The 2020 MLB season is only four weeks old and yet the August 31 trading deadline is a little over a week away. Teams have 10 days to evaluate their roster, by digging the market and making upgrades. The junkyard has been relatively quiet so far, but that could literally change at any moment. Here are rumors of Friday’s trade death.
Angels a clear seller, high asking price for Fletcher
The Los Angeles Angels are a “clear” seller leading up to the trade date, reports Jon Morosi of MLB.com. He adds the asking price for infielder David Fletcher is extraordinarily high, which is not surprising. The 26-year-old hits .299 / .364 / .449 with one of the lowest bases in baseball this year, plus he’s a standout defender where he also plays. Furthermore, Fletcher will not be eligible for free agency until the offseason 2024-25.
If the Angels decide to sell, their most noticeable pieces are straight Dylan Bundy, super handyman Tommy La Stella, outfielder Brian Goodwin, and often ballpoint pen arms like Ty Buttrey and Felix Pena. Bundy has been amazing this year and will remain under team control through 2021 as an arbitrary eligible player. He would be in demand in a thin starting trade. Do not expect the Angels to listen to offers for Mike Trout. Safe to say he is untouchable.
Phillies interested in Workman, add Hale
The Philadelphia Phillies have spoken with the Red Sox about right-hander Brandon Workman, report Ken Rosenthal and Matt Gelb of Athletic. Workman, 32, has allowed three runs in 6 2/3 innings so far this season. He’s an upcoming free agent and he appeared as Boston’s closer last season, hitting 104 with a 1.88 ERA in 71 2/3 innings. The Red Sox are well out of the race and Workman is one of their top tradesmen.
To put it bluntly, the Phillies bullpen has been an unmitigated disaster this season. Their bullpen has an 8.07 ERA this year, the highest in baseball by nearly two runs, and their most effective reliever (Jose Alvarez) was hit by a line drive on Thursday. It is unclear how long he will be sidelined. The Phillies are playing 1 1/2 games from a postseason spot with five weeks to go. GM Matt Klentak figures to support aggressive aid before 31 August.
On that note, the Phillies swung a small trade Friday, beating traveling companion David Hale of the Yankees, according to Jeff Passan of ESPN. Hale had a 3.11 ERA in 37 2/3 innings with New York last season. He allowed two runs in six innings this year before being drafted to clear a roster spot for Aroldis Chapman last week. The Yankees will get relief Addison Russ in the trade. Russ owns a 2.48 ERA with 200 strikeouts in 152 2/3 career minor league games.
Blue Jays expected to rotate help
The Toronto Blue Jays find themselves in the postseason mix and they hope to upgrade their rotation ahead of the trade date, GM Ross Atkins told reporters including SportsNet’s Ben Nicholson-Smith. Toronto has won five consecutive games and is currently on the second U.S. card of the wild card. Here’s what Atkins told reporters:
“If I had to say just one (area), it would start with pitching. If there are ways to build on that depth, we’ll look around,” Atkins said. “Thinking about pitching and avoiding running is where the focus will be.”
Blue Jays starters have a 4.93 ERA this season and that is with Hyun-Jin Ryu placing a 3.46 ERA through five starts. Top son Nate Pearson is currently on the injured list with an elbow issue, and the typically reliable Tanner Roark and Matt Shoemaker have combined for a 5.02 ERA in eight starts. The bullpen has snowed well. However, the rotation needs an upgrade.
Our RJ Anderson included four starters among his top trade candidates: Giants righty Kevin Gausman and lefty Drew Smyly, Mariners right Taijuan Walker, and Marlins right Jordan Yamamoto. The Blue Jays figure to target a pitcher with control behind 2020 instead of a lease. Bundy would be a fit if the Angels made him available. Another possibility: Tigers left Matthew Boyd, who was originally drafted by the Blue Jays and sent to Detroit years ago in the David Price trade.
D-Backs are expected to target bullpen assistance, DH bat
According to Nick Piecoro of the Republic of Arizona, The Arizona Diamondbacks are expected to follow bullpen help and potentially a DH bat by the trade date. GM Mike Hazen acknowledged “the more firepower you have there, the better,” when asked about the deaths. Here is what Hazen said when asked about his crime:
“I think we swung the bats better,” he said. “I think we’ve put together some games that are not likely to be sustainable from a hits-per-night basis. We know how the game is going now. Getting four singles to score a run is not a sustainable way to get offended. ”
The D-Backs have hit 22 home games in 26 games, fourth worst among teams not shut down for COVID-19, and their designated hits have written a .242 / .321 / .347 single-homer batting line. That is well below the average production at DH. A hire like Red Sox first baseman Mitch Moreland or Rangers outfielder Shin-Soo Choo would be a very important upgrade.
As for the bullpen, Arizona’s relief crew has faltered over closer to Archie Bradley and set men Stefan Crichton and Junior Guerra, plus stalwart lefty Andrew Chafin is currently on the injured list with a fingerprint. Orioles set-up man Mychal Givens, Pirates closer Keone Kela, and Royals closer Trevor Rosenthal are the big names on the bullpen market. Kela and Rosenthal are rented. Givens will remain under team control next season as an arbitrary eligible player.
