Let’s take a closer look at the trades that happened today, July 29
Cardinals and Yankees make an interesting trade
The Cardinals acquired reliever Chasen Shreve and pitcher Giovanny Gallegos from the Yankees in exchange for 1B Luke Voit and international signing bonus pool money. Shreve, 28, has a 4.26 ERA, 1.500 WHIP, and 4.98 FIP. Some of these struggles can be pointed towards his 4.3 BB/9 and 1.9 HR/9. Gallegos, 26, was ranked as the Yankees’ number 26 prospect, has a 4.50 ERA in 10 innings in the MLB, to go along with a 3.90 ERA in 27.2 innings in Triple-A. Voit, 27, is 2 for 11 with a home run in the MLB this season and is hitting .300/.392/.508 with 10 home runs in Triple-A.
Cardinals: After trading reliever Sam Tuivailala and designating Tyler Lyons and Greg Holland for assignment, the Cardinals were in need of some bullpen depth. The Cardinals also lack any lefties that they can call upon in the late innings, and Shreve still has the upside to become that. He’s controlled through 2022, so this isn’t a rental by any means. Gallegos has a tremendous 41-7 K-BB ration in the minors, so he could be a valuable spot starter or long reliever. They have little use for international bonus money, as they’re barred from using any more than $300,000 anyway. There also was no room for Voit with Jose Martinez and Matt Carpenter plugged in as the two options at first base. Grade: A
Yankees: After acquiring Zach Britton, the Yankees didn’t have any use for a third lefty in Shreve. They also have plenty of MLB ready options at pitchers ahead of Gallegos. Therefore, both were extremely expendable. The international bonus money was very important, as they’ll use it to sign RHP prospect Osiel Rodriguez from Cuba. Rodriguez throws five effective pitches already at just 16 years old, so he is a big priority for the Yankees. Voit also gives them another option as a bench power bat and could help fill in at DH while Aaron Judge is injured if given the chance. Grade: A
Braves acquire RP Brad Brach
The Braves have acquired reliever Brad Brach from the Orioles in exchange for $250,000 international bonus money. Brach, 32, has a 4.85 ERA, 1.80 WHIP, and a 4.01 FIP.
Braves: Atlanta relievers have just a 4.25 ERA that ranks 19th in the MLB, so it makes sense for them to acquire extra help in the bullpen. This is a low risk-high reward scenario for them as all they gave up is $250,000 in bonus money when they’re barred from spending above $300,000 anyway. While Brach has a 4.85 ERA this year, he had a 3.18 ERA last year and a 2.05 ERA the year before. If Brach can figure it out with his former pitching coach Dave Wallace, who is from the Orioles organization, then the Braves can be getting a huge steal. Grade: A
Orioles: There wasn’t going to much of a market for a reliever with a 4.85 ERA who is a free agent at year’s end, but the Orioles may have been able to do better if they waited until the August 31st waiver trade deadline. If Brach was able to put together a couple solid outings, then Baltimore may have been able to attach a prospect to that international bonus money. That bonus money is important though, as the team is reportingly coveting top international prospect Victor Victor Mesa, according to Ken Rosenthal. Getting a prospect in Mesa could change the course of their rebuild for the better, so at least this trade makes sense. Grade: B
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