We took the temperature of the MLBTR readership recently on the subject of deadline buyers, with the Blue Jays getting the most top ratings, and now we’ll turn to the seller’s side of the line. As I noted there, while we heard a lot of talk of teams reshaping their current rosters rather than strictly buying or selling, that really did not occur much this year.
The following organizations all pursued slightly different strategies in moving current production for future assets. Which do you think did it best?
Future Asset Traders
These clubs not only moved rental pieces, but also dealt significant players with future control in order to add other future assets.
Rockies acquire Jose Reyes, Jeff Hoffman, Miguel Castro, & Jesus Tinoco in deal for Troy Tulowitzki & LaTroy Hawkins — Still-fresh GM Jeff Bridich shocked the baseball world by finally putting an end to the Tulo rumors. Now, the team has another expensive veteran shortstop that could become a trade piece, along with three fresh young arms.
Brewers acquire Brett Phillips, Josh Hader, Domingo Santana & Adrian Houser, Zach Davies, and Yhonathan Barrios in deals for Carlos Gomez & Mike Fiers, Gerardo Parra, and Aramis Ramirez — Milwaukee gave up some cheap control in both Gomez and Fiers, while selling high on the expiring Parra and saving dollars with Ramirez. Phillips headlines a nice group of prospects who’ll replenish the Brewers system.
Phillies acquire Matt Harrison, Jorge Alfaro, Jake Thompson, Nick Williams, Alec Asher, & Jerad Eickhoff, Nick Pivetta, Jimmy Cordero & Alberto Tirado in deals for Cole Hamels & Jake Diekman, Jonathan Papelbon, and Ben Revere — The Hamels saga rivals that of Tulowitzki for duration and attention. So, was it worth the wait? Philly landed three top-100 prospects in the deal, spreading its bets when it couldn’t seem to pry loose a super-premium youngster.
Braves acquire Hector Olivera, Paco Rodriguez, & Zachary Bird, Rob Whalen & John Gant in deals for Alex Wood, Jim Johnson, Luis Avilan, Bronson Arroyo & Jose Peraza, Juan Uribe & Kelly Johnson — The Wood-Olivera deal (originally “the Latos deal”) might have been the deadline’s most interesting, and it’ll take quite some time to see how it plays out. Atlanta continues to be exceedingly creative in structuring trades.
Indians acquire Rob Kaminsky, Eric Stamets, and Abraham Almonte in deals for Brandon Moss, David Murphy, and Marc Rzepczynski — Cleveland was said to be unlikely to deal Moss, but was overwhelmed with the offer of Kaminsky, a highly-regarded young pitcher.
Rental Dealers
Many of these deadline sellers dabbled in deals for players under control for the future, but ultimately ended up moving only their pure rentals.
Reds acquire Brandon Finnegan, John Lamb, & Cody Reed, Keury Mella & Adam Duvall in deals for Johnny Cueto and Mike Leake — Moving its soon-to-be-free agent starters long seemed a given, and Cincinnati was able to bolster its future staff with some appealing arms. The club held off on deals for other veterans, including Marlon Byrd and Jay Bruce, but could consider future trades.
Athletics acquire Sean Manaea & Aaron Brooks, Casey Meisner, Jacob Nottingham & Daniel Mengden in deals for Ben Zobrist, Tyler Clippard, and Scott Kazmir — Likewise, the A’s showed little inclination to discuss controllable pieces, instead moving its best expiring veteran assets. The club opted for upside over near-term contributions in its returns, marking something of a departure from other recent trades.
Tigers acquire Daniel Norris, Jairo Labourt & Matt Boyd, Michael Fulmer & Luis Cessa, and JaCoby Jones in deals for David Price, Yoenis Cespedes, and Joakim Soria — Detroit waited until the last minute to hit the sell button, and then shipped out three high-end veterans to add young talent, especially in the rotation. The Tigers seemingly structured their moves to prepare for another run next year.
Limited Sellers
These clubs all likely considered more significant sell-offs, but ultimately chose to shave some salary and move a few pieces that probably did not figure prominently in future plans.
