2017 In-Season Trade Report
Around the League
Mets (38-27) acquire 1B Chris Carter (29-Age, C-Pot, 76-Ovr) (.301, 7 HRs, 17 RBIs) and LF Mark Payton (25, C, 63) (.332, 1 HR, 20 RBIs) from Yankees (31-34) for LF Michael Conforto (24, C, 70) (.208, 7 HRs, 17 RBIs).
LF Conforto is struggling for Mets. The Mets picked up Carter who is swinging a good bat and can play LF and RF. RF Jay Bruce is hurt and LF Cespedes is really struggling with a .200 average. Payton is purely AAA depth and playing well. Mets are in first place and feel like they can make a run.
For the Yankees, Judge is hurt and will be out for a few months. The Yankees have a couple of OFs that are in their mid 30s. They have young 1B with B potential in Bird that they plan on being the future at that position. They hope Conforto and a change of scenery will get him going, but also liked the idea of getting younger in the OF. Yankees are 5.5 games out of first place.
***Post Season Update: Mets made the playoffs. Chris Carter has played well in limited time (138 ABs). He has a solid line of .304, 8 HRs, 22 RBIs. The Yankees won the division. Conforto ended the year hitting .226, 12 HRs, 32 RBIs.
Rangers (30-35) acquire LF Yasmany Tomas (26, C, 73) (.202, 9 HRs, 22 RBIs) from Diamondbacks (31-36) for C Robinson Chirinos (32, C, 76) (.171, 0 HRs, 2 RBIs in 35 ABs).
The Diamondbacks pick up a catcher who is decently better (+5 Ovr) than what they have and also under team control for 2 years. They are only 5.5 games out of the Wild Card. Current LF, Hazelbaker, is performing at an average level.
For the Rangers, it gives them some much needed help at LF (+5 Ovr). They were able to afford 4 years of control by trading their backup catcher. They bought low on Tomas who has struggled so far with the hopes he will turn things around.
***Post Season Update: The Diamondbacks did not make the playoffs. Chirinos finished the year with only 103 ABs, .184, 3 HRs, 10 RBIs and ended the season on the DL with a broken hand. The Rangers also did not make the playoffs. Tomas did finish the year batting .248, 25 HRs, 68 RBIs.
Blue Jays (30-35) acquire C Derek Norris (28, C, 74) (.222, 5 HRs, 19 RBIs) from Rays (38-30) for SS Ryan Goins (29, C, 73) (.243, 5 HRs, 15 RBIs).
The Blue Jays are 5.5 games out of the AL Wild Card and get a solid backup catcher. Their current backup catcher, Salty, is only hitting .179 so far. They also have Tulo as the starting SS.
The Rays are only 2 games back, but are a below average team on defense. Goins addresses that need and will be able to fill in at SS until Duffy comes back from injury. They could afford to give up a catcher as Wilson Ramos is about to come back from injury.
***Post Season Update: The Blue Jays did not make the playoffs. Derek Norris finished the year down at AAA as he could not get anything going. His final stat line was .206, 7 HRs, 22 RBIs in 214 ABs. The Rays also missed out on the playoffs. Goins provided great defense, but continued to struggle at the plate. He finished the season with a .200, 5 HRs, 22 RBIs in 170 ABs. His defense is still good, but has decreased and is no longer elite.
Orioles (33-34) acquire CF Ben Revere (28, C, 73) (.253, 3 HRs, 7 RBIs) from Angels (35-37) for SP Tyler Wilson (27, C, 71) (5.53, 16 Ks, 1.37).
The Angels see this as a low risk trade to improve SP where a couple of their starters haven’t been very good. They have the depth at OF to make the move, and Wilson is also controllable for 5 more years.
For the Orioles, they need some decent OFs, and didn't see SP Tyler Wilson as part of their future rotation plans. Revere will likely be starting, but only has 1 year of team control. The Orioles will hope to resign him next year.
***Post Season Update: The Angels won the division. Wilson finished the season in long relief with a 4.20, 59 Ks, 1.21 stat line. The Orioles also made the playoffs. Revere is going into the playoffs on a hot streak and finished the year hitting .281, 4 HRs, 28 RBIs, and also stole 17 bases.
