Upton being traded at this particular time reminds me much of when my Indiana Pacers NBA team re-acquired point guard Mark Jackson from the Denver Nuggets at the trade deadline. It was only possible because Nuggets executives happened to be in Indianapolis at that exact time, as the Pacers were playing host to the Nuggets that night.
Upton got into the game, albeit as a pinch hitter.
In one of the weirder endings to a game I have ever seen, the Blue Jays were losing 6-4 in the twelfth inning and then scored three runs to win. None of the runs scored as the result of a hit. Based loaded, then… walk, groundout, wild pitch. I am pretty confident the team has won a game in walk off fashion without a hit before, but not with three consecutive scoring plays that didn’t involve hits.
I’m wondering if any more big names will be moved before the deadline in less than a week. Apparently teams with starting pitchers like Sale and Archer are asking for the moon in return.
Honestly, how is Chris Sale not worth 2 top prospects? He’s 27 years old, locked in through 2017 with team options in '18 and '19. And he’s a stud.
Sale might be available for a cut-rate discount. It’ll depend if any team is willing to slice through their prospect ranks.
And leave their farm system in shreds? Please.
I was there in person last night - you can never count on runs in extra innings, but both Padres relievers in the 12th were bouncing pitches all over the place in their warm-ups. The crowd sensed blood.
What’s more, the Blue Jays won against an NL team after losing the DH position when Upton pinch hit, while the Padres still had theirs.
Sale could let you rip thought a playoff series though. The pattern is clear; if you want to chop through the opposition you need an ace pitcher who can thread the needle with his fastball and tear up the opposition.
Marlins acquire Andrew Cashner and Colin Rea, as well as minor leaguer Tayron Guerrero , from San Diego for righties Jarred Cosart and Carter Capps, and prospects Josh Naylor and Luis Castillo .
Yes. Tomorrow never comes.
Farm system talent is just currency. Don’t get emotionally attached to it.
Whoosh
Anyone see the Nationals’ 3-3-5 Triple Play last night? First one ever, apparently. I’m a bit surprised given the circumstances. Didn’t seem that difficult, just the right people in place.
Against the right team, the Giants sinking fast.
Loved it. As a Nats fan, I played it back like 10 times. It’s not only the first 3-3-5 triple play in MLB history, it was the first triple play in Washington Nationals history. (Though I don’t know if they’re including the Expos.)
ESPN is reporting that the Cleveland Indians get Andrew Miller from the Yankees. Indians send minor league outfielder Clint Frazier and pitcher Justus Sheffield in exchange for Miller, sources told ESPN’s Buster Olney.
Frazier and Sheffield are two of Cleveland’s top three prospects.
ETA: Cleveland is also close to a deal to acquire Jonathon Lucroy from the Brewers for prized switch-hitting catcher Francisco Mejia, 20, and outfielder Greg Allen, 23.
Shortstop Yu-Cheng Chang, 20, would also be headed to Milwaukee, along with another prospect.
Lucroy has to approve the deal, as he has a limited no-trade clause.
Which he has apparently rejected, the fucker.
I was just about to post that update
Probably not with the same wording, though. 
Apparently, he asked the Indians to waive his 2017 option in exchange for him waiving the no-trade clause. Quite the joke, since it would destroy most of the value of the trade for Cleveland. But some are saying negotiations are ongoing, so the deal may not be dead.
During today’s Dodgers/Diamondbacks game, a run scored on an unusual wild pitch:
The pitcher released the ball, which hit in the dirt. It bounced up, hit Grandal in the throat protector of his mask, and shot straight down. It ended up being caught between the catcher’s chest protector and the body.
Since a player is not allowed to use their equipment in such a manner (akin to throwing your glove at a ball), the runner on 3rd was allowed to score.
Troy Tulowitzky, who can catch anything that isn’t a break, is out with a fractured thumb after being hit by a pitch. Sigh.
MLB.com is reporting that Seattle Mariners pitcher Wade Miley has been traded to Baltimore for LHP Ariel Miranda