MLB Weekly Digest 8/7/17

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The last week in MLB was about a team in the American League landing an ace, a club in the National League increases their odds of winning the World Series, and a starting pitcher gets placed on waivers.

Yankees Bolster Rotation with Acquisition of Gray

The New York Yankees bolstered their rotation by acquiring starting pitcher Sonny Gray from the Oakland Athletics.

RHP Sonny Gray traded to NYY with $1.5M in int’l bonus slot $ for OF Dustin Fowler, IF Jorge Mateo, RHP James Kaprielian.

— Oakland A’s ??⚾️ (@Athletics) July 31, 2017

They landed Gray from the Oakland Athletics, by sending them outfielder Dustin Fowler, infielder Jorge Mateo and pitcher James Kaprielian.

Gray was one of the premier arms available at the trade deadline, and the Yankees have added an ace to their rotation. He posted a 3.43 era in 97 innings (16 starts) for the A’s this season with 94 K’s and just eight home runs surrendered.

He looks healthy on the mound and its shown by the success he’s achieved in 2017. Gray pitched well in his debut for the Yankees, tossing six innings and yielding four runs (two earned). He gave up just four hits and fanned six batters.

The move to get Gray not only helps the Yankees this year but in the future as well, considering Gray won’t be eligible to become a free agent until 2020.

Dodgers Add Darvish To Stack Rotation

The Los Angeles Dodgers pulled off a major blockbuster with the trade deadline winding down to get Yu Darvish from the Texas Rangers.

OFFICIAL: Yu Darvish has been traded to the Dodgers for OF/2B Willie Calhoun, RHP A.J. Alexy & INF Brendon Davis. pic.twitter.com/Ht2d3qtDoL

— Texas Rangers (@Rangers) July 31, 2017

They sent second baseman Willie Calhoun, pitcher A.J. Alexy, and infielder Brendon Davis to get Darvish.

Darvish has struggled at times this season but is still an excellent pitcher. The move made perfect sense for the Rangers, as Darvish will be a free agent at the end of the season.

Darvish was phenomenal in his Dodgers’ debut. He tossed seven scoreless innings, yielding just three hits, struck out 10 batters and walked only one batter.

The Dodgers will presumably have Clayton Kershaw, Alex Wood, and Darvish as their pitching rotation for the postseason, which is a very intimidating trio for opposing teams come October.

The move to get Darvish also shows the strength of the Dodgers’ farm system, as they acquired a pitcher the caliber of Darvish without dealing any of their top prospects.

Verlander Clears Revocable Trade Waivers

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Justin Verlander has cleared revocable trade waivers, per Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press.

Tigers right-hander Justin Verlander has cleared revocable trade waivers, I’m told.

— anthony fenech (@anthonyfenech) August 4, 2017

This means he is eligible to be traded to any team in MLB before the August 31 deadline.

However, trading Verlander will be a monumental task for the Tigers. He is set to make $28 million in 2018 and 2019, and there’s a vesting option in 2020 for $22 million.

Verlander has struggled at times in 2017, given his 4.20 era in 137 innings. That’s a lot of money to pay for a pitcher that’s not an ace.

The money aspect of Verlander’s contract makes it very likely that he remains with the team for the remainder of the season.

It’s possible he does get traded in the offseason, but the Tigers would need to pay a portion of what’s left on the contract.

About Post Author

Chris Lacey

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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