After All The Trade Deadline Hoopla, Who Were The Winners And Losers?

No Comments August 2, 2016 Baseball By John Stellman

The major league non-waiver trade deadline has come and gone, and many considered it a real yawner.

Has Billy Eppler awakened yet?

Sure, there was some genuine excitement created. Make no mistake about that.

And well there should be.

Four Winners

Former Mets general manager (2004) and current mlb.com columnist Jim Duquette says the Giants, Dodgers, Rangers and Yankees were at the top of the trade deadline class.

Fans in Arlington and San Francisco probably can’t contain themselves.

Citizens in the Bronx might possibly be perplexed. But what the Yankees did was all good!

And while the Dodger faithful can now see light at the end of the tunnel, Angel fans are probably collectively scratching their heads.

Massive Infusion

I completely understand that the foundation in Anaheim is crumbling and that the farm system needs mass reconstruction.

But the path that was taken appears confusing.

Manager Mike Scoiscia says he isn’t waving the white flag. Good for him. But the chances of the Angels sneaking into the playoffs are probably slim and none. And Slim just left town!

Eppler had some attractive pieces that drew interest. Apparently however, they weren’t as attractive as he thought they were.

Impressive Support

Even though Hector Santiago generally needed around 100 pitches to complete five innings, he still took a 10-4 record and 4.25 earned run average with him to Minneapolis.

He was the American Pitcher Of The Month in July. It must be noted however, that the 28-year old lefty was lavished with 30 runs over the 29 1/3 innings he pitched in his last five games.

Santiago was also on the mound July 2 in Boston when the Angels demolished the Red Sox, 21-2.

Nonetheless, he was a perfect 6-0 for the month.

Hands Were Tied!

Isn’t he worth more than 33-year old journeyman Ricky Nolasco and minor league prospect Alex Meyer?

And least we forget, the Angels also included soon to be (August 22) 26-year old right hander Alan Busenitz in the deal. In four minor league campaigns, the 6’1, 180-pounder is 11-16 (3.77).

In fact, the Twins were so determined to rid themselves of Nolasco’s $12M contract that they INSISTED he be included in the deal.

No Savior!

Nolasco, who will earn the same figure next year and $13M in 2018, brings a 4-8 record with an accompanying 5.13 earned run average to Anaheim.

Obviously the key to the transaction is Meyer. Scoiscia sees plenty of upside in the 26-year old right hander, who has compiled a record of 12-13 (3.83 ERA) in three years of Triple-A experience.

The general manager indicated that Meyer will be invited to spring training next February and given an opportunity to win a spot in the Angels rotation.

Hung Jury?

The jury has been sequestered and may be locked up for a while before rendering a verdict regarding this transaction.

Then there is Joe Smith.

He had to be the happiest Angel on earth when news reached him that he had landed on the north side of Chicago.

After all, Smith just gained 13 1/2 games in the standings. The elevator took Smith all the way to the penthouse. To first place in the National League’s Central Division and a legitimate shot at a World Series ring.

During is two plus seasons in Anaheim, the 32-year old veteran has distinguished himself admirably. In 184 games Smith compiled an 13-11 record in addition to 26 saves and a 2.89 earned run average.

Any Improvement?

And what did he bring in return?

Twenty one (August 27) year old Low Single-A right hander Jesus Castillo. His credentials: 6-11, 4.12 ERA. Don’t hold your breath until he reaches Anaheim. You may expire.

So is this what you would call strengthening your minor league portfolio?

NY Took A Different Path

Not if you’re the Yankees.

Unlike his former assistant now in Anaheim, New York general manager Brian Cashman instigated a huge overhaul. And he did it impressively.

Cashman had some players to deal. And deal them he did.

Once the smoke had cleared, most pundits agreed the Yankees had constructed the best minor league system in baseball.

Eleven new farm hands was all it took.

Early Start

It all began on July 25.

New York shipped Aroldis Chapman and his 100 miles per hour plus fastball to the Cubs.

Chicago’s price was Gleyber Torres, Rashad Crawford, Billy McKinney and Adam Warren.

Next it was Andrew Miller, another stellar member of the Pinstripes elite bullpen, who was dispatched to the Indians. The price to Cleveland? Clint Frazier, Justus Sheffield, Ben Heller and J.P Feyereisen.

Cashman then turned around and sent Carlos Beltran to Texas for Dillon Tate, Nick Green and Erik Swanson. Tate was the Rangers No. 1 pick in the 2015 draft and the fourth overall selection.

Torrez and Frazier are now considered to be the Yankees top two minor league prospects.

No Indian

Having just added Beltran, the Rangers then went after Milwaukee’s All-Star catcher, Jonathan Lucroy.

The cost to Texas was two of their top three prospects, outfielder Lewis Brinson, right handed pitcher Luis Ortiz and the fabled player to be named later.

Ironically, Lucroy had a few days earlier voided a trade to Cleveland by exercising his no-trade clause.

Meanwhile rivals San Francisco and Los Angeles, who are staging a down to the wire battle in the National League West, did a little muscle flexing of their own.

Giants Add Lefties

The Giants acquired Tampa Bay left handed starter Matt Moore and Milwaukee lefty reliever Will Smith, both 27, for prospects.

Moore, 39-28 with a 3.88 ERA during his six seasons in Florida cost San Francisco Matt Duffy, Lucius Fox and Michael Santos. Duffy was runner up to the Cubs Chris Bryant in last season’s Rookie Of The Year balloting.

The cost for Smith was right hander Phil Bickford, who had been the Giants No. 1 prospect, and Andrew Susac.

LA Acquires Arm, Bat

The Dodgers also plugged holes on the mound and in the outfield.

Oakland and Toronto were the match makers.

Thirty six year old left hander Rich Hill and 29 year old right fielder Josh Reddick went south for mid level prospects Jharel Cotton, Grant Holmes and Frankie Montas.

In 14 starts for the Athletics this summer, Hill was 9-3 with an earned run average of 2.25.

During his five years in the East Bay, Reddick cracked 84 home runs and knocked home 300 teammates. He had a workman like slash line of .257/.321/.440.

Adios Blue Jays

Crossing the Canadian border, Jesse Chavez brings a nine year record of 26-40 and an ERA of 4.60 to Los Angeles.

The soon to be (August 21) 33 year old right hander’s road map includes stops in Pittsburgh, Atlanta, Kansas City, Oakland and Toronto on his way to Southern California.

In exchange, the Blue Jays received right hander Mike Bolsinger.

High Fives A Plenty!

But when all the smoke had cleared there were plenty of smiles inside the offices at Dodger Stadium. Why? Neither Julio Urias nor Jose De Leon, both top prospects in the Dodger organization, had changed uniforms.

A job well done?

The rest is up to the Dodgers, who now need to punch their ticket to the playoffs!!!

MLB.com columnist Jim Duquette contributed to this article

Image: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

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John Stellman

I was born with sports in my blood. I began coaching little league baseball at 15. I was the sports editor of my high school newspaper. I did football play by play for the college radio station. I broadcast high school basketball for a local commercial station. But baseball was always my passion. During the 1970's I covered the Angels for the Orange County Register. And now I am back where I belong...