MLB Weekly Digest August 2nd Edition: Yankees Acquire Rizzo And Gallo

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The last week in MLB was about several teams making trades before the trade deadline, a starting pitcher is expected to undergo surgery, and a shortstop in the National League is placed on the injured list.

New York Yankees Acquire First Baseman Anthony Rizzo from Chicago Cubs

The New York Yankees acquired first baseman Anthony Rizzo and cash considerations from the Chicago Cubs in exchange for right-hander pitcher Alexander Vizcaino and outfielder Kevin Alcantara, per a team announcement.

The New York Yankees today announced that they have acquired INF Anthony Rizzo and cash considerations from the Chicago Cubs in exchange for minor league right-handed pitcher Alexander Vizcaíno and outfielder Kevin Alcántara.

— New York Yankees (@Yankees) July 30, 2021

The addition of Rizzo is significant for the Yankees as he plays excellent defense at first base and hits for power.

Rizzo was having a decent 2021 season for the Cubs as he posted a .248 batting average and .792 OPS in 92 games with 16 doubles, three triples, 16 home runs, and 42 RBIs.

The great aspect regarding Rizzo is he makes contact frequently, striking out only 59 times this season.

Rizzo has already made a solid first impression with his new team by hitting a home run in each of his first two games with the Yankees.

Rizzo hitting from the left side of the plate with power should help the team score more consistently.

The Yankees also made another move as they acquired outfielder Joey Gallo, left-handed pitcher Joely Rodriguez, and cash considerations from the Texas Rangers.

They sent the Rangers right-handed pitcher Glenn Otto and infielders Ezequiel Duran, Trevor Hauver, and Josh Smith, per a team announcement.

The New York Yankees today announced that they have acquired INF/OF Joey Gallo, LHP Joely Rodriguez and cash considerations from the Texas Rangers in exchange for minor league right-handed pitcher Glenn Otto and infielders Ezequiel Duran, Trevor Hauver and Josh Smith.

— New York Yankees (@Yankees) July 29, 2021

The Rangers are paying the remaining salaries for Gallo and Rodriguez, per Joel Sherman of the New York Post.

Gallo provides the Yankees with another power bat from the left side.

He hit 25 home runs with the Rangers this season but has struck out 125 times.

Gallo is a strong defensive outfielder as he has a great arm.

The Yankees are hopeful that adding Gallo and Rizzo will help them make a push for the postseason.

Los Angeles Dodgers Acquire Pitcher Max Scherzer And Shortstop Trea Turner from Washington Nationals

The Los Angeles Dodgers made a significant move before the deadline as they acquired starting pitcher Max Scherzer and shortstop Trea Turner from the Washington Nationals.

The Dodgers sent catcher Keibert Ruiz, right-handed pitchers Josiah Gray and Gerardo Carrillo, and outfielder Donovan Casey, per a team announcement.

The Los Angeles Dodgers acquired three-time Cy Young Award-winning pitcher Max Scherzer and 2021 All-Star infielder Trea Turner from the Washington Nationals in exchange for catcher Keibert Ruiz, pitchers Josiah Gray and Gerardo Carrillo and outfielder Donovan Casey.

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) July 30, 2021

Scherzer waived his no-trade clause to play with the Dodgers, per Mark Feinsand of MLB.com.

Max Scherzer will waive his no-trade clause to go to the Dodgers, per source. The blockbuster that will send Scherzer and Trea Turner from the Nationals to the Dodgers is close to happening. @JeffPassan @Ken_Rosenthal @JonHeyman all on it.

— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) July 30, 2021

The Dodgers are taking on all the salary owed to Scherzer and Turner, per Chelsea Janes of the Washington Post.

Dodgers are taking on all the money owed Scherzer and Turner, according to a person familiar with the situation.

— Chelsea Janes (@chelsea_janes) July 30, 2021

Scherzer is having a solid MLB season as he posted a 2.76 ERA in 111 innings pitched (19 starts) with 147 strikeouts, 28 walks issued, and a 0.89 WHIP.

Turner is on the injured list as he tested positive for COVID-19.

He has compiled a .322 average and .890 OPS in 96 games with 18 home runs, 49 RBIs, and 21 stolen bases.

The Dodgers did lose two of the better prospects in their farm system in Gray and Ruiz, but they have added two players that could help them defend their World Series title.

The Dodgers also acquired starting pitcher Danny Duffy and cash considerations from the Kansas City Royals for a player to be named later, per a team announcement.

The Dodgers acquired LHP Danny Duffy and cash considerations from the Kansas City Royals for a player to be named later.

In order to make room on the 40-man roster, the Dodgers designated OF DJ Peters for assignment.

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) July 29, 2021

Duffy is currently on the injured list with a flexor strain in his left forearm.

