Red Sox mostly quiet, add middle reliever Hansel Robles as MLB trade deadline passes

The Red Sox largely stood still on Friday afternoon, as the MLB trade deadline came and went and every other American League contender loaded up for a playoff run.

After acquiring left fielder Kyle Schwarber from the Washington Nationals late Thursday night, the Sox opted to make only two minor moves on Friday, otherwise sitting on the sidelines during one of the busiest trade deadlines in recent memories.

The Sox’ only other additions were Twins’ right-hander Hansel Robles and Pirates’ lefty Austin Davis.

Robles is a 30-year-old middle reliever with a 4.91 ERA, 43 strikeouts, 24 walks in 44 innings this year. He comes on a $2-million salary and will be a free agent after the season. The Sox sent away minor league pitcher Alex Scherff in the deal.

Davis is a 28-year-old who has only pitched 9-2/3 big league innings this year with a 5.59 ERA. He has a career 5.65 ERA over 71-2/3 innings with the Pirates and Phillies. To acquire him, the Sox gave up utility man Michael Chavis. Pirates general manager Ben Cherington originally drafted Chavis at No. 26 overall in 2014, when he was still the Sox’ GM.

The Yankees, Blue Jays and Rays loaded up which should make for a fascinating sprint to the finish in the AL East, where the Red Sox entered Friday with a 1-1/2 game lead over the Rays, an 8-1/2 game lead over the Yankees and a 9-1/2 game lead over the Jays.

But each of those three teams were aggressive this week, with the Yankees acquiring first baseman Anthony Rizzo, right fielder Joey Gallo and right-hander Andrew Heaney, the Rays adding designated hitter Nelson Cruz and right-hander Shawn Armstrong, and the Jays adding one of the biggest names of the deadline, Twins’ ace Jose Berrios, and relievers Joakim Soria and Brad Hand.

Away from the AL East, the White Sox, Astros and A’s made substantial improvements, too.

The White Sox arguably won the trade deadline with a huge haul, including closer Craig Kimbrel, right-hander Ryan Tepera and second baseman Cesar Hernandez.

In the AL West, the Astros picked up three right-handed relievers, Phil Maton, Kendall Graveman, and Yimi Garcia, while the A’s added utility man Josh Harrison, catcher Yan Gomes, lefty Andrew Chafin and outfielder Starling Marte, and the Mariners added four players, including lefty Tyler Anderson, while trading away two, including Graveman.

Red Sox chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom is scheduled to speak to reporters at 4:30 p.m. ET.

More to come.

from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/3faPa7K