Big Splash — Baseball Bench Coach

I’ve never been much of a swimmer, and I am especially a terrible diver. I used to watch my friends dive into the pool with a clean splash, and then there would be me with this sort of dive, sort of belly flop, and a big, hurtful splash. Ouch. As the MLB trade deadline came to a close this past week, several teams attempted some big splashes of their own. While it’s difficult to evaluate the success of the trades now, it’s important to understand why they were made and which teams might benefit the most.

There are a few reasons behind all of the trades before the deadline. Teams that are out of contention who have players eligible for free agency this year or next are the sellers. The buyers are the contenders who are looking for a player to take them over the top and win a world championship. Also important is that MLB this year has added a third wild card team to each league’s postseason format. The division winners with the two best records get automatic byes. The remaining division winner plays the third wild card, while the #1 and 2 wild cards face off. The wild card rounds are now 3-game series at the home ballpark of the division winner and the #1 wild card. As such, the top teams in both leagues want to do everything possible to get the two automatic byes. The wild card contenders want to secure the #1 wild card slot.

The New York Yankees, owning the top record in the American League (70-39), jumped into the waters first by trading three minor leaguers to the Kansas City Royals for outfielder, Andrew Benintendi. Benintendi, batting .320 this year and a Gold Glover last season, gives the New Yorkers the left handed bat and outfield defense they needed. As is often the case, the Yankees didn’t stop there. New York soon after acquired Frankie Montas, starting pitcher, and closer Lou Trivino from the Oakland A’s. Montas has been a standout starter the past few years, garnering a 3.18 ERA with 109 strikeouts in 104.2 innings this season. The Yanks’ starting staff (Gerrit Cole, James Taillon, Nestor Cortes, and now Montas) is primed for a World Series run. And finally, the Yanks shored up their speed and defense by obtaining Harrison Bader, Cardinals.

The Pinstripes’ Big Apple competitors, New York Mets, with the second best record in the National League (70-39), plunged also with the acquisition of Tyler Naquin, from the Reds for two minor leaguers. Naquin, a former first round draft choice, adds outfield depth to the Mets, together with a little batting punch from the left side of the plate. Against right handed pitching, Naquin is batting .280 in his career with 50 HRs. The Metropolitans also added to their bullpen by obtaining Mychal Givens, Cubs. The big news is the splash they didn’t make. With a huge need at the catching position, the Mets failed in their attempt to obtain Willson Contreras, Cubs.

Out west the Seattle Mariners made a huge splash by catching the most sought after starting pitcher on the trade market, Cincinnati’s Luis Castillo. Castillo, a two-time All-Star with a 2.86 ERA this season, joins Mariners starters Robbie Ray and Logan Gilbert as Seattle pushes hard for their first playoff appearance since 2001 (current record of 59-51). The Reds did receive a hefty return, acquiring 3 of the top 5 rated minor league prospects from Seattle. Another Reds starter, Tyler Mahle, went to the Twins in a Trade Deadline transaction in exchange for top Twins prospects. Cincinnati is again wading in the water with a hope for future success.

The Los Angeles Dodgers and their best record in the NL (75-33) were next to enter the trade pool in the acquisition of the Cubs’ righthanded reliever, Chris Martin. Since June 17 Martin has recorded a 3.29 ERA in 13.2 innings. Martin hopes to be a valuable set-up man in the Dodgers’ bullpen. In return, the Cubbies received Zach McKinstry, an infielder/outfielder who may get some valuable playing time in Chicago. On Trade Deadline Day, the Dodgers added to their outfield depth and pinch hitting corps by acquiring Joey Gallo from the Yankees. While the Dodger Blue didn’t make any earth shattering deals, LA remains poised for a World Series run with a very talented squad.

Houston Astros, second best team in the AL with a record of 70-40, also made a key acquisition in their push to retain a first round bye. The Astros landed Trey Mancini, first baseman/outfielder of the Baltimore Orioles (56-52 record). Mancini will fill in nicely in the Houston outfield. The trade is a little discouraging for Baltimore since Mancini was a key veteran for the squad. Coupled with the Orioles’ trade of their closer, Jorge Lopez, to Minnesota the next day, it’s clear that Baltimore decided to stay in the shallow side of the pool and not push hard for a playoff run this year. Houston, on the other hand, also obtained the catcher they sorely needed, Christian Vazquez, from the Red Sox. The Astros are positioned for a Series run.

Two National League playoff contenders, the San Diego Padres (61-50) and Milwaukee Brewers (58-50 and in second place in the NL Central), made Trade Deadline Eve interesting with the Brew Crew’s four-time All-Star closer, Josh Hader, going to the Padres. Milwaukee receives the Padres’ closer Taylor Rogers in return, along with two key prospects. I see the Padres winning this trade; Hader is that big time closer you can ride through the playoffs.

The BIG SPLASH occurred early on Trade Deadline Day when the Padres obtained superstar Juan Soto, and first baseman Josh Bell, of the Washington Nationals. The Nationals received a boatload in return, five prized San Diego prospects! Later that day, the Padres traded another prospect to the Reds for third baseman, Brandon Drury. It’s clearly a win now scenario for the Padres. If San Diego wins the World Series this year or next, Trade Deadline 2022 will forever be remembered as their push over the top.

Other NL playoff contenders jumped into the pond. World Champion Atlanta Braves (64-46) geared up for another title run by obtaining starting pitcher Jake Odorizzi from the Astros, outfielder Robbie Grossman, Tigers, and a key reliever, Raisel lglesias, Angels. The St. Louis Cardinals (60-48 and in first place in the NL Central) bolstered their starting staff with the acquisition of lefties Jose Quintana, Pirates, and Jordan Montgomery, Yankees. The Philadelphia Phillies (60-48), contending for a wild card spot, got a top starting pitcher in Noah Syndergaard, Angels, and closer David Robertson, Cubs.

There were many other transactions and lots of rumored ones that fell through. Now it’s onto October!

Until next Monday,

your Baseball Bench Coach