For baseball fans and the journalists who cover the game, the trade deadline is one of the biggest days of the season. It’s a time to see what might happen to either make a team better for a playoff run, or how a team might build for the future.
This was my first deadline working as a sports writer; coffee brewed, computer(s) on, Twitter feed constantly being refreshed — definitely a different feeling from some of the other deadlines I can remember from the past. Throughout you are hearing various rumors, you check in with a trusted source, you wait…
So, as the deadline has now come and gone, let’s take a look at a few of the things I learned.
Know/check your sources: Big theme of the day. Several times I was alerted to “breaking news” to a deal, only to have the supposed author of said breaking news alert all that is was a fake. At one point, one of the most respected reporters in baseball, Ken Rosenthal, literally had to send out an all points bulletin via twitter to let everyone know there were several, yes several, fake accounts claiming to be him.
Talk about taking “trolling” to another level altogether. Pirates fans were among those to get duped along the way, as it was believed that super-utility player Ben Zobrist had been acquired by the Pirates from the Rays.
Not exactly David Price, but something. Alas, the final cherry on top for fans waiting for that deadline deal, it too was indeed a fake.
A’s GM Billy Beane is not afraid: So something tells me Billy Beane is a little tired of hearing about Moneyball these days. You know, the movie where Brad Pitt makes him look really suave and Jonah Hill makes him look really smart? I kid, but the crux of that point is the A’s don’t win it all, and that clearly has Beane in a mood.
Instead of trying to win with a band of misfits, Beane is definitely going all in. First, he trades one of the top prospects in baseball for Jeff Samardzija and Jason Hammel. Then, he throws all us writers for a loop and trades two-time home run derby champion Yoenis Cespedes for Red Sox ace, Jon Lester.
I don’t know about you guys, but i’ll take a top of the rotation ace over Yasiel Puig lite. Either way, the A’s who already lead the league in run differential with a ridiculous plus-162, now have a probable playoff rotation of Lester, Sonny Gray, Scott Kasmiir and Samardzija.
That’s a pretty daunting group for the rest of the American League, and certainly takes the Pepsi challenge with the Dodgers rotation if they were to meet in the World Series.
While we are on the topic, neither is Dave Dombrowski: So, Tiger’s GM Dave Dombrowski certainly did not waste any time trying to one up his nemesis and rival Beane now did he? A few hours later, Dombrowski went out and got the prize of the deadline in a three-team deal, David Price.
So yeah, the Tigers who have pretty owned the A’s (just ask Justin Verlander) could very likely meet up with in the ALDS. With a rotation that will include Verlander, Price, Max Scherzer and Rick Porcello, you have yourself a “get your popcorn ready” type of series. I for one, would love to see it.
Fear not, Bucco’s fans, John Lackey won’t matter: Mark my words, the Cardinals acquisition of Lackey will not hurt the Pirates chances of winning the division or making the playoffs. Honestly, double plays after a walk on a sunny afternoon in San Francisco probably will have more of an impact.
When I saw what the Cardinals gave up to get the soon to be 36-year-old Lackey, I nearly spit out my 10th cup of coffee. Sure, Alan Craig has struggled this year, but I am alone in remembering him hit .317 with 97 RBI as an All-Star last season?
Oh, and Joe Kelly has been having a tough go since he came off the DL, but he is 10 years younger, and had the same number of wins (10) as Lackey did last season.
Did I mention both players will be under the control for the Red Sox until at least 2018? I know that the Cardinals are always known for “doing it right”, but this time, I think the Pirates have to be pretty happy with that deal.
Which leads me to the Pirates…
Sometimes the best move is no move at all (at least until August): Yes, I get it. I get it totally. You are talking to a guy who remembered being at a game at PNC Park once in 2002 and there was maybe 500 people there. I mean, like my own beer vendor in the 100 level behind home plate type of empty.
Now, the Pirates are good, and in the National League, which looks flawed and winnable. I can understand the frustration not getting a big fish like Lester or Price.
Heck, we could have got something, right?
Remember, if you trade away top prospects such as Josh Bell and Tyler Glasnow, or young players signed to team friendly deals like Starling Marte, you might close that window quickly, and that might mean having your own beer vendor at PNC once again.
The real question I can imagine Neal Huntington asking is this: “Do Jon Lester or David Price help us win a World Series now?” If that answer is more than likely no, you probably should not give away three or four prospects considered among the best 50 in all of baseball.
Is it frustrating when you have the chance to make a splash and you don’t? No question, but in bigger picture, it makes sense to understand when to make a that mega deal, and when making it might make you feel warm and fuzzy for a few months, only to regret the decision in a year or two.
Maybe the time to improve the club comes in August when the waiver deadline deals can be made. Sure, it got the Pirates Ryan Ludwick and Chad Qualls, but it also got us Marlon Byrd. With the price so high for players, this might be the best route to find a bullpen arm, a right-handed bat or any other need that could be filled.
As tough as it was to see the deadline pass with no deals for the Pirates, this might end up being the right call by Huntington.
Though i’m not sure i’d be tuning into local sports talk radio for a few days.
