Anderson Espinoza Traded To Cubs

The Chicago Cubs acquired prospect pitcher Anderson Espinoza in exchange for outfielder Jake Marisnick. The 23-year-old Espinoza is a former top prospect whose career has been derailed by two Tommy John surgeries since 2016. Currently in High-A, the right-hander carries a 5.02 ERA over 28 ⅔ frames. Scouted as a fireballer with three solid pitches, […]

Jordan Luplow and DJ Johnson Headed To Tampa Bay

The Cleveland Guardians traded outfielder Jordan Luplow and pitcher DJ Johnson to the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for pitcher Peyton Battenfield. Luplow was activated from the 60-day injured list on Friday and had been sidelined since late May with an ankle injury. He will head to Tampa Bay and give the Rays outfield depth. […]

Dinelson Lamet Possibly Headed For Bullpen Role

The San Diego Padres are contemplating a bullpen role for pitcher Dinelson Lamet (forearm). After dealing with elbow, forearm and biceps issues this offseason, the 29-year-old fireball has been limited to just 34 ⅓ innings and a 3.67 ERA after myriad stints on the IL. Currently throwing in simulated games, Lamet looks poised for a […]

Richard Rodriguez Traded To Braves

Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Richard Rodriguez has been traded to the Atlanta Braves in exchange for pitchers Ricky DeVito and Bryse Wilson, the team announced on Twitter. Over five starts at High-A this year, DeVito is 0-3 with a 2.66 ERA, 1.279 WHIP and 29.7 percent strikeout rate across 20 1/3 innings of work. Wilson […]

Hansel Robles Acquired By Red Sox

Minnesota Twins relief pitcher Hansel Robles has been traded to the Red Sox for right-hander Alex Scherff. Robles was a part of a closer committee with Taylor Rogers in Minnesota but now figures to occupy a setup role with Matt Barnes entrenched as Boston's closer. It's a definite downgrade in value, but Robles could still […]

Joakim Soria Heading North To Toronto

Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Joakim Soria has been traded to the Toronto Blue Jays for two players to be named later, according to Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic. Soria has had decent value with Arizona this year, going 1-4 with six saves, a 4.30 ERA, 1.330 WHIP and 24.8 percent strikeout rate over 29 […]

Myles Straw Traded To Cleveland

Houston Astros outfielder Myles Straw has been traded to the Cleveland Indians for relief pitcher Phil Maton, according to Mark Berman of FOX26. Straw has been a solid source of speed this season, swiping 17 bases while slashing .262/.339/.326 with two homers, 34 RBI and 44 runs scored over 98 games. Meanwhile, Houston will get […]

Rangers Receive Trio Of Prospects For Gibson, Kennedy, Crouse

The Texas Rangers are receiving a trio of pitcher prospects from the Phillies for starting pitcher Kyle Gibson and relief pitcher Ian Kennedy, according to Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News. Along with this update, Levi Weaver of The Athletic now reports that Rangers prospect Hans Crouse is going to Philadelphia in this deal […]

J.A. Happ Traded To St. Louis Cardinals

Updating an earlier report, the Minnesota Twins have traded starting pitcher J.A. Happ to the St. Louis Cardinals for starting pitcher John Gant and relief pitcher Evan Sisk, according to Mark Feinsand of MLB Network. Happ has struggled on the mound this season, going 5-6 with a 6.77 ERA, 1.586 WHIP and 17.3 percent strikeout […]

Kyle Gibson, Ian Kennedy Traded To Phillies

The Texas Rangers have a deal in place to trade starting pitcher Kyle Gibson and relief pitcher Ian Kennedy to the Philadelphia Phillies, according to Jon Morosi of MLB Network. This provides a big boost to the Phillies pitching staff, as Gibson has been having a great season so far while Kennedy has been a […]

Danny Mendick, Ryan Burr Optioned To Triple-A

Chicago White Sox utility player Danny Mendick and relief pitcher Ryan Burr were optioned to Triple-A on Friday, the team announced on Twitter. The moves were made to open up space on the roster for newly acquired second baseman Cesar Hernandez and relief pitcher Ryan Tepera. Neither Mendick nor Burr had much in the way […]

Nick Madrigal, Codi Heuer Traded To Cubs

Updating an earlier report, the Chicago Cubs have acquired second baseman Nick Madrigal and relief pitcher Codi Heuer from the White Sox for relief pitcher Craig Kimbrel, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today. Madrigal is out for the rest of the year with a torn hamstring, and over 54 games this year, he slashed […]

Craig Kimbrel Traded To White Sox

Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Craig Kimbrel has been traded to the Chicago White Sox, according to Jeff Passan of ESPN. There is currently no word yet on what the return for the Cubs will be. Kimbrel has been one of the best closers in baseball for some time, and over 39 appearances this year, he […]

Trade Deadline Analysis - Relievers On The Move

The trade deadline is here! Yet, unlike in years past, we don't have to wait until hours before the deadline to get our fix. We've seen some monster names traded away already, like Max Scherzer, Trea Turner, Kyle Schwarber, and other players that aren't on the Nationals. However, for today's article, I'm just going to […]

Michael Fulmer Gaining Interest Prior To Deadline

The Detroit Tigers have had discussions with several teams about potentially trading relief pitcher Michael Fulmer, according to Jon Morosi of MLB Network. Fulmer split closing duties earlier this year with Gregory Soto, and over 27 games this season he is 4-4 with a 3.86 ERA, 1.262 WHIP and 25.6 percent strikeout rate over 42 […]

