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The prior week in MLB was about a National League team bolstering their rotation, a division-leader acquiring bullpen help and a third baseman gets designated for assignment.
Cubs Add Quintana in Five-Player Deal
The Chicago Cubs made a trade on Thursday to add a stellar starting pitcher to their rotation.
They acquired pitcher Jose Quintana from the Chicago White Sox in exchange for outfielder Eloy Jimenez, right-hander pitcher Dylan Cease, and infielders Matt Rose and Bryant Flete, per Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports.
Jimenez and Cease were #Cubs’ top two prospects per https://t.co/r272dAOexg. Rose and Flete, both at Class A Myrtle Beach, not in top 30.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 13, 2017
This was an area the Cubs had to address to increase their chances of performing better in the second half. The club received poor performances from the rotation during the first half, but Quintana will provide a significant boost.
The left-hander posted a 4.49 ERA in 104 1/3 innings (18 starts) with 109 K’s, 14 home runs surrendered and a 4.00 FIP with the White Sox.
The talented southpaw has a career 3.51 ERA in six seasons and is under team control until 2020 if they exercise two team options.
This was a smart trade by the White Sox as they add more talent to their farm system. The team is in a rebuilding phase, but in a couple of years could be a contender in the American League Central.
Nationals Acquire Madson And Doolittle from Athletics
The Washington Nationals have had a glaring weakness for much of the 2017 season which was their bullpen.
The Nats took a significant step in the right direction to remedy that problem on Sunday.
They traded reliever Blake Treinen, left-handed pitching prospect Jesus Luzardo and third baseman Sheldon Neuse to the Oakland Athletics for relievers Sean Doolittle and Ryan Madson, per Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports.
Prospects headed to #Athletics from #Nationals are LH Jesus Lazardo and 3B Sheldon Neuse. Those two plus Treinen for Doolittle, Madson.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 16, 2017
Doolittle has compiled a 3.38 ERA in 21 1/3 innings (23 games) with 31 strikeouts, two walks issued, three homers allowed and a 2.35 FIP.
Madson has a posted a 2.06 ERA in 39 1/3 innings (40 games) with 39 strikeouts, six walks issued, two home runs were given up and a 2.43 FIP.
The two relievers will strengthen a Nationals bullpen that has struggled this season. Their bullpen is last in the Senior Circuit with a 5.34 ERA.
The closing stages of games for the Nats should have less drama with Madson and Doolittle on the roster.
The other terrific aspect of the trade is neither reliever will be a rental player.
Madson is signed through 2018, while Doolittle could potentially be with the Nationals until 2020 if both team options are exercised.
Red Sox Designate Sandoval for Assignment
The Pablo Sandoval era is over with Boston Red Sox as the team designated the third baseman for assignment on Friday.
The #RedSox today designated 3B Pablo Sandoval for assignment.
— Red Sox (@RedSox) July 14, 2017
Sandoval hit a paltry .212 in 32 games with two doubles, four home runs and 12 RBIs with the Red Sox in 2017.
The Red Sox did sign Sandoval to a five-year, $95 million in 2015, but he didn’t come close to resembling the player who played a crucial role with the San Francisco Giants years ago.
The third baseman was injured, had difficulty performing well and issues about him being overweight were a dark cloud with his time in Boston.
Jon Morosi of MLB Network mentioned that the $49.5 million still owed to Sandoval is the second largest amount of dead money on a contract in MLB history, trailing only Josh Hamilton.
To recap: Pablo Sandoval is due ~ $49.5M, which represents 2nd most dead money on a contract in @MLB history, after Josh Hamilton.
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 14, 2017
The Red Sox will be looking to add a third baseman at the trade deadline, while Sandoval will seek to continue his career with another organization.
Author Profile
- Chris is a New Jersey native whose favorite sports team is the Arizona Diamondbacks. He previously attended Western New England College to study Sports Management. Chris has been following the Diamondbacks since he was 12. You can find him on Twitter at @aecanada12.
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