The dust has settled over a chaotic trade deadline that saw many key players from teams switch uniforms. The Giants and Dodgers tacked on to their already-loaded rosters in an arms race for either division title or top wild card spot. On the other side of the country (and continent), the Yankees and Blue Jays leapt forward in their race for the final American League Wild Card seed. And embroiled in the middle of seemingly every notable deal, the Chicago Cubs and Washington Nationals unloaded enough talent to create a formidable contender.
Household Names On The Move
Max Scherzer, Trea Turner, Javier Baez, Kris Bryant, and Anthony Rizzo all played major roles in bringing championships to their teams within the last five years. Now the expectation begins that these five players can bring some of that same magic and winning culture to their new homes. Washington’s tandem provides a top quality speed and bat, and a three-time Cy Young Award winner for an already loaded reigning World Champion Los Angeles Dodgers team.
The Chicago Cubs seemingly dictated the flow of the final 48 hours, attempting to receive a positive return before inevitable departure in upcoming free agency. Not necessarily a shock that the premiere and prestigious franchise opted to play “poor”, however, the visuals of Baez, Bryant and Rizzo in new threads has fans of the northsiders sick.
From an impartial stance, it appears the Cubs successfully reloaded their depleted system with developable talent, some expected to produce sooner than later. Receiving Nick Madrigal and Codi Heuer from the White Sox in exchange for Kimbrel gets a “win-win” grade from most analysts. And for rentals with the contracts of Baez, Bryant and Rizzo, the eyes of Cubs fans around the world shift to minor league ball where the likes of Alexander Canario, Kevin Alcantara and Alexander Vizcaino arrive following their deadline acquisitions.
The AL East Is A Battle
A division that consists of the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, Toronto Blue Jays, Tampa Rays, and Baltimore Orioles saw the most action in terms of trades. This division is up for grabs with the exception of the Orioles, as the other four teams made trades to improve and compete for the 2021 postseason push snd beyond.
The Yankees traded for two left-handed power bats in Joey Gallo of the Rangers and Anthony Rizzo in order to compliment their right-handed heavy lineup in a lefty-favorite ballpark. They gave up their 9th and 12th best prospects for Rizzo and their 14th, 15th, 23rd, and 28th best prospects for Gallo. The power-only Texas Rangers outfielder found himself linked to numerous reports over the past weeks and months (and really years, too), but Rizzo’s the surprise; the domino nobody confidently expected to fall in Chicago.
Both moves drastically improve the power from the left side of the plate in a historically righty-heavy lineup. Rizzo also brings top-tier first base defense; Gallo, a rocket-powered arm. But equally important to their tangible qualities, the Yankees add two beloved clubhouse figures, important for the mental push required for a deep playoff run.
Rizzo set a franchise record, recording RBI in his first six games with the club. The cancer survivor tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday and is out indefinitely.
Close Race, eh?
North of the Yankees geographically, but neck and neck in the standings, the Toronto Blue Jays finally returned north of the border as Toronto welcomed back their baseball team following the opening of the border within COVID-19 guidelines.
The Blue Jays arrived bearing gifts, a new starting pitcher, Jose Berrios, formerly of the Minnesota Twins. Sending Austin Martin (hilarious name) and Simeon Woods-Richardson, the organization’s second and fourth ranked prospects, pushes the Blue Jays right into the thick of the playoff race. Both the Yankees and Blue Jays trail the Red Sox for the final AL Wild Card slot with the top slot the possession of the Oakland Athletics.
Looking Toward 2022 and Beyond
On the flip side of these deals, teams that sold their top talent now in hopes of brighter days ahead have a tough road in front of them. The explanation to their fan bases is never enough, understandably so. Fans of the Nationals and Cubs have created a new expectation for success following the celebrations and parades with The Commissioner’s Trophy in tow. That lessens the tolerance for irrelevancy, creating an apathetic environment even amongst the hardest of diehards.
For fans of the Rangers and Pirates who reminisce of the good old days of relevancy, this is nothing new, but waving goodbye to the brightest stars that led your team through despair hurts all the same.
A wild, chaotic deadline has come and gone. The shock of stars in new threads doesn’t quite wear off quickly, but it means October baseball is right around the corner.
