Well, my rabid readers, it was the most aggressive MLB Trade Deadline in over a decade, in fact, ten current All-Stars moved. It is “a day that will live in infamy” at least in the hearts of Cubs and Nationals fans, who saw their teams decimated like a 17th-century farming community in the path of a swarm of locusts. Huge names moved over the weekend. The first three hours alone had me wearing a continuous WTF face that I didn’t know I could still pull off at my age.
In short, we saw the Yankees pull off moves and ask other teams to eat salary. We saw the Jays overpay for a number two starter, even though they started the day almost ten games back. And the Red Sox gave the middle finger to fans of the old town team. Here are my Monster takeaways from Deadline Day.
WINNERS
Los Angeles Dodgers are the BAMF of MLB
They Love LA: RHP Max Scherzer, SS Trea Turner, LHP Danny Duffy, LF Billy McKinney,
Sent Packing: C Keibert Ruiz, RHP Josiah Gray, RHP Gerardo Carrillo, OF Donovan Casey, RHP Carlos Rincon, PTBNL
The Dodgers ended the day with the best two players to rent U-Haul’s on July 30th. Reminding everyone who the big swinging Richard is on this block. San Fran and San Diego both were in on Max Scherzer, but the Dodgers said “No soup for you” and scooped Max and Turner up keeping them from their rivals. Brilliant day for Big Blue.
From DC to LA. Welcome to the best coast, Max Scherzer and Trea Turner! pic.twitter.com/HTd1kV6stA — Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) July 30, 2021
New York Yankees
Excuse me while I wash my mouth out with scotch. Okay, we’re back. The Yanks made some of the loudest moves of the day but as I said will it really help?
In: OF Joey Gallo, 1B Anthony Rizzo, LHP Joely Rodriguez, RHP Clay Holmes, LHP Andrew Heaney, and a dreaded PTBNL.
Out: OF Kevin Alcantara, RHP Alexander Vizcaino, INF Ezequiel Duran, INF Josh Smith, INF Trevor Hauver, RHP Glenn Otto, LHP Justin Wilson, RHP Luis Cessa, SS Hoy Park, SS Diego Castillo, RHP Janson Junk, RHP Elvis Peguero
To say the Yankees didn’t get better today would be a lie but did they bring in the right people to get them over the hump and into the postseason, time will tell. Adding two sluggers who don’t get on base to a team of sluggers who don’t get on base, seems like a bad plan. What we do know is they gave up a ton to get them.
New York Mets
If it was a good day for the Yankees then it was a great day for the Mets. Not only because of what they bought but the fact almost everyone else in the division was selling.
In: INF Javy Báez, LHP Rich Hill, RHP Trevor Williams, CF Mark Payton, RHP Carlos Rincon
Out: OF Pete Crow-Armstrong, RHP Tommy Hunter, C Matt Dyer, LF Billy McKinney, cash
JAVY BAEZ CRUSHED ONE IN HIS METS DEBUT 🔥 (via @MLB)pic.twitter.com/YYMFCGcRxc — SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) August 1, 2021
Báez isn’t the offensive weapon he used to be, but the defense up the middle with Francisco Lindor on the other side of second is going to be out of this world. And the other moves have them in my opinion the team to beat in the NL East.
San Francisco Giants
In: OF / INF Kris Bryant
Out: RHP Caleb Kilian, OF Alexander Canario
In: Kris Bryant. That’s it. That’s the tweet. The Giants gave up nothing today and got Kris F’ing Bryant …… Hello Chaim Bloom #Moron
KRIS BRYANT HOMERS IN FIRST GAME FOR THE GIANTS 🔥 (via @MLB)pic.twitter.com/CMHxF1eQ40 — SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) August 1, 2021
Losers
Cubs fans
Out: SS Javy Báez, UTIL Kris Bryant, RHP Craig Kimbrel, 1B Anthony Rizzo, LHP Andrew Chafin, RHP Ryan Tepera, CF Jake Marisnick, cash
I am sorry Chicago. This was a penance you should not have had to pay.
