Probably the best deal made during last year’s trading period was the Mets acquiring outfielder Yoenis Cespedes from the Tigers for righthanders Michael Fulmer and Luis Cessa. Cespedes became the centerpiece of the Mets’ lineup and led them to the World Series, posting a .942 OPS over 57 games. Fulmer has become one of the best young pitchers in baseball; he is 9-2 with a 2.50 ERA for the Tigers. The author of that deal was Dave Dombrowski and it was one of his last acts as Detroit’s general manager.
If you’re going to make a deal at this time of year and give up prospects, it has to be for an impact player, doesn’t it? I certainly understand injuries, and at times you have to fill in with a body, but “impact’’ is the key word.
Dombrowski also was in the middle of things last summer when he traded David Price to the Blue Jays for lefthanders Matt Boyd, Jairo Labourt, and Daniel Norris. Then-Toronto GM Alex Anthopoulos gave up his better pitching prospects, but Price went 9-1 with a 2.30 ERA for the Blue Jays and helped lead them to the playoffs. Price, however, was a bust in the postseason.
The Royals obtained Johnny Cueto for the stretch run. He didn’t pitch that well in the regular season but pitched well in the postseason, including a complete-game World Series win.
The Rangers acquired Cole Hamels from the Phillies for prospects, which was a good deal for Texas. The Rangers got plenty of help from Hamels last season and he has been one of the best pitchers in baseball this season. Want impact? The Rangers were 49-52 when they made the Hamels deal, and are 98-66 since. Hamels is 19-3 with a 3.15 ERA since the deal. The Phillies also received top prospects who should help the major league squad next season. Good trade for both teams.
The Jays got a boost defensively from Troy Tulowitzki when they obtained him from Colorado. Ben Zobrist went from Oakland to the Royals and made an immediate impact. Jonathan Papelbon did well for the Nationals — before trying to choke Bryce Harper.
But other deals last summer didn’t do much. Scott Kazmir did little for the Astros. Dan Haren wasn’t much for the Cubs. Many other pedestrian deals fell short of impact.
And so we turn our sights to this season. Dombrowski, again, is in the middle of things, already obtaining Brad Ziegler, Drew Pomeranz, and Aaron Hill for the Red Sox. Theo Epstein went out and got the most exciting closer in baseball, Aroldis Chapman, for the Cubs.
The Giants are always a good team to study. They don’t necessarily go after the biggest names, but strategic acquisitions such as Cody Ross, Pat Burrell, and Marco Scutaro have paid off. They picked up Twins All-Star shortstop Eduardo Nunez on Thursday.
Here’s a look at some impact players in the rumor mill:
1. Chris Sale, LHP, White Sox — Without question, he’s the biggest impact pitcher on the market. The White Sox have to be blown away to move him. The Dodgers and Rangers are trying the hardest, but don’t rule out the Red Sox or Astros as dark horses.
2. Julio Teheran, RHP, Braves — The Braves keep saying it’s unlikely they will move him, but nobody believes them. Teheran has had some back issues, which might lead some teams to back off, but he hasn’t missed a start this season. Red Sox vice president of baseball operations Frank Wren had Teheran in Atlanta when he was the GM, and loves him.
3. Sonny Gray, RHP, A’s — Oakland hasn’t received an offer that would compel it to deal the erratic starter. Gray has had an adjustment year for sure, and there’s no way to predict if he’d be able to help a contender. With Gray, you’d have to take more of a long view, but he has pitched some games this year that remind you of the Gray from the past three seasons.
4. Ervin Santana, RHP, Twins — An established veteran (OK, he’s got one PED offense) who can help the middle of any rotation. He’s got $13.5 million left after this season, which may have to be subsidized in part by the Twins.
5. Jonathan Lucroy, C, Brewers — A catcher who can hit .300 is super valuable, which is why there were about a half-dozen teams interested — but late Saturday night, the Indians reached an agreement with the Brewers. Lucroy, if he approves the deal, will have to learn to catch that extraordinary Indians’ staff. It also gives the Indians a strong middle-of-the-order bat.
The only issue is adjusting to catching a new pitching staff during a pennant race.
6. Carlos Beltran, RF, Yankees — He makes an impact on the field and in the clubhouse. He’s not the superb defender he used to be, but he’s a middle-of-the-order bat who could really help an AL team.
