CarterHud

          The Milwaukee Brewers have acquired 2B Neil Walker from the New York Mets in exchange for a player to be named later (PTBNL).

           With 2B Jonathan Villar having an awful 2017, the Brewers have been looking for a 2B to bolster their roster. They reportedly have been in talks with the Detroit Tigers including 2B Ian Kinsler, but the two sides were unable to complete a deal. Walker is a switch hitter like Villar, but unlike Kinsler, so that could be something Milwaukee liked more about him. Also, he\’s a pending free agent, so Villar can try and get things together in 2018.

              Walker, 31, has a .264 batting average, 10 homers and 36 RBIs in 299 Plate Appearances for the Mets this year. In his nine year career for the Mets and Pittsburgh Pirates, Walker has a .272 batting average, 126 homers, 509 RBIs and 29 steals in 4183 Plate Appearances.

                The Mets, completely out of the playoff hunt, are selling all their rentals, like Walker. Lucas Duda was traded to the Rays. Jay Bruce is now an Indian. Walker is ineligible for a qualifying offer, since the Mets tendered an offer to Walker last year, which he excepted, so he can\’t be tendered one this year. At least they get value out of Walker. The only thing is, since it\’s a waiver trade, his value dropped, so they only get a PTBNL.

                  I think the Brewers win this trade. They get an MLB starting second baseman for what seems to be a low leveled prospect. That\’s why they win.

           The Cleveland Indians have acquired OF Jay Bruce from the New York Mets in exchange for RHP prospect Ryder Ryan.

           The Indians, currently 3.5 games ahead of the Kansas City Royals for the AL Central lead, are looking to improve their roster. Bruce is a power bat in the outfield, and isn\’t a horrible fielder. Today, star LF Michael Brantley went on the DL. Bruce is a good replacement option for this season. Bruce is also a rental. Plus, they don\’t give up much. Also, he is good at the Indians home stadium, Progressive Field. In 23 career games there, Bruce has a .384 batting average and 1.031 OPS.

          Bruce, 30, has a .258 batting average, 29 homers and 75 RBIs in 445 Plate Appearances for the Mets this year. In his 10 year career for the Mets and the Indians\’ cross-town rival, the Cincinnati Reds, Bruce has a .249 batting average, 270 homers, 812 RBIs and 61 stolen bases in 1372 Plate Appearances.

            The Mets have struggled this year, and are trading their rentals, like Bruce. They get something in Ryan, but not much. He\’s an ex 30th round pick, who isn\’t doing so well at single-A this year. He doesn\’t have MLB potential.

              Ryan, 22, has a 4.79 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 49 strikeouts in 41.1 innings at Single-A this year. In his minor league career, Ryan has a 4.50 ERA, 1.51 WHIP and 73 strikeouts in 60 innings.

              I think the Indians win this trade. They get a major leaguer having an amazing season for a minor leaguer having a bad year at Single-A. It\’s clear they win.

         The Chicago White Sox have acquired RHP Steve Johnson from the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for cash.

         The White Sox only make this move so they can have depth for AAA this year. Johnson has some MLB experience, but not much. He can help down in the Charlotte (AAA) pen. They only give up cash for him, so it won\’t hurt them in the future.

           Johnson, 29, hasn\’t played in the majors this year. At Norfolk (AAA) this year, Johnson has a 5.30 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 39 strikeouts in 37.1 innings. In his four year major league career for the Orioles and Seattle Mariners, Johnson has a 4.26 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 86 strikeouts in 76 innings.

          In this trade, the Orioles essentially acquire free cash. Johnson is struggling at AAA, and is no where near the majors at the point he\’s pitching at, so he\’s practically useless. This trade doesn\’t affect them at all, really.

              The Seattle Mariners have acquire RHP Ernesto Frieri from the Texas Rangers in exchange for cash considerations.

              The Mariners bullpen at Tacoma (AAA) is depleted. Frieri is solid bullpen depth for the big league club, and a go-to option for AAA. Also, Frieri is an ex MLB closer for the Los Angeles Angels (2012-2014). He can be a good mentor for the young pitchers at AAA. They just give up cash, so it\’s not like it\’ll eventually hurt them. Frieri was assigned to Tacoma after the trade.

              Frieri, 32, has a 5.14 ERA, 1.71 WHIP and five strikeouts in seven innings for the Rangers this year. In AAA for the Rangers and New York Yankees, Frieri has a 2.63 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 34 strikeouts in 27.1 innings this year. In his eight year MLB career for the Rangers, Angels, Tampa Bay Rays, Pittsburgh Pirates and San Diego Padres, Frieri has a 3.59 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 73 saves and 387 strikeouts in 303.1 innings.

                The Rangers only make this trade because they get cash for a minor league pending free agent. It\’s not a bad trade by any means. It\’s essentially free cash since Frieri isn\’t really part of their team.

            The Seattle Mariners have acquired 1B Yonder Alonso from the Oakland Athletics in exchange for OF prospect Boog Powell.

             The Mariners are 1.5 games out of the Wild Card race, and are trying to make the playoffs for the first time since 2001. Alonso is a solid power bat that can platoon with 1B Danny Valencia in Seattle. He\’s also a rental, so they won\’t have him next year (most likely).

               Alonso, 30, has a .266 batting average, 22 homers, 49 homers and one steal in 371 Plate Appearances this year. In his eight year career for the A\’s, San Diego Padres and Cincinnati Reds, Alonso has a .268 batting average, 61 homers, 288 RBIs and 21 stolen bases in 2714 Plate Appearances.

                 As sellers, the A\’s are able to make a waiver trade and get rid of a rental. They get an MLB ready prospect in Powell, who isn\’t former Orioles star Boog Powell, so that\’s good. If Powell doesn\’t play for Oakland this year, He\’ll probably play next year.

                  Powell, 24, made his MLB debut this year, with a .194 batting average, no homers and two RBIs in 43 Plate Appearances. In AAA this year, he has a .340 batting average, six homer, 33 RBIs and 11 steals in 239 Plate Appearances. In his minor league career, Powell has a .306 batting average, 15 homers, 155 RBIs and 74 stolen bases in 1791 Plate Appearances.

                  I think this is an even trade. The Mariners get a rental for a young player who\’s MLB ready. The only thing that stops the Mariners winning is that Alonso is a rental. The only thing stopping the A\’s from winning is that Powell is a risk, already being suspended in the minors twice, including when he was with the A\’s organization back in 2014.