The trade deadline has arrived, and passed, and some teams made the necessary deals to set them up perfectly for a post-season run. This season seemed to be the closer sweepstakes. The Cubs landed Aroldis Chapman’s services, the Indians acquired Andrew Miller, and the Nationals finally moved on from Jonathan Papelbon by acquiring former Pittsburgh Pirate Mark Melancon. The Blue Jays and Orioles made moves to add pitching, while the Texas Rangers added a much needed catcher. The most interesting trade was the acquisition of Jay Bruce by the New York Mets. The Mets played much of 2016 without a true centerfielder. Curtis Granderson’s legs have seen better days, and the acquisition of Bruce doesn’t fill the void. It remains to be seen how the Mets will fill the number eight position, but it looks to be a platoon between Michael Conforto and Yoenis Cespedes. Fantasy owners that roster Cespedes will need to pay special attention as a nagging quad injury has bothered Cespedes, at times, throughout parts of the season. I admire the Mets finally acquiring Bruce as they fell short of the slugger’s services last season. This week, let’s focus our attention on the Monday trade deadline in Trade Deadline Biggest Winners & Losers.

New York Yankees

Acquired: Via CHC [SS Gleyber Torres, OF Billy McKinney, RHP Adam Warren, OF Rashad Crawford] Via CLE [RHP Ben Heller, OF Clint Frazier, RHP J.P. Feyereisen, LHP Justus Sheffield] Via ARI [RHP Tyler Clippard] Via TEX [RHP Nick Green, RHP Erik Swanson, RHP Dillon Tate] Via PIT [Player To Be Named Later]

Traded: To CHC [Aroldis Chapman] To CLE [Andrew Miller] To ARI [RHP Vicente Campos] To TEX [OF Carlos Beltran] To PIT [Ivan Nova]

It has been many years since the Yankees had one of the better minor league organizations in baseball. Of course, they’ve grown their owner superstars such as Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle, and of late, Derek Jeter. However, it’s been just as easy for the Yankees to open the check book and sign some of the best free agents around. This season, the Yankees headed into the deadline moving many hot commodities while muscling up their minor league system. On July 25, the Yankees acquired SS Gleyber Torres, OF Billy McKinney, RHP Adam Warren, and OF Rashad Crawford for LHP Aroldis Chapman. Torres, the 24th overall MLB prospect, was a great addition to the storied franchise. They are looking to replace the void left by Derek Jeter, and Torres could fill the slot sooner rather than later. Only 19, Torres will probably need three or four seasons before he arrives at Yankees Stadium. After Chapman, the Yankees sent Andrew Miller to Cleveland. I really like what they got in Clint Frazier. While he won’t be the next great power hitter in New York, he does have the chance to make an impact as a hitting machine. Overall, the Yankees brought in a haul of youth. There’s no question they now have many options around the diamond. They could make things interesting and make a move for a young star such as Mike Trout. Make no mistake, they now have the prospect to land such a player. What if they traded for Mike Trout and landed Bryce Harper in free agency? Scary!

Cleveland Indians

Acquired: Via NYY [LHP Andrew Miller] Via TB [OF Brandon Guyer]

Traded: To NYY [RHP Ben Heller, OF Clint Frazier, RHP J.P. Feyereisen, LHP Justus Sheffield] To CLE [OF Nathan Lukes, RHP Jhonleider Salinas]

As of Monday evening the Indians sit 4.5 games ahead of the Detroit Tigers. There is no question adding Miller to the Indians pitching staff makes it even better. He’ll take over the closer role from Cody Allen, but Allen should rack up a number of holds as the season races to the end. While I’ve seen many former closers, such as Cody Allen and Hector Rondon, released they can still carry a lot of value in leagues that score holds. Not to mention, it’s safe to handcuff closer just in case an injury arises. Overall, this move allow the Indians to solidify a solid bullpen. While they lost out on the Jonathan Lucroy sweepstakes, they were able to land outfield depth in Brandon Guyer. If Michael Brantley comes back healthy, watch out, this team could make a deep push come playoff time.

