Trade Deadline, Tulowitzki Retires, Twins Homers, Betts’ Trifecta, Wilkerson Saves

by FT Staff | July 28, 2019

Trade Winds Blowing…

As we approach the trade deadline there haven’t been any blockbuster trades yet, but the Trade Rumor Mill still has Noah Syndergaard, Edwin Diaz, Madison Bumgarner and Trevor Bauer drawing interest. So far it’s just been Marcus Stroman to the Mets, Jake Diekman to the Athletics, Sergio Romo to the Twins and Eric Sogard to the Rays. Minor improvements to potential playoff teams drawn from the well of sadness of the non-contenders.

Shortstop Stopped Short…

Veteran shortstop Troy Tulowitzki has announced his retirement after 13 Major League seasons. He was a five-time All-Star with the Rockies and was later traded to the Blue Jays. Injuries were a recurring issue with Tulo – he played more than 130 games just three times over his 13 seasons. True to form, when he issued the press release, he got a paper cut.

Save Yourself…

Orioles outfielder Stevie Wilkerson got a save when he came in to pitch the 16th inning. He is the first position player to ever get a save and he did so by throwing — or lobbing — a 1-2-3 inning with a fastball that was clocked at 55 mph and a change up that was clocked at 55 mph and a curveball that was clocked… I think you get it.

And Twins…

The Twins became the fastest team in MLB history to reach 200 home runs in a season, accomplishing the feat in just 103 games. They shattered the 2005 Rangers’ previous mark of 122 games. Is it just me or does it seem like the baseballs might be juiced?

Threesomes…

Mookie Betts had a 3-homer game against the Yankees and, in doing so, he made it four straight days where at least one MLB player had posted a three home run game. Is it just me or does it seem like the baseballs might be juiced?