July 31, 2017 Page 1 of 28

Clips

(July 31, 2017)

July 31, 2017 Page 2 of 28

Today’s Clips Contents

FROM LOS ANGELES TIMES (Page 3)

Angels blow six-run lead in ninth when Steve Pearce hits walk-off grand slam for Blue

Jays

Angels aren't looking to acquire rental players at the trade deadline

FROM ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER (Page 5)

Bud Norris gives up another slam as Angels Blow six-run lead in ninth

Angels Notes: Kole Calhoun headed for MRI with sore hamstring

FROM ANGELS.COM (Page 8)

Pujols homers twice, but Angels allow 7 in 9th

Calhoun exits game with hamstring soreness

Angels, Nolasco try to keep win streak vs. Phils

After spot start, Petit's role remains up in air

Sunday's best: Wells extends scoreless streak to 36

FROM THE ASSOCIATED PRESS (Page 14)

Steve Pearce caps Blue Jays' rally with second walk-off grand slam this week

FROM ESPN.COM (Page 16)

Power Rankings: Royals, Indians pick up the pace

FROM USA TODAY SPORTS (Page 25)

Mike Trout Monday: What would it take to trade for Mike Trout?

FROM MLB TRADE RUMORS (Page 27)

Angels Marketing Bud Norris, David Hernandez

July 31, 2017 Page 3 of 28

FROM LOS ANGELES TIMES

Angels blow six-run lead in ninth when Steve Pearce hits walk-off grand slam for Blue Jays

By Pedro Moura

The 2017 Angels are not a great ballclub, but until Sunday afternoon in Toronto, they had preserved

leads like one. They were the only team in the sport to win every game they once led by three runs this

season.

They soiled that feat in mortifying fashion at Rogers Centre, frittering away a six-run, ninth-inning lead in

20 minutes. The first five Blue Jays to bat reached base against Brooks Poundersand closer Bud Norris,

after manager Mike Scioscia quickly aborted his plan to rest Norris. That halved the lead. Soon Toronto’s

potential winning run approached the plate with the bases loaded and one out.

Norris missed badly with his first two pitches, supplying ex-teammate Steve Pearce the advantage.

Pearce readied for a fastball, which Norris tried to place low and along the outside of the strike zone. He

missed again, up, and Pearce drilled it into the seats. The Blue Jays won 11-10, the remnants of a sold-

out crowd went wild and Norris’ hands went to his head.

“I can’t sum it up yet,” he said. “It’s humbling, something to really learn from.”

Straining believability, both men had also been involved in walk-off slams within a week. Pearce clocked

one Thursday, while Norris, the Angels’ most prominent trade chip, surrendered one Tuesday in

Cleveland.

“A lot’s been going on in my head and everything else,” Norris said. “But, in the heat of the moment, I

have to stay focused on what I can control.”

Until the ninth, the Angels’ afternoon hummed along. They were nearing their first series sweep since

mid-May and a pleasant cross-continent flight ahead of Monday’s day off. They pounded lackluster Blue

Jays pitching, played their standard brand of solid defense, and withstood another mediocre starting

pitching performance, this time from Jesse Chavez.

With one out in the first inning against Blue Jays journeyman Cesar Valdez, Mike Trout punched a first-

pitch single into left, and Albert Pujols launched a two-run shot past the wall in left-center field.

Chavez then yielded a home run to Ezequiel Carrera on his second pitch. He again faltered in the third,

after the Angels had moved far in front, and permitted four runs in his five taxing innings.

“Good and bad, as usual,” Chavez said. “This sucks.”

Kaleb Cowart led off the Angels’ half of the third with a liner to right he stretched into a triple. Yunel

Escobarwhacked Valdez’s next pitch off of the left-field wall for a double. Trout walked, and Pujols

pulled an outside pitch into left field to drive in Escobar. Kole Calhountapped a double-play ball to

second, but shortstop Ryan Goins came off the base while receiving the throw and all Angels were safe.

