Yesterday I talked about a lot of deals made at the trade deadline that I really liked, and ones that had immediate ramifications towards the season picture. Not every deal is gonna look like a slam dunk at moment one. Last year we were all wondering why Tommy Edman was a throw-in to LA and by October we all understood. It's very likely that an under-the-radar move is gonna pave the path to a ring for someone. Which is why I do these honorable mention ones the day after, because I talk about the deals that didn't make my list but still intrigue me in some way.
Now, as for ones that don't make sense at all, those will be a future post. But for now, please enjoy some trade deadline deals I thought were cool, but not cool enough to be in my Top 10. From least significant to most significant:
Why It Works: The Cubs needed bullpen help, and Kittredge has been strong since coming back from an injury in mid-May. He's a respectable workhorse with most of the health concerns behind him.
Why it Didn't Make the List: 'Most of'. Even if he's been sharp lately, there's still the reality that since his breakthrough all-star season with the Rays he's been inconsistent. The Cubs have whipped together an impressive bullpen of older guys, but Kittredge could be another liability waiting to happen.
Why It Works: Urias was blocking Jordan Westburg at third, it allows the homegrown infield to continue to develop.
Why it Didn't Make the List: This makes a little less sense after another Astros move. I think ultimately they've admitted that the Brendan Rodgers experiment did not work, and are plugging in another similar-caliber talent at 2nd, but as I'll get into later, getting replacement-level guys to fill big positions may be the more cost-effective tactic, but it's not sustainable. Urias will be fine as an infield replacement, but it's a more economically-sound move than a championship-maker.
Why It Works: Bird has been a proven success for the Rockies this year, plugs in to improve the bullpen effort and doesn't have to shave the beard [EDIT: ....really???]
Why it Didn't Make the List: I am...really worried about Roc Riggio in Denver. He was already pulling pretty sweet power numbers in Somerset, and he was looking like a cool power prospect...but in Coors Field he's gonna be a 40-homer guy and a serious problem. And his name is literally Roc. It feels like an 'infinity gem' move, and I know I could be wrong but I just get this feeling about him. Like the Tatis-for-James Shields trade, I worry that in a couple years Bird will have given us a 4 ERA and a blown postseason save and Riggio will have become a star for the Rockies that we let get away.
Why It Works: Definite bullpen upgrade, and a proven success at that.
Why it Didn't Make the List: I'm gonna get into this at a later time, but a lot of the Giants' deadline moves felt more cruel than anything. I honestly think they still could have competed, and I think lightening the load is one thing but there were some big, long-standing pieces that got dealt really swiftly. Rogers was one of them.
Why It Works: Matz will be a back half rotation addition for a team that's been really struggling to keep its back half healthy. He's been decent enough this year but he can pitch big games.
Why it Didn't Make the List: The Red Sox, a lot like the Cubs, tried to field a big starter at the deadline and had really strange luck with it. They got someone else that..honestly relegates Matz to the same swing role he was in in St. Louis, but they tried to get a Dylan Cease or a MacKenzie Gore and it just wasn't happening. And Matz is their consolation.
Why It Works: Sanchez was heating up in Miami, it lets him be a low-lineup guy in an ailing squad where he can hopefully become the star he couldn't entirely become in Miami.
Why it Didn't Make the List: Again, the Astros are trying to moneyball their way to what they had for 8 years. They're getting affordable, controllable guys who are at replacement level and are trying to steal their way back to a title. Sanchez is fine but he's no Kyle Tucker. And Gusto might be better off in a smaller market like Miami with way more opportunity to start.
Why It Works: Falter's been steady, and decent enough as a mid-rotation guy for the Pirates, and in a similar role for a better team he could be really helpful.
Why it Didn't Make the List: Every deadline there's one team who surprises me in declaring that they're competing. Usually it's someone like the Braves. This year it is the Royals. They're behind the Guardians, who sold a little this deadline, and they're way back in the wild card race. Injuries have dulled this team. I don't know if they have it this year, and some of their moves could be for nothing. OR, their GM would have you believe, they're exactly what they need to become a force again. This is a good move, but I don't know if the Royals were the right team to make it.
Why It Works: Andujar has been a surprise utility bat for the A's. Doesn't need to be the star, but he'll stop in and be a power bat. The Reds need a guy like that honestly to spice things up. Sneakily great move. If Hayes isn't gonna be that power corner, Andujar sure will. Like everything Candelario was supposed to be.
Why it Didn't Make the List: Because it's Miguel Andujar and there were like 5 years between his rookie smash and his comeback last year, and I'm beginning to think that they probably didn't exist.
Why It Works: Bader is a defensive upgrade from a lot of the Phils' OF options, his bat has been very trustworthy this year, and he's known for great Octobers. Honestly, match made in heaven.
Why It Didn't Make the List: Because in a deadline season where the Phillies were chasing Luis Robert and Steven Kwan, Bader comes off like a disappointment. The fans were expecting a big name, Bader isn't that. But the Phils wanted to keep Andrew Painter, so...
Why It Works: Camilo Doval can be hot and cold, but when he's on he's untouchable. In Yankee Stadium, in relief or save situations, Camilo Doval will be intimidating as hell. Between Doval, Bednar and Hill, the Yankees really fixed their bullpen this July, and Doval might be the biggest exclamation point.
