Graham Wexler Post-Deadline Rumors Column
What a trade deadline that was.
For most of the day it looked like we were headed for the baseball equivalent of a wet firecracker. A few sparks, a lot of waiting around, and plenty of front offices insisting they were “working the phones.” Then the final 80 minutes happened and suddenly the whole league remembered how trades work. Some moves were expected, others came completely out of left field, and a few probably had GMs hitting “send” with about ten seconds left on the clock.
Here’s what I’m hearing coming out of the chaos.
Who’s Actually Ready for October
It’s becoming pretty clear who believes they’re playing postseason baseball.
While Cincinnati remained mostly quiet—aside from some bullpen help—they didn’t really need to do much anyway. Meanwhile Florida addressed some holes… and possibly created a couple new ones along the way. Kansas City got stronger, and Milwaukee wisely chose to let the dust settle rather than panic.
There are other teams trying to position themselves in the conversation—Orlando, Charlotte, maybe even St. Louis—but right now those first four feel like the ones with the clearest October plans.
Over in the United League, Montreal stayed quiet (not for lack of trying), while Toronto, Los Angeles, and Washington went all-in. The New York Mets had already pushed their chips in earlier this month, and with Arizona effectively waving the white flag, we’re now looking at a five-team race for four playoff spots.
That should be fun. And by fun, I mean extremely stressful for everyone involved.
Montreal Tried. Really.
Even though Montreal didn’t make a splash, they weren’t exactly sitting around watching reruns.
The club reportedly had significant offers out for multiple big hitters. The idea was simple: supplement what is already one of the league’s top pitching staffs while preparing for a future that might not include Raúl Mondesí after this season.
None of those deals ultimately crossed the finish line, but the effort was there. Sometimes the market just says “no,” no matter how many times you refresh the trade page.
Washington Wants the Ace
Washington did make a few quiet moves, bringing in players for essentially nothing who help round out the lineup. But the real story is the one that didn’t happen.
The organization has made no secret of its desire to land a top-tier pitcher, and from what I’m hearing, they were very close to getting one. Two sources say Roger Clemens ultimately chose another destination, leaving Washington as the runner-up in the sweepstakes—likely with a hefty pick package on the table.
They didn’t stop there. Big offers also reportedly went out to Mike Mussina in Cincinnati and Juan Guzmán in Minnesota, but both teams slammed the door.
The pitching staff is already strong, but if Washington falls short this October, expect the hunt for a true No. 1 starter to become the front office’s offseason obsession.
Orlando: All Talk, No Trade
Early in the day there were rumors flying everywhere about Orlando making a blockbuster move.
Three separate teams confirmed to me they submitted offers for Orlando center fielder Brian Jordan. Apparently the calls were real.
The trades? Not so much.
Jordan stayed put, and the only move Orlando actually made was a cost-cutting maneuver to slip under the cap. Whether the team disliked the offers or simply got cold feet is anyone’s guess, but this feels like a club that might have bigger plans once the offseason market opens.
The One That Got Away
The most fascinating stories at any deadline are always the deals that almost happen.
And according to several whispers floating around the league, Tony Gwynn was apparently being fitted for Toronto Blue Jays threads at one point yesterday.
Then… he wasn’t.
Sources say the sides couldn’t agree on the final value of Gwynn’s services. Which is a little surprising considering what Mike Greenwell was moved for earlier. The gap between the two sides couldn’t have been enormous.
Still, the deal fell apart, and Gwynn remains where he started the day.
So go ahead and add “Tony Gwynn in Toronto” to the ever-growing list of baseball’s great what-could-have-beens.