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The 2018 MLB Trade Deadline has been one of the craziest in recent memory. Multiple All-Stars changed teams in the last hour before the deadline closed. Chris Archer, Jonathan Schoop, Brian Dozier and Wilson Ramos all changed colors by 4:00 EST today. But which move was truly the best?
Chris Archer
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The Pirates made the most shocking move of the day, going out and getting the former Rays All-Star. He’s affordable, as he’s under control for the next four years, but the Pirates paid a very high price. The Pirates gave up two of their top five prospects in pitcher Tyler Glasnow and outfielder Austin Meadows, who are also ranked in Baseball America’s Top 100. This move is a little puzzling for the Bucs, who are sitting seven games out of the second wild-card spot. They have played better than expected this season, but this might be a move for the future more than the present.
Grade: C+
Jonathan Schoop
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This is a complicated trade, as it looks good on the surface, but there are a few factors to navigate. The Brewers already made a move for third baseman Mike Moustakas a few days ago. They also currently have Travis Shaw, who they moved to second base for Moustakas. Now enter Schoop, an All-Star second baseman who is a very similar hitter to Shaw. For a few mid-level prospects, and one MLB level player in Jonathan Villar. This has the potential to be a great trade, and Schoop can be a high impact bat, but an overcrowded infield could make things very complicated in the long run for Milwaukee, who have shown that they want to go all in with this team.
Grade: C
Brian Dozier
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Speaking of teams that want to go all in, the Dodgers are 1000% in for 2018, they made the blockbuster trade for Manny Machado, and they’ve made another acquisition of a high impact rental piece with Dozier. He hasn’t hit as well as he usually does this season, only .224, but he came at a cheap price. The Dodgers gave up a few mid-level prospects, but it’s nothing their deep farm system can’t handle. Dozier has a powerful bat at second base and could end up being a key cog in a World Series push for the Dodgers.
Grade: B-
Wilson Ramos
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The Phillies got an impact bat at a premier defensive position. The Phillies have one of the worst defenses in the MLB, which Ramos will surely help, but he’s also having the best season of his career. He’s currently on the DL with a hamstring strain, but he should be back soon. Ramos is hitting .296 this year with 14 home runs and 53 RBIs. Phillies catchers as a whole are hitting .244 this year. The Buffalo, as he’s known around the league, should help the surprising Phillies try to widen their lead in the NL East.
Grade: B+
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