Marlins acquire Kevin Guzman, Jeff Brigham & Victor Araujo, Elliot Soto & Ivan Pineyro, Tomas Telis & Cody Ege, and Kyle Barraclough in deals for Mat Latos & Michael Morse, Dan Haren, Sam Dyson, and Steve Cishek — While we heard some chatter about Martin Prado and Marcell Ozuna, Miami held onto those controllable players. The club also did not pull off a move for a starter with extended control, as had been rumored.
Rays acquire Eduar Lopez, Chih-Wei Hu & Alexis Tapia in deals for Kevin Jepsen and David DeJesus — Tampa Bay remains in the Wild Card hunt, but shopped its controllable relief assets and moved the veteran DeJesus. All in all, the team elected to make smaller-scale moves, as was expected.
Mariners acquire Adrian Sampson, Ramon Flores & Jose Ramirez, Rob Rasmussen, Jake Brentz & Nick Wells in deals for J.A. Happ, Dustin Ackley, and Mark Lowe — Entering the deadline in a tough position, the Mariners decided to hold for the most part, but did move two solid arms and finally parted with Ackley, a former top prospect.
Red Sox acquire Josh Rutledge in deal for Shane Victorino — Boston was one of those teams rumored to be in the market to buy for the future, and also may have considered moves involving large contract swaps, but will now do the bulk of its work in the offseason (though August deals can’t be ruled out).
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Definitely the Indians for me, based on what they had to sell.
think they should have traded carlos santana,
I think the best move was the Kaminsky for Moss deal. Lots of scouts seem to love Kaminsky, he was gonna be a top 100 prospect next season, and Moss is basically the LH Mark Reynolds
The best overall deadline was the Phillies. They got a good haul for Hamels with 6 guys that all will play in the MLB in the next 2.5 years barring injury, and 3 of them have fairly high ceilings. They got a former top 100 prospect and a potential back end arm for Revere, and got a fringe mid rotation prospect and salary relief for Papelbon. Not a bad deal, they really helped out the farm system. They got 6 guys on a top prospect list for the first time that I can remember.
Most underrated move was the Tulo deal. They got 3 good arms, and could possibly flip Reyes for another one later.
I’m not so sure they could get much for Reyes. Even if he stays healthy and plays well (~3 WAR), he has $48MM left over the next two years (or $66MM over three).
But he’s also been slowly declining. This is the third straight year his slash numbers have dropped. They could probably get something, but they’d have to eat some salary. If I were them, I’d be hoping that he goes on a tear over the next two months and then try to dump him in the offseason.
All that said, I agree that the Rockies made a good deal.
Reds acquire John Lamb, not Jake.
The sellers are harder to figure then the buyers obviously, as it takes years to come clear while the buyers show immediately.
Once in a while I see an Arrieta (as MLBNTR has noted) come thorough, but most of the sold prospects come in with great fanfare, only to be forgotten years later.
Not like it will make a huge difference, but you forgot the Broxton deal for the Brewers.
You should post a poll like this based on trades from 3 or 4 years ago. That would be kinda interesting to see.
Agreed. All of this is relative due to hindsight. I love my Braves’ moves, but I have no idea how it will play out.
I’ve never seen any posts on here talking about past prospects that were acquired at a past deadline, unless the prospects became good players.
Happy the Tigers got that flying van man and SIX other pieces.
In the last 2 months, the Tigers have picked up 8 of their 15 Prospects (rankings according to MLB site).
I can’t believe the Braves are ahead of some or any of those teams. I don’t care what anyone says, that trade was downright awful. The reasons I’ve seen defending it are flat out silly and illogical.
Ok I’ll bite. What trade are you referring too? What makes it downright awful? I mean really there is no point in me asking since as you’ve already pointed out you don’t care what anyone says.
I think he is upset because they traded Wood from an obvious area of strength for as close to a can’t miss prospect in Olivera to cover an area of need in 3rd base.. With all of the moves that Hart made in the off season to acquire young starting pitching prospects there is no way they should have traded a starter away to fill an obvious area of need.. That is just downright foolish!!
