MLB TRADE DEADLINE '19... Winners, Losers, and Tons of Question Marks

This season marked the inaugural one-and-done July 31st trade deadline, meaning rosters from today-on are final aside from minor additions through free agency or call ups. That should have made things that much more dire going into yesterday afternoon, but did it? Or did teams struggle to execute on the new concept...

WINNERS:

SP Zack Greinke, now of the Houston Astros. Photo Credit: AZ Snake Pit

1. The Houston Astros are the Belle of the ball again in 2019, remnants of Justin Verlander two years ago. This season Zack Greinke joins Verlander and Gerrit Cole to form the best playoff rotation in the American League, and maybe the playoffs in general. Oh and by the way, Greinke is under contract through 2021, so he also replaces Cole in the future if he decides to pitch elsewhere. In smaller moves, they bring in Toronto starters Aaron Sanchez and Joe Biagini for depth (they should help take the load off the top three down the stretch along with guys like Wade Miley already there), and another defensive catcher in Martin Maldonado. Tons of prospects left in these trades, but the Astros understand that they have a window of opportunity to win another one or two championships before Verlander retires and their young hitters get too expensive. Do what needs to be done to win a World Series, that's what the deadline is all about, Houston understands that.

2. Atlanta Braves. The biggest weakness of the entire NL East this season has been bullpen performance. I've heard many people predict that the sturdiest bullpen out of the Braves, Nats, Phils, and Mets will be the team that comes out on top, because they all stank most of the year to this point. The Braves recognized this, and fortified heavily, gaining another leg up (if they didn't have a favorable one already). The headliner is Tigers closer Shane Greene, who is in the midst of a career season (relievers are like pancakes, get em while they're hot!). Mark Melancon and Chris Martin are among the other notable names joining Atlanta who's all in.

The Cleveland Indians will fight to the finish after acquiring Yasiel Puig and others... literally. Photo Credit: Washington Post

3. Cleveland Indians. Leading the AL Wildcard and only 3 games back of the division (trailing the Twins), the Indians put themselves in a precarious position regarding star pitcher Trevor Bauer. The two sides clearly wished to part ways, but how could you allow that to happen with your team overcoming expectations the last month or so and proving to be amongst the playoff contenders? The other question was, if they trade Bauer, could they continue winning? The return would need to fit perfectly... it just may. OF's Yasiel Puig and Franmil Reyes joined Cleveland (a team that desperately needed outfield help) when they shipped Bauer to the Reds, but they also gained prospects in the haul that could help take on his role in the future, pitcher Logan Allen chief among them.

4. The Cubbies didn't do as well as the three teams above, but still made out with a solid deadline behind wonder-front office man Theo Epstein and friends, and better yet they did more than rivals St. Louis and Milwaukee. Just a few years removed from their own World Series, Chicago finds themselves with a less complete team, but a chance at another either way. I like the additions of Nick Castellanos (a versatile slugger who they got on the cheap because he's having a sub-par season), and speedster Tony Kemp as a pinch runner slash gadget type for Maddon. Derek Holland and David Phelps likely join the bullpen, although Holland could start in a pinch. Not sure why they traded Carl Edwards Jr away, relief arms are always needed in the second half.

New addition in Arizona, rookie SP Zac Gallen. Photo Credit: Miami Herald

5. The major sellout winner was the Arizona Diamondbacks, a team 3.5 out of the NL Wildcard right now, but I believe they sold in a way where they could still compete. They lose Greinke but take a lot of money off their cap in the process, and sub him with a cheap veteran in Mike Leake. Then in a surprise move they add impressive rookie starter Zac Gallen from Miami, trading away a top hitting prospect. I love Gallen, in part because he's on my fantasy team, but he reminds me of a pitcher version of Jeff McNeil. He has been a prospect who's been overlooked and slighted his whole career to this point (not listed in the top 100 and clearly doubted by Jeter with this trade), only to tear it up at every level so far. He hiccuped a little when he first hit the majors, but has settled in a huge way his last few starts, now in dominant form. Early to say but I believe Arizona won this trade. The Dbacks have the workings of a studly young rotation with players like Luke Weaver, Gallen, Robbie Ray (still only 27), Merrill Kelly, and more... and I haven't even mentioned the boatload they got from Houston. Top pitching prospect Corbin Martin, slugger Seth Beer (what a name), and infielder Josh Rojas lead that group.

6. Tampa Bay Rays. It isn't necessarily what the Rays did do, it's the fact that rivals NYY and Boston came up with a steaming hot pile of dung yesterday. TB swaps Ryne Stanek with Trevor Richards and adds some position player/hitting aid in Eric Sogard and Jesus Aguilar. They didn't have to give up much, which is what the Rays are known for, value on the cheap.

