MLB Trade Deadline 2023 Moves & Rumors: Padres Acquire LHP Rich Hill & 1B Ji-Man Choi from Pirates

As the MLB trade deadline approaches on Tuesday, keep up with the latest rumors, trades, and reactions. The MLB trade deadline is quickly approaching, and the rumor mill is in full swing like Padres Acquire LHP Rich Hill & 1B Ji-Man Choi from Pirates.

It can be one of the most exciting and heartbreaking times of the MLB season, as players can go anywhere unexpectedly, teams can grow stronger and more formidable (or completely demolish), and fans of selling teams must say goodbye to their stars and accept their fate of a playoff-free October.

The MLB trade deadline @ Friday at 6 p.m. Tuesday, EST.

Until then, you may read about and respond to all of the agreements here.
Rich Hill and Ji-Man Choi have been added to the Padres’ roster.
Rich Hill’s lengthy and winding career has brought him to a 13th team.

According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, the San Diego Padres are acquiring the veteran southpaw as well as first baseman Ji-Man Choi from the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Pitching prospect Jackson Wolf, outfield prospect Estuar Suero, and first baseman/outfielder Alfonso Rivas all expected to return to the Padres. Wolf is presently listed as the Padres’ 16th best prospect.

Due to their disappointing season and moveable assets such as Blake Snell, Josh Hader, and, potentially, Juan Soto, the Padres had long loomed as a significant seller, but a recent run of eight wins in their last 13 games has them at 52-55 and five games back of the third and final NL wild-card spot.

They have a long way to go, but their +62 run differential, which ranks third in the NL, suggests they could benefit from some positive reversion.

Hill and Choi will assist with this by providing reinforcements in problem regions for San Diego. With a 4.76 ERA and 104 strikeouts in 119 innings, Hill isn’t having his best season, but the Padres have been low on rotation depth for a long.

Choi is now hitting.205/.224/.507 in 76 plate appearances, which is an improvement above the Padres’ current first base slash line of.220/.303/364, with a wOBA of.293 ranking third-worst in MLB.

Braves Acquires Brad Hand From Rockies

The Atlanta Braves are baseball’s best club, but they’re still improving.

The Braves have traded for Colorado Rockies reliever Brad Hand, according to MLB writer Robert Murray, in a move that will improve their bullpen.

They don’t really require it. The Braves, an unstoppable giant, already have one of the best bullpens in baseball. However, the veteran Hand will provide them with the left-handed depth they require to continue annihilating teams at an alarming rate.

This season, the 2023 Braves haven’t had a losing streak longer than four games, and they’ve only reached four straight losses three times.

Hand will become the first pitcher in MLB history to have appeared for all five National League East teams when he makes his debut for the Braves.

The Astros are interested in Justin Verlander, who is on the market.
With the deadline approaching, the market’s biggest name is allegedly still very much in play.

According to Ken Rosenthal and Chandler Rome of The Athletic, the New York Mets are attempting to deal Justin Verlander before the deadline on Tuesday, and the Houston Astros are interested.

According to the source, Veralander has a full no-trade clause and would want to return to his former squad if dealt.

Verlander pitched in Houston for five seasons, winning two of his three Cy Young Awards and two World Series rings. According to the article, he has a close relationship with team owner Jim Crane.

The Astros began Monday’s game a game behind the AL West-leading Texas Rangers, who have made a number of recent moves, including acquiring Verlander’s now ex-Mets teammate Max Scherzer.

In the tense AL West competition, acquiring Verlander would be a tremendous counterpunch.

The Dodgers are also allegedly interested in Verlander. Because of his no-trade clause, Verlander ultimately controls where he lands.

In a trade with the Mariners, the Diamondbacks acquire closer Paul Sewald.
According to Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic, the Diamondbacks agreed to terms with the Seattle Mariners on Monday for closer Paul Sewald.

