Takeaways from MLB Week 17
At this point in the baseball calendar, when we near the annual non-waiver trade deadline, there’s always player movement.
While most executives expect to hear the applause of their respective fans when they add to a contending team, the Chicago Cubs executives knew their deal for closer Aroldis Chapman might not net that reaction.
The Cubs, of course, weren’t the only team trying to navigate this July’s trade market. Who were those others clubs?
Chicago Cubs Defend Trading for Aroldis Chapman
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Immediately after the Chicago Cubs announced in a press release Tuesday that the team had traded for closer Aroldis Chapman, team executives tried to pre-empt the moral backlash they would inevitably receive for such a move.
The benefits are obvious: Chapman is one of the game’s elite closers whose fastball regularly tops 100 mph and fills a void in the team’s bullpen.
But earlier this season he was suspended 30 games by MLB for a domestic dispute in which he allegedly choked his girlfriend then discharged a firearm eight times in his garage, according to multiple reports.
No charges were filed, but MLB thought the alleged incident serious enough to suspend Chapman. The Cubs considered it far enough in the past to move forward with the trade.
Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts said in a statement sent out to members of the media:
"Obviously, we are aware of the circumstances surrounding Aroldis Chapman's suspension earlier this season. We are also aware that he cooperated fully with the league investigation and takes responsibility for his actions.
Today, prior to completing the trade, [president of baseball operations] Theo [Esptein], [general manager] Jed and I spoke with Aroldis. I shared with him the high expectations we set for our players and staff both on and off the field. Aroldis indicated he is comfortable with meeting those expectations.
Finally, my family, this team and Major League Baseball take the issue of domestic violence very seriously and support efforts to reduce domestic violence through education, awareness and intervention.
"
Dee Gordon’s Reinstatement a De Facto Deadline Addition for the Miami Marlins
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The Miami Marlins are vying for their first playoff berth since 2003, and what’s most impressive about it is that they’ve done it largely without their best pure hitter.
Second baseman Dee Gordon, who last year hit .333 and won the NL batting title and a Gold Glove, was reinstated Thursday after an 80-game suspension for violating MLB’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs.
At the time of his suspension, Gordon was hitting .266/.289/.340 but had only played 21 games.
He is a player with proven offensive capability. In the two seasons heading into 2016, Gordon combined to steal 122 bases. He led the NL in the category both seasons.
The Marlins rank second in MLB in batting average but 21st in runs scored. That’s an indication that they aren’t getting on base ahead of their best hitters. Gordon’s return provides the team with an elite top-of-the-order hitter.
"I know I let you down, and I'm sorry," Gordon said in a video from UNINTERRUPTED. "Complacency led me to this, and I'm hurt. I urge you guys to be more responsible than I am about what goes into your body. I wouldn't wish this on anyone."
Ryan Braun Sits Thursday with Back Soreness, May Diminish Trade Value
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Wednesday night, there may not have been a hitter more sought after in advance of the Aug. 1 trade deadline than left fielder Ryan Braun.
Braun plays for the Milwaukee Brewers, who sit in fourth place in the NL Central and are amid a rebuild. His .321/.383/.515 slash line is sure to command a set of prospects that would help push that rebuild further along.
As far as the Brewers are concerned, trading him seems like a no-brainer. It appears equally as sensible for contending teams to try to acquire him.
But Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (via CBSSports.com) reported Thursday that Braun was scratched from the lineup due to tightness in his right side. Braun has struggled with back issues in the past.
Such news could deter teams from considering Braun as a potential addition, fearful that the issue could linger throughout the season.
Though Braun is under contract through the 2021 season, according to Cot’s Baseball Contracts, surely a fact that increases his value, teams looking to add at this time in the baseball calendar are more immediately focused. They’ll want any addition to have an impact on this year’s playoff push. So any interested teams are certain to further investigate Braun’s health.
If teams do shy away from dealing for Braun and the market lessens, that could cause the Brewers to get less in return than had been anticipated before this latest health issue.
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San Francisco Giants Trade for Eduardo Nunez
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In an under-the-radar move, the San Francisco Giants acquired infielder Eduardo Nunez from the Minnesota Twins, the latter team announced on Thursday.
Nunez, the Twins’ lone All-Star this season, offers the Giants, reeling from a rash of injuries, some versatility. He can play shortstop, second base, third base and the outfield. This season for Minnesota, he has played 51 games at shortstop, 33 games at third, five at second and six as the team’s designated hitter.
With third baseman Matt Duffy out with a strained left Achilles, according to the Giants’ team notes, expect Nunez to slot there for the time being. His versatility, however, is a much bigger asset in the NL where the double switch is in play.
Being able to move Nunez around the diamond late in a game looms even bigger during the playoffs when managers are constantly making pitching changes to gain more favorable matchups.
He offers offensive punch too. Nunez is hitting .296/.325/.439 with 27 stolen bases. The 2016 All-Star Game was the first of his seven-year MLB career.
Duffy went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to June 20. He was eligible to come off it on July 15. In his absence, the Giants are 15-16 but have remained in first place in the NL West. Still, San Francisco was in need of someone to fill the void.
Recent Play Makes It More Difficult for New York Yankees to Justify Fire Sale
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This isn’t a plea for the New York Yankees to halt any trade conversations that involve the team sending its top players to contenders for prospects.
But the team’s recent play—7-3 over its last 10 games—makes it more difficult for the organization to sell such a strategy to its fanbase.
While the Yankees have been mum on their strategy as the Aug. 1 trade deadline nears, New York’s recent streak has it right back in the thick of the playoff race. Heading into Friday’s action, the Yankees sat just 3.5 games out of the wild card.
Two of the four teams ahead of them—the Boston Red Sox and Toronto Blue Jays—are in the Yankees’ division. New York has 20 combined games left against those teams.
So there’s ample opportunity for the team to climb into the playoff picture.
It is difficult enough trying to spin a fire sale to a group of fans that demands its team compete every year. With the team back in the playoff picture, it could come off as if the front office is waving the white flag.
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