We predicted a slow trade season… but not this slow. The chatter has nonetheless been ramping up throughout the day, and we now have confirmed Atlanta Braves involvement.
Atlanta Braves GM Alex Anthopoulos had noted that there’s a lot of work that needs to be done to finalize trades and that teams really could not afford to wait until the last few hours in order to get deals finished before Wednesday afternoon’s deadline.
I guess that statement is going to be tested pretty severely.
The Braves now have 1 trade on the board, but it’s not likely that they’re done, either.
Baseball’s General Managers are in a giant stare-down. The Sellers want more and the buyers think the prices are too high.
Even this deal to acquire Chris Martin comes at a relatively high price.
As a direct result, there’s been almost no movement whatsoever except for a few transactions on the periphery – depth moves, a salary dump, minor relievers.
As the rumor chatter has escalated, a pattern is developing – one that makes perfect sense, given the glacial movement in the market: the buyers are looking for somebody to make a sale… someone to ‘set’ the prices for the most available and controllable players.
Sorry… this single trade for one of the better relievers isn’t going to set that price bar yet… but it certainly won’t make things cheaper.
Trouble Getting Started
About 90% of these rumors involve starting pitching. The lion’s share of these rumors have involved Madison Bumgarner (still unknown whether he’s dealt, but he’s a ‘rental’), Trevor Bauer, and Noah Syndergaard… with a side dish of Zack Wheeler and Robbie Ray involved.
The trade market is finally beginning to unclog. Trevor Bauer is very much in play, and the Cleveland Indians, rival executives tell ESPN, seem motivated to move him soon. Madison Bumgarner remains available, according to sources. And interest in Robbie Ray has picked up as well.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 30, 2019
Relief pitching rumors have centered on Felipe Vazquez (who seems to have the highest price tag by far), Edwin Diaz, and Ken Giles.
Giles’ case is the most unfortunate, though: he’s working through an elbow issue of unknown severity, though it’s bad enough to warrant a medical review… and a shot:
#BlueJays closer Ken GIles visited Dr. Keith Meister in Dallas today, source tells The Athletic. An MRI revealed no structural damage in Giles’ elbow, but upon Meister’s recommendation, the pitcher received a cortisone shot. Will not pitch again before deadline.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 30, 2019
It’s been noted from multiple sources that this pretty much means that he will remain with the Blue Jays until season’s end (at least).
Giles is in the bad position of having uncertain trade value while also not being able to guarantee that an acquiring team could actually get any quality mound time from him.