# MLB: July 2019 **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Tags:** baseball-mlb\ **Created:** [July 1, 2019, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2019/836345 "2019-07-01T14:30:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 9
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2019, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2019/836345/161 "2019-07-30T13:38:54Z")
That move only makes sense if they’re going to flip Stroman for better prospects than they gave the Jays, today or tomorrow, when buyers’ desperation gets higher and the price goes up. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2019, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2019/836345/162 "2019-07-30T15:25:24Z")
Baseball layman question (not worth its own thread): Is it really necessary for the 3rd strike to be treated differently than the first 2 strikes, in terms of the ball glancing off of the bat? Why not just treat it the same, so that the 3rd time the ball glances off of the bat, it’s still a strike? It would prevent some of those super-long-at-bat situations. ---
**Author:** ![P-man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/p-man/32/3606_2.png) [@P-man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/P-man)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2019, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2019/836345/163 "2019-07-30T16:58:18Z")
> [@dalej42](#): > > Max Scherzer back to the IL as the Nationals have a brutal schedule in front of them August schedule isn’t too brutal, and hopefully Scherzer won’t miss more than 2-3 games. You never know with “minor” injuries, though. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2019, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2019/836345/164 "2019-07-30T20:05:06Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > Baseball layman question (not worth its own thread): > > Is it really necessary for the 3rd strike to be treated differently than the first 2 strikes, in terms of the ball glancing off of the bat? Why not just treat it the same, so that the 3rd time the ball glances off of the bat, it’s still a strike? It would prevent some of those super-long-at-bat situations. Strikeouts are already abnormally high this season. I’m not sure they’re seeing a need to increase them. Though in principle I’m not opposed to the idea. ---
**Author:** ![Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a183cd/32.png) [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barkis_is_Willin)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2019, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2019/836345/165 "2019-07-30T20:14:04Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > Baseball layman question (not worth its own thread): > > Is it really necessary for the 3rd strike to be treated differently than the first 2 strikes, in terms of the ball glancing off of the bat? Why not just treat it the same, so that the 3rd time the ball glances off of the bat, it’s still a strike? It would prevent some of those super-long-at-bat situations. Oh my, this would be a drastic change with severe consequences. A lot of good hitters, hitters that don’t strike out much (relative in today’s MLB) are skilled at fouling off good pitches with two strikes. Spoiling pitch after pitch is called having a good at bat, and the drama of those two-strike foul balls is actually appealing to many fans, myself included. A foul ball strike three would speed up the game, yes, but it would also make it so much more boring. ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2019, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2019/836345/166 "2019-07-30T20:24:44Z")
Cubs acquire [David Phelps](https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/27288022/cubs-acquire-reliever-phelps-blue-jays) from Toronto in exchange for minor league pitcher Thomas Hatch. Joc Pederson was pulled from last night’s game for not running out a ground ball in the 8th inning of a 9-1 loss. ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2019, 5:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2019/836345/167 "2019-07-31T05:27:24Z")
Puig goes to the Indians, Reds get Bauer in 3 team deal: > **[Indians send Bauer to Reds, get Puig, Reyes](https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/27290608/sources-indians-send-bauer-reds-get-puig)** > > The Indians have traded right-hander Trevor Bauer to the Reds and acquired outfielders Yasiel Puig and Franmil Reyes as part of a three-team deal that includes the Padres. ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Scud](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f08c70/32.png) [@Tom\_Scud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Scud)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2019, 12:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2019/836345/168 "2019-07-31T12:12:49Z")
So the only two teams to trade prospects for veteran starting pitchers so far are both below .500. This does not make a ton of sense. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2019, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2019/836345/169 "2019-07-31T12:31:02Z")
It is a twisted year thus far. What will happen by 4pm EST today though? ---
**Author:** ![BlankSlate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blankslate/32/80_2.png) [@BlankSlate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlankSlate)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2019, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2019/836345/170 "2019-07-31T14:01:44Z")
> [@Tom\_Scud](#): > > So the only two teams to trade prospects for veteran starting pitchers so far are both below .500. This does not make a ton of sense. It makes sense that Toronto didn’t want to trade Stroman within the division and Cleveland didn’t want to strengthen a rival, though. They might have been dealing exclusively with NL treams. Next year, Cincinnati will have Castillo, Bauer, Gray and DeSclafani heading their rotation. That will be paired with an offense that is currently third in runs scored in the NL. Not too shabby. ---
**Author:** ![Rysto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ecccb3/32.png) [@Rysto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rysto)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2019, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2019/836345/171 "2019-07-31T14:15:37Z")
> [@BlankSlate](#): > > It makes sense that Toronto didn’t want to trade Stroman within the division No, it doesn’t. The only reason to avoid trading within the division is that your GM is afraid of looking bad if the player that he traded plays well against your team. That’s a terrible reason to sabotage your own team by taking an inferior return. Any GM who refuses to trade within their division should be summarily fired and replaced with somebody who doesn’t blatantly put their own interests above the team’s. ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2019, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2019/836345/172 "2019-07-31T15:19:54Z")
