The A’s have acquired Jake Diekman from the Royals, per ESPN’s Jeff Passan. Kansas City will receive prospects Ismael Aquino and Dairon Blanco in return.
In its push for a second consecutive playoff appearance, the A’s appear to again be double and tripling down on an already-staunch bullpen. The 32-year-old Diekman’s long had issue with the free pass – the lefty hasn’t walked under four per nine since 2013 – but is setting down hitters at a career-best rate: indeed, his 13.61 K/9 is over two batters per nine higher than his previous season best. Diekman’s park-adjusted peripherals place him firmly within the game’s top 30 relievers at present, and he’ll join an Oakland pen that’s already notched MLB’s second-highest fWAR total, behind only the Yankees.
Diekman, who’s owed approximately $700K over the remainder of the season, has a $5.75MM mutual option on his deal for 2020, a figure that’ll likely be declined on the player’s side if the lefty continues on his current pace. It should be no matter for the A’s, who control each of bullpen stalwarts Joakim Soria, Yusmeiro Petit, Liam Hendriks, Blake Treinen, and Lou Trivino through at least next season.
As they did last season in the team’s winner-take-all bout with the Yankees, the A’s appear to be gearing up for a potential all-bullpen Wild Card alignment. After nominal ace Frankie Montas was suspended for a PED violation, it’s been mostly hope-and-pray in the team’s rotation. Mike Fiers has delivered quality outings, but deeper peripherals don’t augur well for the season’s close; ditto with Brett Anderson, who’s also managed to avoid major injury for one of the few times in his career. Chris Bassitt and Daniel Mengden have had moments, but it may be white-flag time where the division is concerned for the A’s, who sit 8.0 GB of Houston in the AL West despite just a half-game deficit in the second Wild-Card spot.
Blanco, 26, was an ’18 Cuban signee who’d spent all of 2019 at AA-Midland, where the outfielder slashed .276/.342/.468. He didn’t check in among the team’s top 38 prospects at FanGraphs, who did note that the righty possesses “80 grade” speed, which could vault him into a potential fifth outfielder spot in the big leagues.
Aquino, 20, had appeared in 10 games for the A’s Arizona League affiliate, mostly in relief. He didn’t crack the team’s top 30 prospects at either FanGraphs or MLB.com.
And so it begins…
Floodgates opening.
Isn’t that you said after Cashner?
if he says it every day, eventually he will be right
Great! Forces the Cardinals to spend higher in a lefty reliever trade. Cheap F’s
NFL training camps
Hopefully this start getting the ball rolling.
The A’s are still a team? Wait…
I hope this wasn’t a joke because it’s terrible.
Yeah…a team that’s .5 games out of a Wild Card. Not a good troll job. 1/10
Money Ball, Billy Beane, his logic is amazing in bringing in ave players and winning with playoff appearances, I wish AJ Preller would follow his format
so, what has a’s done in the postseason?
MLBTR seldom talks about the A’s… it’s “The Braves are in the market for…” The Yankees have discussed…” “The Red Sox should…”
If they talk about the A’s it’s usually about someone on IL.
Curious what they had to give up for Diekman. A top 10 prospect?
Probably PTBNL or cash considerations. LOL
If the A’s gave up a top ten organizational prospect for a middling rental arm their GM should fired.
Well, the A’s GM job is safe.
2 that weren’t even in the top 30… WOW.
9 World Series championships. Unless you’re a fan of the Yankees, Cards or Sox you’re not in that conversation. It’s been a stretch now since they made a deep run, but no small market team gets to the playoffs as often.
yeah, but that was in ancient times!
St Louis would like a word. Still better than Oakland, and smaller market all around.
They’ve won 4 since 1972. The 70s and 80s were ancient times?
In baseball terms yes when many of the players on the team weren’t even born yet.
22 different teams have won the world series since Oakland last won, so it’s been a while.
Yup, they’ve got uniforms and everything, it’s really great!
I get this reference and I approve
Is very bad to steal Jobu’s rum….VERY BAD
Good!
So the Royals decided to be sellers…interesting
FINALLY THERE IS A TRADE YAY
Whoa. Lol. Love Billy Beane.
It is a good day he is not a Brave!
