The trade deadline is always at least a little fun as a fan, if only because everyone loves rumors. People can complain all they want about mystery teams, unnamed sources and contradictory reports, but at the end of the day we all eat this stuff up year after year. Other than perhaps the Winter Meetings, the week or two leading up to the July 31 deadline is the peak for this phenomenon. This year, however, is shaping up to be boring by the deadline’s usual standards. Manny Machado was a huge trade chip, but he’s already off the board. That made Brad Hand arguably the next best chip, but he was shipped to Cleveland shortly after. The market isn’t barren now, but it’s lacking big names and big talent, particularly on the starting pitching side of things. Enter: Chris Archer.
Chris Archer has joined trade season
Sunday’s Say Hey, Baseball looks at the remaining talent on the trade block, the next move for the Dodgers and a darkhorse landing spot for Manny Machado next winter.
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Now, there is going to be some debate as to just how big of a talent Archer really is. He has legitimate name value and when he’s on he’s among the game’s more exciting pitchers, but the results haven’t always been there. That includes this year, as he’s pitched to a 4.29 ERA and has fought injury issues. That said, he has front-line stuff and is on a very team-friendly contract. If he truly is available -- and reports indicate that teams are showing plenty of interest -- he will fetch more than any other starting pitcher on the market. Well, at least if Jacob deGrom stays off the block.
Even beyond Archer, there are still some players in the rumor mill. Zach Britton appears to be the next reliever on the move after Jeurys Familia was sent to Oakland, and apparently everyone is interested in the Orioles lefty. The Twins could also sell off some of their veteran pieces, including Brian Dozier and Fernando Rodney. Mike Moustakas is available as a rental option, and J.T. Realmuto is the rare premium catching target. There is still some chance for excitement at this deadline, and Archer adds to that, but the biggest pieces have likely already changed hands.
- It was a quiet week in baseball because of the All-Star break, but we survived and now we’re rewarded with trades!
- Scott Oberg lost his glove on a line drive, but he didn’t let that stop him from finishing the play.
- We knew Jeurys Familia was traded for a bit before we knew exactly where he was going, but now we know for sure he’s headed to Oakland.
- The Dodgers landed Manny Machado, and now they should keep going all-in by trading for Jacob deGrom.
- The Machado deal has led to some Nolan Arenado trade speculation. Cut it out.
- Although Machado landed with a big market team, there’s no guarantee he’ll be back in Los Angeles next year. In fact, it’s not impossible that he signs with the Marlins.
- Brian Dozier is a free agent after the year and the Twins are struggling. Dozier is also one of the fan favorites in Minnesota. It leads to some conflicting feelings this time of year.
- The Yankees won against the Mets on Saturday, but things got dicy thanks to an epic meltdown from Aroldis Chapman.
- Howard Bryant has an interesting story on a couple of veterans who are not exactly receptive of MLB’s use of “patriotism” at games.
- The Cardinals are looking for a new manager. Here’s what you need to know about that landscape.
- From the outside, Alcides Escobar has always been a bit of a punching bag, even when the Royals were good. For Royals fans, the legacy is a bit more complex.
- Carlos Carrasco is one of the best starting pitchers in the American League, but it wouldn’t be too crazy for Cleveland to send him to the bullpen for the postseason.