In: RHP Alexander Vizcaino, CF Kevin Alcantara, LHP Bailey Horn, 1B Greg Deichmann, RHP Daniel Palencia, 2B Nick Madrigal, RHP Codi Heuer, OF Pete Crow-Armstrong, RHP Caleb Kilian, OF Alexander Canario, RHP Anderson Espinoza
This is a good to great haul of players and prospects. You did in my unhumble opinion get hosed on Bryan but other than that I can’t rip this day. I hope the Cubs front office uses it to bring you back to the point you were in 2016.
Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, and Javier Báez all homered in their team debuts after recent trades from the Cubs. Rizzo on July 30 with the Yankees. Báez on July 31 with the Mets. Bryant on August 1 with the Giants. pic.twitter.com/NOZjhAVpkb — ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) August 1, 2021
Toronto Blue Jays
In: RHP José Berríos, LHP Brad Hand, RHP Joakim Soria
Out: UTIL Austin Martin, RHP Simeon Woods Richardson, C Riley Adams, PTBNL
For some, it would be hard to tear apart the Blue Jays for landing Berrios but not this writer. This was the biggest overpay of the day and by overpay I mean you got a case of Coors light for three six-packs of Heineken.
Washington Nationals
In: C Keibert Ruiz, RHP Josiah Gray, C Riley Adams, RHP Mason Thompson, RHP Gerardo Carrillo, OF Donovan Casey, RHP Aldo Ramirez, C/OF Drew Millas, RHP Seth Shuman, RHP Richard Guasch, OF Lane Thomas, INF Jordy Barley
Out: RHP Max Scherzer, SS Trea Turner, OF Kyle Schwarber, RHP Daniel Hudson, LHP Brad Hand, C Yan Gomes, UTIL Josh Harrison, LHP Jon Lester
Three 2021 All-Stars, a former three-time All-Star. Five of his top six players on this roster – Gone, plus his two best relief pitchers and a four-time All-Star starter. How can you ship this much talent out of town and smile? I guess because GM Mike Rizzo shed so much payroll?
Thank you, Max. For everything. • 189 starts • 1,610 strikeouts • 76 10-K games • 6 All-Star selections • 2 Cy Young Awards • 1 20-K game • 1 World Series ring • A lifetime of memories (See you in Cooperstown.)@Max_Scherzer // #NATITUDE pic.twitter.com/r1gzkmt0jm — Washington Nationals (@Nationals) July 30, 2021
Boston Red Sox
Yea I’ve got nothing here for you all. For Chaim Bloom to hide behind the CBT is insulting. There were legitimate first basemen out there to fill the gaping hole at first base. There were legitimate arms both starting and relieving options to be had but prospect hoarding and fear of taxation kept Bloom in small market mode bringing in RP Austin Davis from the Pirates for formerly untouchable prospect Michael Chavis and RP Hanson Robles from the Twins. (Excuse me more scotch is needed)
But have no fear, Bloom also brought in Kyle Schwarber to fill that hole at first. Even though he’s never played there. Oh, wait this just in he has played one game at first base.
Boston, you're getting a good one. Thanks for the Schwar💣s, Kyle.@kschwarb12 // #NATITUDE pic.twitter.com/U15aTrB5SH — Washington Nationals (@Nationals) July 30, 2021
That’s it people I’m exhausted. After this last paragraph, I can go on no longer. My head hurts, my brain is on fire, and I have reached a shade of GREEN I have not seen since Bucky f’ing Dent went yard in 1978.
As always you can follow/give me grief on Twitter @Tmurph207
Yankees get busy but is it too little and too late?
Featured Image via Jed Jacobsohn/AP
My Monster MLB Trade Deadline takeaways | Murph | E2G Sports
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