July 31, 2017 Page 4 of 28

When Andrelton Simmons doubled, the Angels had their fourth run of the inning, still without recording

an out. As Toronto changed pitchers, Calhoun exited because of a right hamstring injury. He felt the

muscle twinge while he ran out the grounder; he will undergo an MRI examination Monday in Anaheim.

“I’m definitely concerned, but tomorrow’s gonna tell us a lot more,” Calhoun said. “We don’t really

know anything other than it’s sore.”

The rally fizzled, though the Angels tacked on later runs. In the sixth, Pujols made the score 9-4 with a

solo shot, and that made Sunday his first multi-homer day of the season. He had finished Saturday on an

0-for-24 hitless streak, the second-longest of his career, yet Scioscia had insisted Pujols was not in need

of a rest. For the day, Scioscia proved correct.

The Angels (51-55) suffered their most monumental collapse of the season, one they began by pulling

off all kinds of improbable comeback victories. As they fell six games out of playoff position, they

learned the frustration incurred on the opposite end.

And their manager argued that it was not a collapse.

“I don’t think we let anything slip away today,” Scioscia said. “I think those guys took it.”

Angels aren't looking to acquire rental players at the trade deadline

By Pedro Moura

In the final hours before Monday’s 1 p.m. PDT deadline to make nonwaiver trades, the Angels are not

pursuing potential deals for players who will be free agents at year’s end, so-called rentals. They will not

be buyers. But they could execute a trade that will break with traditional selling roles.

At the biggest junction in this season, the Angels are 51-55. Ordinarily, such a record would lead a team

to sell off all its desirable players on expiring contracts in exchange for prospects. But even after

Sunday’s collapse in Toronto, the Angels remain six games out of playoff position, because of a mediocre

class of American League clubs. Teams in similar standing sometimes opt to send away prospects for

rentals.

Angels general manager Billy Eppler said Saturday he is not considering trades of the latter format, but

he did not want to rule out anything else.

The Angels will host Philadelphia for three games beginning Tuesday. Separate from standard advance

scouting work, the Angels had a professional scout watching the Phillies over the weekend. The Angels

are known to be interested in Phillies second baseman Cesar Hernandez, who is under club control for

two more years after that.

Deals involving Hernandez and similar players could come together now or in the offseason. There’s

little rush, really, unlike most other trades at this time of year.

July 31, 2017 Page 5 of 28

An example of what the Angels could do: At last year’s deadline, the Angels’ biggest trade involved left-

hander Hector Santiago, who remained under club control through this year. They parted with him and

a relief prospect for right-handers Ricky Nolasco and Alex Meyer, who have made 20 more starts for the

Angels this year than Santiago has made for Minnesota. It was sort of a sell; it was sort of a buy.

This year, the Angel most likely to be traded is veteran Bud Norris, the club’s unofficial closer who has

given up walk-off grand slams in two of his last three appearances. They have also engaged in

conversations about fellow relievers David Hernandez and Yusmeiro Petit. All three men are pitching on

minor league contracts and making minimal money relative to the big league standard. All three will be

free agents at year’s end.

“I’m not thinking about it too much,” Norris said Saturday. “I want to stay in this uniform, but

whatever’s meant to be will be.”

Had left fielder Cameron Maybin not sprained his knee two weeks ago, he would have attracted

interest. Kansas City on Sunday traded its 13th-ranked prospect and another minor leaguer for Chicago

White Sox left fielder Melky Cabrera. Maybin makes less money than Cabrera and compares favorably to

him.

Short hops

After Monday’s day off, the Angels’ starting rotation will stay on schedule for the upcoming series

against the Phillies. Right-handers Nolasco, JC Ramirez and Parker Bridwell will start, in that order. … On

the disabled list since Monday because of an inflamed shoulder, Meyer has not yet resumed throwing.

FROM ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

Bud Norris gives up another slam as Angels Blow six-run lead in ninth

By Jeff Fletcher

TORONTO — Veteran Bud Norris, who is still relatively new to closing, had been enjoying the satisfaction

of the job, getting that final out and shaking hands with his teammates.

