Yesterday, the trade deadline kicked off as 12 trades took place very close to the deadline. Here is a recap of all the big trades that happened yesterday.
Rangers trade RHP Michael Lorenzon to the Kansas City Royals for LHP Walter Pennington.
This may look like a waving of the white flag for Texas, but it is not. Lorenzen is on an expiring contract, and the Rangers are getting Jon Gray, Tyler Mahle, and Jacob DeGrom reinstated from the Injury List sometime soon. This allows the Rangers to free up a roster spot while aiming to make the playoffs. The Royals, in exchange, get a versatile guy like Lorenzen, who can shore up the back end of the rotation or move to the bullpen.
Dodgers trade RHP Ricky Vanasco to the Detroit Tigers for cash considerations.
The Dodgers made their first move yesterday when they traded righty reliever Ricky Vanasco to the Tigers for cash. Vanasco, who is 25 and has only pitched two innings for the Dodgers this season, freed up a 40-man spot for the Dodgers and replaced Carson Kelly’s 40-man spot for the Tigers. This allowed the Dodgers to make other moves and filled a relief spot for the Tigers, who looked to be sellers.
Mariners trade Ty France and cash considerations to the Cincinnati Reds for Andruw Salcedo
Whenever a former All-Star is moved at the deadline, people take notice. However, Seattle designated France for assignment on July 23 due to a .662 OPS and, therefore, was moved six days later. The Reds pick up the talented 30-year-old France in the hope that he can regain his 2022 form. They only had to give up a Single-A catcher in the switch-hitting Salcedo and, in return, received not only France but cash considerations. The Mariners dump the struggling France, and the Reds fill a hole for very cheap.
White Sox trade RHP Erick Fedde and outfielder Tommy Pham to the St. Louis Cardinals and RHP Michael Kopech to the Los Angeles Dodgers, Cardinals trade INF Tommy Edman and RHP prospect Oliver Gonzales to the Dodgers, and the Chicago White Sox acquire prospects Cuban outfielder Miguel Vargas, Alexander Albertus, and Jeral Perez in a three-team trade.
The White Sox make their first big sell of the deadline and, in return, acquire three young players. Chicago will not be a contender for the foreseeable future, so they bolster up their farm with international talent and trade expiring contracts. The Dodgers get talent for the back end of the bullpen with Kopech and great defensive versatility with Edman. And the Cardinals land a soft buy, only giving up a middling Edman and minor leaguer Gonzales in exchange for a starter having a great year in Fedde and a reunion with former Cardinal Tommy Pham.
Red Sox trade infield prospect Nick Yorke to the Pittsburgh Pirates for RHP Quinn Priester
Priester, a former high-level prospect for the Pirates, has not yet figured out how to translate to the Major League level. Priester is the odd man out with the Pirates young rotation succeeding this year. The Red Sox seem to believe they can unlock his potential, so they send Triple-A middle infield prospect Nick Yorke to Pittsburgh. Yorke has been great in Triple-A, hitting .310 to the tune of a .898 OPS in 30 games after being promoted from Double-A.
Blue Jays trade infielder Justin Turner to the Seattle Mariners for OF RJ Schreck
Still valuable, the 39-year-old Turner heads to a team urgently needing offense. Seattle ranks 27th in team OPS, while Turner has been above league average. The slugger can slot in at first base, third base, or designated hitter as an everyday player for a contending Mariners squad.
Nationals trade outfielder Lane Thomas to the Cleveland Guardians for LHP prospect Alex Clemmey and infield prospects Rafael Ramirez and Jose Tena.