Yes, I hate adding above average relievers to my team.
he’s terrible though
Not really. Mid 3s in FIP and xFIP, good strikeout numbers, doesn’t give up a ton of hits.
Did you not read the post?
“Diekman’s park-adjusted peripherals place him firmly within the game’s top 30 relievers at present…”
Try telling me everyone in the Braves bullpen is better than him, I dare you.
Yeah, I kinda was hoping he was on the Red Bird radar. I prefer him to Watson
Everyone in the Braves bullpen is better!
I don’t believe it, just have a hard time walking away from a dare!
Luke Jackson has a case, but that’s about it.
“park-adjusted peripherals” dont win you games, and he’s never lived up to said peripherals.
double dog or just regular?
I’m a Royals fan and his ERA isn’t great, but that’s because of about a 3 week period where he was a little off. For a long time he’s era was around 3.40! Trust me, this is an above average relief pitcher. Atlanta knows, he pitched against them two nights in a row and struck out 5 of the 6 batters he faced!
Yeah, surprised the Royals didn’t get more unless they are high on the prospects.
Park Adjusted peripherals sounds like one big bunch of bull…..until a pitcher plays in a park, you can imagine, plan, expect any performance you wish….this guy is a 4.75 ERA, 0-6 pitcher….he’s the one trowing the ball, can’t blame his defense or his offense completely on him…..with due respect, your park adjusted comment is tough to accept unless your comparing him to the top 30 pitchers who have 4+ ERA’s and don’t pitch in a ton of luck.
The Blanco kid looks interesting, more like a talented Terrance Gore for that with expanded roster coming forth, seems like a consistent 5th outfielder for many years with a defined skill set.
The Aquino kid seems like a lotto type acquisition who can provide organizational depth if nothing else.
It makes me wonder how competitive the Diekman market really was but I’m not complaining!
Now Owings, Boxberger, Duda, etc is another story…
Nothing to be disappointed about. Trading a mediocre reliever that is gone at the end of the season for a 20 Y O minor league and a OF who hit in the minors. Couldn’t expect anymore for him.
Rosenthal also reporting that “One of many scenarios #Mets are exploring, per sources: Syndergaard to #Padres, then using some of return to land Stroman from #BlueJays. Not known which players would go from SD to NYM if deal occurred. RHP Cal Quantrill, a Canadian native, would be logical target for TOR.”
lol of course the Mets would do that. get a nice return and waste it on a pitcher who wolnt be with them by the time they seriously contend again.
Rosenthal makes hundreds of these illogical trade scnerios, all he gots to do is be right once to be called a genius.
Blue jays just want quantrill so they can have every second generation ball player
that makes no sense. I’m not sure why sd wouldnt just trade to Jays then. Stroman is perfect for that park.
only way this makes sense is if the Mets are able to move both Syndergaard and diaz and they bring in Giles and stroman and even then, it’s the Mets so they will give up more than they get back
Syndergaard>Stroman. If the Padres had a choice, guarantee you they go with Syndergaard.
The padres are out of the playoff race so why would they trade for a starter? This is the type of trade you make in the off season when prices are lower for a starter.
Athletics intercepted him on his way to LA.
As a twins fan I’m sad to see him go….hit a lot of big dongshots off that guy.
yeah i dont see the obsession. as a Phillies fan i can assure you he’s got a great track record of being overrated.
Twins hit a lot “of big dongshots” off of Diekman! Really….. He has only allowed 3 home runs the entire season……but you keep thinking that.
In 30 second of research I learned 2 of those 3 HRs were to the Twins this year, but hey it’s easier to just call someone wrong without doing the research
2 is not a “a lot”
They have an OPS over 1.100 against him in 6 games, including 2 of those 3 homers. Maybe he’s referring to more than just homers with “big dongshots”?
Thank you Beane for declaring it trade deadline season!!!! Curious of the returns to give us an idea of what the market is.
Apparently a buyer’s market.
Didn’t think it would be the As since they just made a trade with each other. Thought Dodgers or Nationals.
Stand up dude
Hopefully this explodes the dam and it all goes down.
I was kinda hoping for everyone to wait as long as possible just for a hectic 31st and see some interesting returns for players out of desperation
Should’ve saved the airfare and sent him with Bailey.