Now, the long-time starter knows the other side of the role, having twice this week suffered gut-wrenching

failure in the worst fashion imaginable.

After allowing a second game-ending grand slam in six games, in the Angels’ 11-10 loss to the Toronto Blue

Jays on Sunday, Norris stood at his locker searching for words.

“I can’t sum it up yet,” Norris said. “It’s humbling. Something to really learn from. A lot has been going on

in my head and everything else. In the heat of the moment, I have to stay focused on what I can control.

One pitch at a time. I made some really good pitches and some bad pitches, and one I didn’t make really

got punished.”

July 31, 2017 Page 6 of 28

That pitch, a 2-0 fastball over the middle of the plate to Steve Pearce, wound up over the fence.

The Angels had been the only team in the majors that hadn’t lost a game all season in which they led by

three or more. They got to that margin by the third inning, and had padded it to six — on the strength of

two homers by slumping Albert Pujols — in the ninth.

Up 10-4, they handed the ball to Brooks Pounders for what they hoped would be a formality.

Pounders could not get an out. He issued a walk, then gave up a two-run homer to Kevin Pillar. Rob

Refsnyder then doubled, knocking Pounders out of the game.

At that point, Norris was the only remaining relatively fresh reliever. Yusmeiro Petit (four innings on as the

starter on Saturday) and Troy Scribner (three innings in relief) were both unavailable. The Angels also

preferred to give a day off to Keynan Middleton after he threw 32 pitches on Saturday.

Norris jogged to the mound, looking to put a happy finish on a week that started off so ugly. On Tuesday

night in Cleveland, he entered in the 11th inning of a tie game. He walked two and the Angels intentionally

walked a third, and then he gave up a walk-off grand slam to Edwin Encarnacion.

On Saturday afternoon he had a chance to atone. He saved a one-run victory, although he still did so

around two walks.

This time, Norris was greeted by an Ezequiel Carrera single and an infield hit by Russell Martin. After a

groundout, he walked Kendrys Morales, loading the bases in what was now a 10-7 game.

Pearce then crushed the homer to left, with Norris putting his hands on his head as he saw the ball go over

the fence.

“I made a bad pitch in a hitter’s count,” Norris said.

Adding to the crushing nature of the loss, it’s fair wonder whether this week cost the Angels a chance to

trade Norris for a prospect who could help in the future. The trading deadline is Monday.

Manager Mike Scioscia said Norris and Pounders — and even starter Jesse Chavez, who gave up four runs

in five innings — fell behind in too many counts all afternoon. The Angels ended up walking six.

Scioscia, however, also shifted some of the ninth-inning nightmare to the Blue Jays.

“I don’t think we let anything slip away,” he said. “Those guys took it. Those guys had great at-bats. They

drew two walks and got five hits. Tip your cap to them. It’s a heckuva ninth inning.”

Angels Notes: Kole Calhoun headed for MRI with sore hamstring

By Jeff Fletcher

TORONTO — Kole Calhoun could be on his way to what has become a lengthy disabled list for the Angels.

July 31, 2017 Page 7 of 28

Calhoun came out of Sunday’s game with tightness in his right hamstring. He will undergo an MRI exam on

Monday.

“I’m definitely concerned, any time you’ve got to come out of a game,” Calhoun said. “Tomorrow is going

to tell us a lot more. It’s soreness right now. But we don’t really know anything other than soreness. The

MRI will definitely show us.”

Calhoun said he felt something grab while running to first after a ground ball in the third inning. He ran

from first to third before coming out of the game.

“I knew I couldn’t really get after it,” he said.

Calhoun would be the third of the Angels’ top three outfielders to hit the disabled list.

The Angels are currently without Cameron Maybin, a sprained knee landing him on the DL for the second

time this season. They also played six weeks without center fielder Mike Trout.

Most of the injuries have been to the pitching staff. The Angels currently have eight pitchers among their

nine players on the disabled list.

