MLB Trade Deadline and Pennant Races
There were no blockbuster trades this year, but multiple trades of significance that will affect the American and National League pennant races.
TheRinger.com posted a quality wrap up by Michael Baumann on the trade deadline "winners" and "losers" for this year. Baumann will get you in and out with enough knowledge to keep you informed for the pennant race and beyond.
I disagree with Baumann's take on the Nationals. He was lukewarm on the Nationals efforts that brought in three relievers to help a struggling bullpen. He felt they should have parted with some top prospects for something more. I think Washington general manager Mike Rizzo played it very well. Rizzo kept the National's top prospects and they will make additions in September when many of their injured starters are schedule to return.
So where do we stand with these pennant races?
The Houston Astros are the clear favorite to win the AL pennant, but the New York Yankees are primed for a run. Strangely, and I would say dangerously quiet at the deadline, were the Cleveland Indians. Cleveland was the AL representative in the World Series last year and they are leading the Central Division. It's almost like they are perfectly positioned to win the pennant again this year as a dark horse, but I would keep your money on Houston for now.
In the NL, the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs both made significant moves prior to the deadline like the Nationals. The Dodgers have been the class of the league all year, but now starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw is dealing with back spasms. The Nationals are also nursing an ace, Steven Strasburg. It looks like the Cubs could vault past these top two contenders, but I would keep my chips on Dodger Blue until we see what is up with Kershaw.
Reds Trade Cingrani
Just in case you were curious, the Cincinnati Reds didn't trade away any top-level talent from the big league club or the farm system this year. They did just trade reliever Tony Cingrani to the Dodgers for outfielder Scott Van Slyke and catcher Hendrick Clementina. Van Slyke is 31 years old and has never amounted to much. Clementina is a 20 year old way down the pipeline in the Pioneer League.
This trade will not positively affect the fortunes of Cincinnati.
Cingrani never recaptured his break out form of 2013 when he went 7-4 with 120 strikeouts in 104 innings. Just another Red not able to consistently reach his potential. He did sign a baseball for my son in 2016 though.
Well, thanks for signing the ball, Tony. We will always have that I guess. Well, that and four straight losing seasons.
TheRinger.com posted a quality wrap up by Michael Baumann on the trade deadline "winners" and "losers" for this year. Baumann will get you in and out with enough knowledge to keep you informed for the pennant race and beyond.
I disagree with Baumann's take on the Nationals. He was lukewarm on the Nationals efforts that brought in three relievers to help a struggling bullpen. He felt they should have parted with some top prospects for something more. I think Washington general manager Mike Rizzo played it very well. Rizzo kept the National's top prospects and they will make additions in September when many of their injured starters are schedule to return.
So where do we stand with these pennant races?
The Houston Astros are the clear favorite to win the AL pennant, but the New York Yankees are primed for a run. Strangely, and I would say dangerously quiet at the deadline, were the Cleveland Indians. Cleveland was the AL representative in the World Series last year and they are leading the Central Division. It's almost like they are perfectly positioned to win the pennant again this year as a dark horse, but I would keep your money on Houston for now.
In the NL, the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs both made significant moves prior to the deadline like the Nationals. The Dodgers have been the class of the league all year, but now starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw is dealing with back spasms. The Nationals are also nursing an ace, Steven Strasburg. It looks like the Cubs could vault past these top two contenders, but I would keep my chips on Dodger Blue until we see what is up with Kershaw.
Reds Trade Cingrani
Just in case you were curious, the Cincinnati Reds didn't trade away any top-level talent from the big league club or the farm system this year. They did just trade reliever Tony Cingrani to the Dodgers for outfielder Scott Van Slyke and catcher Hendrick Clementina. Van Slyke is 31 years old and has never amounted to much. Clementina is a 20 year old way down the pipeline in the Pioneer League.
This trade will not positively affect the fortunes of Cincinnati.
Cingrani never recaptured his break out form of 2013 when he went 7-4 with 120 strikeouts in 104 innings. Just another Red not able to consistently reach his potential. He did sign a baseball for my son in 2016 though.
Well, thanks for signing the ball, Tony. We will always have that I guess. Well, that and four straight losing seasons.
Tony Cingrani hands a signed baseball back to my son in June of 2016.
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