Athletics (46-36) acquire SS Zach Cozart (31, C, 82) (.271, 5 HRs, 18 RBIs) from Reds (32-49) for SP Grant Holmes (21, B, 59), RP Bobby Wahl (25, C, 61), and RF Tyler Marincov (25, C, 66).
The Athletics are 3.5 games up in the division and really improve on an IF that has a 74 overall 1B, 73 overall 2B, 81 overall 3B, and 75 overall SS. Cozart is a rental as he is a FA next year.
The Reds are in last place and are rebuilding. They get a young SP, AAA RP, and get some RF depth for someone they’d probably lose in FA anyways.
***Post Season Update: The Athletics narrowly missed the playoffs by a couple of games. Cozart ended the season hot and with a stat line of .253, 7 HRs, 32 RBIs. The Reds are fully embracing the rebuild. Holmes improved over the course of the season. He got his first taste of the show and got rocked. Wahl also did not perform too well in his limited action in the big leagues. Marincov followed suit and ended the year cold as well.
Athletics (49-44) acquire CP Raisel Iglesias (27, B, 87) from the Reds (33-59) for SP Daniel Mengden (24, B, 69) and 2B Max Schrock (22, B, 61).
In another Athletics and Reds deal, the As get a proven closer to strengthen the back end of the bullpen. Iglesias is an All Star as he pitched 32.2 innings with a 3.31 ERA and 1.29 Whip. He also has 29 Ks. He is under control for 3 more years at 4.5M per year. Iglesias becomes the CP at 87 overall and the 2nd best RP on the team. Only a couple of the As relievers have an ERA over 4.00, so this is a move that only strengthens the back end of their bullpen. The As are leading the AL West by 2 games.
The Reds get a young starter to aid with the rebuild. Mengden has been hurt with a fractured arm this season. He is cheap and still under control for 5 more seasons. He becomes 9th best SP on the team for now, but one will be a FA. He will spend the rest of the year in the rotation and then round out the rotation next year. A couple SPs have ERAs over 5.00 and another with ERA over 4.00. Schrock will be in AAA next season and is a ML All Star. He is a solid young IF and another chance for a prospect to develop and make an impact in the future. The Reds are in last place and every move they make is for the future.
***Post Season Update: The Athletics just missed the playoffs by a couple of games. Iglesias had a solid season with 37 saves. He finished the year with a 3.58, 49 Ks, 1.34 stat line in 55.1 innings pitched. The Reds obviously did not make the playoffs. Mengden struggled after coming back from injury. He finished up with a 5.24, 66 Ks, 1.69 stat line in 68.2 innings pitched. Schrock had solid improvement across the board.
Red Sox (49-48) acquire CF Byron Buxton (23, B, 79) from the Twins (47-48) for SP Jason Groome (18, B, 66), SS Marco Hernandez (24, C, 68), and 1B Sam Travis (23, B, 62).
Red Sox get a dynamic OF to replace LF Benintendi who will be out 1-2 months. Buxton is hitting .255, .317 OBP, 10 HR, 36 RBIs, and 5 steals. He is only 23 and is also under team control for 3 more years at arbitration. Buxton becomes the LF at 79 overall and the 3rd best OF on the team. The two current back up OFs are both hitting under .230 and the Red Sox weren’t comfortable giving them a starting job. The Red Sox are a .5 game out of the AL East and are tied for the AL Wild Card.
The Twins get a young starter to assist with the rebuild. SP Groome is only 18, but already a 66 overall. He is likely still 2 years away, but he has nice upside. SS Hernandez is a solid major league ready talent who is versatile. He spent first part of the year in AAA, but he is only 24 and is under team control for 5 more seasons. He becomes the 5th best IF at 68 overall, but one will be a FA. He will take on a utility role for the time being, but will factor into future plans too. 1B Travis will finish the year in AAA and will start off there next season as well. The hope is he will be the replacement for Joe Mauer, as he is a solid young player with good potential. The Twins are 3 games out of the AL Central and 1 game out of the Wild Card race. This move indicates they are sellers at the deadline and do not think they have the horses to make a run this year.
***Post Season Update: The Red Sox collapsed and missed the playoffs. Buxton finished the season with a .248, .315 OBP, 13 HRs, 48 RBIs stat line. He also chipped in 11 stolen bases. The Red Sox have a crowed roster, so it will be interesting to see what they do this offseason. Hernandez had a solid performance in 86 ABs finishing the year with .267, .284 OBP, 0 HRs, 7 RBIs and 2 SBs. Groome progressed really well and may be a superstar if he keeps progressing the way he is. Sam Travis also showed decent improvement across the board.