7. The Milwaukee Brewers will close out my winners as the lowest of the bunch. They didn't beat out the Cubs in the division rivalry for deadline grades, but they did do much more than the Cardinals who are tied for the Central lead as things stand today. For once, a team that seems to only focus on hitting in recent years, adds PITCHING. This game is built on three key factors you know, hitting/pitching/defense&athleticism. The names aren't the most impressive, but the Brew Crew gets Jordan Lyles and Ray Black for the bullpen as well as Drew Pomeranz and Jacob Faria as guys who could start entire games, be used as openers (Milwaukee was big on this last playoffs), or relieve in similar fashion. With a pitching staff ravaged by injuries, this was needed in some way shape or form.

LOSERS:

LIVE LOOK at Yanks GM Brian Cashman at the deadline, just kidding... but after a dud deadline for NY, World Series hopes are now in jeopardy. Photo Credit: NY Post

1. The New York Yankees. I don't care what the blind faithful say (and there's not many of them on August 1st), Cashman dropped the ball yesterday and laid an egg at the deadline. One of the top GM's in all of sports, albeit he has a lot of slack to work with, did NOTHING... in a year where many would agree the Yanks were the favorite to win the World Series if they just added the right starting pitcher... they did ZERO in that department. This comes after not signing a Corbin or Keuchel or Morton this offseason. Others thought maybe he would trade for even more bullpen and go with an opener strategy in October, but the relievers came and went too, and the Yankees were left with one 20 year old that won't play this year. "Well the price tags were too high"... or, "we didn't feel our prospects were being seen at their true value," are some of the things I could see the Yanks saying. YOUR FANS DON'T WANT TO HEAR IT RIGHT NOW (and I'm not a Yankee fan, but I share in their criticism). YOU BLEW IT! You let the Astros get Greinke meanwhile you got absolutely NOTHING... unfathomable. The problem is Cashman always thinks his players are better than everyone else's, they're all untouchable with unreasonable price-tags. Unless someone in this current rotation (which has become one of the worst in baseball) steps up fast, or they outscore every team they face, the Yankees just lost their shot at a title. I am convinced of that. I picked them to win the World Series before the season began, but I have now officially lost faith in that pick.

2. The only consolation for the Yanks is that #2 on the losers list is the Boston Red Sox. In a similar fashion to NY, the Sox have a shot at repeating and winning another title, but they desperately needed to improve their bullpen arms. They also did NOTHING besides trading for starter Andrew Cashner a few days before July 31st (not exactly a ground-breaking deal), and there were plenty of relievers to be had. In fact, more RP's seem to get traded every deadline than any other position, but the BoSox couldn't get one? How is this possible? Both AL East teams should be embarrassed, the Astros took them to school, and this October class is in session.

3. The St. Louis Cardinals. I liked the Redbirds roster going into the second half and I don't necessarily feel like they needed to make any huge moves, or at least not as many as other teams in contention... but they could have been a little more proactive, especially when the Cubs and Brewers are making plenty of moves. Bring in a depth starter or another reliever just in case an injury happens, get creative, prove to your fan base that you didn't sit back when there was a clear chance to take back the Central. The Cards led the tight division going into the deadline, but then lost 2-0 to the Cubs that night and now find themselves in a tie. That 2-0 whimper of a defeat is very symbolic of their deadline in 2019, and maybe their season.

4. The Nats and Phillies. I'm going to lump these two together because they're very similar. The Nationals attempted to do what the Braves did, but it was almost like when you buy a DVD off the street rather than buying it at Best Buy or some reputable vendor. While the Braves seemed to get the cream of the crop, the Nationals were left with relievers like Hunter Strickland, Daniel Hudson, and Roenis Elias. Washington has had a miserable bullpen for about five seasons now, maybe longer, and it's because of DEALS LIKE THIS. Nats come up short again. The Phillies were about as bad as they trade for a second rate bunch of starters in Jason Vargas (even if he's been pitching well), Drew Smyly, and Dan Straily. These rag-tag guys WILL NOT push your team over the edge. I would actually rank Philly as the better of two because they got Corey Dickerson from Pittsburgh, a hitter who could breakout in their stadium like Jay Bruce did before his injury.

5. The Minnesota Twins. The Yankees may have been strong-armed by every other GM because people knew they had prospects to give and many of the top pitchers didn't want to play for NY, but what's the Twins excuse. Berrios needed a #2 at this deadline. This offense is legit, these bats are monstrous, this lineup is DEEP... but they needed starters. They aren't as big of a loser as the Yanks and Sox because they at least had a backup plan, bulking up their bullpen with Sergio Romo and Sam Dyson, two guys with loads of experience and poise, but with a World Series at their fingertips for the first time in a long time this has to be disappointing for Minnesota fans.