Why It Didn't Make the List: Because Bednar's the better closer right now, and because there's some nonsense about Aaron Boone continuing to think that Devin Williams is better than both of them in the ninth.
Why It Works: This is probably the best thing the Tigers did at the deadline, even after whiffing on Suarez. Paddack was having a decent comeback year for the Twins, he's a solid late-rotation guy and he's a true workhorse. In one start for the Tigers he's already proved his worth.
Why It Didn't Make the List: ...because the best guy the Detroit Tigers got at the deadline was Chris Paddack. The Dodgers and Tigers have so many great pieces already that their biggest deadline moves were more 'sneaky good' than anything.
Why It Works: Speaking of sneaky good, the Yankees just netted themselves the best base-stealer in the AL. Volpe and Cabby in the same infield is a pretty good combo, and being a super-ute he can play just about everywhere and get on base a ton. Cabby is one of those excellent 'spare part' type players who can do just about anything and can endear himself easily.
Why It Didn't Make the List: Because the Yanks made a ton of infield additions at the deadline and Cabby likely isn't gonna start that often. Goldy-Chisholm-Volpe-McMahon is a pretty awesome infield, but if Chisholm and Volpe keep making errors, Cabby's a great contingency plan.
Why It Works: Helsley, from like the start of the season, was one of the best relief pieces on the board, and the Mets, who've needed relief help, landed him early and efficiently. Helsley's been fine for the Cards this year but now he's pitching for a competitor.
Why It Didn't Make the List: Because they got Helsley to be an eighth inning guy, and the Phils, Padres and Yankees got their big closers to, uh...close games. Look, I can never tell if Edwin Diaz is good in the ninth or not, he never seems to know, but if for some reason he decides he's not good in the ninth again then Helsley is a good cover...but then again Helsley's got a 3.27 ERA in the ninth this year. So now the pressure is on to see if Diaz actually rounds out a season without pissing off Mets fans, or if a guy who's been struggling to close games will be forced to close games...in Queens...in October. Either way, it's gonna be interesting.
-Shane Bieber to the Blue Jays, prospect to the Guardians
Why It Works: Well, the Jays just added a Cy Young winner with incredible consistency and perks to their rotation that already has 5 proven winners. They were already a favorite, and this puts them over the edge without needing to exert themselves.
Why It Didn't Make the List: Because Shane Bieber hasn't pitched since last April and the pressure will be on for him to perform to that standard once he eventually finishes rehabbing. There's a high probability he'll be back this season, and in time for a stretch run. But we don't know if this will rush him or not. To go from a steady rehab pace to now kicking into high gear to help the Jays compete is quite the adjustment. This has the potential to be a steal for the Jays, but only if it works.
Why It Works: Houser's been on a tear since May, it gets him on a better squad with more upward momentum, and he's not the 'rotating good player' anymore.
Why it Didn't Make the List: The Rays made this move as a rare buying moment in a deadline of selling. They're in such a crossroads that they both bought and sold this deadline. Some of their moves were frankly quite puzzling. This one, at the very least, gives them a strong, trusted veteran starter that, worse comes to worse, they can flip for prospects in a year. But it also feels moot if the Rays are headed downward, which it's looking like they are. It's contingent on whether or not the Rays can still chase a wild card spot with all this load lightened, and I don't know how likely that is.
Why It Works: One of the best utility players in the bigs goes to a lineup that needed more flexibility. Castro will be a very nice contact performer in a lineup centered around power, and he'll be an infield sub anywhere he plays.
Why It Didn't Make the List: Because it's the Cubs getting a utilityman as their biggest deadline addition. Although the Brewers' biggest additions were a backup catcher and a pitcher they can't even use til next year, so it works out.
Why It Works: Funny that this is the only 3-team trade of the year. Anyhow, Zack Littell as a mid-to-late rotation addition in Cincinnati helps them immensely, and looks to make their rotation look even better when Hunter Greene returns. Greene-Abbott-Lodolo-Littell-Burns/Singer is pretty awesome. A year without Williamson or Lowder and they didn't let a black hole in the rotation kill them.
Why It Didn't Make the List: Hayes was a bigger addition for the Reds, and Littell's homer-allowage is still somewhat worrying.
Why It Works: I so badly wanted to include this one because I think this was the smartest thing the Royals did. They knew Fermin wasn't getting the playing time he deserved under Perez, and the Padres NEEDED a sure thing at catcher with Luis Campusano not being that guy. Fermin being a primary catching option in San Diego not only helps them now but helps them going forward. And it also clears the rotation a little, as Bergert and Kolek were depth guys that were hopping in to save spots after injuries. They're now looking at a rotation of Pivetta-Cease-Darvish-Vazquez-Sears, and that looks pretty good to me. Also, because the Royals just lost Kris Bubic and are still without Cole Ragans and Michael Lorenzen, they needed guys that were MLB-ready that could start this week. Between Falter, Bergert and Kolek they have guys that can eat innings.
Why It Didn't Make the List: Because Fermin is not enough of a name to really outdo a bunch of the low-tier trades on the list.
Tomorrow I'll post one of these about deals that didn't make sense to me. That'll be fun.
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