Chicago Cubs

Acquired: Via NYY [LHP Aroldis Chapman] Via SEA [LHP Mike Montgomery, RHP Jordan Pries] Via LAA [RHP Joe Smith]

Traded: To NYY [SS Gleyber Torres, OF Billy McKinney, RHP Adam Warren, OF Rashad Crawford] To SEA [1B Dan Vogelbach, RHP Paul Blackburn] To LAA [RHP Jesus Castillo]

There was no question the Cubs needed to make a move for bullpen help. Left-handed relievers have been their Achilles heel, and acquiring Chapman and Mike Montgomery fill the void. Chapman has the most dynamic fastball in baseball, and Joe Maddon has already used the flamethrower in two four-out save situations. While the Cubs moved many young pieces in Torres, Vogelbach, and McKinney, they were able to hold onto the likes of Albert Almora, Javier Baez, Jeimer Candelario, Ian Happ, and Eloy Jimenez. Naturally, the Cubs want to sign Chapman to a long-term deal, but I admire Theo going all-in and wanting to win this season. If the Cubs win the 2016 World Series, it won’t matter if Chapman signs or leaves via free agency. The Cubs have the minor league talent to move, and they finally traded pieces to acquire players that can finally lead them to glory after 107+ years.

Texas Rangers

Acquired: Via MIL [C Jonathan Lucroy, RHP Jeremy Jeffress] Via ATL [RHP Lucas Harrell, LHP Dario Alvarez] Via NYY [OF/DH Carlos Beltran]

Traded: To MIL [OF Lewis Brinson, RHP Luis Ortiz, Player To Be Named Later] To ATL [INF Travis Demeritte] To NYY [RHP Nick Green, RHP Erik Swanson, RHP Dillon Tate]

The Rangers answered the questions surrounding their lineup. They needed a catcher and acquired National League All-Star Jonathan Lucroy. Lucroy will make an immediate impact, and will give them production from a position that has been obsolete. After Lucroy, the Rangers needed another bat. Prince Fielder is done for the season, and this left them scrambling at the deadline. They went ahead and landed Carlos Beltran. At 39, Beltran is having a solid season. No one saw this coming, and Beltran could do wonders for a lineup that is already stacked from top to bottom. The additions of Lucroy and Beltran easily give the Rangers a lineup that could go toe-to-toe with the Chicago Cubs.

Toronto Blue Jays

Acquired: Via SD [OF Melvin Upton Jr.] Via PIT [LHP Francisco Liriano] Via LAD [RHP Mike Bolsinger] Via HOU [RHP Scott Feldman]

Traded: To SD [RHP Hansel Rodriguez] To PIT [RHP Drew Hutchison] To LAD [RHP Jesse Chavez] To HOU [RHP Lupe Chavez]

I get it, the Blue Jays tried to fill voids. However, you either win or you lose. There is no consolation for trying. I have no ribbons to give the Blue Jays for participation. They Blue Jays do not have the depth in their minor league system to make a move for a big arm. Last season, they moved all they could to Detroit for David Price. That leaves the Blue Jays trading for band aids rather than acquiring a difference maker. I don’t mind the addition of Melvin Upton Jr., but he’s just another option to throw in the outfield. He’s having a resurgent season, but I’m not sure he’ll do anything special for the Blue Jays. Entering Monday night, the Jays were 0.5 games behind Baltimore for the division lead. To make matters worse, their best starting pitcher, Aaron Sanchez, will transition to the bullpen as an innings limit approaches. I understand they tried, but the Red Sox will pass Toronto within a week or two and then it’s bye-bye Toronto and their playoff hopes.

Baltimore Orioles

Acquired: Via TB [UTIL Steve Pearce] Via SEA [LHP Wade Miley]

Traded: To TB [C Jonah Heim] To SEA [LHP Ariel Miranda]

Baltimore enters Monday night with a half-game lead on Toronto. Both teams can hit, however they struggle with pitching. While Toronto’s seen solid seasons from Aaron Sanchez, Marco Estrada and J.A. Happ the Orioles have relied solely on Chris Tillman. This team doesn’t have a “true” number-one starter and have gotten little production after Tillman. They needed another starting pitcher and had to settle for Wade Miley. The Orioles are similar Toronto as they don’t possess the minor league talent to trade away for a game-changing starter and that was apparent in them settling for Wade Miley. Miley has shown glimpses of success, but he’s a middle-of-the-rotation starter at best. It’s going to be a three-team race between Baltimore, Toronto, and Boston until season’s end. Regardless of trade deadline standings, I still believe David Price could be enough to sit Boston atop the AL East. Baltimore ties with Toronto as the biggest deadline losers as they could not get a dominant starting arm to help stay atop the AL East, and make a deep playoff push.

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