On Tuesday, the trade deadline came and went with plenty of traffic. Of notable moves was Jazz Chisolm Jr. to the Yankees, Jack ‘Black’ Flaherty to the Dodgers and Josh Bell to the Diamondbacks.
Here are some grades for the teams who traded for the aforementioned players.
The trade: Jazz Chisolm Jr. from the Marlins to the Yankees for prospects Agustin RamÍrez, Jared Serna and Abrahan Ramirez
Trade grade: A
Chisolm couldn’t have had a better start to his Yankee career, making the grade easy to come by. In Chisolm’s first two contests, he hit two homers apiece and added eight total RBI to his numbers.
Before Chisolm’s debut with his new squad, the trade was a low-risk high-reward move from New York. Chisolm still has two years left in arbitration and the Yankees are in win-now mode, lessening the internal value on prospects.
Chisholm is now up to tying his career mark for batting average in a season with .254. He is also tied for his most bases taken in a season, with 23.
At just 22 years old, he provides a significant boost to the Bronx Bombers in what could end up as a career year for him.
For the Marlins, Agustin Ramírez and Jared Serna slot in as the No. 6 and 11 prospects, respectively.
The trade: Josh Bell from the Marlins to the Diamondbacks for cash considerations
Grade: B
As the Diamondbacks attempted to push for the top of the standings, it brought in Josh Bell in a big position of need.
Bell steps in after first baseman Christian Walker was injured and will replace Walker at that position. By just giving up the infamous “cash considerations,” Arizona gets a 1-year rental as Walker is a free agent following the season.
Currently, Bell is batting .239, a slight increase from last year’s total. He also has 14 home runs and can provide power to a Diamondback team that has hit 121 home runs this season — the 13th-best mark in the MLB.
Not much risk in this trade, either.
The move also allows the Diamondbacks to have some depth when Walker returns.
The trade: Jack Flaherty from the Tigers to the Dodgers for prospects Thayron Liranzo and Trey Sweeney
Grade: A
The Dodgers rotation has been demolished by injuries, but now they’ve got some help.
“Black Jack” Flaherty saw the end of 2023 not pan out well as a deadline deal sent him from St. Louis to Baltimore. After the Tigers picked him up in free agency, though, that brother has been rolling.
Through 18 games, Flaherty has notched a 2.95 ERA, priming him for a big contract when he hits free agency following the season. Flaherty’s paycheck will be further validated as he sits at 133 punchouts, the 15th-best mark in the MLB.
For the 1-year rental of Flaherty, the Dodgers were forced to part with Thayron Liranzo and Trey Sweeney, their No. 8 and 22 prospects, respectively. With the year Flaherty is having the haul is more than acceptable.
Now, Flaherty can slot in right behind ace Tyler Glasnow, with Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Walker Buehler, Clayton Kershaw among the many injured Dodger arms.
Now that we’re well into the “unofficial” second half of the season and are flying past the 100-game mark, it’s time to give props to the MLBbros who’ve set the pace over the last four months plus.
So far, we’ve seen some dominant performances from established veterans as well as emerging superstars.
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Best Player: Aaron Judge, New York Yankees
After battling with injuries most of 2023, “The Judge” has been relatively healthy and the rest of the American League is paying the price. Two years removed from breaking Roger Maris’ AL single-season home run record and winning an MVP award, No. 99 is on a pace where he could shatter his own record and then some. He’s not only leading the league in homers, total bases, and RBI, he’s also in the top 10 in several offensive categories including hits, runs scored, and WAR. All of this while his slugging partner in crime (Giancarlo Stanton) remains on the disabled list. All rise indeed.
Best Pitcher: Jack Flaherty, Detroit Tigers
Along with teammate Tarik Skubal, the former Cardinal and Oriole has given Detroit one of the league’s best 1-2 punches on the mound. Currently, “Black Jack” has kept his ERA just under 3.00 (2.95) and is enjoying his best season since 2021, when he went 9-2 in St. Louis. In his last 7 starts, Flaherty is 5-1 with a 2.08 ERA including 43 K’s in 39 IP. Ironically, Flaherty’s name has come up in trade talks as the deadline approaches. The Cali native is set to be a free agent at season’s end.
