I've already gone over the trade deadline deals I really liked, and some of the smaller ones that didn't make the list, but now it's time to discuss some of the other ones. The ones where, at the time the deal went out, I wasn't quite sure what the tactics were. My rule is if a deal doesn't need to be made, and if you're fine without making a deal, you shouldn't have to. There were too many trigger-happy GMs this deadline, and one of them was someone that has normally been very cautious.
We've got a few of these to talk about, so let's dive in. The ones I didn't get, 2023 edition:
This was a deal, the likes of which we've seen many times, of two teams trading guys that just didn't work for each other. Rosario had some decent moments last year, but was nowhere near his Mets-era promise. Thor had some early magic but just can't throw as well as he did before the surgeries. I just...don't see why they could help each other. Yes, the Dodgers did need infield help, but was Rosario really the best choice? I can sort of see why now, cause he's been playing a lot better since landing in LA, but I question why they wanted to prioritize someone like Rosario, even getting him at the very beginning of the trade period. Thor in Cleveland I can sort of understand, though I will come back to this later, as Thor is still on the active roster.
-Paul Sewald to the Diamondbacks, Josh Rojas and Dominic Canzone to the Mariners
This is another type of deal I don't get, the lateral trade between two competitors. Maybe the Ms weren't thinking they'd compete when they dealt Sewald, but they're in the thick of the wild card race now, ahead of even the Angels, who went bigger than they did. The D-Backs, of all people, are the ones falling fast, and that's why it confuses me that it's the D-Backs receiving the most here. Sewald is an excellent relief piece and will likely be put right into the ninth. I get why Rojas and Canzone were dealt sort of, there wasn't room for them, but...it does seem like the Mariners get the net win here. Oh, now they have a decent depth infielder and another sharp outfield guy. I'm confused as to why the D-Backs gave two really good pieces up to another contender. Maybe it was just a 'suiting each other's needs' kind of thing, but it's odd to see trades between two teams in similar positions during this period.
The reason I'm so vexed by this move is that this is very much a reactionary tactic in direct response to Bo Bichette landing on the IL. Not only do we not know how long Bichette will be gone for, but we still have Santiago Espinal, who's a perfectly good shortstop and can cover that position well. The trigger finger was just really itchy, I think. DeJong getting out of St. Louis is something I figured would happen, but like with Whit Merrifield last year, the Blue Jays are making viable starters into depth options because they can. They are lucky that Merrifield became a perfectly good starter this year, but I don't know how much DeJong is going to offer them as a starter before Bichette returns. It seems like it fills a very specific and temporary need, which, yes, is the name of the game during the trade deadline, but I don't even think they intend to use DeJong in that prominent a role going into the playoffs.
Another odd move the D-Backs made as a competitor was another lateral deal to a competitor with more leverage. Andrew Chafin was having an awesome reunion year with Arizona, he was doing so well. I really don't understand why they traded him, and why to the Brewers. It's not like they had too many people that threw with a specific arm, both Chafin and Strzelecki are both right-handers. It's not like there was something behind-the-scenes, clearly Chafin loves Phoenix. And it's the kind of deal where both are good relievers who have slightly high ERAs this year, and...neither team really wins per se, but also neither team really needed to make this trade. Why did these two need to be traded for each other? Who does this help?
This is literally the Edmundo Sosa deal all over again. Falter wasn't working as a starting piece, the Bucs needed starters ready to go, that I get. Rodolfo Castro was the starting shortstop in the wake of Oneil Cruz's injury, and he was holding the position while Tucupita Marcano was hurt. There are thankfully shortstop options left in Pittsburgh, like Alika Williams and Liover Peguero, but...the Bucs clearly needed Castro more than the Phils did. Because now he's another depth infielder for us, and considering the rumor that we might go for a recently released guy I'll mention later, I'm not sure what he can do for us that, ironically Edmundo Sosa isn't already doing.
-Garrett Cooper to the Padres, Ryan Weathers and prospect to the Marlins
Both of the next two deals that Kim Ng made vex me, and it's for one simple reason: I am not sure anything was wrong with Garrett Cooper. He was hitting .256 this season with 13 homers and 46 RBIs, that's not bad at all. Because of Yuli Gurriel he was in more of a DH type role, but he was still useful, and still had purpose in Miami. I don't know if he fits into the Padres' lineup quite as well, even if they have needed a stronger DH option. I think it's cool that Ryan Weathers gets to be the second member of his family to pitch for the Marlins, and they definitely have a swing spot for him. I just really don't think they needed to upgrade Garrett Cooper. Because, well...
...this isn't much of an upgrade. Bell is not known for his defense, and he's been having a lackluster year for the Guardians. He may never hit his 2019, or even first-half 2022, heights again. I don't see how he's an upgrade from Cooper. Maybe in name recognition, but not current ability. He did just hit one out last night, but he also hit one out upon arriving in San Diego last year, and he sort of...settled after that. I also don't see why the Guardians would agree to receive Segura if they were just gonna release him immediately. This gives someone like Philly the chance to grab him and bring him back, as unlikely as that may be. It just seems like the Guardians threw out a very big contract from months ago for...nothing. And that's an alarming move, even if this does do the Marlins well going forward.
Maybe some of these will make sense over time, like Bryan Cashman nabbing Bader in exchange for Jordan Montgomery. But at the moment, I am very vexed, and will probably continue to be for a bit.