Insignificant Trades:
Yankees acquire 2B Carlos Sanchez (24, C, 71) from White Sox for SS Tyler Wade (22, C, 67).
Orioles acquire C Stuart Turner (25, C, 64) from Reds for SP Jayson Aquino (24, C, 64).
Orioles acquire C Tony Walters (24, C, 70) from Rockies for C Chance Sisco (22, B, 61) and RP Stefan Crichton (25, C, 60).
Orioles acquire CF Gregor Blanco (33, C, 73) from Diamondbacks for LF Joey Rickard (25, C, 75).
Orioles traded Rickard as he was hitting under .200, and Blanco can help them more right now. Diamondbacks traded for Rickard as Blanco is FA after this season. Rickard has solid attributes and is controllable for 4 more seasons. He is a buy low, bounce back candidate. The Diamondbacks LF, Hazelbaker, is also out for 2 months.
Orioles acquire CF Michael Hermosillo (22, C, 62) from Angels for SS Adrian Marin (23, C, 60).
The Orioles have two AAA CFs who are FA after the season. Angels get a potential solid SS prospect behind Simmons. He will be the 2nd best SS on roster.
Red Sox acquire RP Jarred Cozart (26, C, 66) from the Padres for SP Ty Buttrey (24, C, 57).
Both teams are trying to strike lightning in a bottle. Red Sox needed RP help and hope Cozart can be better and help address that need. The Padres are hoping a change of scenery with Buttrey can help him get on track and reach his potential.
Rays acquired SS Benji Gonzalez (27, C, 58) from the Twins for LF Granden Goetzman (24, C, 53).
Indians acquired 2B Alexi Amerista (27, C, 67) from the Rockies for LF Luigi Rodriguez (25, C, 57), RF Taylor Murphy (24, C, 54), and RP Dace Kime (25, C, 61).
Indians lost CF Austin Jackson due to injury for the season. This was the only thing they could get as the trade deadline has passed. Amerista also plays all OF positions.
Braves Trades
Braves acquired CF Kyle Lewis (21, B, 63) from the Mariners for SP Jamie Garcia (30, B, 84), RP Chaz Roe (30, C, 78), and SP Aaron Blair (24, C, 60).
Lewis has a surplus value of 35M (37.6M-2.6M for ACL injury). He is the 42nd ranked prospect on the 2017 MLB.com top 100 prospects. He spent 2017 in A ball.
Garcia has a surplus value of 20.03M. He has pitched 119.2 innings with a 8-6 record. He has an ERA of 2.93, 1.07 Whip, and 90 Ks. Roe has a surplus value of 15.03M. He has pitched 33.0 innings with a 2-2 record. He has a 2.45 ERA, 1.00 Whip, and 36 Ks. Blair has a surplus value of .44M. He has pitched 75.0 innings with a 4-4 record in AAA. He also has an ERA of 5.28, 1.75 Whip, and 67 Ks.
Garcia:
'14 = .2(x1), '15 = 3.9(x3), '16 = .6(x6) / 10 = 1.55
1.55 + 2.9 ('17 In-Game WAR) = 4.45
4.45 x 9 x .5 = 20.03
Roe:
'14 = -.1(x1), '15 = .2(x3), '16 = .4(x6) / 10 = .29
.29 + .6 ('17 In-Game WAR) = .89
.89 x 9 x 3 = 24.03 - 6.0 (3 Arb Yrs @ 1M, 2M, 3M) = 18.03 - 3.0 (RP under 92 overall) = 15.03
Mariners needed SP and were seeking RP. They are willing to take on Garcia’s 5.5M remaining salary. Garcia is a rental as he is in the final year of his contract. The Mariners will have the opportunity to re-sign him in the winter as he is only 30 years old. Garcia becomes the 2nd best SP on the Mariners at 84 overall. 3 out of the 5 SP in the Mariners rotation had 4.00+ ERAs and the LRP had a 5.00+ ERA. Roe is cheap and still under control for 3 more seasons. He becomes the 4th best RP at 78 overall. MRP pitchers have been inconsistent thus far. The Mariners hope this provides some stability in the rotation and bullpen as they sit at 45-45, 3 games out of AL West and 1 game out of the AL Wild Card race.