ENDING THE STREAK

Albert Pujols put an emphatic end to an 0-for-24 streak that was one of the longest hitless stretches of his

career. His longest was an 0-for-26 last year.

He ended it with a two-run homer in the first inning on Sunday. Pujols added a homer in the sixth, along

with a single.

“Albert put it together today,” Manager Mike Scioscia said. “There were some pitches that he was missing

before and he didn’t miss this afternoon. He hit the ball hard.”

ALSO

Andrew Heaney is scheduled to start on Monday at Triple-A, the fourth game of his rehab assignment and

first outside of the rookie-level Arizona League. Heaney, who is nearly 13 months removed from Tommy

John surgery, likely needs two more starts after this one to be ready…

Alex Meyer is still not throwing, Scioscia said. Meyer was placed on the disabled list last week with

shoulder inflammation. Scioscia said he’s improving, though. …

Martin Maldonado was hit by a pitch for the 14th time this season, which leads the American League.

July 31, 2017 Page 8 of 28

FROM ANGELS.COM

Pujols homers twice, but Angels allow 7 in 9th

By Keegan Matheson and Maria Guardado / MLB.com

TORONTO -- The Blue Jays had two walk-off grand slams in their first 40 years of existence. Steve

Pearce has two in the last four days alone.

Pearce's latest blast off Angels closer Bud Norris capped one of the most dramatic comebacks in Toronto

franchise history. The Blue Jays rallied from six runs down in the ninth inning to steal a victory away

from the Angels with an 11-10 win -- the club's biggest comeback when trailing entering the ninth

inning.

"It's just as good," said Pearce, who wasn't willing to rest on his Thursday heroics. "It's, 'What have you

done for me lately?' You've got to go up there and attack that at-bat. I went up there and just looked for

my pitch. He missed a couple pitches pretty bad early, so I was able to sit on my pitch and unload on it."

It was the second walk-off grand slam allowed by Norris in the last week, as he also surrendered a game-

winning blast to Indians slugger Edwin Encarnacion on Tuesday. Entering Sunday, the Angels had not lost

a game they led by more than three runs all season.

"Can't sum it up yet. It's humbling," Norris said. "Something to learn from. A lot's been going on in my

head and everything else, but in the heat in the moment, I have to stay focused on what I can control,

and that's one pitch at a time. I made some really good pitches, some bad pitches and one that I didn't

make tonight really got punished."

Blue Jays starter Cesar Valdez was hit early and often, and lasted just two-plus innings after pitching six

strong in his rotation debut earlier in the week. The journeyman right-hander was charged with six

earned runs on seven hits before the bullpen limited the damage long enough to keep Toronto within its

unexpected striking distance.

Albert Pujols was in vintage form for the Angels, snapping an 0-for-24 skid with his first multi-home run

game of 2017. The Angels' offense finished the day with 14 hits, giving them 23 runs on 32 hits over the

series.

"Albert, he put it together today," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "Some of the pitches maybe he

was missing before, he didn't miss this afternoon. He hit the ball hard all afternoon."

Despite taking two of three from the Blue Jays, the Angels (51-55) went 2-4 over their six-game road trip

and dropped 5 1/2 games behind the Royals for the second American League Wild Card spot.

Jesse Chavez gave the Angels five innings against his old team, allowing four runs on seven hits with two

strikeouts and two walks.

July 31, 2017 Page 9 of 28

Angels right fielder Kole Calhoun exited the game in the third inning with right hamstring soreness. He

will undergo an MRI exam on Monday in Southern California.

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED

Kevin starts the comeback: Kevin Pillar got the comeback started in the bottom of the ninth, tying a

career high with his 12th home run of the season to bring the Blue Jays within four. The shot

scored Ryan Goins, who opened up the inning by working a walk. Rob Refsnyder then hit a ground-rule

double, Ezequiel Carrera -- who led off the first with a homer -- singled and Russell Martin hit an RBI

single to set the stage for Pearce.

