With the deadline in the rearview mirror, we’ll look back at each AL Central team’s trade activity over the past month.
Chicago White Sox
- Acquired cash considerations from Giants for OF Luis Basabe
- Acquired OF Jarrod Dyson from Pirates for international bonus pool space
Cleveland Indians
- Acquired cash considerations from Marlins for RHP James Hoyt
- Acquired OF Josh Naylor, RHP Cal Quantrill, C Austin Hedges, INF Gabriel Arias, LHP Joey Cantillo, and INF Owen Miller from Padres for RHP Mike Clevinger and OF Greg Allen
Detroit Tigers
- Acquired INF Zack Short from Cubs for OF Cameron Maybin
Kansas City Royals
- Acquired INF Lucius Fox from Rays for OF Brett Phillips
- Acquired OF Edward Olivares and a player to be named later from Padres for RHP Trevor Rosenthal
Minnesota Twins
- Acquired INF Ildemaro Vargas from Diamondbacks for cash considerations
Did the AL Central even realize there were 3 tightly packed teams at the top of the division? Two of the teams barely did anything and the other was more of a seller than a buyer. The Tigers basically did nothing. Only the Royals really did what they were “supposed” to do at the deadline and even they probably could have done more. Just very strange altogether in this division.
Why should they make any moves this year? Half the teams are going to the playoffs, so there’s a very high likelihood that all three of those teams make it. The Twins’ pitching staff has been better than expected and their offense has hurt by injuries and underperformance. If it wakes up at the right time, though, they’re still a dangerous team. The White Sox didn’t want to mortgage their future to have a better chance to win now. The Indians didn’t get the return I expected them to for Clevinger, but they still have the division’s best staff and pitching beats hitting in the playoffs most of the time. Any of these teams can make some noise in the playoffs already and all three are practically guaranteed to go, so why sell the farm to only marginally increase those chances?
@hiflew
@hyraxwithaflamethrower
Especially this year there’s no need to make moves with the possibility that they may not finish the season/playoffs. It looks much better now than it did a month ago, but that threat is still real that any of the playoff teams could have a Cardinals/Marlins scenario play out. All it takes is one person at the wrong time.
For the Sox, I look at the playoffs as a learning experience for the team for next year and beyond. The further they go, all the better. But it will help them out in the long run to taste failure in the playoffs so they’ll get that hunger to overcome it next year and beyond.
I’m not saying they’re guaranteed a playoff spot right now, but with Detroit with the 9th spot right now 16-16 (that’s not a misprint), and Seattle in 10th at 15-22, it’s likely that you can get in the playoffs at 30-30. The Sox would have to go 8-17 in Sept to finish .500, and after this Twins series, their next 9 will be KC (4), Pitt (2), and Det (3). That’s why I’m so optimistic about the Sox getting in the playoffs.
That’s fine if your goal is to just make the playoffs, but some people actually want their teams to actually, you know, win in the playoffs. Of course all 3 are likely to make the playoffs, but it doesn’t end there. The Jays improved themselves without destroying their farm. Heck, the Padres replaced half their team and still have a great farm.
I’m not saying they should have added 5-7 players like the Padres, but adding a fresh arm to the bullpen or upgrading your 4th or 5th starter or finding a strong bench bat will NOT destroy your farm. If it dos destroy your farm, then your farm wasn’t really that strong anyway.
@hiflew
I’m not saying I’m content with the Sox making the playoffs and laying a turd in the 1st round. Of course I’d like to see taking go far. But I have to be realistic. The Sox last made the playoffs in ’08, and they squeaked in that year. There’s a huge difference for a fan base like the Yankees or Dodgers who expect their team to win it all every year and a team that didn’t sniff the playoffs for an entire decade.
As for the Sox lack of moves, they can be selective on who they go after and who they give up to get that player. They have (or will have) Robert, Eloy, Yoan, TA, Madrigal, Vaughn, Abreu, Grandal, Giolito, Keuchel, Cease, Dunning, Kopech, and Bummer under control for a nice chunk (only Abreu is a F/A after ’22). That’s a nice and (mostly) young core.
They really only need a RF and a SP (and it’s possible they have the 5 SPs, though too many ?’s with Cease, Dunning, Kopech, and even Lopez right now).
Obviously they can use bullpen upgrades (every team has that problem). Though looking at the RP’s moved the last few days, very few I would even consider to replace the youngsters in the pen. I’d rather just let the youngsters try to prove they belong or get themselves weeded out.
As for the bench, they either have McCann this year (the best backup C in MLB) or Collins in the future (if they let McCann walk). They have Engel as the 4th OF and Mendick and Yolmer as the utility IF. They already got Dyson as a PR and defensive replacement for Eloy.
My point is, if they need an upgrade, they need a significant one, not a 4th or 5th SP or a middling RP. I’d rather roll the dice with Lopez and Dunning than Bundy or Minor or whatever other crappy 5th SP they were linked to. I wouldn’t have dipped into the above core for Clevinger or Lynn (which is probably what it would’ve taken to get either one).
I’m fine with Hahn standing pat at the deadline.
EDIT: Sorry, had no idea it was going to be this long.
Totally agree. Let’s let our guys get some experience winning this year, who knows maybe things fall our way in October? Who’s really to say? We have a confident, young team that’s improving as the season continues.
