2019 MLB Trade Deadline
Winner: Tampa Bay Rays (sorta)
The Rays being winners here is a two-part equation. The first part of this equation is the Yankees failure at the deadline, which should keep Tampa Bay’s hopes for the division crown alive especially with Tyler Glasnow rehabbing and seemingly on his way back.
The second part is the acquisition of Jesus Aguilar from the Brewers.
While Aguilar isn’t quite the force he was last year when he posted an OPS of .891 there is still hope that the slugger can turn it around. Why?
For starters, Aguilar is walking more and striking out less this year, and secondly, over his last 50 plate appearances Aguilar is slashing .311/.347/.600 with three homers (his season total is eight) so the Rays are hopeful he can keep it up and solidify what has been a revolving door at first base.
The Rays also acquired pitchers Trevor Richards and Nick Anderson from Miami for Ryne Stanek and prospect Jesus Sanchez.
Anderson is the most relevant here, as he currently holds a 3.91 ERA but also has a FIP of 2.72 and has struck out 69 compared to just 16 walks.
Richards has been used as a starter which the Rays badly need until some of their injured guys start coming back. He has a 4.50 ERA but just like Houston, the Rays have a track record of unlocking the potential for middling players.