Maybe it’s just me, but I’ll take the can’t miss already-a-top-tier-SP over the can’t miss prospect any day.
Peyton, with all due respect, I love Wood – he graduated from my alma mater (UGA), played for my favorite team (Braves), and rose from relative prospect obscurity. But I really think we sold high on him. With his TJ history (1 in college) and arm mechanics, I’m not comfortable with him being a top-of-the-rotation starter on my team. His avg fastball is 90 mph, and I’m not buying that he’ll stay healthy for the long haul. We sold high and addressed an area of need. Sorry to see him go, but I’d want Hart to do it again in a heartbeat if it meant getting better bats that don’t cost $20M per.
Added to this, look at it this way: Braves wanted Olivera. Most Braves fans wanted Olivera or at least entertained the idea at the right price. No one in the organization or fan base would ever be comfortable paying the $62 million price tag. So Hart being Hart, loaded up on pitching, up and down the minors/mlb ready. Woods, is already in arbitration and hes not getting cheaper. As rundmc pointed out his velocity is falling and hes already had 1 TJ. Hart has no need to extend Woods as his arbitration and years of control will make him valuable for a team in need of controlled pitching. We NEED a third basemen. Dodgers NEED pitching. They trade from an area of depth as Hart did. Look at our top 30 prospects: i see 3 in there that could easily be Woods or better. One is already up there and if Manny stays healthy theres a potential Woods+ there too. The Dodgers meanwhile paid Olivera $28 million to come play for us + we got a viable RP option + a top 20 farm prospect from a decent farm + (and for me the most important part) the Comp Pick. This year is shaping up that we might just end up with a top 10 pick for next year + another pick in the top 40. I’m failing to see where the Braves lose… at all. Oh and for fun the Dodgers also gave us $500k tip for Bronson Arroyo. How is any of this bad?!?
all Braves pitching prospects have had 1 TJ surgery. Isn’t it required?
Trading Wood and Peraza for a draft pick, an over-30 player with no ML experience, and a reliever really doesn’t look like selling high to me. I agree 100% with Peyton.
That can’t miss prospect the Braves acquired will be 31 on Opening Day next year. Olivera will be declining before Wood or Peraza hit their prime.
due to his delivery most people feel this is wood’s prime.
Now the question is: whos ceiling is higher and will be more successful? Braves are rating Olivera higher than Wood/Peraza. Time will tell. Dont forget, Dodgers are paying alot of Olivera’s salary.
well peraza is a future utility guy. woods health is a big if. oliveria should hit, his defense is a ?. with the signing bonus paid and taking arroyos contract ill take the braves side.
The Braves are in a restructuring and have been loading up on pitchers. It’s some affordable hitters they needed to add. While they would like to win this year and next, they are trying to contend in 2017 when they move into the new park.
I understand that. But I figured Wood to be a key piece of the core of that restructuring. He’s young, controllable for a long time, and already very, very good. I don’t think “well he might get hurt again” to be a valid reason for dumping him, especially not for a 30 year old minor leaguer who has never played a ML inning, has injury concerns himself and is already paid like a pretty good major league hitter (and that’s talking like the two were traded for each other straight up; we also gave up our top prospect)
I understand a lot of the complaints on the trade. However, Braves are tying more so to avoid TJ. They have been hit hard by that surgery and are rethinking their process. Once concern was Wood. His velocity is already dropping, which isnt good for a 24 y/o pitcher. Not that i buy it as a reason, but thats part of the Braves logic now. They might be overly concerned but thats how they are now. As for Olivera, his injuries have been minor. Right now, its hamstring. The Braves traded from a strength to fill the void. They think highly of Olivera and only time will tell if they are right.
The age tells me the Braves plan on contending sooner rather than later.