Best Breakout Player: Josh Naylor, Cleveland Guardians
The native Canadian has taken his overall game to another level and was rewarded by being named to his first All-Star Game. At the break, he was hitting .246 with a career-high 22 home runs and 70 RBI, just behind fellow All-Star Jose Ramírez. Both marks currently lead all AL first baseman. Naylor is the first Cleveland first baseman to be named an All-Star since Carlos Santana in 2019 and is the 2nd Canadian to make the All-Star team for Cleveland, joining Jeff Heath (1941, 1943).
Best Rookie: David Hamilton, Boston Red Sox
After being thrust into the lineup following Trevor Story’s season-ending injury, the Texas native struggled at the plate. The early season woes also affected his fielding as the normally sure-handed Hamilton had several physical and mental miscues in April. However, manager Alex Cora stuck with him, and he has slowly turned his season around. After flirting with the Mendoza Line early on, Hamilton has hit .273 in his last 7 games raising his average to a season-high .265. Hamilton has only 2 errors since April.
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Best Player: Mookie Betts, Los Angeles Dodgers
MLBbro.com’s reigning Player of the Year began 2024 just how he ended 2023, establishing himself as one of the game’s best. The versatile shortstop/outfielder was on a torrid pace during the first two months of the season. He hit a sizzling .368 (46-of 125) with 6 homers, 23 RBI, and a combined .532 OPS.
However, everything changed on June 16th when he suffered a left-hand fracture after being hit by a pitch. While Betts has been out ever since, his overall numbers (304 with 10 homers and 40 RBI) were good enough for him to be named to his eighth straight trip to the All-Star Game.
Best Pitcher: Hunter Greene, Cincinnati Reds
The Reds’ Opening Day starter continues to make strides while Cincy tries to remain relevant during the wild NL Wild Card race. Named to the NL All-Star team, Greene has already set a career-high in wins (7) with a 3.34 ERA with 126 strikeouts through 110.1 innings of work at the break. This included a season-high in strikeouts with 10 against the Colorado Rockies in his last start before the break on July 11th. Following his win at Atlanta from Monday, Green dropped his ERA to 0.54 for the month.
Best Breakout Player: C.J. Abrams, Washington Nationals
It was just a matter of time before the 23-year-old shortstop would make an impact not only in D.C., but in MLB overall. In a season, where he was tabbed for his first All-Star Game, Abrams batted .295 in his first 26 games this season, totaling seven home runs and seven stolen bases. He also hit a sizzling .373 in June including 4 homers and 16 RBI during that stretch. With 15 homers and 15 steals at the break, he’s on pace for a possible 30-30 season, the first in Washington since Alfonso Soriano turned the trick in 2006.
Best Rookie: Masyn Winn, St. Louis Cardinals
After getting a brief taste of the Majors last year, the Texas native has taken a full bite this season and established himself as one of the best young players in the league. Winn made the Opening Day roster and has been one of the most consistent players in the Cards’ lineup. He was hitting .284 at the break, with 5 homers, 33 RBI, and 9 steals.
He also hit .309 during the month of June while also establishing his presence in the St. Louis infield. One of the highlights during the month was his performance against the San Francisco Giants on June 20th in the Negro Leagues Classic played at Rickwood Field. Winn was the only Black player in the game and went 1-for-3 at the plate with a double and two runs scored as the Cardinals won 6-5.
The 2024 MLB trade deadline is just seven days away, and as teams prepare for their final playoff push, these three MLB bros could be on the move.
Jazz Chisholm Jr.
Buzz around the league has gotten louder as we head to the deadline and if things hold, Chisholm will be one of the best players moved. Miami attempted to build around Chisholm, but typical front office turmoil in Miami combined with his inconsistency on the field have led this couple toward a divorce that may benefit both sides.
Jazz is hitting .251/.324/.735 with 12 homers, 45 RBI and 19 stolen bases on the season, numbers that don’t match the expectations many have for Chisholm. After an offseason that saw Jazz look to assert himself as a leader in Miami, a change of scenery to a contender could provide a new perspective for the young talented centerfielder.
