1-Man’s Opinion on Sports-Monday. “MLB Trade Deadliners–Winners-Losers”

Posted by on August 2nd, 2021  •  2 responses  • 

“MLB Trade Deadline–Historical-Hateful”

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It was a Baseball Trading Deadline like we have never seen before.

Firesales from big name clubs..Salary dumps…Ravaging of rosters…and alot of fire directed at front offices.

There were 37-trades made in all.  That included 10-All Stars being dealt away.  Since the August 1st-September 1st waiver rule has gone away, you either made deals now or suffered the consequences.

PADRES…It was a bad 24-hours for the Friars.  The failure to get a starting pitcher at the trade deadline, then the loss of Fernando Tatis with a possible season ending shoulder dislocation, his third of the year, has put the team behind the 8-ball.  Max Scherzer would have a rental for two months and a difference maker, but at the cost of prized prospect Robert Hassell or young shortstop CJ Abrams, I don’t think so.  But in making 3-other deals, AJ Preller gave up 6-more prospects, bringing to 30-the number he has dealt in 2-plus years.  The 3-deals he made for Daniel Hudson, Adam Frazier and Jake Marisnick just seem like rearranging the chairs on the Titanic  They are woefully short on starting pitching but would not overpay for the likes of Zach Davies or Kenta Maeda, and did not want JA Happ, Jon Lester or other mid level vets.  Maybe time to start thinking of next year with Mike Clevinger, Dinelson Lamet and even Adrian Morejon joining the rotation.

DODGERS…They keep spending, with a budget now of 262M, that is 50M over the luxury tax level and they will have to pay 42% tax on that 50M overage at the end of the season.  Obvious to me they had an agreement to sign Max Scherzer to an extension at big money once this season is over.  Trea Turner can play 2nd base and the outfield, and might be insurance if Corey Seager leaves as a free agent.  Keep an eye on this, the Scherzer deal must mean LA is going to dump Trevor Bauer once he is disciplined by MLB and the franchise is willing to go to war with the Union over the final 2-years of his 102M contract.  Add in Danny Duffy as another starter, and they have depth, very much needed with the issues Clayton Kershaw has.

GIANTS…Did not get pitching, but did get Kris Bryant, and kept their top prospect, C-Joey Bart plus top young pitching.

YANKEES…They got lefthanded bats to balance the lineup, and they must feel they will score a ton of runs with Anthony Rizzo and Joey Gallo joining Giancarlo Stanton, Aaron Judge, Gary Sanchez in the order.  Not sure why they did not add pitching, but historical nickname fits, ‘Bronx Bombers’.

WHITE SOX…They’ve been planning on winning for years, and with the arrival of Craig Kimbrel, Ryan Tapera and Cesar Hernandez, and the hope their injured young star Luis Robert gets back healthy, they will play baseball in October.

TAMPA BAY…They took on salary with Nelson Cruz, and were pretty active for a small budget-small market team.  See you in October.

TORONTO…Big bats and now extra arms.  Huge acquisitions with Jose Berrios of the Twins and Brad Hand to close from Washington.

HOUSTON…They needed bullpen help and they went out and got it, with Kendall Graveman, Yimi Garcia and Phil Maton on rentals.

MARINERS…They swapped out one closer, Graveman, got another Diego Castillo so they might view this as  a positive, but most think it is a wash.

A’s…Out of character, renting Starling Marte to join those home run hitters Matt Olson-Matt Chapman, plus reliever Andrew Chafin and utility guys Yan Gomes-Josh Harrison.

METS..Javy Baez-Francisco Lindor-Peter Alonso-pretty good threesome.  Now if they could get all their injured outfielders healthy and back on the field.  But the continuing health issues of Jacob deGrom and the fact Noah Syndegaard is not yet back, is not good news.

CUBS…They dealt away 9-players in a total housecleaning of most of its stars.  The Rizzo-Bryant-Baez era is over.  Big issue, the good run they had, is off set by the fact the Cubs seemingly have stopped developing players from within and haven’t signed any starts in International free agency.  They got 12-prospects in all the deals, but they are not ready to play.

WASHINGTON…Aside from Stephen Strasburg, hurt and left behind, they made 6-different trades and got 12-players back, but it’s like Juan Soto by himself against the world.

RED SOX…Still in first place in a surprise season, added Kyle Schwaber in a trade but no pitching.  But Chris Sale appears ready to finish his rehab and rejoin the rotation after elbow surgery two years ago.

PHILLIES…Sure has not worked out even with the signing of Bryce Harper and JT Realmuto.  Getting Kyle Gibson and Ian Kennedy patches a threadbare pitching staff but they don’t have enough arms.

BRAVES…The loss of slugger Ron Acuna and the siege of pitching injuries have hurt.  Renting Adam Duvall and Eddie Rosario might buy them an odd win or two, but surely won’t put them into a wildcard spot.

ANGELS…Hanging onto thin hopes of being a wildcard team, they dealt two pitchers, Andrew Heaney and Tony Watson, picked up 6-prospects.  But there is still no timetable on Mike Trout rejoining Shohei Ohtani, and likely no hope they are anything more than a .500-team.

CARDINALS…Once proud team, wrecked by injuries.  Not sure anyone can figure what Jon Lester and JA Happ bring to a beleaguered rotation.

REDS…Trading for 3-relief pitchers to shore up the troubled spot on the roster.  Who knows if it makes a difference.

ROCKIES….They dealt away Nolan Arenado, but faced with the impending loss of Trevory Story and Jon Gray, they sat tight and retained them.

MINNESOTA…Last season was such a fun time, this year, such a disappointment.  That’s why they let Nelson Cruz, JA Happ and others go.

60-days left in the season and the rosters you have this morning are the ones you will have to go to war with if you get to the playoffs.

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2 Responses to “1-Man’s Opinion on Sports-Monday. “MLB Trade Deadliners–Winners-Losers””

  1. Lee – Glad to find your site. Although I am not a fan of commercial-laden sports talk radio, I really enjoyed your show.

    While it is disappointing that the Pads didn’t get a rental starter, even if they had, they would be unlikely to overtake the Dodgers after their upgrade. They are looking at winning the 1 game wild card to truly make the postseason. I don’t know if you have written about this, but aside from the contributions of superstars Tatis and Machado, the Padres overall winning record this season has been caused by a bunch of no-name bullpen guys. It has driven me crazy reading about how they are being “overworked” and that their use has been unsustainable. With one exception, Stammen, no individual pitcher has logged more innings than the bullpen arms of other teams. And Stammen can handle the extra work. On the other side of the coin, they have been snake-bit on the starters.

    Have you thought of doing a Padre podcast? If so, I have some unique ideas regarding format.

    • Lee Hacksaw Hamilton says:

      Glad you found website…been writing daily for 8-years
      Hope you will check it daily….I post late in evening

      Did podcast for awhile but too much work

      I am also on KUSI…doing Saturday sports 6:30am and 9:50am so give it a watch

      Thanks for kind comments..

      Lee

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