We have our first post All Star game trade deadline transaction. The NYM were looking for a DH and found one on the Pittsburgh Pirates roster, Daniel Vogelbach. Vogelbach was acquired in a one for one deal for RHRP, Colin Holderman.
“The 29-year-old has tallied 278 plate appearances across 75 games, hitting .228/.338/.430 with 12 home runs. It’s not an impressive batting average, but he’s walking at a massive 14.4% clip and hitting for strong power. By measure of wRC+, Vogelbach’s production has been 18 percentage points above league average after accounting for PNC Park’s pitcher-friendly nature.”
“As for the Bucs, they’ll add a controllable arm who can step right into the major league bullpen. Holderman, 26, made his debut earlier this season. He’s tossed 17 2/3 innings of 2.04 ERA ball, striking out an above-average 26.9% of batters faced while inducing whiffs on a solid 12.4% of his offerings. Holderman has doled out a few too many free passes, but he’s averaged nearly 96 MPH on his sinker and gotten strong swinging strike numbers on his mid-80s cutter-slider.”
Both teams got what they needed. The long term benefit will probably belong to The Pirates because of the longer control of Holderman, but Vogelbach will benefit the Mets this year.
That is the tradeoff. A chance to win it all this year by trading future potential. A chance, no guarantee.
For the next 11 days the trade ideas might be flying. Dodger fans alone will have hundreds of deals that will be conjured up, and will be both acclaimed and admonished.
In the NL, LAD, NYM, and Milwaukee are currently first in their divisions. 7 teams are arguably out of the playoff picture…Colorado, Arizona, Miami, Washington, Chicago Cubs, and Cincinnati. That leaves 5 teams fighting for 3 WC spots…Atlanta, San Diego, St. Louis, Philadelphia, and San Francisco.
In the AL, NYY, Houston, and Minnesota are leading their divisions. There are really only five teams (as of this post) that are out of the playoffs…Detroit, KC, Texas, LAA, and Oakland. That leaves 7 teams fighting for the 3 WC spots…Boston Baltimore, Cleveland, ChiSox, Tampa Bay, Toronto, and Seattle.
That is 12 sellers, and it is doubtful that Arizona or Colorado will deal with LAD, so that is 10 teams that the Dodgers will make inquiries.
I personally think it is silly to think the Dodgers will be any part of the Juan Soto circus. From a baseball standpoint, I am not convinced that teams will offer enough for Washington to consummate a trade. But this trade may in fact be a business decision. The Lerner’s have the team on the sale market, and buyers are going to want to see a final disposition of Soto…either extended or traded. In addition, the buyers may (probably) want Patrick Corbin and the majority of his contract moved.
Stephen Strasburg is a lost cost. He has a no trade clause and is a 10-5 guy, so he cannot be traded without his permission. He has ZERO desire to move from Washington. He had his chance but he instructed Scott Boras to not to negotiate with other teams and instead agreed to the Nationals extension offer.
If the Dodgers do get involved in the Soto Circus, I am guessing that they would accept Patrick Corbin so that the prospect capital would not be as much. From a baseball standpoint, that would not be favorable for Washington, but because they have made it clear they are looking to sell, payroll will be a deciding factor in the price, and the Lerner’s are going to want to maximize their profit.
Regardless, I cannot see the Dodgers getting involved in this deal. My darkhorse club would be Texas. Texas is the favored organization of Scott Boras. With Marcus Semien and Corey Seager under contract for a long time, top prospects infielders, Josh Jung, Justin Foscue, Josh Smith, and Ezequiel Duran would be vulnerable, as would RHP Cole Winn and Owen White.
Most prognosticators have the Dodgers very interested in Luis Castillo. Most trade pundits believe that Cincinnati should get comparable to what Minnesota got for José Berríos last year. Blue Jays traded two highly ranked prospects, shortstop Austin Martin and right-hander Simeon Woods Richardson, both top 100 prospects.
The Athletic asked 9 of their writers to come up with a trade scenario involving Luis Castillo, and then asked Keith Law to critique it. The Dodgers beat writer is Fabian Ardaya came up with the following proposal:
The trade: Dodgers send Ryan Pepiot, James Outman and Kyle Hurt to Reds for Luis Castillo and Tommy Pham.
Law’s verdict: Depends on what the Reds think of Pepiot. I don’t believe he’ll ever have the control to start and that would make this deal way too light for the Reds.
That deal is less than what Minnesota got for Berrios, so it does seem unlikely. For the Dodgers to get Castillo (or Montas), one of Pepiot or Bobby Miller will need to be included. Of course there would be others included.
I do not believe the Dodgers will trade for Castillo or Montas. I do not believe the Dodgers will trade for a bat, except if JD Martinez becomes available.