Should’ve saved the airfare and stuffed Bailey in the landing gear
One southpaw reliever is now scratched off the wish list of numerous contenders. The value of the remaining potentially available southpaws just went up.
Time for White Sox GM Rick Hahn to sell high on Aaron Bummer? Why not, especially with the front office’s past m.o. of being able to develop their young relievers and closers internally. They have plenty of other capable arms in their system although the best options mostly appear to be right-handed. Because of this it is far more likely that Alex Colome will be dealt come Wednesday afternoon but if Hahn can extract a sizable return for Bummer alone or in a package trade I say go for it!
I agree – if Bummer trade brings sizable return.
However, I’d rather see them trade Colome and make Bummer the 2020 Sox closer.
I’m generally not a fan of southpaw closers unless they have off the chart stuff like Aroldis Chapman and Billy Wagner or a unique pitch like former Cubs reliever Willie Hernandez who took his screwball to new levels with the 1984 Tigers in winning both the AL Cy Young and MVP awards.
Aaron Bummer has neither attributes and in my opinion doesn’t possess the ceiling of a vintage Andrew Miller or Brad Hand who were outstanding late inning options as well as eventual closers. I see Bummer as a solid 7th and/or 8th inning reliever capable of retiring most hitters but lacking the big strikeout arm I prefer in the 9th inning. He’s more than a loogy which is good considering the new rules being implemented next season but just not cut out to be an elite closer. Because of that I would just assume the White Sox sell high on him now. If Hahn doesn’t get want he deems as proper value then Bummer will remain an important part of the White Sox bullpen in 2020 or longer.
A’s should’ve went for A. Bummer instead of Diekman
The question is what’s a high enough return for a multiple year controlled leftie reliever? Your not getting a top 100 prospect.
Why not?
What’s the trade comparison from the previous years…and don’t say Chapman.
Andrew Miller. Brad Hand.
Aaron Bummer is cheap and controllable, not even being arb-eligible until 2021. He also doesn’t have the track record of Andrew Miller when he was dealt at both the 2014 and 2016 trade deadlines or the resume of Brad Hand when he was traded in 2018. When Miller was first dealt back in 2010 by the Marlins to the Red Sox at a comparable age to Bummer, he was a failed starter and not a promising reliever.
OMFG a top 100 prospect for Aaron Bummer?? And dude, I’m high on the guy, but Diekman just went for two guys outside of Oakland’s top 30… I get he’s a rental, but relieversarent going for that. Comps are Brad Hand and Andrew Miller??? WTF kind of crack are you on?? Aaron Bummer has nowhere near the history of Miller or the stuff of either. I’d be completely stunned if they got someone in the top 200, even with all that control.
He’s not controlled multiyear, mutual option next year, likely declined
Hats off the Billy Beane! Given his payroll limitations, he is the best GM in MLB. Imagine what he would do with Boston / Chicago / New York / SF money! The Tampa front office is right there with him too. These guys get their teams in contention with 1/3 or sometimes 1/4 the budget of the big market teams. Both organizations deserve new ballparks and more money to spend. Well done!!!
Eh the difference is Tampa Bay won’t do anything today or probably till the deadline
Goes to a team that won’t even sniff a wildcard win much less been relevant in 50 years
Well that’s just a dumb thing to say. If you put the Marlins or Orioles in the wildcard they’d have a chance to win. It’s a one game playoff after all…
TIL that the only actual non-Yankee 3-consecutive-win dynasty, and 4 world series titles in 50 years is “not relevant” in that time frame.
30 years ago they were world champions. I guess since you are not out of high school you have not learned history. By the way which cap are you wearing today? Bulls, cowboys, Os’ ect… of any bandwagon team the last 30 years.
Beane needs about 4 more SPs right now. An all-5th starter rotation was never a good idea. Montas was a true ace but they are dragging their feet replacing him and routinely losing games because of it. Fiers can stay as the 5th but Beane needs to do work now. Luzardo and Jefferies deserve a shot at the rotation, so he needs to add 2 aces and then the A’s suddenly look like a real threat.
Nice move by A’s.
Have to see what they gave up though.
The starters market is probably to costly at this point. Better to add to the pen
Braves slept in again or just more lip service for us fans who would like to maybe get to the WS again some year.
