Days before August 1’s MLB trade deadline, two All-Star pitchers have already changed leagues.
The Boston Red Sox kicked off the summer activity by acquiring Drew Pomeranz from the San Diego Padres. While it was hardly a surprise to see them locate another arm, teams typically don’t find 27-year-olds under team control.
After weeks of asking whether the New York Yankees are buyers or sellers, they offered a hint by sending Aroldis Chapman to the Chicago Cubs for a loot of talent. Top shortstop prospect Gleyber Torres alone is a great return for a two-month reliever rental, but the Bronx Bombers also got back Adam Warren and two other prospects for their troubles.
Chapman to the Cubs shouldn’t have stunned anyone, as the National League Central leaders were on the market for a left-handed reliever. The return, however, was more than even Yankees general manager Brian Cashman could have reasonably expected.
Are there any more surprises on the horizon before Monday? It wouldn’t truly be a surprise if anyone knew, but let’s try to play psychic anyway and predict some abrupt moves that could occur this week.