The 101st Article You've Read About the Trade Deadline

(Photo Permission of and Credit to Freek Bouw of Phrake Photography)

Posted By: Steven Claxton

Greetings everyone from The Catch. It's now been almost exactly twenty-four hours post - trade deadline as I start writing here today. It sounds so delightful to phrase it in such a manner, as if I had planned it.

The truth is I just arrived back home from a trip to urgent care, of which I had to visit following an attempt to cut an extra hole into my belt with a heavy duty pocket knife. If nothing else, at least the Thai nurse practitioner who inserted my stitches was beautiful.

Funny enough, I did not gain a "notch in my belt" at any point. Another silly experience I'll learn from in the future, sure, but nothing else.

But, let's get back to baseball and discuss whom may have gained a "notch in their belt" based on the results of the 2019 MLB trade deadline (of which ended yesterday, July 31st, at 3PM central).

I know, I know. You've read a hundred articles regarding the trade deadline already. Greinke to Astros, World Series in the bag. Oh, and the Mets are stupid. End of article.

As usual, though, I want to look at things from my own perspective and not follow the crowd as we seem to often do in fantasy circles. I don't want to merely state who won and whom lost, I simply want to talk and discuss what happened.

A Matter of Time

The first detail to bear in mind, of which I feel the average fan forgets, is that the trade deadline is final. While the waiver deadline of the past was not always an active event, sometimes it was.

There was a sense of security following its preceding trade deadline due to the idea that a trade deadline error could potentially be righted one month later at the waiver deadline.

Yes, the average fan knows the trade deadline is final, but there are two ways to look at such a matter. On one hand, from the fans' perspective, a decision to not complete a blockbuster trade is a failure as the organization in question has missed their opportunity to succeed, whether that be now or in the future (rebuild vs. strengthen).

On the other hand, despite the advice of Michael Scott of The Office, sometimes it is the shots you don't take.

While I personally anticipated, for instance, Zack Wheeler to be traded to the Houston Astros, it was a move that didn't go down. And it made all the sense in the world to get that deal done.

What's not to love? A young enough flamethrower with strong peripherals joining forces with the spin-rate elitists. Whom is also a rental with an ugly ERA - two factors potentially merging together for a lower cost of acquisition for the organization.

Yet, that's looking on the bright side again. Whose to say Wheeler wouldn't have gone down with an injury once more? Whose to say Wheeler's ERA does regress positively towards his peripherals?

The Astros didn't want that risk. In a race for the pennant and more. they aren't perhaps in position to take on another project. Thus, they went with old reliable - Zack Greinke, the eighty-eight milin' wizard.

Some would say this signals the departure of Gerrit Cole following the 2019 season given that the 'Stros now owe over fifty million between Verlander and Greinke for each of 2020 and 2021.

Whether that's what does happen and if it is what is the right direction for the team is another story, but it does unveil the notion that many organizations always have a plan - some more elaborate than others -  and it is at times based on faith in its minor league system or other factors.

The Astros, for example, if they are not to sign Gerrit Cole - arguably the best free agent pitcher of this century behind only Clayton Kershaw, Chris Sale, and Max Scherzer - are potentially revealing their faith in, of course, Justin Verlander and Zack Greinke, but also maybe Forrest Whitley and other minor league arms...finances somewhat not withstanding.

Hypocrisy?

During all of this, and in spite of praise for a going-on-36 year old pitcher with a declining fastball whom will now be facing DHs as opposed to pitchers, the Yankees have drawn the short end of the stick in regards to criticism.

No disrespect to Greinke, but it's not as if rentals always work out. Furthermore, as stated, Greinke will be about 36 and a half at the start of next season. If the Astros don't win a World Series this year, it's perhaps worse than striking out on a rental as they've now invested in two old pitchers while - what looks like - as a result, letting an elite younger ace walk free.

As for the Yankees, clearly James Paxton, who was nearly unanimously considered an ace, has just not been very good in his short tenure with the New York Yankees. Sure, the injury concerns were previously there, but the issue now has been performance.

I don't see the difference in the Paxton signing and a potential Noah Syndergaard acquisition.