The Mariners will receive infielder Josh Rojas and outfielder Dominic Canzone in exchange. According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, Seattle will also receive minor-league infielder Ryan Bliss as part of the deal.

Sewald has a 2.93 ERA, 60 strikeouts, and 21 saves in 43 innings thrown in his third season in Seattle. After the 2024 season, he will be eligible for free agency.

In the Arizona bullpen, Sewald joins relievers Andrew Chafin, Miguel Castro, Scott McGough, and Kevin Ginkel.

The Diamondbacks, who dominated the National League West for much of the season, enter Monday’s series opening against the San Francisco Giants having lost 11 of their previous 15 games since the All-Star break.

They lost two of three to the Mariners and are four games behind the division-leading Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Mets continue their downsizing by sending Mark Canha to the Brewers.
According to various sources, the New York Mets’ retooling continues with the trade of outfielder Mark Canha to the Milwaukee Brewers. In exchange, the Brewers will send pitching prospect Justin Jarvis to the Mets.

The deal adds a capable bat to the Brewers’ lineup at a time when they are in a tight playoff chase. Canha, 34, has a.245/.343/.381 slash line with 6 home runs, 29 RBI, and 7 stolen bases in 89 games this season.

Milwaukee was 57-49 entering Monday, a half-game behind the first-place Cincinnati Reds in the NL Central. The third-place Chicago Cubs are 53-52, 3.5 games back of the Brewers. The Milwaukee Brewers have a half-game lead over the Philadelphia Phillies for the last NL wild-card slot.

The Mets, who just released starter Max Scherzer and closer David Robertson, gain another prospect in Jarvis, a 23-year-old right-hander ranked 30th by MLB.com.

What Does It Mean for Mets and Brewers?

With a basic strategy of great pitching development and just enough offense, the smallest-market Brewers have recently created a run of constant competitiveness. With a team wRC+ of 88 — or 22% below league average for overall offense — they may have stretched that formula as far as it can go this season.

The Mets’ willingness to take the majority of several outgoing players’ wages, as well as their desire to address their growing shortage of big-league arms, made for a solid fit.

Even a down year — or, depending on how you look at it, an anticipated age decline — from Canha constitutes an offensive gain for the Brewers.

His 107 wRC+ ranks fourth among Brewers with at least 100 plate appearances, and his.343 average ranks third. For better or worse, Canha (34) and the Brewers’ other low-cost deadline pickup, Carlos Santana (37), will be the team’s oldest players right away.

These two may not be the most athletic recruits, but they bring a wealth of experience to a club seeking to overtake the similarly young and energetic Cincinnati Reds.

Meanwhile, as part of their trade, the Mets finally get pitching back in Jarvis. The 23-year-old fifth-round pick has already made a handful of Triple-A starts, and MLB Pipeline expects him to make his MLB debut next year.

It remains to be seen whether this makes the Mets more willing to trade their lone remaining ace, Justin Verlander. Hannah Keyser’s

To boost their playoff chances, the Cubs have signed Nats third baseman Jeimer Candelario.
The Chicago Cubs are buying with the NL Central and a wild card in sight. According to various sources, the Cubs acquired Washington Nationals third baseman Jeimer Candelario on Monday. Candelario, 29, has a.258/.342/.481 slash line with 16 home runs, 53 RBI, and 6 stolen bases in 99 games this season.

The Cubs were four games behind the first-place Cincinnati Reds in the NL Central and 3.5 games out of the NL’s last wild-card slot entering Monday.

The Nationals received shortstop prospect Kevin Made and pitching prospect DJ Herz in exchange. According to MLB.com, Made was the 14th-ranked Cubs prospect, and Herz was ranked 16th.

Pollock and Mathias join Giants from Mariners

The San Francisco Giants have added outfielder A.J. Pollock to their offensive arsenal. According to various sources, Pollock and utility player Mark Mathias were traded from the Seattle Mariners. The trade’s return was not immediately evident.

