We worked our way through the National League from East to West, now we will bring you the American League from West to East… I’m sure there is a Jared Goff joke in there somewhere.
Part One: NL East
Part Two: NL Central
Part Three: NL West
Houston Astros
Key Additions: RHP Roberto Osuna, C Martin Maldonado, RHP Ryan Pressly
Key Losses: RHP Ken Giles,RHP David Paulino, RHP Hector Perez, LHP Patrick Sandoval
Analysis in 100 Words or Less: I think we all know about the controversy surrounding the Osuna acquisition. I’m not going to say anything about it here, but *spoiler alert* check out the losers section below. In other news, the Maldonado move was fine. The club was looking for some depth in case Brian McCann doesn’t return to form after knee surgery.
Oakland Athletics
Key Additions: RHP Jeurys Familia
Key Losses: RHP Bobby Wahl, 3B Will Toffey
Analysis in 100 Words or Less: The Familia deal came 10 days before the deadline, but kudos to the A’s for realizing they have an opportunity in front of them and going for it. They don’t have the biggest names in their pen outside of Blake Treinen, but they have been one of the league’s top 10 or so bullpens all year. However,the A’s are serious contenders for the postseason in 2018 and they know just having a top 10 bullpen isn’t enough in October, hence the Familia deal.
Seattle Mariners
Key Additions: OF Cameron Maybin, LHP Zach Duke, RHP Adam Warren, RHP Sam Tuivailala
Key Losses: RHP Chase De Jong, 1B Ryan Costello, SS Bryson Brigman
Analysis in 100 Words or Less: ALRIGHT! Jerry Dipoto‘s turn! What did baseball’s most trade trigger happy GM do at the deadline with his club in the second wild card spot? Well, he made four trades in four days of course. Sure, the Mariners made a bunch of deals as we all expected them to do, but none of them were extremely significant. There was a name recognition move of Maybin and a decent depth move for Duke and Warren.
Los Angeles Angels
Key Additions: LHP Patrick Sandoval, RHP Ty Buttrey, LHP Williams Jerez
Key Losses: 2B Ian Kinsler, C Martin Maldonado
Analysis in 100 Words or Less: The Angels, unlike many of their counterparts with near .500 records and a bunch of good teams in their division, realized that 2018 wasn’t their year. While they didn’t get a huge return by trading two of their starters, they did manage to free up some money in an attempt to make a run at 2019.
Texas Rangers
Key Additions: LHP Taylor Hearn, RHP Cory Gearrin, RHP Jason Bahr
Key Losses: LHP Cole Hamels, RHP Keone Kela, RHP Jesse Chavez, LHP Jake Diekman
Analysis in 100 Words or Less: We all knew the Rangers weren’t favorites to make the postseason, but personally I think they have played well considering they have been the most injured club in baseball. “Well” might be a stretch, but apparently they haven’t played well enough for Jon Daniels to want to keep a young cost controlled bullpen arm in Kela. On top of that, I know Hamels hasn’t been his old self and there is no room for him on the books next year, but I still think they should have gotten more for the proven veteran.
Winners: Oakland A’s. They have a good club that has post season potential. They didn’t do too much, but the A’s realized what was in front of them and didn’t stand pat. The Angels get a runner up for realizing they have some commodities a few clubs would want and getting a nice return.
Losers: Jeff Luhnow. For his statement after the Osuna deal. I’m not going to take a stance on the trade, that is not what I do. But what I will say is that Jeff Luhnow spit out a whole lot of nonsense when discussing Roberto Osuna.