7. Jay Bruce, RF, Reds — He’s having a strong offensive season, and while his defense is average, his bat makes an impact from the left side.
8. Andrew Miller, LHP, Yankees — Some evaluators believe he’s the best reliever in baseball. Brian Cashman isn’t afraid to deal him, but he needs a young, controllable starting pitcher to consider it. Remember when the Orioles traded Eduardo Rodriguez for Miller? That’s what it would take.
9. Ryan Braun, LF, Brewers — The four years remaining on his $105 million, five-year deal scares some people off, as do the PED violations. Braun is powerful and skillful and is the righthanded power bat that the Giants need.
10. Carlos Gonzalez, RF, Rockies — Just a very good all-around player. While he may be a product of Coors Field, he can be good in other venues as well. The Rockies would have to eat some of the remaining money on his deal this year and next.
11. Jose Quintana, LHP, White Sox — Quintana is one of the quality, impact starters who could be moved if Sale isn’t. The White Sox still want a major package for Quintana, perhaps not as much as Sale, but team officials say what they’d ask for wouldn’t be “that much different’’ than what they’d demand for Sale.
12. Chris Archer, RHP, Rays — He’s having a down year, but a move to the NL — say, the Dodgers — might help Archer find himself again. He’s only 27, so he should be considered a long-term investment.
identity crisis
Royals may be moved to sell
The Royals have become the interesting team to watch at the trade deadline. Up until recently, they were considered buyers. They had all of their top evaluators out looking to add personnel, especially a starting pitcher and a hitter.
On Saturday, they added outfielder Billy Burns, who was acquired from the Athletics for outfield prospect Brett Eibner.
However, they Royals still might be inclined to sell, offering up Wade Davis or Edinson Volquez for the highest bidder.
How did the World Series champions get to this point?
They have fallen off the pace in the wild card. Reality finally set in that they weren’t going to be able to leapfrog several teams with their current outfit. The Royals, however, do not want to decimate the roster. Davis can be a free agent so the Royals would like to get something. They would have done the same with Luke Hochevar, but he got hurt. There’s a mutual option on Volquez, who can be bought out for $3 million. Given his mediocre season, the Royals would rather get something for him while they can.
It would be harder to acquire Kelvin Herrera because he’s arbitration eligible next season and the Royals could afford to keep him as their closer. The Royals would likely deal Alex Gordon, but he’s had a horrible season and his contract is high.
We don’t think the Royals would deal Eric Hosmer or Lorenzo Cain — though both become free agents after next season and the sense is Kansas City won’t be able to compete for them.
Kendrys Morales, who has a mutual option, could be had, but he seems to have played his way out of the trade market with a poor season.
“What would be appealing would be some of their relief pitching, particularly Davis, and Volquez. They’re dealing their core guys. I mean, who wouldn’t want Salvador Perez, but he’s not going to be available unless you give them two or three of their top prospects,’’ said one AL general manager.
Davis was sent back to Kansas City on Saturday to undergo an MRI on his right arm. If healthy, he would obviously have appeal to the Giants, who have been searching for relief for a few weeks now. The Giants didn’t seem high on trading their top prospects for him before the news of his MRI exam. The Dodgers were also interested.
One Royals official said that Davis has an attractive team option ($10 million) and Kansas City would keep him for that amount, but to deal him they would have to get a major league-ready player or pitcher in return.
The Royals prefer a young controllable starting pitcher — such as Washington’s Joe Ross — if they’re going to move Davis.
Apropos of nothing
1. Red Sox analytics pitching guru Brian Bannister and Diamondbacks ace Zack Greinke are good friends and kindred spirits when it comes to pitching. They were teammates for four years in Kansas City and were at the forefront of analytics for pitchers. Greinke has been sidelined with an oblique strain, but wouldn’t it be an interesting reunion? Of course, you’d then have the highest-paid (David Price) and second-highest-paid pitchers in baseball history on the same staff. Just a crazy thought.
2. Sorry, I don’t get how Twins owners don’t know who the best GM candidates are, needing to hire a firm to help them make their hire, after firing the respected Terry Ryan. Nothing against the Korn Ferry firm, because it is the best at what it does, but if you own a franchise worth close to a billion dollars, shouldn’t you know the best people to hire?
3. One thing people around baseball are curious about is whether the Red Sox personnel involved in the international signing violation that drew sanctions from Major League Baseball have felt any repercussions. So far we have not heard of any.