The Giants entered Monday with a 58-48 record, commanding the NL’s top wild-card slot and trailing the first-place Los Angeles Dodgers by two games in the NL West. Pollack, a former All-Star, has a.173/.225/.323 slash line, 5 home runs, and 15 RBI through 49 games this season.

In 22 games with the Pittsburgh Pirates in season, Mathias hit.231/.355/.269 with four RBI, three stolen bases, and no home runs. On July 2, the Mariners claimed him off waivers. He never played for the Seahawks.

The Rays add to their rotation in order to face the Guardians.
According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, the Tampa Bay Rays began addressing a hole in their starting rotation on Monday by trading for Cleveland Guardians pitcher Aaron Civale.

Kyle Manzardo, a first baseman and top-50 overall prospect in baseball, will be traded to Cleveland as part of the deal.

Civale, who missed two months due to injury, has been outstanding on the mound in 2023, posting a 2.34 ERA, which ranks second among starters with at least 50 innings pitched.

The data don’t support the concept that he can maintain that level of greatness, but the 28-year-old right-hander has been a good major-league starter and is under team control until 2025.

The Rays, who are currently leading the AL East, have been rushing to fill out their rotation since Drew Rasmussen and Jeffrey Springs were injured early this season. Civale will fill in and may be especially useful if the Rays decide to demote youngster Taj Bradley due to innings or performance concerns.

Manzardo, who is now on the injured list at Triple-A, might be ready to aid the offense-starved Guardians as soon as he is fit, and he will undoubtedly be a factor in their 2024 plans.

Manzardo, who is expected to be a very strong hitter, might provide the Guardians with a much-needed threat in the lineup. Only perennial MVP candidate José Ramirez and first baseman Josh Naylor have been above-average hitters for Cleveland this season.

Depending on when Manzardo is ready to make his major league debut, it may be difficult to decide where to place Naylor and offseason acquisition Josh Bell, a first baseman and designated hitter.

Angels place extra advertisements in the vicinity of Shohei Ohtani.
The Los Angeles Angels have agreed to terms with the Colorado Rockies to acquire outfielder Randal Grichuk and first baseman C.J. According to several accounts, Cron.

According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, the Rockies will acquire pitching prospects Jake Madden and Mason Albright in exchange. They’ll also send the Angels $2 million in cash.

The deal demonstrates the Angels’ commitment to developing around and seeking to keep Shohei Ohtani, who they refused to trade before the trade deadline.

The Rangers add Jordan Montgomery from the Cardinals to their roster.
According to various sources, the St. Louis Cardinals traded starting pitcher Jordan Montgomery to the Texas Rangers on Sunday.

The news came just minutes after the Cardinals sent reliever Jordan Hicks to the Toronto Blue Jays.

According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, St. Louis is also sending reliever Chris Stratton to Texas. The Cardinals will acquire Rangers infielder Thomas Saggese as well as pitchers Tekoah Roby and John King.

Montgomery joins a Rangers team that on Saturday acquired three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer from the New York Mets. Texas is strengthening its rotation in order to keep its one-game AL West lead over the Houston Astros.

Texas is without All-Star starter Nathan Eovaldi, who was placed on the 15-day injured list on Sunday due to arm irritation. After undergoing Tommy John surgery, ace Jacob deGrom is out for the season.

Jordan Hicks of Cardinals Acquired by Blue Jays

According to various sources, the Toronto Blue Jays have agreed to a trade to acquire St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Jordan Hicks.

Hicks will come in Toronto while All-Star closer Jordan Romano is out with back pain.

Hicks, 26, has a 3.67 ERA and 1.512 WHIP in 41 2/3 innings this season, with 59 strikeouts and 24 walks. With eight saves, he was tied for the Cardinals lead with Giovanny Gallegos.