6. Honorable Mentions (because there's a bunch of them): The LA Angels leave Mike Trout on his island for another season, I'm surprised the MLB's best player hasn't grown a beard like Charlie Blackmon or Tom Hanks in Castaway at this point. The other LA squad, the Dodgers, are generally one of the most active at trade deadlines in recent seasons, but decided to stand pat for the most part in 2019. This team is still the favorite by far in the National League, so I wouldn't worry too much, but Tyler White and Jedd Gyorko were minor additions to build up their bench. I may be saying this out of bias but did the Toronto Blue Jays get fleeced by the NY Mets AGAIN?!?! Remember Noah Syndergaard as a throw in for RA Dickey Toronto, yeah ya do. Can we make all our trades with this team? The return for Marcus Stroman seemed like a mosquito bite compared to what other teams gave up for starting pitcher talent (especially ones that are under contract). The Orioles, Rockies, Pirates, White Sox, and Royals were all sellers that didn't sell. The Royals made the most deals, but didn't really get much in return. The others were stuck in the middle, aside from the Orioles who didn't have much that anyone wanted. These teams are continually in the doldrums of the MLB, and will stay there with decisions like this.

QUESTION MARKS:

SP Marcus Stroman has homecoming in trade to NY Mets. Photo Credit: SNY

1. The team that was maybe most talked about this trade deadline as a seller (I preached this back on June 28) that then baffled everyone by pretty much only buying, the New York Mets. Was the Stroman trade good for the Mets? Absolutely, but then why get rid of Vargas if you're going for it. I think Brodie had no clue what he was doing until the clock struck 4PM and the dust cleared to reveal no buyers. I understand putting a premium on Syndergaard, Wheeler, and Diaz... and everyone else on the team I guess, but I feel like the Mets got caught in the middle on buying and selling because of this "fool's gold" win streak the team has been on. If you're going to go for it though, go for it and ADD to the bullpen or even keep Vargas for depth. It's obvious to me that the Mets were hoping to sell, but only if they could get ridiculous returns, then they struck out. Now they're forced to be in playoff or bust mode with a team that isn't necessarily ready for the playoffs. With absolutely no farm system or prospects coming up, their backs are against the wall. If they lose Wheeler in free agency next season or any of the other starters to injury, this deadline could end up being a disaster that sets the team back for seasons to come.

2. The San Diego Padres. I've seen their grades for this deadline amongst the highest in the MLB, but to me it's unclear at this point. They didn't really buy for this season, aside from RP Carl Edwards Jr, but they did continue to build for the future with CF prospect Taylor Trammell. Still, they didn't get Syndergaard who they've been after for years now, or any other starter. The Padres continue to move in the right direction, but eventually they're going to have to bulk up their rotation.

3. The Oakland A's are known for moneyball and getting more out of players than other franchises can for the dollars they spend, but I feel like Tampa has surpassed them in this regard. This deadline they get Tanner Roark, Jake Diekman, and Homer Bailey to help with their playoff push... eh. I can't call them a loser or a winner for these moves, it's typical Billy Beane. A half game back of the AL Wildcard, will the A's make the playoffs? Maybe. Will they win the World Series though? Absolutely not... honestly, has moneyball ever yielded a better result?

Reunited and it feels so good... well Madison Bumgarner never left but long time manager Bruce Bochy will still be glad to keep his ace for the rest of his final season coaching in the MLB. Photo Credit: SF Giants Rumors

4. The San Francisco Giants are another team that ultimately couldn't decide what they wanted to do at the one-and-done deadline. They end up trading half their bullpen despite being 2 games back of the NL Wildcard, which is their strength and a major factor in their recent run the last month of baseball, but don't part with Bumgarner, Will Smith, or any of their veteran bats. This team is still in the fallout of the contracts they gave World Series champions like Buster Posey, Brandon Crawford, Brandon Belt, Madbum himself, and more. Until they figure out how to get rid of some of these fan favorites, the present doesn't seem bright, but the future might be.

5. Cincinnati Reds. Now this question mark category isn't necessarily bad or good, it just means we'll have to find out what happens with these teams (because it could go either way), and that maybe the moves were a tad bit confusing in some cases. The Reds are another example of this. They give up huge prospects and Puig for Bauer in an attempt to win next year, but when you consider how much they paid for a guy that is a problem in the clubhouse, it's risky. Cincinnati still has a ton of work to do if they want to contend in 2020, time to get to it.

6. Texas Rangers. With a largely veteran led team, you would think they would have either sold high on the successes of players like Mike Minor, Lance Lynn, Hunter Pence, Shin-Soo Choo, and more... or bought big and went for it one last time. They didn't really do either. I have no clue what the plan is in Texas, but I'd be concerned.

THE OTHERS:

I feel bad that I didn't mention the Miami Marlins, Detroit Tigers, and Seattle Mariners in any of the three categories, but all three have continued to sell off throughout 2019. I wouldn't consider them winners or losers or ?'s, they've stuck to the plan and SOLD SOLD SOLD. Who knows which of this trio will be relevant again first, any takers?