Winners and Losers at the MLB Trade Deadline
Yu Darvish and Sonny Gray. Digital image. Sports Illustrated. N.p., 31 July 2017. Web. 12 Aug. 2017.
Winners:
1) Dodgers:
The Dodgers had a spectacular trade deadline, to say the least. They acquired Yu Darvish, the highlight of their day. Darvish is poised to become their second pitcher in the rotation, once Clayton Kershaw returns from his injury. Yu Darvish solidifies the Dodgers rotation, making them impossible to beat and allowing to make a deep run in October. The Dodgers’ rampage didn’t stop there. Not only did they add new starting pitching, but they added relief pitching, as Kelsey Jansen was not good enough. The Dodgers snatched Tony Cingrani and Tony Watson in the waning minutes before the trade deadline. They were relatively cheap players that will be necessary as the Dodgers aspire to win the World Series this year.
2) New York Yankees:
The Yankees were recently referred by Dave Dombrowski as the Warriors of baseball. I have to say that Dave was sadly correct. The Yankees acquired their X-factor (Sonny Gray) the day of the trade deadline. Gray has been on fire the past couple of months. His departure from Oakland was imminent as we were getting close to the trade deadline. This trade bolstered the Yankees rotation, supplying them with enough star power to break open the AL East and wreak havoc in October. With a slugging offense and a stingy pitching squad, the Yankees are equipped and ready to claim October for themselves.
3) Oakland Athletics
The Athletics were big sellers this year, trading Sonny Gray for three highly coveted prospects. Although Gray was having a "down" season, his trade stock was boosted after posting impressive numbers the last couple of months. In exchange for Gray, the Athletics received Dustin Fowler, Jorge Mateo, and James Kaprielian. Both Fowler and Kaprielian are in bandages after suffering gruesome injuries. Despite this, these three prospects have the potential to become a star, which makes the Athletics a winner at this year's trade deadline.
Losers:
1) Houston Astros
The Houston Astros garnered a great amount of hype days before the trade deadline. The Astros failed to make a significant deal for a starting or relieving pitcher, which might significantly decrease their chances for the pennant. Currently, the pitching squad has greatly disappointed allowing 4.24 runs per game, which ranks at 13th in the league. Although the 'Stros added Liriano, they are still lacking the talent that would be able to lead the Astros to the playoffs, and thus a loser of this year's trade deadline.
2) Texas Rangers
The Rangers got pennies for Yu Darvish. Despite getting several prospects, they deserved someone better for a great pitcher in Yu Darvish. The Rangers, who completed the deal 10 minutes before the trade deadline, were pressured Darvish before the clock ticked 4 p.m. in New York City.
3) Chicago Cubs
You are probably surprised by this one. But, the Cubs paid heavily to get Jose Quintana. They gave up the #7 and #66 prospects in the MLB. They paid a gargantuan price for a single pitcher. As a result of this trade deadline, their farm system is almost depleted.