This Weekend in MLB Trades

The trade market got hot over the weekend with some big-named players traded plus some smaller moves that could push a team ahead in the pennant races. Most of the action happened from contending National League teams, but an American League team made a big splash that will put them as the clear front-runner for the World Series. 




Reds trade Johnny Cueto to the Royals for three pitchers  
People wondered if Cincinnati would have a fire sale this trade deadline, and they move the biggest piece of the deadline thus far with Cueto heading to Kansas City for Brandon Finnegan, John Lamb and Cody Reed. All three are pitchers, and all three of them are left-handed. Kansas City knows this is their best chance to win the World Series, and if it means mortgaging the future, go for it. They also develop young pitching talent pretty well so this shouldn't be a huge concern even if Cueto is simply a rental.

People who know more than I do say this deal will be a win for Cincinnati if Finnegan ends up being more than a reliever, some at Kansas City aren't sure of that hence why they dealt him. Lamb could be up with Cincinnati as early as this week, he's been great in AAA. Reds now start their build towards the future which was desperately needed in the nails tough NL Central.

Cardinals get bullpen help with Steve Cishek 
In the least surprising news ever, St. Louis made a solid deal without giving much at all. St. Louis acquired Steve Cishek from Miami for Kyle Barraclough, a minor league reliever. It seems like this was a huge steal for St. Louis even if Cishek is only a reliever given how Barraclough has been a nobody in St. Louis' system. Cishek was a solid reliever for Miami in 2013, 2014 yet lost his way this year to get sent down to Triple A for awhile. He's been good since leaving the closer position, and St. Louis will try to make him better as they have done with other relievers in the past. Sneaky good part of this deal is the Cardinals have Cishek until 2018.

Mets bolster offense with Juan Uribe and Kelly Johnson
No one has yet to make a bad deal in trade season which is surprising and maybe the General Managers are become more self-aware. New York Mets get two bats from Atlanta in Juan Uribe and Kelly Johnson who have both delivered for the team over the weekend. Johnson hit a homer on Saturday's win, and Uribe walked off the Mets in the eleventh against his former team. Both players provide much need power and hitting to a weak Mets offense which still needs a great deal of improvement.  Mets gave up John Gant and Rob Whalen, two minor league pitchers. Whalen is the 18th ranked prospect, and Gant is a nobody. Seems like a good deal for New York to make a run at the postseason for the first time since 2006.

Charlie.