams were on the hunt for players in this role.
Big Name Bookends
With names like Tarik Skubal, Garrett Crochet, Blake Snell and even Vald Guerrero Jr all being discussed leading up to the deadline as potential trade pieces, arguably the 2 biggest names to move at the 2024 deadline were the first and the last.
The Seattle Mariners really kicked off the last week with a deal landing them Randy Arrozerena from Tampa Bay. The Rays received back Aidan Smith (SEA no. 12 Prospect) Brady Hopkins and a PTBNL. A great haul for Tampa who is, as usual, stock piling young talent, but Randy joins a Mariners team getting ready for a playoff push and a battle with Houston for the AL West crown.
And right at the wire, the Dodgers were able to land SP Jack Flaherty. In the last reported deal of the day LA swooped in, after the Yankees reportedly backed out and moved Thayron Liranzo and former Yanks prospect Trey Sweeny to DET for Flaherty who is in the midst of a great bounce back season. While the Dodgers likely have the NL West in hand, the move for Flaherty sure up a rotation that is missing it 2 best in Ohtani and Yamamoto.
The Other Big Deals of the Deadline
Yankees Acquire Jazz Chisolm- As if they need it, but there are so many traits that Jazz brings to a team like the Yankees. Position versatility, speed on the base paths and professional hitting. Welcome to the big stage Jazz!
The 3 Way Dance- Flaherty wasn’t the only deal the Dodgers made this deadline! They also acquired super utility player Tommy Edman from St. Louis and Michael Kopech from the White Sox to bolster their bullpen. While having to give up Miguel Vargas may not have been the easiest deal to make, sometimes the cost of improving your team hurts a little. The Cardinals also acquired Tommy Pham and Erik Feede in this deal, welcome back to St. Louis Tommy!
Baltimore Bolsters Rotation- With a dramatic drop off after their top 2 pitchers, the Orioles acquired Zach Eflin and Trevor Rogers to add the depth they need in the rotation. The offense for Baltimore has been solid, but after GrayRod there was nothing until it was Corbin’s turn again. Now with what was Tampa’s #2 guy in Eflin and Rogers joining the rotation, having to lean on young and unproven arms for 3 days a week shouldn’t be an issue.
More Trade Deadline Highlights
There were a number of once big name prospects who haven’t quite lived up to their potential that were also moved at the trade deadline this year. Will the ‘Change of Scenery’ come into play for these names and could we see them get back on track?
Eloy Jimenez to the Baltimore Orioles- Once a Top 5 prospect in baseball, Eloy has been floundering on a putrid Chicago White Sox team the past few years. Injuries have also been a factor, so will being plugged into a division leading machine be the motivation he needs?
Dylan Carlson to the Tampa Bay Rays- Carlson, another once promising rookie, now finds himself on a team that is rebuilding. With a few years of Major League experience, Carlson can be a leader on this Rays team and can also use the rest of this season to make any adjustments he needs to reestablish himself, as the Rays are clearly waving the white flag on the 2024 season.
Quinn Priester to the Red Sox-The Red Sox traded prospect Nick Yorke to the Pirates for the promising young arm, who hasn’t quite figured it out yet at the major league level. Yorke, who was at the back of the line in a middle infield log jam for the Red Sox, also now finds himself with a path to the Majors. Priestess was immediately stashed in Worcester and will be on call for the Red Sox in a spot start role and at the very least preparing himself for his shot next season in the Boston rotation. This was a win/win/win/win deal for all players and organizations involved.
The exciting day that was the 2024 trade deadline now melds into the Dog Days of Summer. Who’s moves will pay the most dividends? Who finishes this season strong and does anyone fall off? Time will tell and I’m looking forward to talking about it with you. Until next time…