That UCL thing seemed serious enough to scare teams off during the circus of a courting process for him last winter. I’m not unhappy to have him by any means, don’t get me wrong, I just don’t like what was given up for him for what he is. Some people consider “we really wanted him this offseason, and now we got him for half the price” to be a win, but I don’t really, not in and of itself anyway.
We’ll see how it plays out. When Wood snaps his arm in half and Olivera wins 3 straight triple crowns, I’ll gladly insert my foot into my mouth.
How do you know that “well he might get hurt again” is the reason they traded him?
To get something you have to give something. Maybe Hart figured that he had pitchers to replace Wood, and maybe at a lower cost. I don’t know.
Come 2017 we judge the job Hart did based on the Braves roster and payroll commitments. Trades are only one component. Free agent signings and drafting / development are the others. Time will tell. I saw him build an Indians team that had not won in over 30 years. His moves were not all linear, and some didn’t work out well. No one hits on everything.
I mostly meant the logic people are using to defend this trade. Along with “Peraza wasn’t that good anyway, and we have Albies” after being on Peraza’s jockstrap for years. I loved Hart’s moves before this, but I didn’t like this trade.
IMO, I like what the Phillies and Rockies did. Another factor in the Tulo trade was $. Reyes is signed for 3 years less than Tulo. Plus I would TRY and flip Reyes for more pitching If I were Bridich.
Might be easier to pick which seller did the worst. I like a lot of what these teams did, particularly the Reds, Brewers and Athletics but the Tigers, Phillies and Rockies did well too. This was one of the more exciting trade deadlines I can remember.
Best question is who did horrible? I like what quite a few did.
the padres.
Certainly. I wonder if there’s any truth that they asked Arizona for Goldschmidt in a deal for Kimbrel.
I though the Reds did fine with the players they moved, but missed by not trading Chapman and others who will be free agents.
Maybe missed on a slight overpay by someone like Houston… But they can still deal him in August or over the offseason with a year of control.
I like what Colorado did. So hard to tell now how these sellers will make out…but I like to see the shift Colorado has made… Bringing in pitching prospects and also developing their own. That’s just keye to any success at altitude
i felt like with eating reyes contract they should have got a little more.
Perhaps…it really hinges on what they get for him. I don’t envision him lasting long with Story on the way. If he rebounds they could do alright. Jays had other irons in the fire…Norris, etc… I honestly was thinking even slightly enhanced deal for James Paxton or Kevin Gausman would be solid. Every just got really high on Tulo again….but he’s never been healthy and the Jays need that high WAR timely now. Certainly Tulo can be healthy for a solid season at some point…but his game miss average is staggering
in order to get anything for him they will have to eat money or take on say b.j uptons contract
They might have to eat money… But they were cashed out to Tulo as well…atleast this allows them even more return when they deal Reyes. Reyes isn’t strictly a sunk cost. If he actually ends up hitting they basically replace Tulo for awhile with him and have the prospects.
reyes game relies more on speed, he is a worse defender with declining speed. he might hit a little better but because of that it’s a negative value contract unless he hits 400 the rest of the way.
Tulo wasn’t moving without Reyes coming back. Yeah, it’ll cost them some to ship him if he’s not claimed in August on waivers… Never know crazy stuff has happened before. I still think they can deal for prospects. But he could stick around and hold it down until Story is ready next summer. Maybe they flip Reyes for another contract… I’m sure they would like a vet starter
Interestingly, back in the spring I read an article that tried to assess Tulos real value away from Coors….Jose Reyes was the basic comp.
I do think the Rockies did well even taking on Reyes. It seemed questionable that teams might view Tulo as viable down the road on that contract. Toronto basically took on his career now. I know Reyes isn’t pretty, but he could rebuild some value…and he can be dealt with cash…Rockies are safer sending cash than players augmenting a deal.
Doesn’t Boston want to trade for Reyes so he can learn to play RF, opposite Hanley?
I voted for Milwaukee. I think they managed to sell high on everyone, even though Gomez isn’t having the best year. Philly would have been my second choice. Marlins, as usual, did the worst.
Think a lot of teams did well. Marlins, again, are the worst.