Braves acquire 1B Yordan Alvarez (19, C, 52) from the Astros for OF Lane Adams (27, C, 74), RP Joel De La Cruz (27, C, 62), and a player to be named later.
Alvarez has a surplus value of 13M. He is the Astros 4th ranked team prospect, but is not listed on the 2017 MLB.com top 100 prospects. He spent 2017 in A ball.
Adams has a surplus value of 3.23M. Adams is hitting .243, .254 OBP, 1 HR, 8 RBIs, and 3 stolen bases. De La Cruz has a surplus value of .27M. He was just a throw in from AA. ***Player to be named later goes here.***
Adams:
'14 = .5(x1), '15 = .2(x3), '16 = .2(x6) / 10 = .23
.23 + .0 ('17 In-Game WAR) = .23
.23 x 9 x 4 = 8.28 - 5.05 (1 MLB Min Yr @ 550K & 3 Arb Yrs @ 1M, 1.5M, 2M) = 3.23
Astros needed a LF and were seeking LF/RF. Adams becomes the 4th best OF on the Astros roster at 74 overall. Adams is 27 and doesn’t have proven stats or track record, but has shown he can be a 4/5 OF type player. He is cheap and still under control for 5 more seasons. Starting LF, Aoki, is only a 64 overall. Out of the 6 Astros OF, a couple are batting under .250. De La Cruz is throw in and will be a FA after the season. Braves wanted to move of him so other RP had a chance to show what they can do. The Astros hope this provides some depth in the OF and allows them the flexibility to part ways with some upper OF prospects if needed. The Astros sit at 47-43, 2 games out of AL West and are first in the AL Wild Card race.
Braves acquire SS Maurcio Dubon (22, B, 66) from the Brewers for CP Jim Johnson (33, C, 77) and 2B Travis Demeritte (22, B, 71).
Dubon has a surplus value of 15M. He is the Brewers 7th ranked team prospect, but is not listed on the 2017 MLB.com top 100 prospects. He spent 2017 in AA ball.
Johnson has a surplus value of 5.3M. Johnson pitched 34.0 innings with 26 saves. He has an ERA of 2.10, .82 Whip, and 28 Ks. Demeritte has a surplus value of 10.7M. He is the Braves 12th ranked team prospect. He is batting .233, .345 OBP, 6 HRs, 30 RBIs, and 5 steals in AAA.
Johnson:
'14 = -1.7(x1), '15 = -.1(x3), '16 = 1.5(x6) / 10 = .7
.7 + 1.0 ('17 In-Game WAR) = 1.7
1.7 x 9 x 1 = 15.3 - 5.0 (1 Yr @ 5M) = 10.3 - 5.0 (RP under 92 overall) = 5.3
Brewers needed RP and were seeking a CP. Johnson becomes the CP at 77 overall. He is signed for next year, but he is 33 years old and has shown volatility. They are willing to take on Johnson’s remaining salary this season and 5M next season. This allows Feliz, who is 76 overall, to move to a SU role. He becomes the 3rd best RP on the Brewers. Feliz, the CP, has 4.45 ERA and 1.42 Whip. One other member of bullpen has ERA above 4.70. Demeritte is a fringe prospect. He has low vision and has fallen out of favor with what the Braves new front office is looking for in a prospect. Has the raw tools, but has to be consistent and put everything together. The Brewers hope this solidifies the backend of their bullpen. They sit at 54-39, 7.5 games out of NL Central and lead the NL Wild Card race.
Braves acquire SP Dakota Chalmers (20, C, 55) from Athletics. Cardinals receive C Anthony Recker (33, C, 70) from the Braves. Athletics receive C Jeremy Martinez (22, C, 53) from the Cardinals.
Chalmers has a surplus value of 8M. He is the Athletics 17th ranked team prospect, but is not listed on the 2017 MLB.com top 100 prospects. He spent 2017 in A ball.
Recker has a surplus value of .89M. He is hitting .225, .330 OBP, 7 HRs, and 22 RBIs in AAA. He is a AAAA type player.
Martinez has a surplus value of 6M. He is not ranked in the Cardinals system, nor is he listed on the 2017 MLB.com top 100 prospects. He spent 2017 in AA ball.
