Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Jack Flaherty and Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Kevin Kiermaier moved to the West Coast Blue, joining the Los Angeles Dodgers. Los Angeles, who sits atop the NL West and second in the NL, landed two prominent players from selling teams. The Tigers’ selling mindset flourished on deadline day, but top asset Jack Flaherty landed in the highly funded Dodgers’ hands. For the Blue Jays, Kiermaier’s defensive centerfield and speed are top of the line, and Dave Roberts and company land him.
Jack Flaherty has 12 strikeouts through 5 IP.
He’s thrown 65 pitches ? pic.twitter.com/kbV0x676BY
— MLB (@MLB) April 30, 2024
Los Angeles Dodgers Spotlight
The Dodgers hold a commanding six-and-a-half-game lead in the NL West. With their top-end starting pitching and amazing top-half hitting, their strong record will land them in the postseason again. However, through some rough injuries to the pitching core, Tyler Glasnow and Gavin Stone hold their starting corps afloat. Flaherty’s addition is amazing for the Dodgers. With a 2.95 ERA, 0.956 WHIP, and 2.7 WAR, Flaherty’s value notched highly in the deadline frenzy. The Dodgers needed rotation help and they got it. For Kiermaier, the Dodger’s centerfield position is held down by Andy Pages and James Outman. As a duo, their fielding is average, but Kiermaier’s defensive prowess will help an important position on the field.
Detroit Tigers Spotlight
The Tigers spent their afternoon selling and selling. Names such as Mark Canha, Andrew Chafin, and now Jack Flaherty have been dealt to name a few. The Tigers sit seven games back of a wild card spot, and 52-57 overall. Firmly positioned as sellers, the Tigers worked throughout the day adding prospects for the future. Their biggest name, Tarik Skubal, stayed put. However, many solid pieces will work with their new teams in postseason pushes. Many prospects and perhaps some recent acquisitions will gain valuable experience in the bigs in August and September as they work towards a rebuild.
Toronto Blue Jays Spotlight
The team up north had an interesting deadline. A firesale, but none of their big stars exited. Kevin Kiermaier’s two years in Toronto come to an abrupt end. The defensive centerfielder is one of a few players to leave the Canadian team this trade deadline. The Blue Jays sit 50-57, eight games back of a wild card spot. With struggling pieces and a tough AL East, the season for the Jays is bleak. Now, they forfeit their 2024 season, as they sell the pieces around their stars and look to flip the lights for 2025.
More Trade Deadline Coverage
- Phillies Trade Soto to Baltimore for Two Prospects
- Phillies Acquire Tanner Banks from the White Sox
- Giants Cap off Deadline With Trade for Mark Canha
- Diamondbacks Acquire Dylan Floro From Nationals
- Padres Acquire All-Star Closer Tanner Scott From Marlins
- Met’s Acquire Paul Blackburn From A’s
- Guardians Add Veteran Pitcher Alex Cobb
- Rangers Acquire Andrew Chafin From Tigers
- Lucas Erceg Goes to Bullpen-Needy Royals From Athletics
- Josh Bell Traded to Arizona, Miami Firesale Continues
- Baltimore Adds Trevor Rogers from Miami to Boost Starting Rotation
- Red Sox Acquire Righty Reliever Lucas Sims from Reds
- Yankees Strengthen Bullpen with Addition of Mark Leiter Jr
- Pirates Acquire Josh Walker From Mets
- Houston Astros Land Yusei Kikuchi in Deal with Blue Jays
- Jorge Soler, Luke Jackson Traded Back to Atlanta in Deadline Deal
- Rockies Trade Jalen Beeks to Pirates for Pitching Prospect
- Mariners Acquire Justin Turner in Trade with Blue Jays
- Orioles Rumors at the Deadline
- Pirates Acquire Infielder Nick Yorke from Red Sox
- Rangers Trade Michael Lorenzen to Royals
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