As a braves fan im telling you to stop critisizing the front office
Everyone ripped them for being msart with money in offseason and we are still leading the division
Thank them for not trading soroka and riley for really do
Just be patient
Trading riley and soroka for realmutto i mean
This is a good pick up for the A’s. I’d ;like to see the cost going back.
These are the type of trades that I think will dominate this trade period. GM’s were very reluctance to part with prospects during the winter trade period. I think this is the new normal and we may have to adjust our thinking. Just because fans love big trades doesn’t mean most GM’s do.. GM’s work to better their teams, not for the entertainment of the fans.
CBS says KC gets pitcher Ismael Aquino and outfielder Dairon Blanco.
Nice move for the A’s
A’s are playing the Rangers… some big lefty bats. They go to Milwaukee next… Yelich, Moose, Shaw, Thames… They play the Astros 8 more times. He will be used.
Could of gone with Bailey to A’s.
Doesn’t really open floodgates because if it was like Giles,Smith,Noah or so on would.
Also the NW Arkansas CF just got promoted to Omaha, which could be a sign of Hamilton being traded and Brett Phillips coming up to KC
If the A’s can get either of their rehabbing TJ candidates back this year (Puk, etc..) they could be a real threat. With such a strong bullpen, they only need a starter to go 5 innings and they can take it home from there. IF their young pitching gets back to 100% over the off season, they are going to be a legitimate threat to Houston and the rest of MLB next year. Let’s see if they can catch lightning in a bottle again this year and get into the playoffs, but 2020 is shaping up to be a huge year for Oakland.
Ismael Aquino and Dairon Blanco, great pickup by Oakland if Diekman can keep up his FIP.
Great return for KC in terms of cool names.
Royals get yet another guy whose only plus ability is speed. Getting tiresome.
It’s because the Braves can’t ill afford to waste resources acquiring inconsistent pitchers in a bullpen that is horrible. It is evident the team does not care about winning championships but would rather live in a false illusion that the window is open for years to come. While the Braves celebrate their farm, all the other teams in their division will just sit back…not like they will not try to improve themselves.
And for those of you that are clamoring that Will Smith, Matt Boyd, Ken Giles, Mad Bum, Colome,, Dyson, LeClerq, Minor, etc. are going to bring these big prospect hauls, here’s your first taste of what returns look like for your relievers. Obviously the #3 SPs will bring more, but these guys aren’t even top 30 organizational prospects. Get ready to be disappointed.
Why would you have Smith and Giles in that group? They’re elite relievers and Giles is controllable. If you think their returns are going to be anything like this one, you’re just plain wrong
Nah they’ll be better than this, but there are a lot of people suggesting top 100 type returns for them, and Smith may get someone at the very bottom of the 100 but maybe not at all. And you and I have a different definition of elite. These are not Chapman and Miller from a few years ago, Smith is very good lefty reliever but I wouldn’t say he’s elite now or has ever been. Giles has had a great season but he was also so bad last year at points he was unpitchable and sent to the minors. He’s had elite numbers for 4 months but he’s not an elite reliever, and I’d be surprised if he draws a prospect inside of the top 200
Ken Giles and Will Smith’s value is waaaay closer to Miller and Chapman than they are to Jake Diekman lol. Even if you don’t think they are elite, they are then the next tier down.
Uh I agree they’re closer to Milker and Chapman, that’s fair but they’re still not that close to them. And no, I don’t think Giles is anywhere near that. Remember Giles as recently as last year… couldn’t stay in the majors bad. Yes he’s been really good this year but I’m not sure he draws a top 200 guy. Not consistent enough over the last year and a half.
Of course a contract year reliever, with a 4.75 era, didn’t bring back much. You may want to research what players with term were traded for at recent deadlines. Obviously rentals have less value.
I’m glad the Dodgers didn’t get this guy. He issues too many free passes, which is exactly what the Dodgers don’t need out of their pen. I’m also positive the Royals asking price was higher for the Dodgers than it was for the A’s, and I’m happy Friedman didn’t give in.
Wow…Earth shattering move by the A’s!
Start publishing the playoff tickets!
Must be concerned after Buchter got lit up by ol Willy C last night.
Glad the Twins didn’t get him!