You have a deemed ace, albeit younger, who now has injury concerns himself and is not performing to his maximum. While the Yankees' well-documented pitching struggles leading up to the trade deadline were obviously concerning, what is it that led baseball fans to universally convince themselves that Noah Syndergaard - A.K.A. Thor - and his 4.10 ERA will undoubtedly thrive to the tune of his past numbers in the throes of Yankee Stadium and the AL East.

Furthermore, what is the belief that the presence of Syndergaard alone will save what is now a failed rotation of four other starters. Maybe if this was last year. Maybe if this was Syndergaard's 2.60 ERA, 5.9 WAR 2016. Maybe then it would be more fitting for the Yankees to make such a move.

Even if you add Wheeler to the conversation, it's still a concerning matter. We can talk about potential and peripherals all day, but those aren't guaranteed to materialize in the environment the Yankees are in following a half season of 4.00+ ERA from the pitching pair.

I understand, as opposed to one year of James Paxton, the Yankees would have had Syndergaard for another three years (with what would be considerable raises through arbitration), however the current backlash appears centered around 2019 alone.

Meanwhile, the Yankees are lucky to be where they are given the string of injuries the team has suffered. To assume LeMahiue continues carrying the offense seems to be of high faith. Plus, stars, Gary Sanchez and Giancarlo Stanton sit on the IL while impending free agent, Didi Gregorious, mans shortstop and Gio Urshela - former average prospect - faces a potential regression in the coming months. This is all in the face of a recent IL trip for first baseman, Luke Voit.

In spite of the team's 2019 record, I feel fans aren't necessarily being realistic or seeing what could be in 2020 with a potentially healthy roster, Severino included, and stud pitching prospect, Deivi Garcia.

Final Thoughts

In short, I'm not disproving of the Yankees lack of deadline moves.

The Astros made a move that could win them a World Series, but the rotation remains questionable beyond 2019 based purely on the age of their top starting pitchers.

The Tigers did a great job adding some prospects in return for an impending free agent in Castellanos and a formerly average reliever having a career year.

As for the recipient of Castellanos' services, the Cubs let go of a bit much, but should be content knowing they didn't give up a player of the caliber of, say, Nico Hoerner. The Cubs could have used some pitching, but I think the acquisition of Castellanos in that division and ballpark is something that could give them further flexibility and, more importantly, a potentially huge offensive upgrade.

Atlanta made a move and I suppose that's something to be proud of, but the peripherals of Greene point to some serious regression. I don't fear what the organization gave up to obtain Greene, but rather that all they did was add a slightly above average reliever of whom they might rely on as an ace reliever. Luke Jackson still may be the best reliever in Atlanta.

The Nats did good on building some bullpen depth while the Phillies did fine in acquiring Corey Dickerson - a potential 25 home run, .300 hitter - adding insurance for an injured, aging, yet productive Jay Bruce.

I thought the Brewers took some serious shots in the dark with Faria and Pomeranz, but at least they did something to try to get a spark going in that disaster of a starting rotation, most notably with Woodruff on the injured list. I applaud them for going after some hidden potential and not a known poor starter such as a guy like Dan Straily (yuck, Phillies!).

I love the Oakland Athletics trade for Tanner Roark. It seems like this is "their" deal that they consistently get done. It reminds me so much of when they traded for Hammel and Samardzija in separate seasons. Roark has good velocity that he can dial up at times. He is a respectable SP who could excel in Oakland Coliseum. The Athletics could get some innings down the stretch from Puk and Luzardo and Khris Davis hasn't even really hit his stride yet, therefore the team could see some serious positive regression going forward.

The Tampa Bay Rays made some quiet, strong trades as they acquired Eric Sogard and Jesuis Aguilar. Aguilar figures to form a formidable platoon with Ji-Man Choi and Sogard, though the power has fallen off a bit, will be a nice boost in batting average and on-base percentage - perhaps not glaring needs for the team, but trades that will be of benefit. The health of the starting rotation would appear to dictate the team's success rest of season after their successful start to 2019 in a tough division.

With all of this in mind, I'm not sure Trevor Richards and Nick Anderson of the Marlins were worth a prospect of the quality of Jesus Sanchez. That seemed a bit of a desperation move. Richards might be young...he might be controllable...but the numbers have been questionable, especially control-wise. Both Anderson and Richards were formerly independent league pitchers. 

