The 2020 MLB trade deadline was an unexpectedly eventful one. There was much uncertainty about how significant trades would factor into this season, with COVID restrictions and the like. However, this trade deadline delivered the drama typical of previous years. With several big trades, there is a lot to review from this Monday afternoon.
Padres land Mike Clevinger from Indians
The San Diego Padres continue their giant shopping spree, as they acquired pitcher Mike Clevinger from the Cleveland Indians. In return, the Friars sent away outfielder Josh Naylor, pitcher Cal Quantrill, catcher Austin Hedges, and infield prospect Gabriel Arias. Cleveland also sent away outfielder Greg Allen in the trade.
The Padres are clearly not messing around this season. After acquiring Mitch Moreland from the Red Sox on Sunday morning, they made another major trade Sunday night, getting catcher Austin Nola, as well as relievers Austin Adams and Dan Altavilla, from the Seattle Mariners. It was not a cheap deal, as San Diego sent away top prospect Taylor Trammell, along with Ty France, Luis Torrens, and Andres Munoz. Trammell was the Padres’ #5 prospect, according to FanGraphs.
Clevinger will immediately play a major role in San Diego’s rotation. He missed almost all of August after he was placed on the restricted list for violating COVID protocols, but did not show much rust in his return on Wednesday (six innings, two runs).
Oakland A’s get Mike Minor from Texas
The Athletics added a much-needed reliable starter, acquiring southpaw Mike Minor from the Rangers in exchange for two players to be named later. Luckily for us, this trade happened a few hours ago, so it is later, and the players have been named.
Texas received a solid pair of prospects, outfielder Marcus Smith and third baseman Dustin Harris. They were both ranked within the top 20 in Oakland’s farm system, with Smith at 13 and Harris at 19 (according to the Athletic’s prospect rankings). For Oakland, Minor can slot in at the top of a rotation that has struggled this season (Frankie Montas, Sean Manaea, and Mike Fiers have a combined 5.49 ERA).
Diamondbacks send Robbie Ray to Toronto (aka Buffalo)
Robbie Ray was a fascinating name in trade talks this year. He was an All-Star in 2017 but has failed to produce a season as good since then. Ray has allowed 27 earned runs in 31 innings this year and leads the league with 31 walks issued. He also leads the league in wild pitches.
This, coupled with a relative decline since that 2017 season, led Arizona to part ways with Ray. They also sent cash considerations to Toronto and received left-handed pitcher Travis Bergen.
The Blue Jays are currently in a playoff spot but have almost no consistency in their starting rotation after Hyun-Jin Ryu and Chase Anderson. This is a low-risk move that could pay big dividends if Toronto is able to figure out how to make a reclamation project out of Robbie Ray.
Marlins get Starling Marte from D’backs for a huge haul
Heading into the trade deadline, Miami made it clear that they were set on making the playoffs this season. They have backed up that talk, acquiring outfielder Starling Marte in exchange for pitchers Caleb Smith, Humberto Mejia, and Julio Frias.
The Marlins have struggled to get production from their outfield this season, and Marte will instantly become their best offensive player at that position. He is hitting .311 this year, with a .827 OPS.
Arizona clearly had no interest in Marte’s option for the 2021 season, which would call for him to be paid $12.5 million. In return, they picked up a nice haul of pitchers, including two intriguing prospects.
Blue Jays acquire Jonathan Villar from Miami
Three minutes after acquiring Marte, the Marlins said goodbye to utilityman Jonathan Villar. Villar has spent most of this season in Miami’s middle infield, between shortstop and second. He will likely fill in at shortstop for Toronto until Bo Bichette can return from injury.
Villar’s speed will also play a major role in getting him playing time. With the runner on second to start extra innings, Villar could see himself in some big spots on the basepaths soon.
Miami’s official return is a player to be named later, and unlike the earlier trade, this player has not been named yet.
Cubs get Andrew Chafin from Diamondbacks
Arizona continues to auction guys off, sending veteran lefthander Andrew Chafin to the Chicago Cubs for a player to be named later. Chafin has struggled mightily this year (8.10 ERA in 11 appearances).
The Cubs are desperate to bolster their bullpen, which has been one of the worst in the majors. Despite Chafin’s struggles this season, he is a low-cost rental that Chicago can attempt to turn around.
