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I always appreciate a good process. For pro sports franchises, there are a lot of things that run smoothly because of a variety of reasons. But when it comes to player movement in MLB, there is nothing like the trade deadline. No other sport swaps the number of big-league players (not to mention the exponentially more prospects) than MLB. Not the NFL, not the NBA, not the WNBA, not the NHL. Once those deals are consummated, a group of people go into action that everything work without worry from the entering and exiting players. They are the MLB clubhouse managers. I ran across this post after Monday’s deadline passed and wanted to pass along not only what they do, but a thank you for all that they do on a daily basis to make sure players and coaches have everything they need to perform.
Today’s Headlines
Trades? Trades! TRADES!!!
Well, that was certainly something. Each year, the trade deadline has its own rhythm, with this year being a bit on the slow side as far as actual action (the rumor mill is always lit). Until Monday, that is. Then the front offices went on a spree that left everyone’s heads spinning, some for better, others for worse. If you need a recap of who went where, check out Will Orsland’s recap, which should be posted by 10:30 a.m. ET. It is something I have done the past four years and hopefully helps you sort through everything. While I will leave it up to Will for all the details from every trade, here are the highlights of the bigger deals (for deadline winners and losers, check out this article from The Athletic):
⚾ The Boston Red Sox surprised with the huge deal for catcher Adley Rutschman from the AL East rival Baltimore Orioles, then added left-handed reliever Erik Miller while shipping out infielder Marcelo Mayer, the 2021 No. 4 overall draft pick.
⚾ The Chicago Cubs added right-handed starter Clay Holmes and outfielder Tyrone Taylor from the New York Mets and left-handed starter Braxton Garrett from the Miami Marlins.
⚾ The San Diego Padres bolstered their rotation by adding 2021 AL Cy Young Award winner Robbie Ray, a left-hander from the San Francisco Giants, and right-hander Casey Mize of the Detroit Tigers.
⚾ The Cleveland Guardians swooped up left-handed starter Foster Griffin from the Washington Nationals and outfielder Jo Adell from the Angels.
⚾ The Philadelphia Phillies added two players in second baseman Luis Arraez (Giants) and left-handed reliever Brooks Raley (Mets).
⚾ The Pittsburgh Pirates landed one of the top relievers at the deadline in right-hander Luke Weaver from the Mets.
⚾ The Milwaukee Brewers added right-handed starter Dustin May and left-handed reliever JoJo Romero from the St. Louis Cardinals, then picked up right-handed reliever Antonio Senzatela from the Colorado Rockies.
⚾ The Seattle Mariners got outfielder Taylor Ward from the Baltimore Orioles.
⚾ The Houston Astros dealt for center fielder Daulton Varsho from the Toronto Blue Jays.
⚾ The Chicago White Sox picked up center fielder Brenton Doyle from the Colorado Rockies.
⚾ The Arizona Diamondbacks got outfielder Lars Nootbaar from the Cardinals.
⚾ The Minnesota Twins added right-handed reliever Jeff Hoffman.
⚾ The Blue Jays, not contending and looking toward 2027, plucked right-handed starter José Soriano from the Angels.
Pfaadt Fantastic As D’backs Drop Padres
It was kind of funny that the Diamondbacks and Padres opened a big four-game series on the day of the trade deadline. While the players acquired were still making their way to their new teams, the game was huge as two NL West rivals battle for a wild-card spot. The D’backs entered the game tied with the Phillies, one game ahead of the Padres. But a resurgent Brandon Pfaadt had the Padres’ number again, using his craftiness to allow just one unearned runs over 6⅔ innings in as the D’backs won the opener 5-1. Tim Tawa provided the big blow, a three-run homer in the fourth inning.
Burleson Bombs Yankees Three Times
After his name was bandied about at the trade deadline, Alec Burleson gave the St. Louis Cardinals a thank-you gift. The left-handed slugger belted three two-run homers, the last one capping a seven-run ninth inning that vaulted the Cardinals to a 13-7 victory over the New York Yankees. All seven of those runs in the ninth came via homers, with Nathan Church’s three-run shot being the go-ahead blow after the Cardinals took a 6-0 lead, then watched the Yankees score the next seven runs. Jimmy Crooks also had a two-run shot in the ninth.
Caminero Blasts Pair As Rays Topple Rockies
The Tampa Bay Rays may not have gotten a second starting pitcher at the trade deadline, but that’s OK. They still have Junior Caminero. The slugging third baseman went deep twice and Jonathan Aranda had four hits as the Rays dropped the Colorado Rockies 13-9. After adding starter Freddy Peralta the day before, the Rays were unable to bolster their rotation further, but did add catcher Liam Hicks and reliever Tyler Wells. Caminero hit a two-run homer in the first inning and a solo shot in the fourth to give him 32 homers this year.
By The Numbers
1 Chicago Cubs rookie Kevin Alcantara hit his first career homer in a 10-5 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers.
6-1 The Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Milwaukee Brewers 4-3, the sixth victory over the NL Central leaders in seven games this season.
1.44 San Francisco Giants right-handed starter Logan Webb toss six shutout innings and struck out a season-high eight in a 5-1 victory over the Texas Rangers. In five career starts vs. the Rangers, Webb has a 1.44 ERA.
Best Moments From Yesterday
Always Friends
While many players had to take flights to another city to join their new team, new Astros center fielder Daulton Varsho just had to go from the visiting clubhouse to the home clubhouse at Daikin Park in Houston. But that didn’t give him enough time to say goodbye to his former Blue Jays teammates, so he took some time pregame to do so.
Using Your … Hand?
All you have to do is touch the base. Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. proved that after bobbling a grounder.
Injuries and Other Moves
⚾ The Yankees are promoting their top prospect, infielder George Lombard Jr., to make his MLB debut Tuesday. Lombard s the No. 13 prospect by Baseball America and No. 20 by MLB Pipeline. Outfielder Jasson Domínguez, shortstop Anthony Volpe and right-hander Anthony Chivilli were optioned to Triple-A.
⚾ The Los Angeles Dodgers placed catcher Dalton Rushing on the 10-day injured list due to right elbow inflammation.
⚾ The Rockies and outfielder Mickey Moniak have agreed to a two-year, $16.25 million contract extension.
⚾ Pirates right-handed starter Mitch Keller went on the 60-day Il due to a right arm teres major injury, ending his regular season.
Articles You Should Read
Brewers’ Murphy defends Skubal offer — Johnny Flores Jr., The Athletic
Red Sox’s Breslow made major splashes at trade deadline — Peter Abraham, Boston Globe
In one of Chicago’s busiest deadlines, Cubs and White Sox made things happen — Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune
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