> [@Rysto](#): > > No, it doesn’t. The only reason to avoid trading within the division is that your GM is afraid of looking bad if the player that he traded plays well against your team. No, it isn’t. You play 19 games a year against a division rival, 6-7 games against an interdivision team, and may not play at all against a team in the other league for multiple years. If the Jays can get a comparable deal from the Mets as from the Yankees, it makes FAR more sense to avoid strengthening the Yankees. A strong Yankees team makes EVERYTHING harder on the Jays, you have to play them more, and they make it harder to win your division. The Mets refusing to deal with the Yankees, while talking to the Braves, now that is stupid. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2019, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2019/836345/173 "2019-07-31T15:22:52Z")
> [@Cheesesteak](#): > > No, it isn’t. You play 19 games a year against a division rival, 6-7 games against an interdivision team, and may not play at all against a team in the other league for multiple years. > > If the Jays can get a comparable deal from the Mets as from the Yankees, it makes FAR more sense to avoid strengthening the Yankees. A strong Yankees team makes EVERYTHING harder on the Jays, you have to play them more, and they make it harder to win your division. > > The Mets refusing to deal with the Yankees, while talking to the Braves, now that is stupid. Perfect summary. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2019, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2019/836345/174 "2019-07-31T15:25:03Z")
The Mets thinking they can get Andrew Benintendi for Edwin Diaz, now that also is stupid. ---
**Author:** ![Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a183cd/32.png) [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barkis_is_Willin)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2019, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2019/836345/175 "2019-07-31T15:39:28Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > The Mets thinking they can get Andrew Benintendi for Edwin Diaz, now that also is stupid. The “experts” like Buster Olney seem to think he, or JBJ or Chavis have to be a part of a deal. I agree it is stupid and while the Sox are in desperate need of bullpen help, I expect a hell of a lot better return if Benny is part of a trade. What the Mets just gave up for Stroman kind of set the going rate, right? They didn’t part with any MLB level talent. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2019, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2019/836345/176 "2019-07-31T16:25:02Z")
> [@storyteller0910](#): > > I’m pretty sure at this point that Brodie van Wagenen is just a the AI that baseball video games use to determine what trades and signings CPU-controlled franchises will make, ported into a robot shaped like an 80’s movie villain. Or maybe Brodie is the reincarnation of [Frank Lane](https://sabr.org/node/40756)\*. > [@Cheesesteak](#): > > The Mets refusing to deal with the Yankees, while talking to the Braves, now that is stupid. Too bad the Yankees don’t have a cozy setup with the Kansas City A’s anymore (K.C. was notorious for shipping its best players to the Yankees circa 1955-60 in return for next to nothing). \*still a pariah in Cleveland for trading Rocky Colavito for Harvey Kuenn. ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2019, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2019/836345/177 "2019-07-31T18:09:05Z")
Cubs flip the recently-acquired Martin Maldonado to the Astros for Tony Kemp. > **[Astros Acquire Martin Maldonado For Tony Kemp](https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2019/07/astros-acquire-martin-maldonado.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=facebook)** > > The Astros have acquired catcher Martin Maldonado from the Cubs, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports. Outfielder/second baseman Tony Kemp … ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2019, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2019/836345/178 "2019-07-31T20:26:16Z")
> [@BlankSlate](#): > > It makes sense that Toronto didn’t want to trade Stroman within the division and Cleveland didn’t want to strengthen a rival, though. They might have been dealing exclusively with NL treams. **Next year, Cincinnati will have Castillo, Bauer, Gray and DeSclafani heading their rotation. That will be paired with an offense that is currently third in runs scored in the NL. Not too shabby.** Hell yeah it’s not shabby at all for next year, and while losing a fiery, streaky guy like Puig sucks for _this_ season, the Reds are still not out of the division hunt at 7 games back. All the divisional games are huge now. August will tell the tale. ETA: and those guys are 4th in ERA (Castillo), 21st (Gray), 31st (Bauer) and 49th (Disclefani) in all of baseball. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2019, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2019/836345/179 "2019-07-31T20:31:56Z")
SI is saying: > [@](#): > > Astros Pull Last-Second Stunner by Acquiring Zack Greinke and Aaron Sanchez ---
**Author:** ![Gray\_Ghost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c0e974/32.png) [@Gray\_Ghost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gray_Ghost)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2019, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2019/836345/180 "2019-07-31T21:08:05Z")
Tee hee. And got Greinke without parting with either Whitley or Tucker. While getting Arizona to pay a third of Greinke’s salary. Though losing Beer, Bukaskas, Martin, and Rojas may later sting. Top 3 WHIPs for SP now play for Houston, per [Jayson Stark](https://twitter.com/jaysonst/status/1156660774284267520). Also picked up [Aaron Sanchez and Joe Biagini from Toronto for Derek Fisher.](https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2019/07/blue-jays-trade-joe-biagini-astros.html) Good outfielder, just blocked in Houston. RickJay, how are the two pitchers from your team that Houston just picked up? Did the Astros get fleeced? Are they guys just needing a change of scenery? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2019/836345.md?page=8) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mlb-july-2019/836345.md?page=10)