Recker:
'14 = .9(x1), '15 = -.8(x3), '16 = .6(x6) / 10 = .21
.21 + 0.0 ('17 In-Game WAR) = .21
.21 x 9 x 1 = 1.89 - 1.0 (1 Yr Arb @ 1M) = .89
Oakland only has 5 catchers in the organization, and they are mostly older. This move gives them a AA catcher at 53 overall and that is only 22 years old.
Cardinals are trying to make a playoff run, and adding Recker gives them another 3rd catcher option that could move into the MLB backup catcher role if an injury occurs down the stretch. Their primary 3rd catcher, Eric Fryer, has struggled so far only hitting .202 in AAA this season.
Braves acquire CF Yusniel Diaz (20, B, 62) from the Dodgers for 2B Brandon Phillips (35, B, 82) and RP David Hernandez (31, C, 71).
Diaz has a surplus value of 20.2M. He is the 77th ranked overall prospect on the 2017 MLB.com top 100 prospects. He played 2017 in AA ball.
Phillips has a surplus value of 7.69M. He is batting .299, .339 OBP, 2 HRs, 19 RBIs, and 1 stolen base. He spent some time on the DL. Hernandez has a 1.43M surplus value. He has pitched 42.0 innings with a 2-5 record. He has a 3.41 ERA, 1.31 Whip, and 50 Ks at AAA.
Phillips:
'14 = 1.6(x1), '15 = 3.4(x3), '16 = .9(x6) / 10 = 1.72
1.72 + 1.1 ('17 In-Game WAR) = 2.82
2.82 x 9 x .5 = 12.69 - 5.0 (Age) = 7.69
Hernandez:
'14 = .3(x1), '15 = -.1(x3), '16 = .9(x6) / 10 = .54
.54 + 0.0 ('17 In-Game WAR) = .54
.54 x 9 x .5 = 2.43 - 1.0 (RP under 92 overall) = 1.43
Dodgers were looking to strengthen 2B and were seeking 2B. Phillips becomes the 2B vs RHP at 82 overall. He is a rental and is also 35 years old. They are willing to take on Phillips remaining salary of 14M this season as they are all in for a World Series run. This move allows Forsythe to move into a platoon role vs LHP and is 85 overall. Phillips becomes the 4th best IF on the Dodgers. Forsythe has .233 average and is hitting only .188 vs LHP. The hope is this will allow him to concentrate more on LHP and the break will help him out. It’s possible the Dodgers will reverse the platoon if needed as Phillips is batting a nice .341 vs LHP. Hernandez is a depth reliever. Has struggled a bit at AAA, but he is believed to have worked out the kinks in AA and is now back in AAA. He will provide depth to what has been a very good Dodger BP. The Dodgers hope this move strengthens their middle IF and provides them with a veteran bat for the playoff run. Also gives them some insurance if their BP arms get hurt or needs some rest. They sit at 62-45, 3 games out of NL West and lead the NL Wild Card race.
Braves acquire SP Braeden Ogle (19, C, 62) from the Pirates for 2B Sean Rodriguez (31, C, 78).
Ogle has a surplus value of 7M. He is the Pirates 28th ranked team prospect, but he is not listed on the 2017 MLB.com top 100 prospects. He spent 2017 in A ball.
Rodriguez has a surplus value of 6.9M. After coming back from injury, he batted .259, .259 OBP, 3 HRs, and 5 RBIs.
Rodriguez:
'14 = .2(x1), '15 = -.2(x3), '16 = 1.9(x6) / 10 = 1.1
1.1 + 0.3 ('17 In-Game WAR) = 1.4
1.4 x 9 x 1 = 12.6 - 5.7 (1 Yr @ 5.7M) = 6.9
Pirates were looking to improve for next year and saw a chance to bring back a familiar face. I tried to closely resemble the real life trade. Rodriguez becomes the 2B / UT at 76 overall. He will have 1 year left on his contract and is 31 years old. The Pirates are willing to take on Rodriguez's remaining salary of 5.7M next year. This move allows for versatility and flexibility as Rodriguez can play all over the IF. He becomes the 4th best IF on the Pirates. Current backup 2B, Alen Hanson, has .197 average. The Pirates hope this move strengthens their club house and provides them with a veteran bat who has posted a career best year with the organization not too long ago. The Pirates sit at 50-59, 21.5 games out of NL Central.