Brewers trade David Phelps to Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are in a similar position to the Cubs, in the sense that they are desperate for bullpen help. The Phils got Brandon Workman and Heath Hembree from Boston last week, but those two can only do so much. Philadelphia still owns a bullpen ERA of 7.01 this season, worst in the league.
Phelps has been a very solid reliever for years now and is having one of the best seasons of his career. His 2.77 ERA and 0.69 WHIP will surely be given a warm welcome by the fans with air horns outside the gates of Citizens Bank Park.
The return in the trade has not been officially revealed yet but is reported to be a trio of prospects.
Red Sox send Kevin Pillar to Rockies
Boston continues to sell, as they sent away outfielder Kevin Pillar to Colorado. Pillar will be a free agent after the season and is having a solid year at the plate. He provides great defensive value at all three outfield spots, as well.
Pillar’s great defense will translate well to the vast confines of Coors Field. He will likely take over the starting spot in centerfield. A rotation of David Dahl, Garrett Hampson, and Sam Hilliard has been manning center for Colorado up to this point. The Red Sox will acquire a player to be named later, and international bonus pool money, in the trade.
Reds get Archie Bradley from Diamondbacks
The fourth major trade of the day for Arizona and all four involved them selling away players. Closer Archie Bradley has been shipped out to Cincinnati, in exchange for outfielders Josh VanMeter and Stuart Fairchild. The Reds also receive cash considerations in the deal.
Cincinnati is trying to sneak into a playoff spot, and they will be very dangerous if they do. The Reds boast one of the best pitching rotations in baseball, led by Trevor Bauer and Sonny Gray. Their lineup is very talented as well, although they have not all been able to get hot at the same time. Adding a high-end relief talent like Bradley will be a major boost to this Reds team.
Mets acquire Miguel Castro from Orioles, Todd Frazier/Robinson Chirinos from Rangers
Minutes after the deadline, the pandemonium had not stopped. In fact, the Mets were only getting started, as the Amazin’s pulled out a pair of deals late Monday afternoon.
First, they landed reliever Miguel Castro from Baltimore. In exchange, catching prospect Kevin Smith will go to the Orioles. Castro has struggled a bit since 2019 but is a solid reliever who can potentially help stabilize the wild Mets bullpen.
In the second deal, the Rangers sent away third baseman Todd Frazier and catcher Robinson Chirinos. The return has yet to be revealed, but the deal is helpful for the Mets. Frazier makes his return to New York, and can potentially provide depth in the infield and offensively.
The Mets’ starting catcher, Wilson Ramos, has had a very tough season, so the addition of Chirinos is very welcome. He has struggled at the plate this season, but the veteran catcher is solid at both ends. At the very least, he will be a welcome depth option, to take some of the load off of Ramos.
Blue Jays get Ross Stripling from Dodgers
Toronto wasn’t satisfied going home with just Robbie Ray, as the Blue Jays have acquired another starter at the deadline. Stripling, like Ray, has struggled this season but has proven himself to be a capable arm in the past. Stripling will likely join Hyun-Jin Ryu, Chase Anderson, Tanner Roark, and Ray in Toronto’s rotation.
The Dodgers, who have a surplus of pitching, receive two players to be named later in the deal. Los Angeles boasts aces Clayton Kershaw and Walker Buehler at the top of their rotation (though Buehler is currently on the 10-day IL). Fiery righthander Dustin May has been phenomenal (2.83 ERA), and Julio Urias has been very solid as the #4. The Dodgers’ fifth starter, Tony Gonsolin, has allowed just 1 run in 17.1 innings this season, which may have made it easier for them to move on from Stripling.
Reds acquire Brian Goodwin from Angels
Cincinnati made another move on Monday, acquiring outfielder Brian Goodwin from the Angels. In exchange, they dealt away pitching prospect Packy Naughton.
Goodwin will help a Reds lineup that has struggled with consistency this season. He has posted an OPS of .793 this season and started 29 games in the outfield for the Angels.
For the Angels, Naughton seems to be exactly what they need. The 23-year-old right-hander posted an ERA of 3.32 between High A and AA last season. He was ranked within the Reds’ top 20 prospects, and projects as a mid to back-end rotation starter.