11 Trades for the 2016 MLB Trade Deadline
The August 1st Trade Deadline is fast approaching, and many contending teams need some upgrades for the pennant chase this summer. These are my personal predictions for this years Trade Deadline.
1. CL Aroldis Chapman
Giants receive - CL Aroldis Chapman
Yankees receive - SP Sam Coonrod (#6-SF), SP Adalberto Mejia (#9-SF)
The Giants bullpen has been mediocre all season long. They lead the league in blown saves, and have cost the Giants several wins already this season. Their closer Santiago Casilla has been remarkably inconsistent, having already blown 5 saves this season, and seemingly never having a quick 9th inning. Adding Chapman would allow them to use Casilla is lower leverage situations. It would also help bring some more stability to the bullpen as a whole.
Corresponding roster moves:
Giants option SP/RP Albert Suarez to AAA Sacramento.
Yankees recall SP/RP Luis Cessa from AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
2. C Jonathan Lucroy
Rangers receive - C Jonathan Lucroy
Brewers receive - OF Lewis Brinson (#2-TEX), SP Chi Chi Gonzalez
Production from the catcher position has been scarce from the Rangers this season. The team has plugged in Robinson Chirinos, Bobby Wilson, Brett Nicholas, and Bryan Holaday, with little success coming from them. Bringing in Lucroy would immediately turn that around. He has been fantastic so far this season, and would fit right in at the top of the Rangers' already loaded lineup.
Corresponding roster moves:
Rangers designate C Bobby Wilson for assignment.
Brewers purchase the contract of C Josmil Pinto from AAA Colorado Springs.
3. SP Rich Hill, OF Josh Reddick, 3B Danny Valencia
Royals receive - SP Rich Hill, OF Josh Reddick, 3B Danny Valencia
Athletics receive - SS Raul Mondesi (#1-KC), SP Kyle Zimmer (#2-KC), OF Bubba Starling (#7-KC)
What would the Trade Deadline be without a blockbuster? The Royals have an unquestionable need for both starting pitching and an outfield bat, and Hill and Reddick fill those needs perfectly. Valencia has also performed very well this season, and would work as a fill in for the injured Mike Moustakas. Hill would be put at the top of the Royals' thin rotation, and Reddick and Valencia would be perfect middle of the order bats to help improve the offense.
Corresponding roster moves:
Royals option RP Peter Moylan, OF Brett Eibner, and 3B Cheslor Cuthbert to AAA Omaha.
Athletics recall OF Billy Burns, SP Jesse Hahn, and 2B Arismendy Alcantara from AAA Nashville.
4. OF Jay Bruce
Dodgers receive - OF Jay Bruce
Reds receive - OF Alex Verdugo (#6-LAD), 2B Willie Calhoun (#11-LAD)
The Dodgers have seen very little production from their corner outfielders so far this season. Yasiel Puig has underperformed, Andre Ethier has been injured, and Carl Crawford played himself into being released. Rookie Trayce Thompson has been good, but he has seen limited playing time and also has been injured. Adding Bruce would help bring the offense back up to speed with former Dodgers teams.
Corresponding roster moves:
Dodgers option SS/OF Zach Walters to AAA Oklahoma City, designate 2B Micah Johnson for assignment.
Reds recall OF Scott Schebler from AAA Louisville.
5. SP Andrew Cashner
Rangers receive - SP Andrew Cashner
Padres receive - 2B Andy Ibanez (#15-TEX)
The Rangers rotation has seen a lot of injuries, with Yu Darvish, Derek Holland, Colby Lewis, and AJ Griffin all spending some time on the DL this season. Adding Cashner will give them depth in case of another injury. Cashner hasn't been all that great this season, so the Rangers can bank on a rebound while paying a small prospect cost.
Corresponding roster moves:
Rangers option RP Alex Claudio to AAA Round Rock, designate C Bryan Holaday for assignment.
Padres recall RP Leonel Campos from AAA El Paso.
