Blue Jays AL East Recap: Deadline Details

Baltimore reclaims first

Baltimore Orioles: 59-45

The Baltimore Orioles struck Sunday night to address their biggest need, a struggling rotation. The Orioles found balance by sending a pitching prospect to the Mariners in exchange for veteran Wade Miley, fresh off a no-hit bid.

Miley is the workhorse they need for their rotation, capable of eating up innings and heshould help stabilize as their rotation. A stable rotation, will mean a more relaxed bullpen, which the Orioles could definitely use.

The Orioles were also reunited with Steve Pearce after sending a prospect to the Tampa Bay Rays. A popular member of the O’s club house during multiple seasons adds versatile depth in the outfield and a strong bench bat.

Baltimore’s upgrades came at the right time, as they were once again briefly knocked out of first place, this time by the Blue Jays. With improvements of their own, the Red Sox and Blue Jays are just a mere game behind, and the Orioles will need to kick into gear to separate themselves from their Division foes.  

Final Takeaway: The Orioles significantly upgraded their rotation, and should quickly see the effects of that. Despite being challenged in recent weeks by both Toronto and Boston, the Orioles once again appear positioned as division favourites.

Next: Red Sox Retooled for the Stretch Run

Red Sox ready to go

Boston Red Sox: 58-46

The Red Sox struck very early in the trade market acquiring All-Star Drew Pomeranz to address their rotational needs, and adding veteran Brad Ziegler to their bullpen. Ziegler was brought in to fill the hole left when closer Craig Kimbrel was on the DL. With Kimbrel  back, the Red Sox bullpen looked like one of the strongest in baseball.

Prior to deadline they made it even better, acquiring left handed pitcher Fernando Abad from the Twins. Abad was on a tear early in the year, and should be yet another tremendous asset to the team

Sitting just a game back in the AL East, the Red Sox were already poised to strike at the Orioles, now it appears even more likely. The Red Sox offence has shown no sign of slowing down, unlike Baltimore’s has in recent weeks. Pomeranz has transformed their rotation into one of the most fearsome in baseball, and their bullpen already has been.

Final Takeaway:

The Red Sox are the ultimate triple threat. With a improved rotation, dominant bullpen and mighty offence, they will give the Orioles a run for the money. It’s been a long time coming for Boston, and it looks like their time could finally be here.

Next: New York's Prospects Looking Good

New York looks towards the future

New York Yankees: 53-52

The New York Yankees went into full sell mode as they went into deadline. Early in the week they had dealt ace closer Aroldis Chapman to the Chicago Cubs for a bevy of prospects. After that it was unclear if they would leave the rest of their team intact, as they have struggled to stay above .500 for most of the season. We got our answer late in the weekend when they dealt closer Andrew Miller to the Indians, once again for a bevy of prospects highlighted by shortstop Gleyber Torres.

They were not done there. Despite fielding offers on numerous other players, they were only able to move Carlos Beltran to the Rangers for a significant return.

The Yankees deadline deals signalled two things. They were comfortable letting this season get away from them. Trading Chapman made sense, but flipping the previously untouchable Miller for a package including Clint Frazier indicated that the Yankees are more focused on tomorrow than today. That said, the Yankees are on the cusp of reclaiming their baseball dynasty. With a loaded farm system, that figures to be among the best and most well-stocked in baseball.

The Yankees can deal from a position of strength during the off season. With so many prospects to choose from they’ll be able to easily land players they target without pillaging their entire farm system.

Final Takeaway:

The Yankees set themselves apart by trading very desirable assets for high prices. The result is one of the best farm systems in baseball. With the money and clout the Yankees already have, their future looks brighter than it has in a long time.

Next: Rays Make Savvy Moves at the Deadline

Rays flip for the future:

Tampa Bay Rays: 42-62

It had originally appeared that the Rays would spend the deadline in full rebuild mode, which didn’t quite make sense given their organizational strengths. Instead, the Rays ended up making minimal deals keeping the bulk of their team intact, a savvy move for their future.

Despite flipping one of their star pitchers, Matt Moore, to the Giants, they landed two prospects and the 25-year-old Matt Duffy from the Giants. Duffy will add to their offensive and defensive versatility, and they didn’t sacrifice young aces like Chris Archer or Jake Odorizzi from their 2017 picture. Steve Pearce and Brandon Guyer also netted the Rays three prospects as well.

The Rays made the most of their trade deadline. They did not go all in as sellers, nor did they need to. Instead they dealt away ancillary pieces and augmented the core of their team, which they kept in tact. With some maneuvering during the off season, the Rays could position themselves to have a much better season than they have had this year.

Next: Looking hard at, and making sense of, the Liriano deal

Final Takeaway:

They Rays wisely opted not to go into full rebuild mode, moving pieces to augment both their existing team and their farm system. With rosters expanding soon, the Rays could very well start auditioning some of their exciting young talent for what appears to be a competitive year for them.