This year, he was great for the Royals as he posted a 2.51 ERA in 61 innings (12 starts) with 65 strikeouts.

The Dodgers are dealing with injuries to their starting rotation, so adding Duffy and Scherzer were great moves.

Toronto Blue Jays Acquire Starting Pitcher Jose Berrios from Minnesota Twins

The Toronto Blue Jays added their rotation by acquiring starting pitcher Jose Berrios from the Minnesota Twins.

They sent the Twins infielder Austin Martin and right-handed pitcher Simeon Woods Richardson, per a team announcement.

OFFICIAL: We’ve acquired RHP José Berríos from the Twins in exchange for SS/OF Austin Martin and RHP Simeon Woods Richardson.

Welcome to the #BlueJays, @JOLaMaKina! 👏 pic.twitter.com/rxbnDn251Z

— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) July 30, 2021

Berrios has thrown the ball well this year for the Twins, as indicated by his 3.48 ERA in 121 2/3 innings pitched (20 starts) with 126 strikeouts, 3.56 FIP, and 1.04 WHIP.

Berrios will not be eligible for MLB free agency until 2023, which is why the Blue Jays had to trade two of the better prospects in their farm system.

Chicago White Sox Acquire Reliever Craig Kimbrel from Chicago Cubs

The Chicago White Sox has acquired reliever Craig Kimbrel from the Chicago Cubs.

They sent the Cubs second baseman Nick Madrigal and reliever Codi Heuer, per a team announcement.

The #WhiteSox have acquired All-Star closer Craig Kimbrel from the Chicago Cubs in exchange for right-handed pitcher Codi Heuer and second baseman Nick Madrigal. pic.twitter.com/mfDsPKy4uq

— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) July 30, 2021

Kimbrel is having a fantastic season as he was lights out for the Cubs, posting a microscopic 0.49 ERA in 39 games with 64 strikeouts, one home run allowed, a 0.70 WHIP, and 23 saves.

Kimbrel is a terrific addition to a White Sox bullpen with closer Liam Hendriks and Michael Kopech.

Kimbrel will allow the White Sox to shorten games as their bullpen will be a weapon in the later innings.

New York Mets Acquire Shortstop Javier Baez from Chicago Cubs

The New York Mets acquired shortstop Javier Baez, right-handed pitcher Trevor Williams and cash considerations from the Chicago Cubs in exchange for outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong, per a team announcement.

We’ve acquired two-time All-Star infielder Javier Báez, RHP Trevor Williams and cash considerations from Chicago (NL) in exchange for minor league outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong. https://t.co/iguq38bish

— New York Mets (@Mets) July 30, 2021

The Mets adding Baez was major as their everyday shortstop Francisco Lindor is on the injured list with a right oblique strain.

Baez was having a decent year with the Cubs as he posted a .248 average and .775 OPS in 91 games with nine doubles, 22 home runs, and 65 RBIs.

Tampa Bay Rays Starting Pitcher Tyler Glasnow is Expected to Undergo Tommy John Surgery

Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Tyler Glasnow is expected to undergo Tommy John surgery next week, sources told Jeff Passan of ESPN.

Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Tyler Glasnow is expected to undergo Tommy John surgery next week, sources tell ESPN. While there remains a small chance doctors will see a path toward him rehabbing his partially torn UCL, the expectation is that Glasnow needs an elbow procedure.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 31, 2021

Glasnow was placed on the injured list on June 15 with a partial UCL (ulnar collateral ligament) tear and flexor strain.

Glasnow was hopeful he could avoid having the operation as it would sideline him for a least one year.

The loss of Glasnow for this year and probably most of next year is crucial for the Rays, but the team is challenging the Boston Red Sox for the top spot in the American League East.

San Diego Padres Place Shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. on Injured List with Shoulder Inflammation

The San Diego Padres have placed shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. on the MLB injured list with shoulder inflammation, per a team announcement.

Prior to tonight’s game, the Padres placed SS Fernando Tatis Jr. (left shoulder inflammation) and RHP Chris Paddack (left oblique strain; retro to 7/28) on the 10-day IL.

— San Diego Padres (@Padres) July 31, 2021

Tatis partially dislocated his shoulder, sliding into third base a couple of days ago.

He underwent an MRI over the weekend, and it was recommended that he rest and be re-evaluated after 10 days, per Dennis Lin of The Athletic.

Fernando Tatis Jr. had an MRI this morning. The Padres say he is continuing to deal with left shoulder "instability and inflammation." Rest has been recommended. He will be reevaluated after 10 days.

— Dennis Lin (@dennistlin) July 31, 2021

This marks the third time that Tatis has hurt his left shoulder this year.

Tatis is one of the best players in the National League as he leads MLB in runs scored, home runs, stolen bases, slugging percentage, and OPS.

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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