I do think they will inquire on Tyler Mahle (maybe!), José Quintana, or Martín Pérez as a back end of the rotation type starter, and move a starter into the pen. Veteran late inning relievers will be most strongly discussed.
We have 11 days to see all of the crazy deals coming. Will there be mountains of trades or molehills? I expect more deals closer to the August 2 deadline as more teams’ fates become clearer.
Sacramento River Cats (Giants) 4 vs OKC Dodgers 10
This was the first non ACL game that Dustin May has pitched in over a year. He went two innings, allowing 1 run, 3 hits, 3 BB, and 3K. He threw 49 pitches (24 strikes). Not enough strikes, but it was a good start to his rehab.
While the story of the game is the rehab start by Dustin May, the hitting star was catcher Hunter Feduccia. In the third, 5 straight Dodgers reached base via walk (3) and singles (2). A sac fly brought home the third run. After the 4th walk, Hunter Feduccia slugged his third HR, a grand slam, for a 7 run 3rd.
Feduccia went 3-5 with 5 RBIs, and was a triple removed from a cycle. Ryan Noda was 2-4 with a HR (13). Michael Busch was 2-4. Jacob Amaya had 2 RBIs.
Box Score
Wichita Wind Surge (Twins) 7 vs Tulsa Drillers 3
Bobby Miller’s yo-yo season continued. Miller returned from the Future’s Game to start the first post All Star game for Tulsa. He lasted 2.2 IP. He allowed 5 runs (4 earned) on 6 hits, 3 walks, and 2 strikeouts.
Four pitches followed Miller, and only Jose Martinez had a respectful outing. He pitched 1.0 innings and struck out 3.
Offensively, 3B Brandon Lewis went 2-4 with 2 doubles and Leonel Valera went 2-4 with a triple.
Box Score
West Michigan White Caps (Detroit) 2 vs Great Lakes Loons 12
Emmet Sheehan pitched 3.0 IP. He allowed 1 run on 3 hits, 3 walks, and 2 Ks. Cole Duensing followed and allowed a HR for the final White Caps run. Four pitchers followed with Ben Harris and his 2.0 IP being the most effective. He did not allow a base runner and struck out 4 batters.
Offensively, Diego Cartaya slugged his 6th HR and knocked in 4 runs. Eddys Leonard went 2-3 with a double (25) and walk. Alex De Jesus went 2-3 with 2 walks. Aldrich De Jongh went 2-4 with a double (5) and scored 3 runs.
Box Score
Rancho Cucamonga Quakes 12 vs Visalia Rawhide (DBacks) 0
Edgardo Henriquez had a far better outing in his 2nd game back from his IL stint. He pitched 2.0 innings allowing 0 runs with 1 hit and 1 walk with 3 Ks. Three Quakes pitchers followed with 7 shutout innings with Orlando Ortiz-Mayr being the most effective with 4.0 IP.
Yeiner Fernandez, fresh off the IL, went 2-5 with 2 HRs. Fernandez was the second LAD affiliate catcher to hit a grand slam on this night. He also hit a 3-run HR.
Yunior Garcia went 3-4 with a double (20). Hector Martinez was 2-5 with a double (5). Jake Vogel (15) and Luis Rodriguez (14) both had doubles on the night.
Box Score
How great for Cody Bellinger to hit the slam. I am very happy for him. He was the third Dodger (including 2 MiLB catchers) to hit a grand slam on Friday night. See MiLB Summary above.
https://www.milb.com/video/cartaya-crushes-15th-homer?t=milb-top-videos
https://www.milb.com/video/fernandez-drives-in-seven-runs?t=milb-top-videos
Dustin May:
I don’t think the Dodgers will trade for Soto either. If they did it would be because they don’t believe Pepiot or Miller will be any better than a 4 or 5 rotation pitcher. And then they would have to decide if they only expected to have Soto through his existing contract versus who knows $$$$.
The Giants biggest problem this year is their defense. Soto is not considered a good defender. He would chew up DH at bats and the Dodgers like to use the DH to rest players and keep them sharp.
I’ll bite on Tyler Mahle, or Martín Pérez.
The Dodgers do not need Pham in their clubhouse, dugout, or anywhere else. He isn’t the type of personality the Dodgers like.
I still think the Dodgers will be interested in Drury. He plays multiple positions. Give him Muncy’s at-bats at least against lefties.
Trea has made a big difference for the Dodgers. If he leaves there will be a hole in their lineup.
Justin is hanging in there but he will be a decision for next year as well.
Hunter Feduccia is having himself a nice year.
I believe we need to put him on the 40-man this winter or risk losing him in the Rule 5 draft.
I don’t think we’ll have room to protect him and I’m almost certain someone will grab him.
With that in mind, I suggest AF might want to be sure to include him in a deadline trade. We might have had room for him on the 2023 major league roster but the Barnes extension took care of that.