At the time of the deal, the 59-47 Blue Jays were in the middle of the AL wild-card battle and five games behind the first-place Baltimore Orioles in the AL East. The Cardinals are in last place in the NL Central with a record of 46-60.

The Braves acquire infield depth with the acquisition of Nicky Lopez from the Royals.
The Atlanta Braves announced the acquisition of infielder Nicky Lopez from the Kansas City Royals in exchange for relief pitcher Taylor Hearn on Sunday.

Lopez, 28, is a versatile player who will give depth to Atlanta’s All-Star infield. In 67 games, he’s hitting.210/.322/.280 with 13 RBI and four stolen bases. In five MLB seasons, he has only hit five home runs, with none since 2021.

Hearn, 28, joins the Royals after pitching one inning for the Braves after being acquired from the Texas Rangers last week. This season, he has pitched 7 1/3 innings with a 14.73 ERA. In 100 innings with the Rangers last season, he had a 5.13 ERA.

Rangers seeking for more after trading Max Scherzer

The Texas Rangers have signed probably the biggest name in starting pitching, Max Scherzer, and arguably the biggest name in bullpen, Aroldis Chapman. But they don’t appear to be finished.

According to MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand, the Rangers are still seeking for a starting pitcher and one or two relievers before the trade deadline on Tuesday. “They are going for it,” an anonymous executive is supposed to have stated.

The Rangers have a one-game lead in the AL West and plenty of motivation to bolster a pitching staff that is missing would-be star Jacob deGrom due to a second Tommy John surgery.

The Cardinals’ president has stated that Nolan Arenado will not be traded.
Another huge name has dropped out. John Mozeliak, president of baseball operations for the St. Louis Cardinals, informed the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that the team will not trade star third baseman Nolan Arenado, who had been believed to be available.
According to the Post-Dispatch:

“I have stated that we are not trading him, and I have not asked him to waive his no-trade clause,” Mozeliak said on Saturday to the Post-Dispatch. “At the moment, we’re focusing on laying the groundwork for future success.”

Players not being available has been a theme this trade deadline, with the Los Angeles Angels (Shohei Ohtani) and Chicago Cubs (Marcus Stroman, Cody Bellinger) both reported not to be selling, despite being numerous games out of a wild-card place. With a record of 46-59 and a 10.5-game deficit, the Cardinals are in even worse shape.

Mets agrees to deal Max Scherzer to Rangers

Max Scherzer stated that he wanted to speak with the New York Mets brass. We probably have a good notion of how that chat went.

According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the Mets and the Texas Rangers agreed on a trade on Saturday that would send Scherzer to the AL West rivals.

The two teams were chatting, according to SNY’s Andy Martino and Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News.

Due to Scherzer’s no-trade provision, the move required his agreement and struck a temporary hitch linked to his 2024 option, but the teams approved the deal later Saturday.

The Mets made it apparent that they were sellers earlier this week when they sent David Robertson to the Miami Marlins.

That was the move that prompted Scherzer to tell reporters on Friday that he was reconsidering his future with the team, as his priority is to play for a contender, which the 49-54 Mets are not.
According to Martino, the Mets will obtain Rangers prospect Luisangel Acua, the younger brother of Atlanta Braves MVP frontrunner Ronald Acua Jr., in exchange for the three-time Cy Young champion.

MLB Pipeline lists Luisangel Acua as the 44th best prospect in baseball and the Rangers’ system’s third best.

Scherzer hasn’t been as dominant this season, with a 4.01 ERA in 19 starts, but the great desire for elite pitching in this year’s limited market provided an opportunity for New York to maximize his value.

Marcus Stroman and Cody Bellinger may no longer be available

As the trade deadline approached, the Chicago Cubs were widely expected to be sellers, but a six-game winning streak could be bad news for other possible bidders.

According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the Cubs are reconsidering their desire to sell now that they are 51-51 and four games out of the last NL wild-card place. That may exclude Cody Bellinger and Marcus Stroman, two of the top names on the trade market.