"The crowd started to get into it," Pearce said. "When [Martin's grounder] gets past the third baseman

and that's a hit, and Carrera had a great at-bat, it was just a great inning for everybody."

Extending an ugly 3rd: Valdez ran into trouble in the top of the third, but had a chance to limit the

damage with runners on first and second and none out. Calhoun grounded to second baseman

Refsnyder, but his short throw to Goins covering the bag at second was slightly high and wide, pulling

Goins off the bag. Instead of a double play, the Angels had the bases loaded. Three runs scored after

that play to give Los Angeles a five-run inning.

QUOTABLE

"I think we're just flat-out tired of losing. We still feel like we have a chance." - Pillar, on the ninth inning

"It's a bad way to end a road trip. It's something you don't like. It makes the flight long." -- Chavez, on

the Angels' tough loss

SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS

• Pearce is just the third player in MLB history to hit two walk-off grand slams in the same season. Jim

Presley did it with the 1986 Mariners, and Cy Williams pulled it off for the 1926 Phillies.

• Carrera's leadoff homer was the first of his career and the second this season for Toronto. Jose

Bautista also did it on June 28 vs. Baltimore.

• Pujols grounded into his 350th career double play, tying him for the all-time MLB record with Cal

Ripken Jr.

UNDER REVIEW

Pearce sent a deep drive to center field in the bottom the third, and both he and the Blue Jays dugout

thought it was gone. The umpires ruled it had gone off the wall for a double on the field, and after

review, that was confirmed.

In the fifth, Kaleb Cowart was called out at first after hitting a grounder to Refsnyder, but the Angels

challenged the call after replay showed that Cowart's foot had touched the bag ahead of Refsnyder's

throw. The call was overturned following a brief review, keeping the inning alive for the Angels.

July 31, 2017 Page 10 of 28

WHAT'S NEXT

Angels: After Monday's off-day, the Angels will host the Phillies on Tuesday for the first of three

Interleague games at 7:07 p.m. PT at Angel Stadium. Right-hander Ricky Nolasco (4-12, 5.07 ERA) will

start the opener and make his 24th career appearances against the Phillies.

Blue Jays: Marco Estrada (4-7, 5.43 ERA) will open Toronto's series in Chicago against the White Sox at

8:10 p.m. ET Monday. The right-hander looked much better his last time out, with the only damage

being a two-run home run in the fifth inning.

Calhoun exits game with hamstring soreness

Right fielder to undergo MRI on Monday

By Maria Guardado / MLB.com

TORONTO -- Right hamstring soreness prompted an early exit for Kole Calhoun in the third inning of

the Angels' 11-10 loss to the Blue Jays on Sunday afternoon at Rogers Centre. He will undergo an MRI

exam on Monday in Southern California, the club announced.

"I'm definitely concerned," Calhoun said. "Tomorrow is going to tell us a lot more. We don't really know

anything other than it's sore. The MRI will definitely show us."

Calhoun reached on an error to load the bases for the Angels in the third, but he said he felt his

hamstring tighten while running to first.

"When I hit that ground ball, coming out of the box, I just kind of felt that my hamstring got a little tight

and it grabbed," Calhoun said. "It felt more like a cramp than anything."

Calhoun advanced from first to third on Andrelton Simmons' two-run double, but he continued to feel

discomfort in his leg. Shortly after he reached third, trainer Adam Nevala came out to check on Calhoun,

who subsequently left the game.

"I knew I couldn't really get after it," Calhoun said. "I wasn't helping the team."

Shane Robinson replaced Calhoun on the basepaths and stayed in to play right field for the rest of the

game.

Calhoun also ran into the right-field wall while attempting to make a catch on Kevin Pillar's fly ball that

went foul in the second inning, but he said he didn't think his hamstring malady was related to that play.

The 29-year-old outfielder ended up turning a nifty double play to end the inning, snagging a liner

from Rob Refsnyderand then throwing to Luis Valbuena to double up Pillar at first base.