This brings us to the Marlins. The Marlins did a fantastic job at the deadline. Zac Gallen is a loss for the organization, but I am not completely sold on the young pitcher. I think he can be a steady player, but whether he can be a top arm remains to be seen. The Marlins finally piled up some actual prospects and that in itself is a huge accomplishment for the shifting organization as talent has been hard to find lately. Chisholm has some serious issues to figure out, but the talent is there and he's still very young. Jesus Sanchez figures to be a solid component of the team's future, as well.

Call me crazy, but I really don't mind what the Mets did. They appear to have little in the ways of prospects in any potential rebuild. They would have needed an unbelievable return for Syndergaard and, if it was on the table, I'd think they'd have already taken it. Stroman was an odd add, but they only really had to give up Simeon Woods-Richardson and he won't even be major league ready for likely a good three years. The Mets now have really good pitchers. The formula  is the same, this team just needs to play to their capabilities.

As many have stated, maybe the Blue Jays could have received more for the aforementioned Marcus Stroman. That said, if we zone in on Simeon Woods-Richardson and only him, I really do like this pitcher. Though it's easy to get excited about the future of the Blue Jays, it could still be a couple of years until it all blends together and actually works. A 2022 ETA, roughly, for Woods-Richardson would theoretically be just as the Blue Jays become an above average team. It's not so bad in that respect.

Good job, Diamondbacks on freeing up fifty million by trading Greinke.

Red Sox were an (obvious?) let down. They really only needed to acquire one decent reliever, preferably two. They didn't need to thrust themselves into a blockbuster or anything along those lines. I understand Cora and the team's mindset to continue the success they found last year, but the slow start was evident and they let go of Kimbrel and it has been a huge loss. They've warmed up as of late, but it's possible they could have acquired Will Smith, if not a lesser, quality arm to bolster their rotation. The faith instilled in Eovaldi is extreme.

And finally...

I'd be remiss to exclude the three-team deal between CLE/CIN/SD. 

The Indians probably feel blessed. They were able to dismiss a difficult, under-performing star player and receive some serious needs in the outfield in the form of Yasiel Puig, who has been putting up near-superstar numbers following his slow start, and Franmil Reyes - a power hitter who has amassed 43 home runs in his first 582 career at-bats. 

The acquisitions come just in time for the resurgence of Jose Ramirez and a return of health for Mike Clevinger. A team that looked questionable a month ago now appears to be a force and could be deadly if ace pitcher, Corey Kluber, can return healthy and perform to his standards - not to mention should Carlos Carrasco defeat cancer sooner rather than later (obviously his health is more important, however.)

At first glance, I couldn't understand why the Padres gave up an outfielder...for an outfielder. After another look, I feel it's a great move. Franmil Reyes may have had power, but he hasn't shown the great discipline Trammell has. Furthermore, while there is a power differential between the two, Trammell looks to be able to provide considerable speed and a solid batting average. Great move here in my opinion.

The Reds, however, I'm not sure what to think. I could certainly see Bauer completely dominating the National League, but even as a writer who believed in the Reds, it seemed a bit out of place. It was one thing to allow Puig to exit, but then to turn around and send off Scooter Gennett is a head-scratcher. They are receiving a player to be named later in return and I would hope it's a pretty decent player.

I can only wonder if this means Scott Schebler becomes a consistent part of the lineup again. Maybe Phillip Ervin can hold his own, but there's plenty to suggest major regression. I am warming up to Josh VanMeter, however, and he could be key going forward. A questionable key.

Staying on the topic of Scooter Gennett, it's good to see the San Francisco Giants stand firm on whether they were buyers or sellers as this goes back to not only the signings of Jeff Samardzija and Johnny Cueto, but even smaller moves like when they acquired Kevin Pillar earlier this season. It's an unspectacular team on paper, but one that is part of an organization that tends to overperform. There is enough here to succeed and Gennett would theoretically serve as a nice offensive boost. Yasztremski has been a worthwhile find and I actually think there might be some sleeper appeal in Shaun Anderson.

That is all I have for you in this installment of The Catch. Thank you to those of you out there who take the time to read our articles. If there's something you'd like to see us try to cover in an article, it's worth a shot to reach out to us and we'll see what we can do. Have a great day.

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