4. Wade Boggs, Jim Rice, and late Pawtucket owner Ben Mondor were honored as the first inductees into the PawSox Hall of Fame. Boggs also secured a three-year deal with the Red Sox to serve as an “ambassador.’’ He’ll make appearances on behalf of the team and be around spring training.
5. Josh Hamilton is one of the most talented players ever, but he’s been unable to stay healthy. He will likely be released by the Rangers at the end of the season and then re-signed under a minor league deal. He will have to earn his way back, which he said he is willing to do.
6. The Red Sox will be affiliated with the Arizona Fall League’s Surprise Saguaros, who will also include players from the Royals, Twins, Pirates, and Rangers. The team will be managed by Red Sox minor league skipper Carlos Febles.
7. What can the Dodgers do with Yasiel Puig?
Updates on nine
1. Seth Smith, OF, Mariners — A free agent after the season, Smith could be moved by the Mariners at the deadline. Smith has always been an attractive add-on outfielder because he’s a consistent hitter with some power and a good fielder. He could be a cheaper alternative to Jay Bruce.
2. Jonathan Lucroy, C, Brewers — There’s plenty of teams that could have used him. The Mets were willing to trade Travis d’Arnaud as a key piece, according to a major league source. But the Indians needed Lucroy for his offense as much as anything else; their catchers have been awful at the plate.
3. Rich Hill, LHP, A’s — Hill’s blister hasn’t improved — the A’s were even forced to put him on the DL on Saturday (retroactive to July 20) — but the A’s are saying the interest in the lefthander is still very high. It’s conceivable a team could deal for him and just wait on the blister to heal properly. Hill has been outstanding this season when healthy. The Orioles and Blue Jays could still be in.
4. Jeremy Hellickson, RHP, Phillies — The Marlins seem to be out on Hellickson after they went after him hard. That doesn’t mean Hellickson won’t be moved. The Orioles and Blue Jays remain interested, especially if Hill doesn’t check out physically.
5. Brett Gardner, LF, Yankees — Gardner could be a compelling name at the deadline. His name hasn’t popped up too often because he’s not on the Yankees’ A-list to deal. But come Monday, Gardner may gain some steam for teams in need of a hitter, such as Cleveland, Toronto, San Francisco, and possibly Baltimore.
6. Nelson Cruz, RF, Mariners — A few teams have asked about Cruz’s availability because righthanded power is a commodity teams love to have. The Mariners may be selling off, but with two years remaining on Cruz’s deal, it doesn’t appear Seattle would entertain a deal for him.
7. Josh Reddick, RF, A’s — Some executives believe Reddick would be moved after Jay Bruce, but that may not be the case. “The A’s are more realistic about what they’re asking for Reddick than the Reds are about Bruce,’’ said an NL executive. Reddick has appeal to the Dodgers, Orioles, and Blue Jays.
8. Steve Pearce, 1B/2B, Rays — This is how desperate teams are for righthanded hitters with power: Pearce is in demand. He could be a target of the Giants, and the Indians have made calls on him.
9. Ian Kennedy, RHP, Royals — Kennedy is yet another Royal being made available. Kennedy has had a decent year, though he has morphed into a 5-to-6-inning pitcher who has given up a league-leading 26 home runs. He’s best suited for an NL team, such as the Giants, who might seek help for the back of their rotation.
Extra innings
From Bill Arnold’s bag of goodies: “Currently, John Gibbons of the Toronto Blue Jays, Bruce Bochy of the San Francisco Giants, and Joe Maddon of the Chicago Cubs have averaged the fewest innings per game for their relief corps. Through Thursday, Gibbons had used his relievers an average of 2.73 innings per game, while Bochy and Maddon’s bullpens had averaged 2.84 innings per game. Interestingly, the Giants have one of the highest totals for relief appearances this season at 338 through Wednesday, but the Giants skipper has kept stints short. Cincinnati Reds manager (and former pitching coach) Bryan Price has a starting rotation that has struggled this year, a fact reflected in the major league-high 3.63 innings per game pitched by his bullpen. The Red Sox are sixth in the AL with 3.05 innings per game’’ . . . Happy birthday, Gabe Kapler (41) and Scott Bankhead (53).
Nick Cafardo can be reached at cafardo@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @nickcafardo. Material from interviews, wire services, other beat writers, and league and team sources was used in this report.
