Analysis: Flurry of MLB trades change landscape
Major League Baseball’s non-waivers trade deadline looms Friday, and already activity is robust. USA TODAY Sports’ Jorge L. Ortiz takes a look at the motivation behind the moves that have gone down:
ANALYSIS
The deal: Colorado Rockies trade SS Troy Tulowitzki and RHP LaTroy Hawkins to Toronto Blue Jays for SS Jose Reyes and minor-league pitchers Jeff Hoffman, Miguel Castro and Jesus Tinoco.
The Blue Jays’ thinking: The majors’ most prolific offense – by far – just got stronger with the acquisition of Tulowitzki, regarded as the game’s top shortstop. Even away from Denver’s thin air, Tulowitzki has produced at an All-Star level, with a .817 career road OPS. He also represents a defensive upgrade over Reyes. Toronto now boasts a lineup featuring six players with an OPS of more than .800 and five with at least 12 home runs.
The Rockies’ thinking: In trading away the face of the franchise, the Rockies hope to start heading in a different direction than the one that has them on pace for their fifth consecutive losing season. Acquiring Hoffman was the key to the deal. The 6-4 right-hander was the ninth overall selection in the 2014 draft out of East Carolina and has recovered from Tommy John surgery to climb up to the Class AA level in his first pro season. Rockies general manager Jeff Bridich insists the club has no plans to flip Reyes, but things could change between now and Friday. For now, Colorado is saving about $50 million in the exchange.
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Upshot: It’s a puzzling move for the Blue Jays because much of the reason they’re just hovering around .500 is a pitching staff that ranks 12th in the AL in ERA at 4.07. Toronto GM Alex Anthopoulos made it clear he continues to look for pitching help, and he emphasized this was an acquisition with the present and future in mind. For now, it doesn’t make much sense for the Jays unless they add some quality arms.
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The deal: Oakland Athletics trade utilityman Ben Zobrist to the Kansas City Royals for minor-league pitchers Aaron Brooks and Sean Manaea.
The Royals’ thinking: The move - on the heels of acquiring former Reds ace Johnny Cueto - underscores Kansas City’s determination not to settle for merely winning the title in the AL Central. Zobrist can be plugged in just about anywhere defensively but initially figures to fill the void created by left fielder Alex Gordon’s injury absence. As a switch-hitter with some pop, Zobrist can also fit into several spots in the lineup. The Royals’ young stars will get more expensive in the coming years; this is the best chance for the small-market team to capture a World Series championship.
The A’s thinking: Amid renewed optimism they’ll finally get a new ballpark, the A’s are starting to collect more prospects who may not be on the verge of reaching the majors but have higher upside. Manaea fits into that mold, as the 34th overall pick in the 2013 draft was recently promoted to Class AA. In less than a week, Oakland has traded all three key free agents to-be – Zobrist, Scott Kazmir and Tyler Clippard – reaping a host of minor-leaguers.
Upshot: Zobrist drew lots of attention on the market, with the Washington Nationals and both New York teams among his pursuers. The Royals dipped into their reservoir of pitching prospects – they’ve traded five in three days – for a player who not only serves as a hedge against injuries but could prove instrumental in the postseason.
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The deal: Philadelphia Phillies trade closer Jonathan Papelbon to the Washington Nationals for minor-league RHP Nick Pivetta.
The Nationals’ thinking: Washington closer Drew Storen has 29 saves in 31 chances with a 1.73 ERA, but the club hasn’t gotten consistent work out of the relievers in front of him. Acquiring Papelbon allows the Nationals to slot Storen in the eighth inning – whether he’s happy about it may be a different story – and assign Casey Janssen to the seventh. The Nationals may have learned something from the 2012 Division Series – when Storen and the Nationals blew a two-run lead in the decisive Game 5 – and from last year’s Division Series, when the San Francisco Giants rallied late against their bullpen in Game 4. In other words, you can never have too many shutdown relievers in tight games, which are common in the postseason.
The Phillies’ thinking: Philadelphia, which has the worst record in the majors despite winning eight of nine since the All-Star break, is in full rebuilding mode and has little need for an expensive closer. The Phillies save most of the $4.4 million left on Papelbon’s contract this season and don’t have to worry about his $13 million vesting option for 2016. Pivetta, 22, was promoted to Class AA after logging a 2.29 ERA in 15 Class A outings.
Upshot: While fortifying the bullpen at this stage of the season is typically wise, tinkering with the chemistry of a first-place team can be a risky proposition. After excelling as a closer, Storen will have to accept a lesser role. This could get interesting.
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The deals: The Los Angeles Angels acquire outfielders Shane Victorino, David DeJesus and David Murphy from the Boston Red Sox, Tampa Bay Rays and Cleveland Indians, respectively, in exchange for minor-leaguers.
The Angels’ thinking: Los Angeles is taking a carpet-bombing approach to the black hole that has been left field, where Matt Joyce (.178) has had a miserable season. The lefty-swinging DeJesus and Murphy could split time in left with Victorino, a former switch-hitter who now swings only right-handed and has a .304 career batting average against lefties. DeJesus and Murphy could also see time at DH in a platoon with C.J. Cron. The Angels would like to increase their current average of 4.32 runs a game, slightly above the league standard, and lessen their offense’s heavy dependence on Mike Trout and Albert Pujols.
The thinking of the Red Sox, Rays and Indians: Their circumstances are far from identical, but all three clubs went into Tuesday’s games below .500, with Boston and Cleveland trailing in their division by at least 13 games each. For them, the prime motivation was getting something out of two players who weren’t in their plans for next season and can become free agents, although Murphy (like DeJesus) has a team option. The Rays, who remain in the AL wild-card race, are opening playing time for Desmond Jennings, who is returning from a knee injury.
Upshot: The Angels were getting the second-lowest batting average (.212) and the lowest OPS (.589) in the majors from their left fielders. Just about anything they did would be an improvement.
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