Calhoun is batting .231 with a .677 OPS, 13 home runs and 45 RBIs over 102 games this season. He said

he has never dealt with a serious hamstring injury before.

July 31, 2017 Page 11 of 28

"I've dealt with some things that going through a season you deal with, but nothing that's kept me off

the field," Calhoun said. "I'm hoping this one won't either. But we'll see tomorrow."

Angels, Nolasco try to keep win streak vs. Phils

By Maria Guardado / MLB.com

The Angels and Phillies will kick off a three-game Interleague series on Tuesday night at Angel Stadium,

marking only the fourth series meeting between the two clubs and their first since 2014.

The Halos currently have a lopsided edge over the Phillies, going 9-1 in the all-time series. Right-hander

Ricky Nolasco will look to extend the Angels' nine-game win streak over Philadelphia in Tuesday's

opener. He'll be opposed by fellow righty Aaron Nola.

Nolasco has logged a 5.07 ERA in 21 starts this season and took his 12th loss on Wednesday despite

holding the Indians to three runs over 6 2/3 innings. The 34-year-old veteran, who spent the first eight

years of his career in the National League East as a member of the Marlins, has faced the Phillies 23

times, going 8-7 with a 3.83 ERA.

Nola has posted a 3.17 ERA over 16 starts for the Phillies this season. He picked up his eighth win against

the Astros on Wednesday after striking out 10 over six scoreless innings. Nola, 24, is set to make his first

career start against the Angels.

Three things to know about this game

• The Angels have gone 4-1 in five games against the Phillies at Angel Stadium.

• Nola has only faced three current Angels: Ben Revere (1-for-8), Andrelton Simmons (1-for-8) and Yunel

Escobar (2-for-6). Phillies second baseman Cesar Hernandez is 3-for-3 in three plate appearances against

Nolasco.

• The Angels could unveil a slightly different 25-man roster on Tuesday, as it will be their first game

following Monday's non-waiver Trade Deadline. Right-handers Bud Norris, David Hernandez and

Yusmeiro Petit are among the players who could be moved before the Phillies come to town.

After spot start, Petit's role remains up in air

Return of Meyer, Skaggs may push veteran back to bullpen

By Maria Guardado / MLB.com

TORONTO -- Right-hander Yusmeiro Petit pitched four strong innings in a spot start for the Angels on

Saturday, but it remains to be seen if his next outing will come as a starter or as a reliever.

Petit, pressed into his first start of the season following the injury to Alex Meyer, held the Blue Jays to

one unearned run on three hits while walking none and striking out five in the 48-pitch effort and

earned a no-decision after the Angels rallied for a6-5 win at Rogers Centre.

July 31, 2017 Page 12 of 28

"I think he went right after those guys," manager Mike Scioscia said Sunday. "Striking out his share of

guys and throwing only [48] pitches in the four innings, it really made him effective. On a given day, he

might have had a little more in him, but it's tough to get a guy from 30 pitches up to the 60-65 mark.

That's a great outing from Y."

The Angels have not yet decided if Petit will get another start, as they want to wait and see if Meyer will

be able to come back quickly, though he has yet to pick up a ball since landing on the disabled list last

week with right shoulder inflammation. Another factor will be the impending return of left-hander Tyler

Skaggs, who is slated to make his fourth and potentially final rehab start with Triple-A Salt Lake on

Tuesday.

It's also possible that Petit's next appearance could be for another club. According to MLB.com's Mark

Feinsand, the Halos have received calls inquiring about the 32-year-old veteran, who has logged a 2.52

ERA over 60 2/3 innings this season, and are open to moving him before Monday's non-waiver Trade

Deadline. Fellow right-handers Bud Norris and David Hernandez have also garnered outside interest and

are potential trade chips for the Angels.

"I'm not thinking about it too much," Norris said Saturday. "I'm enjoying every day, coming to the

ballpark, hanging out with the bullpen guys. I just want to stay in this uniform, and whatever is meant to

be will be. I just want to continue to pitch and pitch well."

