Today was an absolutely amazing trade deadline day. MLB Network even started their coverage early when the A's and Red Sox pulled of the Lester-Gomes-Cespedes trade. The next move got the AL Central involved and that's what we're looking at this evening. Let's take a look AL Central team by team.
Chicago White Sox
Additions: None
Subtractions: None
The Sox stood pat today with the trades today. Obviously, they weren't buying, so no one was interested in what Rick Hahn had to sell.
That doesn't mean there weren't any moves. The White Sox waived AA pitcher Angel Sanchez. The Sox picked up Sanchez earlier this month on waivers from Rays. This opened up a spot on the 40-man roster that will probably be used for Avisail Garcia to return next month.
In other words, if you're a glass half-full person, it's kind of like we traded for Avisail Garcia again, right?
Cleveland Indians
Additions: SS Zach Walters
Subtractions: SS Asdrubal Cabrera
The Indians never seemed to be interested in re-signing Cabrera. His offense has declined over the past couple of years, and he's never been a good defender. With Francisco Lindor waiting in the wings, why not trade him? They probably would not receive much in terms of compensation if he left as a free agent, so the Indians received what they could. What they got was the Nationals #14 prospect based on Baseball America.
Zach Walters can play short, but the Nationals have shifted his development toward a utility role. His appearances this season with the Nationals has been mainly as a pinch hitter and defensive replacement.
Detroit Tigers
Additions: LHP David Price
Subtractions: LHP Drew Smyly, SS Willy Adames, OF Austin Jackson
A David Price trade had been speculated throughout most of the month. In the last minutes before the trade deadline, it finally happened. Like the Peavy trade, Dave Dombrowski makes it happen through a three way trade. The Tigers get David Price, the Mariners get Austin Jackson, and the Rays get Drew Smyly, SS Nick Franklin, and SS Willy Adames.
While we all just saw Smyly and Jackson play today, 18 year old Willy Adames has been playing for low-A West Michigan this season after playing in the Dominican Summer League last year. He's hitting .269/.346/.428 this season, and has been getting some traction to move up the Tigers prospect lists with quotes from "some scouts" on Twitter even calling him the Tigers top prospect. That might be optimistic, but an 18 year old shortstop with some pop in their bat will always intrigue GMs.
Kansas City Royals
Additions: None
Subtractions: None
Going into this evening, the Royals are 4.5 games behind Detroit and 3.5 games out of the second wild card. The Royals picked up Scott Downs earlier in July and traded for Jason Frasor a couple of weeks ago. That must have been good enough since the Royals didn't do anything today.
Naturally, the crew over at Royal Review seem a bit upset. The post-deadline press conference with GMDM produced several choice quotes. Rather than reproduce them all here, you can join in some Royals dourness. The primary point from GMDM was "We needed four or five players" which makes you wonder why the Royals wouldn't be a sellers.
Minnesota Twins
Additions: LHP Tommy Milone
Subtractions: OF Sam Fuld
Janesville's Pat Ryan may be thinking about getting into relationship counseling in the offseason when the baseball GM'ing business slows down. After reuniting Kendrys Morales and the Mariners last week, he brought Sam Fuld and the Oakland A's back together today. Meanwhile, the A's give up Tommy Milone, who asked to be traded earlier this month after the A's acquired Jason Hammel and Jeff Samardzija and send Milone to the minors.
After an excellent rookie season, Milone has struggled the past couple of seasons with 4.30 and 4.42 FIPs in 2013 and 2014 respectively. He becomes eligible for arbitration after this season, so this is an audition for Milone with the Twins.
In addition to this trade, the Twins extended Kurt Suzuki. The Twins will give him $6 million in 2015 and 2016 with a vesting option for 2017 for an additional $6 million. Suzuki, who turns 31 in October, has put up a 113 wRC+ this season with a .324 BABIP after wRC+s of 64 and 68 in 2012 and 2013.