Revisiting the 5 best and worst deadline acquisitions
It's been more than a month since the Aug. 1 non-waiver trade deadline created a flurry of transactions. Some teams attempted to load up on talent for playoff pushes, while others added to farm systems for the future.
Certain deals have worked out, but others have been busts. With four weeks left in the season and playoff races heating up, here's a look at the five best and five worst trades from the non-waiver deadline.
BEST
Mark Melancon, Nationals
| IP | ERA | SO | WHIP | SV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11.2 | 0.77 | 12 | 0.77 | 6 |
To Nationals: Melancon
To Pirates: Felipe Rivero, Taylor Hearn
Melancon replaced the since-released Jonathan Papelbon as Nationals closer, and just like his tenure in Pittsburgh, he's been lights out. The 31-year-old stopper has allowed a total of three runs since coming to Washington and has been a perfect eight-for-eight in save chances.
Joaquin Benoit, Blue Jays
| IP | ERA | SO | WHIP | SO9 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16.1 | 0.00 | 16 | 1.16 | 8.8 |
To Blue Jays: Benoit
To Mariners: Drew Storen
What looked like a minor swap of struggling relievers has worked in Toronto's favor. The 39-year-old veteran Benoit hasn't allowed a single run to score since crossing the border, and has teamed with Jason Grilli and young flamethrower Roberto Osuna to give the Blue Jays a shutdown 7-8-9 combination.
Jonathan Lucroy, Rangers
| AB | H | HR | RBI | OPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 86 | 25 | 8 | 19 | .969 |
To Rangers: Lucroy, Jeremy Jeffress
To Brewers: Lewis Brinson, Luis Ortiz, Ryan Cordell
The Rangers were on the hunt for a catcher to join their already talented club, and thanks to Lucroy - who vetoed a trade to the Cleveland Indians - Texas got its man. Since being acquired, Lucroy has been an offensive savior for the Rangers, sitting second on the team with a .969 OPS behind only Rougned Odor.
Ivan Nova, Pirates
| GS | IP | W-L | ERA | WHIP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 37.1 | 4-0 | 2.89 | 0.99 |
To Pirates: Nova
To Yankees: Stephen Tarpley, Toto Polo
Another pitcher on the wrong path shows up in Pittsburgh and suddenly can't be beaten. Pitching coach Ray Searage has done it again with Nova, who before coming to the Pirates allowed 19 home runs in 97 1/3 innings with the Yankees. Since being traded, the 29-year-old has allowed just four in 37 1/3, while walking only two.
Aroldis Chapman, Cubs
| IP | ERA | SO | WHIP | SV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18.2 | 1.45 | 32 | 0.91 | 12 |
To Cubs: Chapman
To Yankees: Adam Warren, Gleyber Torres, Billy McKinney, Rashad Crawford
The Cubs already had Hector Rondon doing an admirable job of closing games, but the opportunity to acquire baseball's best stopper was too much for Theo Epstein to shy away from. Chapman hasn't disappointed, saving 12 of 14, while limiting opposing hitters to a .167 average.
WORST
Jay Bruce, Mets
| AB | H | HR | RBI | OPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 109 | 22 | 4 | 10 | .618 |
To Mets: Bruce
To Reds: Max Wotell, Dilson Herrera
Bruce was honored by the Cincinnati Reds on Monday in his return to Great American Ball Park, and probably wishes he was never traded to the Big Apple. Bruce hasn't been able to replicate his slugging prowess with the Mets, managing just 10 RBIs in 109 at bats.
Will Smith, Giants
| IP | ERA | BB | WHIP | H9 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10.2 | 5.06 | 7 | 1.69 | 9.3 |
To Giants: Will Smith
To Brewers: Phil Bickford, Andrew Susac
Nothing is working for the Giants in the second half, as they continue to slide further from a playoff spot after posting the first half's best record. Smith is certainly included in that mix. Since being acquired from the Brewers, the left-hander has maintained his customary high strikeout rate (11.8/SO9), but his control has been spotty (5.9/BB9), and he hasn't missed bats (9.3/H9).
Josh Reddick, Dodgers
| AB | H | HR | RBI | OPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 96 | 19 | 1 | 2 | .502 |
To Dodgers: Reddick, Rich Hill
To Athletics: Frankie Montas, Jharel Cotton, Grant Holmes
The Dodgers thought they'd found a potential replacement for the struggling Yasiel Puig when they acquired Reddick along with Rich Hill from the Oakland Athletics. They were wrong, as Reddick has been one of the team's worst hitters. The 29-year-old free-agent-to-be is batting just .198 with two RBIs and an OPS+ of 39 since the trade.
Wade Miley, Orioles
| GS | IP | W-L | ERA | WHIP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 34 | 1-4 | 7.15 | 1.68 |
To Orioles: Miley
To Mariners: Ariel Miranda
The Orioles were looking for a way to shore up their sub-par starting rotation, in hopes of contending with fellow AL East heavyweights. Acquiring Miley was not the answer. Aside from a lone contest against the Blue Jays on Aug. 29, the southpaw hasn't given Baltimore seven or more innings in any game, and has also allowed a home run in every start but one.
Andrew Cashner, Marlins
| GS | IP | W-L | ERA | WHIP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 32.1 | 0-4 | 5.57 | 1.70 |
To Marlins: Cashner, Tayron Guerrero, cash
To Padres: Josh Naylor, Jarred Cosart, Carter Capps
The Padres were shopping Cashner heavily and received quite a haul for the hard-throwing right-hander from the Marlins, who were desperate for front-end pitching to contend in the NL East. Cashner has been so bad since coming to Miami that his strikeout rate has dropped to a career low, while his walks per nine have jumped to a career high.