6. SP Matt Moore
Marlins receive - SP Matt Moore
Rays receive - SP Kendry Flores (#5-MIA), C Tomas Telis (#16-MIA)
The Marlins have had poor luck with the back end of their rotation this season, with Adam Conley, Justin Nicolino, Jose Urena, and others taking starts but not impressing. With the excess of starting pitching over in Tampa, they make perfect trade partners. Moore, who hasn't been great this season, will benefit from the larger home stadium of Marlins Park.
Corresponding roster moves:
Marlins option OF Yefri Perez to AA Jacksonville.
Rays recall RP Danny Farquhar, C Hank Conger from AAA Durham, designate C Luke Maile for assignment.
7. OF Carlos Beltran
Cubs receive - OF Carlos Beltran
Yankees receive - 3B Jeimer Candelario (#8-CHC)
The Cubs have suffered significant injuries to their outfield this season, with Kyle Schwarber gone for the season, and Dexter Fowler, Jason Heyward, and Jorge Soler all missing extended periods of time. They have resorted to using Kris Bryant as a right fielder, and natural catcher Willson Contreras in left field. Needless to say, they could use a rental in the outfield. Beltran fits the mold perfectly. He can slide into left field and provide some extra punch to the offense.
Corresponding roster moves:
Cubs option C/OF Willson Contreras to AAA Iowa.
Yankees recall OF Mason Williams from AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
8. CL Alex Colome
Cardinals receive - CL Alex Colome
Rays receive - SP Luke Weaver (#3-STL), OF Charlie Tilson (#9-STL)
With the Cardinals bullpen struggling, it is no surprise that they will be in the market for a relief pitcher. Trevor Rosenthal was replaced as closer by Seung hwan Oh, and Jonathan Broxton has taken over the main set-up duties. This leaves a hole in the bullpen where a more effective pitcher could help out. Colome is under team control through 2021, which explains the high prospect cost.
Corresponding roster moves:
Cardinals option RP Matt Bowman to AAA Memphis.
Rays recall RP Ryan Garton from AAA Durham.
9. RP Fernando Abad
Dodgers receive - RP Fernando Abad
Twins receive - RP Josh Sborz (#18-LAD)
The Dodgers bullpen, like many contending teams' bullpens, has been struggling this season. Kenley Jansen is a dominant closer, but the set-up and middle relief areas could use an upgrade. Adding Abad would definitely help bolster their bullpen for the Wild Card run and might even help them make up ground against the Giants in the division race.
Corresponding roster moves:
Dodgers option RP Casey Fien to AAA Oklahoma City, designate SP Mike Bolsinger for assignment.
Twins recall RP Buddy Boshers from AAA Rochester.
10. RP Joe Smith
Indians receive - RP Joe Smith
Angels receive - OF Mike Papi (#17-CLE)
The Indians bullpen has seen some injuries this season, with Tommy Hunter and Zach McAllister both missing time. Adding a proven set-up man like Smith would greatly stabilize the bullpen, which has been good for the most part so far this season.
Corresponding roster moves:
Indians option RP Joseph Colon to AAA Columbus, designate OF Joey Butler for assignment.
Angels recall RP Jose Alvarez from AAA Salt Lake.
11. RP Marc Rzepczynski
Nationals receive - RP Marc Rzepczynski
Athletics receive - OF Rhett Wiseman (#23-WSH)
The Nationals bulllpen has been solid for the most part, outside of Oliver Perez and an injury to closer Jonathan Papelbon earlier this season. Perez, the mainstay lefty in the Nationals bullpen, could use another hand in the duties. Felipe Rivero has been good this season, but adding another arm will help for the Dog Days of August. Rzepczynski is perfect for the Nats, as he is a free agent at the end of this season, and expendable from a rebuilding Oakland roster.
Corresponding roster moves:
Nationals option RP Felipe Rivero to AAA Syracuse, designate RP Rafael Martin for assignment.
Athletics recall RP Daniel Coulombe from AAA Nashville.