Raisel Iglesias Being Made Available By Angels

The Los Angeles Angels have made relief pitcher Raisel Iglesias available for a trade, according to Jon Heyman of MLB Network. Iglesias now joins what is a hot trade market for relief pitchers, after going 7-4 with 21 saves, a 3.23 ERA, 0.908 WHIP and 38.6 percent strikeout rate over 47 1/3 innings of work […]

Tyler Chatwood Designated For Assignment

Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Tyler Chatwood was designated for assignment on Friday to make room for the newly acquired Jose Berrios, according to Kaitlyn McGrath of The Athletic. Chatwood hasn't had great numbers this year, going 1-2 with a 5.46 ERA, 1.429 WHIP and 25.6 percent strikeout rate over 28 innings of work. Any […]

Daniel Norris Traded To Milwaukee Brewers

Updating an earlier reports, Detroit Tigers relief pitcher has been traded to the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for starting pitcher Reese Olson, according to Jason Beck of MLB.com. Norris has looked better on the mound over the last month, posting a 3.24 ERA, 0.720 WHIP and 29 percent strikeout rate over 8 1/3 innings of […]

Mark Melancon Regaining Confidence

San Diego Padres closer Mark Melancon preserved a 3-0 victory Thursday against the Colorado Rockies, collecting his 32nd save. The veteran right-hander worked around a one-out double by shortstop Trevor Story and avoided any further damage in the painless outing. After a rough stretch last month, Melancon has surrendered just two hits in his last […]

White Sox Involved In Discussions For Craig Kimbrel

The Chicago White Sox are in the midst of discussions with the Chicago Cubs to potentially acquire relief pitcher Craig Kimbrel, according to David Kaplan of NBC Sports Chicago. This comes a day after the White Sox acquired relief pitcher Ryan Tepera from their crosstown rivals, as they continue to look for bullpen help. There […]

Milwaukee Brewers Are In Talks For Daniel Norris

The Milwaukee Brewers are in talks with the Detroit Tigers to acquire relief pitcher Daniel Norris, according to Jason Beck of MLB.com. Norris has had a rough start to the season, but had looked better on the mound in the month of July, where he posted a 3.24 ERA, 0.720 WHIP and 29 percent strikeout […]

Rays Are Interested In Kris Bryant, Craig Kimbrel

The Tampa Bay Rays are expressing interest in Chicago Cubs outfielder Kris Bryant and relief pitcher Craig Kimbrel, and could trade for one or both of them, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. Rosenthal adds that there's no indication a deal is close to being completed, but the Rays now appear to be in […]

Pirates Acquire Abrahan Gutierrez From Phillies

The Pittsburgh Pirates acquired catcher Abrahan Gutierrez from the Philadelphia Phillies for relief pitcher Braeden Ogle on Friday, according to Jake Crouse of MLB.com. Gutierrez was one of the prospects Pittsburgh was set to acquire in the Tyler Anderson trade with Philadelphia that fell apart after concerns were brought up over the medical reports of […]

White Sox Sign Reliever Kyle Crick

The Chicago White Sox have signed relief pitcher Kyle Crick to a minor league deal. He was designated for assignment by the Pittsburgh Pirates, but surprisingly didn't draw any interest. The righty reliever will now get a chance with a new organization. Crick has posted a 4.43 ERA with 21 strikeouts in 24.3 innings with […]

Alexander Wells Takes Loss Thursday

Baltimore Orioles pitcher Alexander Wells fell to 1-1 in Thursday's 6-2 loss to the Tigers. Wells pitched 5 innings, allowing four runs on seven hits (including a two-run home run) and three walks with four strikeouts. The 24-year-old has now made two starts and two relief appearances for the O's this season and owns a […]

Rays Acquire Shawn Armstrong From Orioles

Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Shawn Armstrong has been dealt to the Tampa Bay Rays. In exchange for Armstrong, the Orioles will receive cash considerations. Armstrong has an 8.55 ERA over 20 appearances for the Orioles this season. He was removed from the 40-man roster last month, but has pitched well in the minors. Armstrong could […]

Michael Fulmer Closes Out Thursday's Victory

Detroit Tigers relief pitcher Michael Fulmer was called upon to close out the team's 6-2 victory over the Baltimore Orioles on Thursday. He pitched a perfect ninth inning, striking out the side while allowing no walks or hits. Fulmer returned from the injured list earlier this week and has made two appearances since then, allowing […]

Closers and Saves Report - Week 18 Waiver Wire

With the trade deadline in just a few hours, much of this article may be irrelevant by the end of the day. But it seems like several teams are trying to get ahead of the deadline and we've already seen some bullpen movement. A team with a solid closer picked up another solid closer. A […]

Announcing This Year's Fantasy Busts - The Bigger Picture

The second half of the MLB season is about two weeks deep and the trade deadline brings a flurry of activity that will shake up rosters. Last week, I advised being proactive to prepare for prospects or under-the-radar players who may jump into the starting lineup or rotation. This week, let's get reactive. While you […]

Daniel Bard Allows Two Runs In Loss

Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Daniel Bard took the loss on Thursday when he allowed two runs on one hit with a walk and two strikeouts in a 3-0 loss to the Padres. Bard entered the ball game in the bottom of the eighth inning with the Rockies trailing 1-0. He was tasked with keeping the […]