2020 is almost gone. It’s not the usual year as we know. Baseball season was shortened and MLB winter meetings became virtual meetings. But there is still something normal, we see there are free agent signings, trades and rule 5 draft. Of course, it’s too early to evaluate and say if a trade is good or bad. But, it’s worthwhile to take a close look at some trades.
Jose Iglesias had a pretty good 2020 season, he was hitting .373/.400/.556. Batting average of .373 is his career high. As a shortstop, he only committed one error in the shortened season. Jose Iglesias is going to be a replacement of Andrelton Simmons, who is a 4-time Gold Glove winner and currently a free agent. Meanwhile, Angels general manager Perry Minasian decided to send two prospects to the Orioles in this trade. Both of them are right-handed pitchers. Garret Stallings is 23 and Jean Pinto is only 19. After the trade, Garrett Stallings is the No. 26 prospect in the Orioles farm system now.
Raisel Iglesias has collected more than 100 saves so far in his career and a reliable closer is what the Angels need. Raisel Iglesias posted a 2.74 ERA and a WHIP of 0.91 in 2020. The Cincinnati Reds also sent money in the deal. The Angels sent Noe Ramirez (Dec. 7) and Leonardo Rivas (Dec. 10) to complete the trade. Noe Ramirez made 21 relief appearances in 2020 and had an ERA of 3.00. Leonardo Rivas is 23 and has played in the minors since 2015. He’s a switch hitter and can play middle infield and outfield.
Chris Young’s first trade as Rangers General Manager is the biggest trade so far this offseason. Lance Lynn has been very reliable in the last two seasons. In his two seasons with the Rangers, he made 46 starts and earned 22 wins. He posted a 3.57 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP last 2 seasons. Lucas Giolito, Dallas Keuchel and Lance Lynn will be the core 3 of the White Sox rotation in 2021. At the same time, the White Sox sent Dane Dunning, who is currently the league's No. 98 prospect, and left-handed pitcher Avery Weems to the Rangers. Dane Dunning made it to the big league in 2020 and he made 7 starts. He threw 34 innings and had an ERA of 3.97 and a WHIP of 1.12. Avery Weems made 14 stars in the minors (Rookie) in 2019 and had an ERA of 2.09.
Chris Young has been quite busy after being the Rangers GM. The Rangers acquired Nate Lowe, Jake Guenther and a PTBNL. Nate Lowe was hitting .224/.316/.433 in 2020 with 4 home runs. Jake Guenther is a first baseman and he was hitting .320/.431/.423 in the minors (Rookie) in 2019. The Rangers sent three minor league players to the Rays. Heriberto Hernandez batted .320/.450/.635 in the minors (Rookie & A) in 2018 and 2019. He’s primarily a catcher and a first baseman, also he plays in the outfield. It will be interesting to see how he will be developed in the Rays system and he’s currently Rays’ No. 20 prospect. Osleivis Basabe is a shortstop and he was hitting .334/.386/.439 in the minors (Rookie & A) in 2018 and 2019. He only had 1 home run in the minors. Basabe is now the Rays' No.28 prospect. Outfielder Alexander Ovalles was hitting .299/.376/.456 in the minors (Rookie & A) in 2018 and 2019.
It’s not easy to tell if a trade is good or bad. It’s even harder when there are prospects involved. However, there are several things worth watching in 2021. The White Sox returned to the playoffs in 2020. Can they win the AL Central with Lance Lynn in the rotation? Los Angeles Angels’ bullpen had a 4.63 ERA and had 14 blown saves, tied most in the majors. Can Raisel Iglesias be as reliable as he was in the Reds and help Angels secure more wins? Rays and Orioles both acquired prospects and added depth in their farm systems, will their plans work after maybe 2 or 3 years?
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