Yankees: Every trade NYY’s American League rivals made before the deadline

The New York Yankees got the trade deadline party started when they traded for Joey Gallo on Wednesday. Then they shocked baseball when they landed Anthony Rizzo in a deal with the Chicago Cubs. That was the talk of the league until … the Dodgers did whatever they did. Ugh.

But we don’t have to worry about the Dodgers until the World Series. Don’t care about what they do until then! Yankees fans need to be zoned in on what their American League counterparts did at the trade deadline … and will do for the next 2-3 months.

A lot of the Yankees’ direct competition improved with midsummer additions, and though Brian Cashman patched up serious shortcomings on the roster, it’s still going to be a battle of heavyweights leading up to the playoffs and then through October. You can thank the Cubs, Nationals, Twins, Marlins and other sellers for making that possible.

This season was never going to be easy for the Yankees, which became evident on Opening Day. New York laughed at the teams around them getting worse this offseason thanks to free agent departures and cost-cutting, and thought only a few marginal additions would do the trick to roll through the AL.

Not quite. And now, while the Yankees have gotten better, so has … everyone else. Even teams beneath them! So let’s do a quick scan of every pre-deadline deal outside of New York that affected the Yankees.

3. AL West

We’re going to break this down by division to make life easier, and we’ll start with two very important teams that could directly affect the Yankees’ season: the Astros and Athletics.

Astros acquired RP Kendall Graveman and RP Rafael Montero from Mariners

Houston added to their largely barren bullpen with one of the best relievers in the AL in Graveman, who’s having a career year (0.82 ERA, 0.70 WHIP in 33 innings of work), and Montero, who will likely be used to eat innings given his troubling 7.27 ERA in 40 games.

Astros acquired RP Yimi Garcia from Marlins

Another bullpen addition, which, yes, is smart, but didn’t the Astros need a starter? Garcia has a 3.47 ERA and 15 saves across 36.1 innings of work. His four-pitch mix will certainly help elevate the Astros’ pitching staff.

Astros acquired RHP Phil Maton and C Yainer Diaz from Indians

Another bullpen addition. The Indians sold off and Maton heads to Houston with his 4.57 ERA and 1.36 WHIP, but he owns a 3.13 FIP and has struck out 61 batters in 41.1 innings of work.

Athletics acquired LHP Andrew Chafin

Chafin was one of the many Cubs pieces sold off, and the lefty arrives in Oakland with his 2.03 ERA and 0.85 WHIP in the year. By far a career season for the 31-year-old, and a good addition to the A’s bullpen.

Athletics acquired OF Starling Marte from Marlins

Once thought of as a prime deadline target for the Yankees, Marte brings his plus defense, contact-heavy bat, and speed on the base paths to Oakland. The Yankees upgraded with Gallo, who is more versatile, possesses more power, and is a lefty. Nonetheless, a shrewd acquisition for the A’s, who level up in a big way.

Athletics acquired C Yan Gomes and UTIL Josh Harrison from Nationals

Gomes provides some improved catching depth while Harrison can be used all over the field thanks to his defensive versatility. Gomes is also a solid bat (.273 average, .778 OPS for a catcher) and Harrison is even better (.294 average, .800 OPS). More bats and defense for the A’s.

1. AL East

Woof. So many trades for our truest rivals. It’s exhausting. Let’s start with the Rays, though, who got under our skin last week and proceeded to not do much after.

Rays acquired DH Nelson Cruz from Twins

A nightmare scenario for sure, but Aroldis Chapman struck Cruz out twice this week to save games this week, and he’s already dealing with a foot issue.

Rays acquired OF Jordan Luplow and RHP DJ Johnson from Indians

Thankfully, these were underwhelming acquisitions. Luplow, an outfielder, is hitting .173 in 36 games this year while Johnson has appeared in 36 career games (he’s 31 years old) and owns a 4.91 ERA. But hey, it’ll somehow work out for Tampa, right?

Blue Jays acquired LHP Brad Hand from the Nationals

Though the Yankees own Brad Hand (3.59 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 21 saves), it’s still more bullpen stability for the Jays … who had none. If they can get a semblance of a decent relief corps, they’ll be tailing New York for the remainder of the year. And they weren’t done there.

Blue Jays acquired RHP Joakim Soria from the Diamondbacks

Another very experienced righty reliever who’s solid. Not going to blow you away by any means, but Soria’s (4.30 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, six saves) been a fixture for quite some time and has featured on some postseason teams. Accruing such characteristics for a bullpen is important. And don’t forget, the Jays acquired Trevor Richards and Adam Cimber (from the Brewers and Marlins) much earlier in the month. Soria and Hand were the finishing touches.

Blue Jays acquired RHP Jose Berrios from the Twins

Berrios was a Yankees target as well, but the Twins were reportedly asking for a lot. And they got a lot from the Blue Jays in the form of two of their top-four prospects. Let them pay the price … they needed the pitching way more anyway. Berrios is a 3.50 ERA pitcher and has been right there (3.48 ERA) through 20 starts in 2021. He’ll help provide stability in the Jays rotation through 2022.

Red Sox acquired OF Kyle Schwarber from the Nationals

Thank goodness Cashman stole Rizzo from Boston, or else he’d be among the few missing pieces for the Red Sox. Instead, they still don’t have a first baseman and it’s unclear what Schwarber’s role will be. There’s been chatter of him playing the outfield (though that would take reps away from one of Alex Verdugo, Jarren Duran or Hunter Renfroe) or first base (what??). A fun hitter for the Sox but … not exactly an established role. They’ll figure it out, though, and Schwarber will mash against us.

Red Sox acquired RHP Hansel Robles from the Twins

You could call this a bullpen reinforcement but Robles isn’t having a good year. Maybe getting him out of Minnesota will help, but his 4.82 FIP is right in line with his 4.91 ERA. Not encouraging. Too many walks this year from the right-hander as well. He’s averaging five per nine innings. Nonetheless, some experience and depth for the Sox bullpen, but nothing to be afraid of.

Red Sox acquired LHP Austin Davis from the Pirates

This deal sent Michael Chavis to Pittsburgh! Wow. Chavis was traded for a 28-year-old with 65 games under his belt. Davis owns a 5.65 ERA and 1.49 WHIP for his career, and a 5.59 ERA and 1.14 WHIP in 10 games this year. Nothing much here. Way to put an exclamation point on everything, Boston.

Yankees steal Anthony Rizzo away from Red Sox in stunning trade

The New York Yankees are acquiring Anthony Rizzo from the Chicago Cubs in a blockbuster trade. Who saw that coming?! Hero.