Takeaways from MLB Week 15
The trade market opened in earnest Thursday when the Boston Red Sox acquired left-handed starter Drew Pomeranz.
It marked the beginning of what should be a competitive July trade season with several teams remaining in the playoff hunt.
While the Pomeranz trade affects the American League East race, this week featured a slew of storylines that could impact the postseason hopes of several organizations.
Want a look into how this week may have shaped October baseball?
Boston Red Sox Address Starting Staff, Trade for Drew Pomeranz
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In need of adding depth to a starting rotation that has largely disappointed this season, the Boston Red Sox acquired left-handed starter Drew Pomeranz from the San Diego Padres in exchange for MLB.com's 34th-ranked minor league prospect, pitcher Anderson Espinoza.
At the All-Star break, teams were hitting .264 against Boston starters, who had a 4.72 ERA at that juncture. They had given up 296 total runs, tied for third-most among starter staffs at the break.
Pomeranz has a 2.47 ERA and 1.059 WHIP in 17 starts this season. He is scheduled to make his Red Sox debut Wednesday against the San Francisco Giants.
Given that teams currently in the playoff picture like the Cleveland Indians and Texas Rangers have prominent left-handed bats in their lineups, it seemed prudent that the Red Sox add a southpaw to their staff.
Cleveland's lineup Friday featured three lefties and three switch-hitters. Rougned Odor, Nomar Mazara and Prince Fielder are all left-handed hitters who were hitting first, third and fifth, respectively, for the Rangers on Friday.
The move helps solidify the Boston rotation beyond this season as well. Pomeranz has two more years of arbitration left before he hits free agency in advance of the 2019 season, according to Cot's Baseball Contracts.
Jake Arrieta Chooses Not to Participate in the All-Star Game
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Chicago Cubs ace and reigning National League Cy Young Award winner Jake Arrieta elected not to participate in this week's All-Star Game, the first of the right-hander's career.
Days before the All-Star Game, Arrieta informed NL manager Terry Collins he was available to pitch but would prefer not to play in the game.
Collins did not end up using Arrieta in the game.
In his five starts leading up to the All-Star break, Arrieta never made it past the sixth inning. During three of those starts, he failed to even make it to the sixth inning. Arrieta's poor performance lately combined with his intention to sit out the All-Star Game gives reason to speculate that Arrieta thought he needed the rest.
The optics of the situation didn't favor Arrieta, who could have made his decision earlier and given his spot to another player.
But simultaneously, his first responsibility is to the Cubs. If Arrieta felt extended rest over the break would better set him up for the second half of the season, then he made the right decision.
Arrieta's next scheduled start is Tuesday against Collins' New York Mets.
Report: Yankees Divided on Whether to Be Buyers or Sellers
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To intimate the New York Yankees should be sellers at the trade deadline is blasphemy to sports' most iconic franchise. The organization expects to contend every year.
It's like suggesting competitive eater Joey Chestnut should go on a diet.
But with an aging roster and the team in fourth place in the AL East, a faction of the organization wants to do just that—sell off soon-to-be free agents so the organization can get younger.
There are others within the front office who believe the organization should always look to add at this time of year.
ESPN.com's Wallace Matthews cited a source saying general manager Brian Cashman and the baseball operations staff would like to sell assets to position the organization for the future. The story further details that owner Hal Steinbrenner and president Randy Levine think the team is in contention and want to add to the roster at the deadline.
The Yankees are currently 8.5 games out of first place in the AL East.
It seems highly optimistic to think that, at this point, New York could make the playoffs. At the All-Star break, the Yankees were 5.5 games out of the wild card with seven teams ahead of them in the race.
At the break, two division rivals—the Boston Red Sox and Toronto Blue Jays—held the AL wild-card spots.
Of note, there is a market for left-handed closer Aroldis Chapman, who becomes a free agent next year. Instead of bidding for Chapman's services in free agency this winter, the team could trade him for younger players who could help the team next season and beyond. Every year, nearly every contending team seeks left-handed relief pitchers at the trade deadline.
Other veterans like Carlos Beltran and Mark Teixeira are also movable if New York does indeed choose to sell.
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Arizona Diamondbacks Option Shelby Miller to Triple-A
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Words that come to mind in trying to characterize the Arizona Diamondbacks' offseason trade for starting pitcher Shelby Miller must include, by now, "disaster."
This offseason, Arizona sent a haul of prospects to the Atlanta Braves that included pitcher Aaron Blair, a first-round pick in 2013, and Dansby Swanson, last year's top overall pick.
In an era in which there is a premium on player control and keeping young prospects, the move was head-scratching at best. But the rationale for a Diamondbacks organization that felt it was ready to contend was that Miller could be an immediate help this year and beyond.
Miller started 33 games last season for Atlanta with a 3.02 ERA and isn't set to become a free agent until 2019. Sure, the Diamondbacks gave up quite a bit. But October baseball would have validated the trade.
Fast-forward to Thursday. That's when the last-place Diamondbacks announced they optioned Miller and his 7.14 ERA to Triple-A Reno.
Meanwhile, Swanson looks to be a cornerstone player for the Braves. In 21 games with Single-A Carolina, Swanson hit .333/.441/.526. He has played 60 games with Double-A Mississippi, hitting .265/.348/.403.
At this point, it appears Arizona made a giant miscalculation—not only on its readiness to compete this year but also on the prospects of both Miller and Swanson.
Houston Astros Sign Cuban Yulieski Gurriel
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On Friday, Jake Kaplan of the Houston Chronicle reported the Houston Astros signed Cuban infielder Yulieski Gurriel to a five-year, $47.5 million contract.
Gurriel, 32, could make an impact on the team this season. He's a versatile player with the ability to play multiple infield positions, though Kaplan asserts third base is the likeliest landing spot for him.
Regardless of whether he is added to the MLB roster this year, Gurriel is certain to first see time in the minors.
The Astros had a bad start to 2016 but recently have rallied and now sit five games behind the Texas Rangers for first place in the division.
Houston was expected to add to its roster at the trade deadline, but this move is likely to be its July addition, though moves of smaller consequence could still come.
By adding Gurriel to the roster, whose experience could result in a quick ascension to the MLB team, the organization relieves itself of having to part with any prospects in order to better its chances of making the playoffs this season.
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