:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/50604311/usa-today-9478465.0.jpg)
The MLB Daily Dish is a daily feature we're running here at MLBDD and rounds up roster-impacting news, rumors, and analysis. Have feedback or have something that should be shared? Hit us at @mlbdailydish on Twitter.
Good morning baseball fans!
On the last day to make trades that impact the playoff rosters, some teams were making moves.
The Orioles acquired Michael Bourn from the D-Backs.
New York added some bullpen help, with the Mets trading for Fernando Salas of the Angels.
Cleveland joined in, finalizing their deal for Coco Crisp.
The Red Sox won the day, finally making the call to promote top prospect Yoan Moncada to the big league roster.
Is Trea Turner really this good?
Behind Turner, you have a has-been (Johnson), a will-be (Buxton), a might-be (Castellanos), and an possibly-could-be-if-everything-breaks-right (Tomas). None of these four has a sub-average strikeout rate — Tomas's is the lowest of the group, at 23.4 percent. If Turner doesn't patch up this hole, he'll probably see his 21.0 percent strikeout rate inflate to join their ranks.
Unlike with walks, Turner has a history of striking out, doing so in 19.8 percent of his minor-league plate appearances. With the impending regression of his BABIP, he might want to cut down on the strikeouts to save his batting average, and that'll require better swings — or fewer swings — at pitches low and inside.
Here is the Tim Tebow tracker, so you can follow the ensuing news and rumors.
Speaking of Tebow, he’s either the worst or we are, says our own Mike Bates.
Here is a roundup of news from around the American League Central.
The Orioles jumped in on the trade fun, getting Kyle Lobstein from the Pirates.
Jake Arrieta has a problem.
I won’t pretend like I have all the answers, but I also won’t pretend like I don’t see anything. We know something must be off with Arrieta’s delivery, and I’m seeing some differences right up there. Maybe Arrieta just feels like he has to throw more forcefully to get that velocity he wants. Maybe things have just gone slightly awry naturally, and all he needs is a few bullpen sessions. Arrieta knows he needs to do better, the Cubs know he needs to do better, and everyone knows the Cubs have the present advantage of low stakes. There’s time to work this out. Yet if the struggles keep up, suddenly the Cubs don’t seem quite so invincible. I guess the other contenders need to hold on to something.
Important Links:
Subscribe to The Rosterbatorical on iTunes. While you are there, drop us a rating and a review!
Today in Baseball History: In 1989, eight days after banning Pete Rose, Commissioner Bart Giamatti dies of a heart attack at age 51.