The trade deadline day for Major League Baseball was on Monday, and was clearly a little different in 2020 as it happened at the end of August during an abbreviated 60 game regular season. However, there were some rather notable names who were moved. Let’s take a look at the top five.
5) Archie Bradley–The closer was traded from the Arizona Diamondbacks to the Cincinnati Reds for left fielder Josh VanMeter and minor leaguer Stuart Fairchild. In 2020, Bradley has six saves in 10 games with an earned run average of 4.22. It is very possible Bradley could take over closer duties for the Reds as current closer Raisel Iglesias has an earned run average of 5.59.
4) Kevin Pillar– The veteran outfielder was traded from the Boston Red Sox to the Colorado Rockies for a player to be named later and future considerations. Pillar batted .274 with four home runs and 13 runs batted in with Boston this year. Even though he is known for his defense, Pillar has the luxury of moving to the Rockies organization, which play at Coors Field, the easiest hitters’ park in all of baseball.
3) Jonathan Villar–The veteran middle infielder was traded from the Miami Marlins to the Toronto Blue Jays for outfield prospect Griffin Conine. Villar is known for his speed as he leads the Major Leagues will nine stolen bases. So far in 2020, Villar is batting .259 with two home runs and nine runs batted in. Expect Villar to see regular time at shortstop for Toronto in the interim as Bo Bichette is out with a knee injury.
12) Starling Marte–The Dominican outfielder was traded from the Arizona Diamondbacks to the Miami Marlins for pitchers Caleb Smith, Humberto Mejia and Juilo Frias. An all-star with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2016, this was Marte’s first year with the Diamondbacks. He batted .311 with two home runs and 14 runs batted in.
1) Mike Clevinger–The starting pitcher was traded from the Cleveland Indians to the San Diego Padres in a blockbuster trade which saw Canadians Josh Naylor and Cal Quantrill go to Cleveland. Clevinger was suspended by the Indians earlier this summer when he broke coronavirus protocol. In four starts in 2020, Clevinger had a record of one win, one loss, an earned run average of 3.18, and 21 strikeouts in 22 2/3 innings.