This is our 1st year as a playoff team in so long and it’s come earlier than we thought. Next offseason we know what we need because a lot of our slots are sured-up for the foreseeable future with:
C – Grandal / Z. Collins
1B – Abreu / Vaughn
2B – Madrigal
3B – Moncada
SS – T. Anderson
LF – Jimenez
CF – L. Robert
SP1 – Giolito
SP2 – Kopech???
SP3 – Keuchel
SP4 – Cease
SP5 – Dunning
Relievers – A. Bummer, E. Marshall, M. Foster, C. Heuer, J. Cordero, R. Detwiler (?)
The Twins have come to the realization that they are inferior to the White Sox.
Recap: Cleveland overplayed their hand and gave Clevinger away without filling their biggest need, OF.
Cleveland makes these kind of deals with the future in mind. Always have, always will. It’s how they stay competitive.
Indians fail to learn that quantity is not better than quality should’ve been the headline…then score one run against the sad royals.
And as somebody that isn’t an Indians fan that bothers you how?
Rick Hahn made the right choice. Why trade Dunning and Kopech to your rival for 2.5 years of Clevinger? Cleveland has enough Aces in their farm. Lynn and Bundy aren’t worth it either.
Kopech isn’t as valuable as you think. Dude gets injured every year.
You’re going to regret commenting that next year buddy lol
Yep. Pitchers only get more durable.
Every year? Dude’s still basically a rookie.
As far as the first comment about what teams are supposed to do, the Sox are in first place with the team they have for a reason. They checked in on some players but were wisely not about to give up the young talent they’ve accumulated over the past few years for aging players on short term deals. Not saying they’re no good and wouldn’t fit with the club but it didn’t make sense to pull the trigger especially in this crazy season.
Honestly, the best moves for them were seeing Clevinger leave the division and Minnesota not adding pitching. It’s best for them to see how the rest of the season goes and assess it all in the off season then explore the market.
Hahn absolutely made the right choice, and I’m a major critic.
Sometimes the best move is the one you don’t make.
Royals fail to trade Merrifield or Duffy and get a meager return for Rosenthal. Not a good trade deadline for my team.
And they still have Kennedy and Gordon – of course nobody would trade for those guys, but it’s frustrating to see these same guys finish last all the time.
*Royals won the World Series in 2015…
I am surprised they haven’t dealt Merrifield. They’re clearly in a rebuild and he’d bring back a terrific return that could jumpstart them. Keeping him seems wasteful.
He said he likes Kansas City. Plus how many teams have a deep enough farm to give us a decent enough return? There is one team in the NL central (No I’m not talking about the Brewers) That will have to start losing games because their farm is really close to empty.
Actually we are supposed to be getting a player to be named later probably in the winter meetings as the other half of the Rosenthal trade
The Indians are the only team in baseball where Austin Hedges represents an offensive upgrade at catcher.
Cleveland values defense at the catcher position. That is one of the reasons that their pitching is so good. Roberto Perez was pretty good offensively for a catcher last season. He just came back from an injury this season.
And where do you get their beliefs that he’s an offensive upgrade? They value the defense and punt on the offense, anything from their Cs is a bonus.
Much as I would have liked to have seen Clevinger in a White Sox uniform, I’m glad they didn’t sell the farm to get him. If Cease and Dunning continue their development, they actually won’t need much help in the rotation. A good 5th starter is a luxury, not a requirement, and even more so in the playoffs. What they need to do is find a good RF. Hopefully, they’ll target one this offseason and jettison Mazara. Dump EE if he can’t remember how to hit and split those AB’s among Vaughn, Abreu (whichever isn’t playing 1B), Grandal, and Collins (whichever isn’t catching). Then just continue to fill out the BP, maybe with Lopez and Rodon thrown in there. The makings of a true contender are here.
@hyraxwithaflamethrower
You were in my head. I was coming on here to say very close to what you just said. And you probably said it better than I would’ve. Obviously I agree 100% with what you just said.
That loud sucking sound everyone can hear is the Twins’ season going down the toilet in the AL Central. Once again Falvine siezes defeat from the jaws of victory.
Indians fans shouldn’t be so disappointed. The Rays have taught us how valuable depth is, quantity over quality. Besides Franco, for instance, the top 5 prospects in SD’s system are better than the top 5 in TB’s…..but the #20 prospect in TB is would be #11 or #12 in SD’s.
Cleveland got some great depth in the Clevenger deal, and Cantillo and Miller are better than you think. Given the baggage, they dun good.
Chisox did exactly what they should have; pass. It’s coming together, why mess with it? Minny surprised me; they had needs yesterday, and they’re still there today. KC/DET? Well……
White Sox – C – not really much to go on. didnt really need to make a move.
Indians – B – Sold from a position of strength to get a strong prospect package, but could have also added some cheap players for this year as well.
Tigers – D – Probably should have sold more rentals like Schoop.
Twins – F – Perhaps a bit harsh, but i feel a heathy SP arm could have really helped them.
Tigers fleeced the Cubs for Candelario and Paredes. Me thinks they’ve fleeced them again. Zack Shorts has the name for becoming an All-Star in the near future. He just needs to hit.
he’s a .241 career hitter in the minors
Tigers get their shortstop of the future!