Scioscia also said that he isn't going to concern himself with trade talk. The Angels entered Sunday 4 1/2

games behind the Royals for the second American League Wild Card spot, and Scioscia said the team will

remain intent on chasing a postseason berth regardless of what happens on Monday.

"Our goal won't change," Scioscia said. "Our goal is going to be what it's going to be. I'm not going to

speculate on any situations on who's coming and who's going because it's not my focus."

Sunday's best: Wells extends scoreless streak to 36

By William Boor / MLB.com

Alex Wells extended his scoreless streak to 36 innings as he put up six more zeros in Class A Delmarva's

1-0 loss to Greensboro in Game one of a doubleheader on Sunday.

The Orioles No. 16 prospect was stuck with a no-decision, but still put together another impressive

outing as he yielded just three hits and matched his career high with seven strikeouts.

Wells, who hasn't given up a run since June 30th, has held his opponents scoreless in five straight starts

and has lowered his ERA from 3.14 to 2.29 during that stretch as well.

Not only is Wells keeping opponents off the scoreboard, but he isn't issuing any free passes as well.

Wells, who threw 62 of his 74 pitches for strikes, last walked a batter on June 25, 42 innings ago.

Other top prospect performances from Sunday's action:

July 31, 2017 Page 13 of 28

• No. 5 overall prospect Victor Robles (Nationals' No. 1) hit his first homer with Double-A Harrisburg,

since being promoted from Class A Advanced Potomac. Robles, who has gotten off to a slow start with

the Senators, went 2-for-4 with a solo homer in his seventh game at the Double-A level.

• No. 7 overall prospect Eloy Jimenez (White Sox No. 2) homered again for Class A Advanced Winston-

Salem. Jimenez, who went 2-for-4 in the first half of a doubleheader, has hit four homers in 16 games

since joining the White Sox organization.

• No. 49 overall prospect Anthony Alford (Blue Jays' No. 3) came up clutch in Double-A New Hampshire's

extra-innings win over Binghamton. Alford tied the game with a solo homer, his fourth, in the ninth,

extending the game and allowing his club to win it in the 11th. Alford also doubled in the game, finishing

3-for-5.

• No. 52 overall prospect Sixto Sanchez (Phillies' No. 2) was stuck with a no-decision despite throwing six

scoreless frames for Class A Lakewood. Although the bullpen gave up a late lead, Sanchez was lights out

as he struck out five and gave up just two hits. The 19-year-old has now given up three earned runs or

less in eight straight starts.

• No. 100 overall prospect Tyler O'Neill (Cardinals' No. 5) hit his 21st homer of the season in Triple-A

Memphis' loss to Reno. O'Neill, who finished 2-for-4, hit an RBI double in the first and then showed off

his power with a two-run homer in the eighth. The 22-year-old now has two homers in eight games

since he was traded to St. Louis.

• Angels No. 2 prospect Jahmai Jones stuffed the box score and hit his first homer with Class A Advanced

Inland Empire. Jones, who was promoted to the 66ers on July 20, went 3-for-5 with a double, homer,

two RBIs and two runs scored.

• Braves No. 9 prospect Joey Wentz led Class A Rome to a 7-3 win over Asheville with seven solid innings

on the mound. Wentz threw 64 of his 91 pitches for strikes and gave up two earned runs on three hits.

The 19-year-old also racked up eight strikeouts and has fanned 23 over his past 18 innings.

• Indians No. 6 prospect Yandy Diaz went a combined 3-for-6 with four RBIs and a pair of extra-base hits

in a doubleheader with Triple-A Columbus. Diaz went 1-for-3 with an RBI in the first game, then hit his

fifth homer of the season as part of a 2-for-3 effort in the second game.

• Nationals No. 10 prospect Daniel Johnson stayed hot for Class A Advanced Potomac, putting together

a pair of multihit performances in a doubleheader sweep of Myrtle Beach. Johnson went 3-for-4 with

two doubles in the first game and followed that up with a 2-for-4 outing in Game two. The 22-year-old is

hitting .424 through seven games with the Nationals after hitting .300 through 88 games with Class A

Hagerstown.

