As the trade deadline draws closer, rumors are starting to swirl about who might be available in a trade and what contenders have the assets to pounce on a deal.
While the biggest names won’t likely move until closer to the August 2nd deadline, let’s take a look at some smaller deals and other news from around the league this week.
Mets Net Vogelbach For Reliever
The New York Mets were able to add a little pop to their bench as they acquired Daniel Vogelbach from the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for reliever Colin Holderman.
Vogelbach is signed through this season with a club option for just $1.5 million next season. In 282 at bats, Vogelbach is hitting .229/.340/.429 with 12 home runs, 34 runs batted in, and 30 runs scored.
While he obviously will not supplant Pete Alonso at first, Vogelbach does give a lefty bench option with pop that can also get some at bats at both first and designated hitter.
In return, the Pirates brought in the 26-year-old Holderman, who had pitched in 15 games in relief, going 4-0 with a 2.04 ERA. He also had a 1.019 WHIP and 18 strikeouts in 17.2 innings for New York.
While the Pirates (40-56) sit 13 games back in their division, the Mets (59-37) are leading the NL East by 1.5 games over the Braves and have the second-best record in the National League.
New York currently has the fourth-best odds of winning the World Series at +800.
Giants Bring In Lefty Reliever
In another small trade this week, the San Francisco Giants traded for Tampa Bay Rays’ reliever Ben Bowden. The 27-year-old Bowden has not pitched at the MLB level this season but has had some success at Triple-A.
In 28 games this season in the minors, he is 4-0 with a 3.94 ERA, 1.517 WHIP, and has 35 strikeouts in 29.2 innings.
Bowden did pitch in the majors last season with Colorado, amassing a 3-2 record with a 6.56 ERA in 39 games. After struggling early on, he was claimed by the Rays back in April. Now, he could get another opportunity to reach the majors for a team trying to contend in a loaded NL West.
While the Giants sit 16.5 games back in the division, they sit just two games back of the third Wild Card spot. San Francisco is currently +6000 to win the World Series this year.
Several Injuries Around The League
Unfortunately, this week was also chalked full of injuries around the league. Here are some of the biggest names that are hitting the injured list.
Jazz Chisholm Jr. will be out for the foreseeable future for the Miami Marlins as he suffered a stress fracture in his back. The 24-year-old Chisholm was hitting .254/.325/.535 with 14 home runs, 45 runs batted in, 39 runs scored, and 12 stolen bases this season.
Catcher Tyler Stephenson will also hit the shelf after breaking his clavicle on a foul ball during a game against the Cardinals on Friday. When healthy, the Cincinnati Reds’ catcher is having a strong year hitting .319/.372/.482 with six home runs, 35 runs batted in, and 24 runs scored.
Elsewhere, the New York Yankees lost a major weapon out of their bullpen as Michael King suffered a fracture in his throwing elbow. In 51 innings, King was 6-3 with a 2.29 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, and had 66 strikeouts.
He will be out for the rest of the season and hopes to be ready by next spring training.
Lastly, Atlanta Braves’ outfielder Adam Duvall will miss the rest of the season after having surgery on his left wrist. Serving primarily as a platoon player with Eddie Rosario in left field, the 33-year-old Duvall was hitting .213/.276/.401 with 12 home runs, 36 runs batted in, and 39 runs scored.
