Sizing up the deadline activity of the Mariners' AL West competition
Sizing up the deadline activity of the Mariners' AL West competition
Three of Seattle's division rivals were "all in" leading up to the MLB trade deadline. How did they fare?
With the MLB trade deadline in the rearview mirror, we should consider what the Mariners’ AL West competition accomplished in the marketplace this summer.
Time will provide clarity on whether the equity lost in these trades was worth it for the Angels, Astros, and Rangers. For now, let’s focus solely on the potential influence each club’s deal-making might have on this year’s postseason.
Rangers
Acquired: Max Scherzer SP; Jordan Montgomery SP; Aroldis Chapman RP; Chris Stratton RP; Austin Hedges C
Traded away: John King RP; Cole Ragans RP; Roni Cabrera* OF; Thomas Saggese* IF; Tekoah Roby* SP; Luisangel Acuña* SS
* Minor leaguer
With the rotation posting a 5.12 ERA and opponents hitting .287 against it in July, starting pitching was a primary need. The front office responded with two trades, including one for a future Hall of Famer.
Three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer represents a marquee name to headline the rotation. This addition was particularly crucial with starter Nathan Eovaldi going to the IL over the weekend.
Still, the version of Scherzer that Texas is getting from the Mets isn’t the Mad Max of old. This season, the 39-year-old has been far more human away from pitcher-friendly Citi Field.
Don’t get me wrong. Scherzer is still an above-average starter. Plus, his fiery competitiveness is unmatched and represents an intangible value for a team wanting to make a deep October run. He’s just not as dominant as he was several years ago.
Only 11 pitchers have more quality starts than Jordan Montgomery (12) this season. The southpaw should serve as a stabilizing presence in the rotation by providing quality innings on a regular basis to skipper Bruce Bochy.
Rangers management also addressed a bullpen that’s underwhelmed this season by adding veteran Aroldis Chapman. The left-handed flamethrower stepped into the closer role after enjoying a career revival with the Royals this year.
Chapman’s average fastball velocity is up a few ticks to 99.6 MPH this season. Moreover, his strikeout rate is up 17 points from last year to 43.8%. Still, it’s worth noting the 35-year-old remains susceptible to coughing up free passes. His 14.4% walk rate ranks 157th among 161 qualified relievers.
Chris Stratton was also added in the deal bringing Montgomery over from St. Louis. The eight-year veteran recorded more than three outs in 22 of his 42 relief appearances for the Cardinals this year. He’s primarily worked in the seventh and eighth innings and will likely be used in a similar capacity with Texas.
The Rangers also made a last-minute addition in response to All-Star catcher Jonah Heim suffering a wrist injury - Austin Hedges from the Pirates.
Astros
Acquired: Justin Verlander; Kendall Graveman RP
Traded away: Korey Lee* C
* Minor leaguer
In a way, getting All-Stars Jose Altuve and Yordan Alvarez back from the IL in recent weeks upgraded the lineup. Having said that, the team needed pitching help and acted accordingly.
As with its cross-state rivals, Houston turned to the Mets for rotation help. The acquisition: former Astro Justin Verlander. Ironically, the move addresses the void created by the three-time Cy Young Award winner leaving via free agency last offseason.
As with his former rotation-mate, Scherzer, we may not see vintage Justin Verlander. But we shouldn’t dismiss his worth to Houston as it pushes to repeat as World Series champion. The right-hander delivered outstanding production in his final seven starts with New York.
We should take notice of Verlander’s high-ish walk rate and below-normal strikeout rate during those seven games. In two outings, he walked four-plus hitters. Furthermore, the future Cooperstown inductee reached the seven-strikeout mark just once.
And just like Scherzer, Verlander benefited from the friendly confines of Citi Field. At the Mets’ home park, the 40-year-old had a 2.28 ERA and held opposing hitters to a .194 AVG. On the road, an average-ish 4.38 ERA and .252 AVG.
The Astros brought back another old friend - reliever Kendall Graveman. The 32-year-old provides much-needed depth and an additional high-leverage arm to the bullpen.
Angels
Acquired: Lucas Giolito SP; Reynaldo López RP; Dominic Leone RP; Randal Grichuk OF; C.J. Cron 1B; Mike Moustakas 1B/3B, Eduardo Escobar INF
Traded Away: Edgar Quero* C; Ky Bush* SP; Jake Madden* SP; Mason Albright* SP; Connor Van Scoyoc* SP; Coleman Crow* SP; Landon Marceaux* SP
* Minor leaguer
With Shohei Ohtani in his walk year, the Angels opted to be aggressive buyers adding recognizable names to the rotation, bullpen, and lineup.
Lucas Giolito provides Los Angeles with an established arm to insert into the six-man rotation used to support Ohtani. The 29-year-old’s stats are probably best described as league-average. Still, Giolito has completed six-plus innings in 14 of 22 starts.
Coming over with Giolito from the White Sox, reliever Reynaldo López. The right-hander generates a lot of swings and misses, although his poor 12% walk rate is worth watching. López typically pitched innings seven through nine in the Windy City. He proved capable of occasionally delivering two-inning appearances.
Just minutes before the deadline, right-hander Dominic Leone was acquired from the Mets. The 31-year-old primarily served as a middle-reliever with New York, although he did struggle with the long ball. Among 177 relievers logging 30-plus innings this season, Leone’s 2.05 HR/9 is third-highest.
When a spate of injuries hit the Angels, veteran infielders Mike Moustakas (Rockies) and Eduardo Escobar (Mets) were acquired in late-June trades to buoy the bench and roster.
With his new club, the left-hand hitting Moustakas has split time between first base and third base with most of his playing time coming against right-handed pitching. As an Angel, he has a .288 AVG/.333 OBP/.521 SLG against righties. The switch-hitting Escobar has been less productive at the plate with Los Angeles (238/.279/.313).
It’s a bit of a homecoming for two other additions - Randal Grichuk and C.J. Cron. Both were first round picks of the Angels.
Grichuk undoubtedly benefited from playing home games at mile-high Coors Field this season. However, he did manage to produce a respectable .282 AVG/.338 OBP/.444 SLG away from Denver this season. With 10-plus starts at each outfield position, the 31-year-old also provides manager Phil Nevin with much-needed versatility.
Cron wasn’t having a great year with the Rockies. But the 33-year-old represents an upgrade at first base. His .259/.300/.473 slash and 93 wRC+ is significantly better than what the Halos have received from the first base position this season.
All things considered…
Now that the dust has settled, it’s clear the Rangers, Astros, and Angels proactively addressed their primary needs over the last month. Of the three clubs, I like what Houston did the most.
By adding two above-average performers in Verlander and Graveman, the Astros upgraded a section of the roster that’s been a strength in recent years - the pitching staff. Although it doesn’t matter for this season. Both pitchers have at least one year of club control remaining.
Texas added big-time names to improve the rotation and bullpen, which should help. But I’m somewhat leery about Scherzer’s availability moving forward. The 16-year veteran has made over 25 starts just once since 2018. I also have reservations regarding the bullpen, even after the Chapman acquisition.
Since Chapman’s first appearance as a Ranger on July 2, the bullpen has the worst ERA (6.26) with opponents enjoying the third-highest AVG (.277). To me, adding more arms from outside was necessary.
Considering how this year’s roster has been ravaged by position player injuries, the presence of the veterans like Grichuk, Cron, Moustakas, and Escobar makes sense for the team. That said, I have reservations regarding the totality of the Angels’ summertime moves being enough to catapult them into the postseason for the first time since 2014.
My Oh My…