MLB Trade Deadline Recap

Now that the MLB Trade Non-Waiver Trade Deadline has come and gone, we will look at the trades that happened, where I was right and wrong, and the biggest surprises. Plus, the players who weren't moved but had been expected prior to the deadline.

Where I Was Wrong

• Jay Bruce going to the Mets for infielder Dilson Herrera and left hand pitcher Max Wotell
• I expected Jay Bruce to go to a team like the Cubs, Dodgers, or Blue Jays, largely because I expected the Cubs and Dodgers to simply outbid any other teams and because the Jays need outfield help for next year.  
• Rich Hill going to the Dodgers
• I actually didn't have Hill going anywhere as I thought his blister issue was going to be enough to scare teams off.  The Dodgers, however were willing to trade for him in a package including Josh Reddick and hope that Hill gets healthy to strengthen their rotation.
• Fernando Abad traded to the Red Sox for reliever Pat Light
• I figured the Red Sox were either done on the reliever market or that they would have gone after a bigger name, such as Wade Davis.  Davis' injury though largely played into this deal not being made.
• Carlos Beltran traded to the Rangers for right handed pitchers Dillon Tate, Erik Swanson, and Nick Green
• I thought that Beltran would have gone to a team like the Red Sox, who were in the discussion until the Rangers made the trade.  
• Matt Moore to the Giants for 3B Matt Duffy, SS Lucius Fox, and right handed pitcher Michael Santos
• I actually did not have Matt Moore being traded, although knew that there was potential for it to happen based on discussions that occurred prior to the deadline. 
• Steve Pearce to the Orioles for catcher Jonah Heim
• I had Pearce being traded but to a number of teams, none of which were the Orioles.

Where I Was Right

• Josh Reddick traded to the Dodgers in a package with Rich Hill for right handed pitchers Jharel Cotton, Grant Holmes, and Frankie Montas
• Jonathan Lucroy traded with Jeremy Jeffress for outfield Lewis Brinson and right handed pitcher Luis Ortiz
• Will Smith going to the Giants for right handed pitcher Phil Bickford and catcher Andrew Susac

Surprises

• I found it surprising that the Rangers got both Jonathan Lucroy and Carlos Beltran, and yet also didn't make any moves on the starting pitching front.  They certainly paid a high price for these two players (plus reliever Jeremy Jeffress), which shows that the Rangers are going all in this year at a World Series championship.  They'll also have Lucroy for next season, which will help their chance at a run next year, as well.
• I'm shocked that the Indians did not go out and get another catcher after the trade for Jonathan Lucroy fell through after Lucroy exercised his no-trade rights.  It's clear that Yan Gomes is not enough to carry them through the rest of the season and will look to make a trade through waivers.
• I am simply blown away by how well the Yankees did at the deadline this year, selling off both Aroldis Chapman and Andrew Miller as well as Carlos Beltran.  They have completely retooled their farm system and have turned it into one of baseball's best just by making those three trades.  Look for them to continue making moves through waivers by trading catcher Brian McCann
• The Pirates trading for Ivan Nova and Drew Hutchinson surprised me, as they were able to also get out from under Francisco Liriano's contract

In the next few days I plan on writing an additional post on the winners and losers of the deadline and possibly analyzing and grading each of the trades...thanks for reading!!