MLB Trade Deadline

Yesterday was quiet time for the Orioles, but for every other team in the AL East and many other teams in baseball the 2021 trade deadline has been like making a cup of tea while jumping on a trampoline. While riding a horse. While on fire. There is still time for the Orioles to make some moves, should they desire, but for now, I hope you’ll settle in for a recap of Thursday’s trade action. 

(You can discuss this on the BSL Board here.)

Yankees

New York had a decision to make. Nine games out of the division at the start of Thursday’s games and with a negative run differential, the Yankees decided to go all in on this year’s team. Why? Maybe GM Brian Cashman felt some pressure from ownership. Perhaps he looked at his roster and thought, “If not now, when?’ Perhaps he saw the struggling Red Sox at the top of the division as catchable. Perhaps all of the above. Regardless, Cashman swung two trades of note so far. 

The first was for corner outfielder Joey Gallo of the Rangers. Gallo brings serious contact issues, something the Yankees are quite familiar with with regards their current roster, but beyond that he’s quite a good player. While his selectivity results in strikeouts, it also comes out the other side with lots of walks and a high on base percentage. And – I’ve buried the lead here – he hits a ton of dingers too. Combine that with good outfield defense, something the Yankees have been lacking this season, and you have a perfect fit for New York’s roster. 

To augment the Gallo move, the Yankees swooped in and acquired first baseman Anthony Rizzo from the Cubs. With Luke Voit healthy, Rizzo seems somewhat redundant (though Rizzo is a much better defender than Voit), but Voit is not healthy. So for now Rizzo takes over at first base and later, well, sort that problem out then. 

The Yankees still have numerous needs, pitching of all types, a shortstop maybe, but that’s what Friday is for. Apparently. For now though, they’ve undoubtedly improved both their offense and their fielding behind their pitching staff. Nine games is a lot to make up, but this is definitely a start.

Blue Jays

The Jays have been interested in just about every available player according to reports, but so far they’ve only managed to reel in closer Brad Hand from the Nationals. Hand is having a down season by his standards – lower strikeouts, more walks, and just generally getting hit harder – but for the Blue Jays bullpen he’s a massive upgrade. The Jays need all the pitching they can get, so expect that to be the focus on Friday before the clock strikes. 

Red Sox

Boston was shut out in the Rizzo sweepstakes and (we’ll discuss this below) the Max Scherzer derby, but they did come away with a nice piece in corner outfielder Kyle Schwarber. Schwarber was inexplicably DFA’d by the Cubs following the 2020 season but was enjoying a nice bounce-back season with Washington before straining his hamstring a few weeks ago. He’s still not healthy, though reports say he should return in a couple of weeks. The Red Sox gave up a decent though quite young pitching prospect for him, so hopefully for them he’ll be able to play at some point. 

The other question with Schwarber is, when he shows up to play, where will it be? Boston badly needs a first baseman, but that’s never been Schwarber’s position. The Red Sox are stacked in the outfield with capable players, any one of which could take a seat to accommodate Schwarber, but how much of an upgrade is that really? Schwarber has never been a standout defender, so the overall upgrade here might be smaller than it seems at first.

According to reports the Red Sox are exploring other deals and I wouldn’t be surprised if they pulled off one or two other trades before 4pm Eastern on Friday. 

Padres

San Diego managed to reel in reliever Daniel Hudson who is having a nice season out of the Washington bullpen. Another reliever helps them, though it’s not the big fish they were hoping for. For a large portion of Thursday the Padres were reportedly the favorites to acquire starter Max Scherzer of the Nationals. Scherzer, a future Hall of Fame starter still somehow at the height of his powers at age 37, was the focus of everyone’s attention, especially San Diego’s, with some reports going so far as to say the deal was finished, that he was going to be a Padre. That is, until the Dodgers jumped in front of the line. I know you’re shocked.

Dodgers

The Dodgers deftly slipped in front of San Diego for Scherzer’s services, but not only did they acquire the three time Cy Young Award winner, they also traded for All Star shortstop Trea Turner. Yes, somehow the Dodgers not only snatched the best starter available out from under a division rival’s nose, but they got one of the best starting shortstops in baseball as well. Yes, they paid dearly for both players in the form of numerous prospects, but whatever. The Dodgers system is stacked, their roster is stacked, and now it’s even more stacked and they’re absolutely the favorites to win their second straight World Series title. The one consolation for Dodger haters out there is that LA’s rotation probably isn’t too much better than it was a month ago before Trevor Bauer’s suspension. I’d rather have Scherzer than Bauer for a million reasons, but the difference on the field is probably not huge. Otherwise, my gosh, the Dodgers are stacked. 

 * * *

So that’s mostly where things stand at the moment. The rich have gotten richer, the extremely rich have gotten extremely richer, the Nationals are now Juan Soto and four dudes in giant President costumes, and I didn’t mention it but the Mariners and Rays have been swapping relievers back and forth all day long like they’re 10 year olds trading baseball cards. So there’s that too, if that’s the kind of thing you like. 

How does all of this affect the Orioles? Well, it doesn’t really, at least not directly. Baltimore has shown zero inclination to deal anyone so far. That doesn’t mean they won’t, but there sure weren’t reports of any activity on Thursday. It does occur to me that while the entire rest of the AL East is gearing up for battle, the Orioles are laying back. Perhaps that’s a wise strategy for the day before the trade deadline, but wise or not, I do think it shows how difficult this division really is. There are three teams who can legitimately spend you under the table and also the Rays, who are probably the smartest, most well-run team in baseball. None of these teams are going away anytime soon. The Orioles are going to need to work relentlessly and build flawlessly to break through. It can be done, but it’s a more difficult task than perhaps any team pursuing the teardown strategy has had to face before.