Charlie’s News At Five Extra – The Trade Deadline (Part 1)
The days leading up to the July 31st trade deadline, can have a huge influence on numerous pennant races. Rebuilding teams are also looking for prospects to help them out in the future. Also some teams, have used the free agent route, to try and help themselves out.
The Baltimore Orioles Acquire Scott Feldman From The Chicago Cubs
On 3rd July, the Baltimore Orioles acquired Scott Feldman and backup catcher Steve Clevenger from the Chicago Cubs. In return, the Cubs received reliever Pedro Strop, starter Jake Arrieta and two international bonus signing slots.
The Orioles were looking to improve their starting pitching rotation, which prior to the trade for Feldman, had produced a cumulative 4.79 ERA, way behind, the rival Rays, Red Sox and Yankees. Feldman had been 7-6 with a 3.46 ERA prior to the trade.
Arrieta is still young and has good upside, while the international bonus slots will help the Cubs rebuilding process by allowing them to sign more international prospect talent.
The trade has not so far worked for the Orioles, with Feldman posting a 2-2 record with a 5.12 ERA for Baltimore.
The Texas Rangers Trade for Matt Garza From The Chicago Cubs
The Texas Rangers had a need for a difference making starting pitcher. The reason being, that currently starters, Matt Harrison, Neftali Feliz, Colby Lewis and Nick Tepesch are all on the disabled list (DL). Fellow starter Martin Perez was also on the DL for a while.
The Oakland Athletics lead the AL West primarily thanks to their starting pitching rotation.
On July 22nd, the Texas Rangers decided that Matt Garza was the answer to their problem. Initially Texas sent the Cubs, highly touted third baseman Mike Olt, starting pitcher Justin Grimm and fellow starting pitcher C.J. Edwards, with one or two players to be named later.
Matt was chosen, as he has american league experience and has proven himself as an ace in the past. Texas would be satisfied for him to be an effective number two, behind Japanese sensation Yu Darvish.
Garza has so far more than fulfilled expectations, going 1-0, pitching 14 and a third innings over two starts, and only allowing four runs (three earned runs), for a superb 1.88 ERA.
The Chicago Cubs Trade Alfonso Soriano To The New York Yankees
After an offensively blistering hot first two months, the New York Yankees offense, went into a deep freeze in the month of June.
Desperate, to arrest this decline, and stay in the AL East race, the Yankees pulled the trigger on Soriano on July 26th.
In return for Alfonso, the Cubs received minor league right handed pitcher Corey Black, and New York will pay $1.8m of Soriano’s contract this year, as well as $5 next year. Overall, Soriano is owed $6.5m this year, and $18m next year.
Prior to his trade, Soriano was batting .254, with a .754 OPS, 18 home runs and 55 RBI’s.
He has only played 3 games with the Bronx bombers, so far, and has four hits in 13 at bats with 4 RBI’s.
The story does not end there, after the trade it came to light that Yankees general manager Brian Cashman was not in favour of the trade, as he did not want to give up a young pitcher. Pinstripes ownership, disagreed with Cashman, and forced the trade through anyway.
Chicago was happy to free up some money which they can use to improve other areas of their team as well as signing a young pitcher who could help them in the future.
The Philadelphia Phillies Sign International Free Agent Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez
On July 26th it was announced that the Philadelphia Phillies had signed Cuban starting pitcher Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez. The Phillies signed Gonzalez to a six year deal worth $48m with a vesting option for 2019 that could be worth $11million.
Miguel, is originally from Cuba, 26 years old, and his arsenal features a mid-90’s fastball, splitter, curveball and a changeup.
Scouts have mixed views about Gonzalez, with those who are high on him, rating him as a number 3 starter, while others see him as a number 5 starter or even a long reliever.
Despite having not pitched much in two years, due to being suspended for trying to defect from Cuba, scouts believe Miguel is ready to pitch at the MLB level.
This signing, gives Philadelphia a very formidable rotation for 2014, which could include, Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, Cole Hamels and Gonzalez.
There is speculation that with Miguel, now onboard, the Phillies may look into trading Cliff Lee, if an offer blows them away. If they decide to keep Lee, then the Phil’s are also signing a lucrative TV contract later this year, which will help enable them, to keep all four starting pitchers signed up for the medium to long term.
Part 2 of this column will be coming just after the trade deadline, I apologise if I was unable to fit in a trade or free agent signing you were hoping to read about.
In conclusion, so far it is very much a seller’s market. Despite this, as of roughly 12:30am UK time, players such as Bud Norris, Jake Peavy, Alex Rios, Cliff Lee, Hunter Pence and Ian Kennedy have rumours swirling around them.
I would love to hear your thoughts, so please be welcome to tweet me @uk_sportsfans or @BaseballChaz or search on Facebook for UKAmericanSportsFans.com or Charlie’s News at Five, or simply leave your feedback below.
