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The biggest story still has yet to be finalized as of writing, though it seems to be over except for the final details. Plenty of things have gone down officially, and I’m sure plenty more will come over the next, for you reading this, seven hours or so. But first a peak into the mind of Derrek Hall...
(AZ Central) CEO Derrick Hall: Diamondbacks could ‘hit reset’ after disappointing season
Lots of interesting tidbits in this article. He talks about what has been blindingly clear to most for at least a year if not more, the inevitability of a full rebuild. Though, in true Hall fashion, he refuses to say it straight up.
Most interesting, to me at least, is when he talks about Hazen and Lovullo’s future. I’ve thought for a while now that the team has been much too hasty to fire managers, and we’ve seen two of our hastily canned denizens of the top step leave to great success with the A’s and Astros. He acknowledges this for I believe the first time, and he puts a lot of value on continuity in the FO and field manager’s position than I’ve heard from the team before.
MLB News (Trade Deadline Section)
(Yahoo! Sports) Dodgers swoop in, trade for Max Scherzer, Trea Turner in blockbuster deal
An NL West arms race between the Dodgers and San Diego Padres appears to have played out in real time Thursday. The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal had reported that the Padres were close to a deal to acquire Scherzer earlier in the afternoon, only for the Dodgers to swoop in with an even bigger deal that included Turner.
(MLB.com) Taking stock of Padres’ Deadline options
The Padres didn’t get Joey Gallo, and now they won’t get Max Scherzer either, it seems. The Nationals’ ace appears to be headed to the Dodgers in a blockbuster that also includes shortstop Trea Turner, though neither club has confirmed the deal.
That’s two of San Diego’s primary trade targets off the board within a span of about 24 hours. Several other targets remain, however, and Padres general manager A.J. Preller is still expected to be active in the hours leading up to the Trade Deadline.
(MLB.com) Padres swing deal for 2019 WS hero Hudson
In exchange for Hudson, the Padres are sending right-hander Mason Thompson and infield prospect Jordy Barley to Washington. Thompson, a 23-year-old righty reliever who debuted this season, was ranked as San Diego’s No. 9 prospect by MLB Pipeline. Barley, unranked, was hitting .240 at Low-A Lake Elsinore.
(CBS Sports) Yankees acquire Anthony Rizzo from Cubs at MLB trade deadline
The New York Yankees and Chicago Cubs have agreed on a trade that sends first baseman Anthony Rizzo to the Bronx, the teams announced. The Cubs will cover the $6 million or so remaining on Rizzo’s contract, per The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal, and will receive two prospects in return. Rizzo, 32 come August, is an impending free agent who has hit .248/.346/.446 (116 OPS+) this season with 14 home runs in 92 games.
(MLBTR) Red Sox Acquire Kyle Schwarber From Nationals
Schwarber is currently on the 10-day injured list on account of a right hamstring strain. It seems he’s still a couple weeks away from returning, but he was on an absolute tear before he went down. The 28-year-old won the National League Player of the Month award in June after blasting a league-best sixteen home runs. Thanks largely to that incredible run, Schwarber’s amidst the best season of his career. The left-handed hitting slugger has a .253/.340/.570 line (138 wRC+) with 25 homers across 303 plate appearances.
MLB News (Non-Deadline Section)
(ESPN) Seattle Mariners pitcher Hector Santiago suspended 80 games
The Seattle Mariners pitcher was suspended for 80 games Thursday by Major League Baseball following a positive test for external testosterone, exactly one month after he was banned for 10 games when he became the first player penalized under the sport’s crackdown on grip-enhancing substances.
(MLBTR) Terry Francona Steps Away From Indians For Remainder Of 2021 Season
The Indians announced this evening that manager Terry Francona will take a leave of absence from the team to address health concerns. Bench coach DeMarlo Hale will assume interim managerial duties for the remainder of the season. Hale was named Cleveland’s bench coach last November and has managed four games at the major league level (with the Blue Jays in 2015-16).
Stick around with AZ Snakepit and the rest of the SB Nation network for the next few hours. This is already one of the crazier deadlines in recent memory, and it’s not over yet. Plus, there are a few more pieces that aren’t nailed down that the Diamondbacks might ship out yet, so stay tuned for that.