Thursday Trade Deadline Review: Trade Gates Open
With eight days remaining for teams to fortify their lineups, the trade deadline began heating up Thursday, signifying a much wider market than analysts anticipated. Although Pittsburgh plucked an aged bat from a divisional rival and Houston got their man in the arms race, several other stories are developing worthy of gluing your eyes to major sports media. Let’s see how Thursday’s trade deadline action played out.
Pittsburgh nabs Aramis Ramirez from Milwaukee
Aramis Ramirez, 37, who actually began his MLB career in Pittsburgh, looks to likely end his career there. Milwaukee, known to be actively shopping pitching and positional players this summer, decided to move Ramirez. The Brewers received Yhonathan Barrios, who could eventually pay dividends during an off-season rebuilding process expected to move other players not picked up this trade deadline. Ramirez has outstanding career numbers (.284, 380, 1384) and looks to contribute in a platooning role.
Scott Kazmir moved to Houston
Houston will now have three deadly arms to contend with in the West: Keuchel, McCullers, and Kazmir. While numerous teams phoned Oakland for Kazmir’s services, the Astros resilience paid dividends as they parted with top catching prospect Jacob Nottingham and RHP Daniel Mengden to get Kazmir, both of whom could see playing time for the Athletics this season. Kazmir was pulled from his start today against Toronto and will probably start Saturday or Sunday for Houston. This move may actually be the best one Houston could’ve made at the trade deadline.
Samardzija talks heating up
Rick Hahn has been quietly discussing several pieces available from his White Sox team, but none are attracting more attention than Jeff Samardzija. Houston actually engaged with Chicago before settling on Kazmir, but many more teams have scouted him and will probably be scouting his start against Cleveland Thursday night. Chicago’s dithering may have cost an epic trade guaranteed to net several young prospects, but don’t close the door on this trade deadline doozy.
Trade deadline moving up?
Rob Manfred, the MLB commish who’s working with Obama to normalize relations with Cuba, could move the trade deadline into August. As you’re aware, another deadline of epic popularity resides in August: playoff roster finalization. Any player traded in August must clear waivers and be placed on the final roster before August 31 or be banished from postseason play. Moving two deadlines into one month could be helpful, but also slightly nonsensical given the concentration teams place on races. It’s currently speculation, so don’t throw your laptop just yet.
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[Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images]
