PORT JEFF, NY – It’s too hot outside to dance around today’s tropics topics (see what I did there?), so here they are: MLB Trade Deadline Reactions, Summer Slam Preview
MLB Trade Deadline Reactions
What a wild deadline it was. We’ll start with some notable acquisitions around the league:
–The Tigers dealt SP Jack Flaherty to the dodgers for two prospects,
–the dodgers also acquired Tommy Edman from St. Louis in a three-team deal which saw them get flamethrower Micheal Kopech from the white sox, who sent Ereck Fedde to the cards to complete the deal.
–The New York Mets made a flurry of moves to bolster their bullpen and rotation, Paul Blackburn from the Oakland A’s was a very solid get for a team who needs someone to simply give them a chance and cover some innings. The club also snagged reliever Huscar Brabazon from the Marlin. Brabazon is a bit of late bloomer at age 34, but he is perhaps the best pitcher they acquired at the deadline this year, sporting an ERA under 3 and having team control for the next 4 seasons. Brabazon could be a difference-maker in the Mets pen.
–The San Diego Padres always seem to make the biggest headlines at the deadline. This year was no different, with the acquisitions of Jason Adam and lock down closer Tanner Scott this fortifies an already dominant bullpen and gives the Friars many different looks come October.
Well finish off the Deadline Talk with a few moves that I found head scratching to say the least:
–The Houston Astros acquired Yusei Kikuchi from the Blue Jays, and in doing so gave up two of their top three prospects. This is for a guy in Kikuchi, who is a free agent at season’s end and also has an ERA north of 4!
–-The other move that just did not make much sense to me was the San Francisco Giants trading away slugger Jorge Soler to the Braves – of all teams. They got absolutely nothing in return for someone they gave a multi-year contract to. The problem I have with this move is that the Giants are right in the thick of the NL Wild Card race. They kept Blake Snell, so if you’re going to sell, then sell! In a seller’s market they could have gotten a haul for Snell.
Summer Slam Preview
This Saturday the biggest party of the summer is in full swing, with names like CM Punk and Cody Rhodes headlining the event, to championship matches between Damian Priest and the “Ring General” Gunther. The caveat to the whole event is the impending return of Roman Reigns, who lost his championship at WrestleMania in April and has not been seen since.