Given how thin the pitching market is, Stroman is definitely the bigger story here. For the Chicago White Sox, Lucas Giolito, who is having a worse year than Stroman, netted a top-100 prospect in Edgar Quero and another top prospect in Ky Bush.

Lance Lynn, who has a 6.47 ERA, landed Nick Nastrini, the No. 9 prospect on MLB Pipeline, and others.

Bellinger, who is presently hitting.317/.364/.546 in 302 plate appearances, is also having a breakout season and would be an outfield boost for numerous contenders.

The Cubs are now in a similar situation to the Angels, within striking distance of a wild-card place and potentially forsaking major prospect resources for a shot at contention. The San Diego Padres, who are 2.5 games behind the Cubs and with much bigger trade chips, face the same decision.

So far, this deadline has been distinguished by unusually high pitcher values and middling teams’ unwillingness to sell. The two developments are unmistakably linked.

Astros Trades for Kendall Graveman yet again

The Houston Astros have acquired Kendall Graveman at the trade deadline for the second time in three seasons.

The organization made a trade for the right-handed reliever with the Chicago White Sox on Friday in exchange for catching prospect Korey Lee.

Graveman will rejoin the Astros after previously joining them in a trade with the Seattle Mariners at the 2021 trade deadline. This came amid a stellar season in which he posted a 1.77 ERA in 56 innings split between Seattle and Houston.

Graveman is in the second year of a three-year, $24 million contract inked with the White Sox the previous summer, so he will be with the Astros next year as well. He has a 3.48 ERA and 42 strikeouts in 44 innings this season, and he will join an Astros bullpen that ranks 14th in MLB with a 3.84 ERA.

The White Sox have traded away five pitchers in three days and could trade even more guys before the deadline. Lee is the Astros’ No. 5 prospect, according to MLB Pipeline, and a player who made his MLB debut last season.

The Dodgers have acquired Lance Lynn and Joe Kelly from the White Sox.
Following a few days of speculation about possible trades involving the Dodgers, it was reported on Friday that Los Angeles has acquired some pitching depth from Chicago.

In exchange for starter Lance Lynn and WR Joe Kelly, the White Sox will acquire starter Nick Nastrini (now in Double-A), reliever Jordan Leasure (Double-A), and OF Tray Thompson.
The Dodgers will also have the option to pick up Lynn’s $18.5 million club option or $1 million buyout in 2024, according to Bob Nightengale.

The Dodgers have been in severe need of starting pitchers. Clayton Kershaw and Dustin May are both out with injuries, Walker Buehler is still recovering from Tommy John surgery, and Noah Syndergaard was simply horrible until he was traded to the Cleveland Guardians on Wednesday.

Lynn has a 6.47 ERA in 21 starts (119 2/3 innings), which isn’t great, but he’s not expected to be an ace. They need him to be healthy and eat innings, both of which he is capable doing.

Kelly, a reliever with a 4.97 ERA in 29 innings, helped the Dodgers win the 2020 World Series. He’s the Dodgers’ second returnee this week, following the acquisition of utility player Kiké Hernandez in a deal with the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday.

Marlins Acquires David Robertson from Mets

The New York Mets have announced that they will be selling their team.

The franchise, which is currently in fourth place in the NL East with a record of 47-54, revealed Thursday that it had traded closer David Roberson to the Miami Marlins.

In exchange, the Mets will receive infield prospect Marco Vargas, who is ranked 18th in the Marlins’ farm system by MLB Pipeline, and catcher prospect Ronald Hernandez, who is ranked 21st.

This season, Robertson has a 2.05 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 48 strikeouts, and 14 saves in 44 innings across 40 appearances. His addition strengthens the Miami bullpen, which is currently led in saves by A.J. Puk, with a 4.45 ERA.

It’s an uncommon deal between divisional rivals, but it makes sense considering each team’s relative positions.

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