The non-waiver trade deadline has come and gone but there are still plenty of moves that go down in the month of August. Historically, we’ve seen some significant transactions go down on the date of August 23rd. Could we see some moves of note today on MLB Trade Rumors? While we wait to find out, let’s take a look back at the last few years..
- One year ago today, the Red Sox signed Cuban sensation Rusney Castillo. The seven-year deal could be worth up to $72.5MM in total, assuming that the outfielder does not opt out before 2020. The buzz around Castillo was building momentum all through the summer, but the size of the deal took many around baseball by surprise. Owner John Henry has acknowledged that missing out on Jose Abreu may have played a role in Boston’s aggressive pursuit of Castillo, but Red Sox exec Allard Baird recently defended the signing and stressed that Boston did its homework on Castillo. The 28-year-old hasn’t lived up to the expectations of the contract so far but he has looked strong since his latest recall from Triple-A.
- On this date in 2013, the Nationals sent David DeJesus to the Rays for a player to be named later. Of course, DeJesus’ stint in Washington amounted to little more than a layover. The Nats acquired DeJesus in a waiver deal with the Cubs on August 19th and sent him packing just days later. In total, DeJesus went 0-for-3 with a walk in his brief tenure with the Nationals. DeJesus would enjoy a lengthier stint with the Rays before a late July deal this season sent him to the Angels.
- On the same date as the DeJesus deal, the Nationals also shipped Kurt Suzuki to the A’s for minor leaguer Dakota Bacus. Suzuki’s time in Washington was fairly short, though not as quick as DeJesus’ stint. The catcher, who was sent to the Nationals in August of 2012, found himself back in Oakland just one year and 20 days later. After helping the A’s reach the postseason, Suzuki had his $8.5MM option declined in the offseason. The catcher would go on to sign a one-year deal with the Twins that winter and he later inked a multi-year extension in the midst of his first All-Star campaign.
- On this date in 2009, the Red Sox signed Xander Bogaerts as an amateur free agent. While he’s regarded as a possible up-and-coming star today, Bogaerts did not have a great deal of hype around him when he was signed as a 16-year-old. The Red Sox inked the Aruban shortstop for a paltry $410K signing bonus.
what’s wrong with 410k for a sixteen year-old? The term “paltry” is insulting and biased. A true news report would have left “paltry” out of the report. How many 16 year olds start off in the business world with that kind of money? Law school graduates, interns at hospitals, teachers, police and firefighters do not get that .
But a 16 year old who can play a game gets it and it is called “paltry”. What was your signing bonus Zack? The values of our society are shifting out of control. Hard working folks cannot even afford to take their kids to a major league game;and when they do, there are millionaires all over the field. Yesterday, the Yankee starting lineup had 8 out of nine making one or more million, not including the starting pitcher. All this for a kid’s game.