The intrigue around Chisholm is two fold, as he can still play infield and will receive more time there from Miami to showcase his ability for possible suitors. Miami is most likely unwilling to provide the pay increase coming to Jazz this off-season in arbitration, so this move would fall right in line with how business is done in Miami.
Jack Flaherty
Starting pitchers are always valuable at the deadline and with the season Flaherty is having, Detroit has the potential to acquire some quality talent for their flamethrower. Jack took a one year deal with Detroit looking to establish himself again after several up and down seasons, and that’s exactly what he has done.
Flaherty is 7-5 with a 3.13 ERA with 127 strikeouts in 100.2 innings pitched for the Tigers. There has been talk about Detroit trading their ace Tarik Skull, but if they decide to keep him teams are certain to inquire about Jack as a rental for a stretch run to the playoffs. He struggled in this role last season, going 1-3 with a 6.75 ERA in seven starts for Baltimore.
Tommy Pham
The Chicago White Sox were one of the first teams to identify themselves as sellers this deadline, and Tommy Pham’s name is one that is almost certain to be moved. The White Sox signed Pham to a minor league deal at the beginning of the season after the veteran failed to land a deal before the start of spring training despite providing a spark for the Arizona Diamondbacks last season.
During his time in Chicago Tommy has been a solid contributor despite their struggles as a team, hitting .270/.341/.718 with 66 hits, 4 homers and 17 RBI in 244 at-bats for the White Sox. With their front office committed to the future, look for Tommy to be dealt for the third consecutive deadline.
There are several contenders in need of outfield help, and Pham has already proven that he can be an asset come playoff time. Once Chicago moves superstars Luis Robert Jr, the market for Pham should materialize quickly.
With the 2024 MLB All-Star break upon us. I took the time to travel to Comerica Park in Detroit, to have a chat with eight-year major league vet Jack Flaherty.
As we speak, Black Jack is having the best statistical season of his career since 2019. A year that saw him finish 4th in the CY Young award race and 13th in MVP voting.
Tarik Skubal and Jack Flaherty Provide Nasty 1-2 Punch In Detroit Tigers Rotation
Yes, Tarik Skubal has been the talk of the town in Detroit and rightfully so, being the current odds-on favorite to take home the 2024 American League Cy Young award. But Flaherty has found himself a comfortable landing spot in Detroit as the ultimate compliment to Skubal in the Tigers starting rotation.
Jack Flaherty Is One Of MLB’s Best Starting Pitchers
Flaherty has proved to be Top 20 pitcher in baseball this season. Through 16 starts Flaherty is 6-5 with a 3.13 ERA and 119 whiffs in just 95 innings pitched.
He’s a winning pitcher, 48-39 record in his career with a respectable 3.67 ERA. Flaherty is very happy in Detroit and many now look back on his 1 year 14-million-dollar “show me” contract as a HUGE bargain for a much-improved Tigers ballclub.
“Detroit is beautiful, that’s an ageless word that I can use. It’s been awesome. The weather is great. I feel like every game we’ve had outstanding weather. It’s beautiful,” he tells MLBbro.com.
Jack Flaherty Rests Bad Back During All-Star Break
The All-Star break was a much-needed chance for Flaherty to rest his troublesome back; the only thing stopping him from dominating every fifth day. Despite Detroit’s obvious recent elevation, they find themselves sitting at last place in the AL Central nearly 100 games into the season.
One can only speculate, but there could be a scenario where Detroit pencils themselves in as a big-time seller before the 2024 MLB trade deadline is over.
Will Detroit Tigers Trade Jack Flaherty
When asked about the possibility of being traded and hearing his name run through the rumor mill on stations such as Sports Rap Radio in Detroit (1270 AM), Jack keeps a level head and says he tunes out the noise, no matter the outcome.
“I think I’ve just heard it all at this point. I’ve heard he’s good, I’ve heard he’s bad, I’ve heard he sucks, I’ve heard he’s one of the best pitchers,” Flaherty said of the various opinions concerning his ability throughout his career. “It kinda goes in one ear and out the other and ya learn to listen to the right people and those that are in your corner that love you at the end of the day no matter what.”
Fourteen K’s, 10, 9, 9, 7, whew. Those are some of Tigers flamethrower Jack ‘Black Flaherty’s strikeout totals this season.
