Part two of a six part series where we bombard you with even more trade deadline talk takes us to the NL Central!
Part One: NL East
Chicago Cubs
Key Additions: LHP Cole Hamels, RHP Brandon Kintzler, RHP Jesse Chavez
Key Losses: RHP Rollie Lacy
Analysis in 100 Words or Less: The Cubs managed to deepen their pitching staff while only giving up one true prospect. Chavez and Kintzler are two key additions for the bullpen down the stretch and possibly even into October. Hamels was the big get and even though he hasn’t been historical Hamels as of late, he still brings value. Take his Cubs debut for example where the lefty struck out nine over five solid innings.
Milwaukee Brewers
Key Additions: 3B Mike Moustakas, 2B Jonathan Schoop, RHP Joakim Soria
Key Losses: 2B Jonathan Villar, RHP Luis Ortiz, CF Brett Phillips, RHP Jorge Lopez,
Analysis in 100 Words or Less: The Brewers are all in. In the offseason we were all talking about the logjam they had in the outfield. Now at the deadline they have created quite a bit of infield depth as well. The Moustakas transaction was an interesting one since they had a pretty good guy at the hot corner in Travis Shaw. Now with the addition of Schoop factored in, the Brewers have a ton of options on how to deploy this roster.
Pittsburgh Pirates
Key Additions: RHP Chris Archer, RHP Keone Kela,
Key Losses: OF Austin Meadows, RHP Tyler Glasnow, LHP Taylor Hearn
Analysis in 100 Words or Less: Honestly, I want to start with the Kela addition. I think he is one of the more underrated closers in the game and he still has a few years of control as well. Great move there. Obviously the most newsworthy deal was the Chris Archer trade. After years of dangling, the Rays finally moved him and I thought the return was great. There is no doubt that Archer is an outstanding pitcher, but he isn’t the guy that puts the Bucs over the top for a playoff spot this year.
St. Louis Cardinals
Key Additions: CF Conner Capel, RF Jhon Torres, RF Justin Williams, LHP Genesis Cabrera, LHP Chasen Shreve, RHP Giovanny Gallegos
Key Losses: CF Tommy Pham, OF Oscar Mercado, 1B Luke Voit, RHP Sam Tuivailala
Analysis in 100 Words or Less: The Cardinals made a few moves, one of which was questionable in dealing Tommy Pham. They did add a couple of solid young pieces including a pretty good prospect in Conner Capel.
Cincinnati Reds
Key Additions: OF Preston Tucker, RHP Lucas Sims, RHP Matt Wisler
Key Losses: OF Adam Duvall
Analysis in 100 Words or Less: The Reds made just one trade at the deadline which was a little surprising considering we all thought they had a couple of pieces they would like to deal. Those deals may still come over the next month. The trade they did make added some organizational depth as they acquired a few guys that are fringe major leaguers. Lucas Sims and Matt Wisler were once promising prospects and may still turn into decent bullpen contributors. Tucker fits into a fourth outfielder role.
Winner: Milwaukee Brewers. The Brewers have the lineup to lead them to the postseason and an outstanding bullpen. They have positioned themselves to really give the Cubs a run in the NL Central.
Loser: St. Louis Cardinals Fans. It isn’t the Cardinals year and fans in St. Louis aren’t used to missing the playoffs for three seasons in a row, but it looks like that is what is going to happen. They virtually stood pat in terms of the present and that can’t be easy for a fan base with extremely high expectations for its club.
