MLB Weekly Digest August 6th Edition

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The last week in MLB was about a team in the National League acquiring a talented pitcher, a veteran starting pitcher will undergo season-ending surgery, and a manager will step down at the end of the season.

Pittsburgh Pirates Deal Three Players to Acquire Chris Archer from Tampa Bay Rays

The Pittsburgh Pirates pulled off a shocking move before the trade deadline as they acquired starting pitcher Chris Archer from the Tampa Bay Rays.

The Pirates sent right-handed pitcher Tyler Glasnow, outfielder Austin Meadows, and a player to be named later, per an announcement by the Rays.

We’ve traded RH Chris Archer to Pittsburgh in exchange for RH Tyler Glasnow, OF Austin Meadows and a player to be named. pic.twitter.com/TLt9E7VQsM

— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) July 31, 2018

The player to be named won’t be just a throw-in as it will be someone that has significant value, per Bob Nightengale of USA Today.

The player to be named in the Chris Archer trade, according to a #Rays official, is hardly a throw-in or fringe prospect. It’s a player of significant value.

— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) July 31, 2018

The Pirates gave up plenty as Meadows and Glasnow were two of the best prospects in their farm system, but they gained a potential ace in adding Archer.

The right-hander has struggled to remain consistent in 2018 as indicated by his 4.31 ERA in 96 innings (17 starts) with 102 strikeouts, 31 walks issued, and 11 home runs yielded with the Rays.

He debuted with the Pirates a couple days ago, and it wasn’t impressive. Archer allowed five runs (four earned runs) on seven hits with six strikeouts and four walks.

The other important aspect with Archer is the Pirates will have him under club control for at least the next two years, and another two years if they exercise the team options in 2020 and 2021.

The Rays received excellent value in this deal as Glasnow and Meadows can help them in the future.

The Pirates paid a steep price to acquire Archer, but it will be worth it if he becomes the ace of their rotation.

San Francisco Giants Starting Pitcher Johnny Cueto Out for 2018 Season Due to Tommy John Surgery

The San Francisco Giants will be without one member of their starting rotation for the rest of the 2018 season.

It was announced last week Johnny Cueto will undergo Tommy John surgery.

The #SFGiants announced today that right-handed pitcher Johnny Cueto will undergo Tommy John surgery tomorrow. Dr. Neal ElAttrache will perform the procedure at the Kerlin Jobe clinic in Los Angeles.

Cueto went 3-2 with a 3.23 ERA in nine starts this season.

— San Francisco Giants (@SFGiants) August 2, 2018

The loss of Cueto is significant for the Giants as they’re trying to remain in contention in the National League West.

Cueto posted a 3.23 ERA in nine starts (53 innings) with 38 strikeouts, 13 walks issued, eight home runs surrendered, a 4.72 FIP and a 1.11 WHIP.

The Giants will probably put Ty Blach back in the starting rotation. He’s posted a 4.28 ERA in 33 games for the Giants (12 starts) this year.

It’s a crushing blow for Cueto to need surgery. Hopefully, he can have a smooth recovery process and contribute for the Giants in 2020.

Los Angeles Angels Manager Mike Scioscia Will Step Down At End of Season

The Los Angeles Angels will be looking for a new manager for the 2019 season. Manager Mike Scioscia is reportedly expected to step down at the end of this season, per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.

From last night: #Angels manager Mike Scioscia expected to step down at the end of the season, sources tell The Athletic. Story: https://t.co/OeF1zOZiAG $

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) August 5, 2018

Scioscia is in the final year of his contract and has decided its time to move on.

He’s the longest-tenured manager in baseball, as he has been the club’s manager since 2000. Scioscia has led the Angels to one World Series title, which happened in 2002.

The Angels have won six division titles, he’s compiled a 1,625 -1,402 regular-season record and won the American League Manager of the Year Award twice (2002 and 2009).

Scioscia has a solid case for being selected into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

There are just 17 other managers who have won more games than him, and 12 of them are in Cooperstown.

Though the Angels are on a path to miss the playoffs for the fourth straight year, Scioscia has done a stable job during his nearly two decades with the team.

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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