Last season, the melanated mound marauder saw himself at the head of trade talks, after avoiding arbitration and winning seven games with the Cardinals.
After posting a 4.20 ERA in 109.2 innings, Flaherty was traded to the Orioles on Aug. 1 for three prospects. Despite seeing his numbers take a dive — pitching a 6.75 ERA in Baltimore — he hit free agency in the offseason and signed with the Tigers for one year, $14 million.
He’s been very effective for a team that is middle-of-the-pack and bouncing around the .500 mark.
In Tuesday’s 3-1 win over the Texas Rangers, there were concerns as starting pitcher Jack Flaherty had to leave the game early with an injury scare.
However, the right-hander gave an encouraging update after the game, per Evan Petzold of The Detroit Free Press.
“I’m sure I’ll be good for the next one. It weirdly works out, but I got two extra days. I’m not going for another week with the two off days. We’ll see how I wake up tomorrow, but I feel pretty good about it.”
Flaherty was once again dealing, throwing five scoreless innings on just 60 pitches. He gave up a pair of hits and no walks but was removed from the game early due to back tightness.
“It locked up as the game went along,” Flaherty said. “It’s nothing that I’m too worried about. When it gets to locking up like that, and you can’t quite finish as much, or you start questioning, should I keep going? It creeps in the back of your mind. I went as long as I could.”
Through 12 games, Flaherty has brought his ERA down to a recent-best of 3.22 and is second in the MLB with 94 strikeouts.
Flaherty is now 3-4 on the season with a 3.22 ERA, 0.963 WHIP, 1.6 WAR and an American League-leading 94 strikeouts. His 9.40 strikeout-to-walk ratio is far and away the best of his eight-year MLB career, up from 2.24 in 2023.
As noted by Underdog Fantasy’s Justin Havens, Flaherty is now one of four pitchers in MLB history to post at least 94 strikeouts and no more than 10 walks through his first 12 starts of a season. Curt Schilling was the first to achieve the feat back in 2002, and it has since been done by Clayton Kershaw in 2016 and Jacob deGrom in 2021 as well.
Flaherty says he should be good for his next start, and the extra rest should give him enough time to get the kinks out. If he can remain healthy, he’s likely to eventually be traded from the struggling Detroit squad to a contending team and will have a few suitors.
Here’s three likely companions for Detroit’s bump boss.
1. Minnesota Twins
The Twins sit right above the Tigers in the AL Central at 33-27 but are in need of a quality starter to fill out their rotation.
If Minnesota buys prior to the deadline, Flaherty easily slots in as their No. 2 or 3 pitchers at a decent price, considering he comes off of the books after the season.
With a couple of mid-level prospects, manager Rocco Baldelli can solidify his bunch’s AL Wild Card spot and even look to extend Flaherty if he continues to impress in Minnesota.
2. Milwaukee Brewers
The Brewers lead the NL Central with a 36-23 record, but depth in the rotation as well as bullpen are certainly needed.
Currently, the Brewers are 11th in the league in ERA at 3.77 but are near the bottom of the MLB in strikeouts, with just 495. The addition of a punch-out artist like Flaherty would be huge.
With the emergence of rookie pitcher Robert Gasser and flaming Freddy Peralta, Flaherty likely isn’t in Milwaukee’s future plans, but could help out in its playoff push.
3. Cleveland Guardians
When two-time All-Star Stephen Vogt took the Guardians’ head coaching opening, expectations weren’t hefty. Still, Vogt has Cleveland at an astonishing 40-20 record, and the fifth-lowest payroll in the MLB — giving it a way to make a deadline move.
Cleveland’s pitching staff is deep, but 32-year-old pitcher Ben Lively’s contract is expiring, as he joined the squad on a minimum deal in the offseason. Lively leads the rotation with a 2.84 ERA.
Flaherty, 28, would be the younger option, and Flaherty still has tons of experience, making it an easy move for Vogt and company. Come playoff time, Flaherty could enter the 3-man rotation, or be a key reliever until taking over full-time duties in 2025 if the squad can notch an extension.
Regardless, ‘Jack Black’ could find himself solidifying a big paycheck with a trade to a playoff team like the Guardians.
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