• Orioles No. 9 prospect Anthony Santander put together a pair of multihit performances in Double-A

Bowie's doubleheader sweep of Akron. Santander, who is with the Baysox on a rehab assignment, went

2-for-3 with a homer and three RBIs in the first game and then doubled as part of another 2-for-3 effort

in the night game.

July 31, 2017 Page 14 of 28

• Pirates No. 16 Luis Escobar has given up one earned run or less in five consecutive starts after spinning

seven innings of one-run ball for Class A West Virginia. Escobar gave up just two hits and struck out

seven, but the Power lost 2-1 in 11 innings.

• White Sox No. 28 prospect Alex Call set a career high with four RBIs in Class A Kannapolis' win over

Lexington. Call, a third-round pick in 2016, hit a two-run homer in the sixth inning and drove in two

more with a base hit in the eighth as he finished 2-for-4.

FROM THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Steve Pearce caps Blue Jays' rally with second walk-off grand slam this week

Associated Press

TORONTO -- Another pretty grand game for Steve Pearce.

Pearce hit his second game-ending grand slam in just four days and the Toronto Blue Jays pulled off the

biggest ninth-inning comeback in team history, rallying for seven runs to beat the Los Angeles Angels 11-

10 Sunday.

Pearce connected with one out off former Baltimore teammate Bud Norris (1-4).

"We kept fighting all the way to the end," Pearce said. "We showed great resilience as a team."

Pearce said he typically doesn't like batting against former teammates, but felt he had the upper hand

after Norris fell behind 2-0.

"He missed pretty bad on the first two pitches, so I was able to really lock in on the next pitch," Pearce

said.

On Thursday, Pearce's slam with two outs in the 10th inning lifted Toronto over Oakland 8-4.

Pearce became just third player to hit two game-ending grand slams in the same season, joining Cy

Williams (Phillies, 1926) and Jim Presley (Seattle, 1986). Presley later served as Pearce's hitting coach

with the Orioles.

On two prior occasions, the Blue Jays had won games by scoring five runs in the ninth.

"A crazy day," manager John Gibbons said. "You don't see that coming."

Toronto trailed 10-4 heading into the ninth against Brooks Pounders, but drew closer on Kevin Pillar's

two-run homer. After Rob Refsnyder doubled, Norris took over and gave up a single to Ezequiel

Carrera and an RBI single by Russell Martin. Justin Smoak grounded out and Kendrys Morales walked

before Pearce connected for his 10th homer.

July 31, 2017 Page 15 of 28

Matt Dermody (1-0) worked three innings for his first career win.

Albert Pujols hit two home runs for the Angels, who were bidding for their first sweep since May. Los

Angeles lost for the first time this season when leading by three or more runs.

"I don't think we let anything slip away," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "I think those guys took it."

Pujols entered hitless in his previous 24 at-bats, two shy of matching his career-worst skid, but snapped

out of the slump with a two-run drive off Cesar Valdezin the first inning. It was his first hit since July 22

against Boston.

Pujols finished 3-for-5 with four RBIs. He hit a run-scoring single in the third and struck out in the fourth

before connecting for a solo homer off Mike Bolsinger in the sixth.

"Albert put it together today," Scioscia said. "Some of the pitches he was missing before, he didn't miss

this afternoon."

Pujols has 607 career home runs, leaving him two behind Sammy Sosa for eighth place on the career list.

It was Pujols' first multihomer game of the season and the 56th of his career, breaking a tie with Jimmie

Foxx and Ken Griffey Jr. and giving him sole possession of eighth place in that category.

SLAMMED AGAIN

The Angels lost 11-7 at Cleveland last Wednesday when former Blue Jays slugger Edwin Encarnacion hit

a game-winning grand slam off Norris in the 11th.

SIMPLY GRAND

George Bell (1988) and Gregg Zaun (2008) are the only other Blue Jays players to hit game-ending grand

slams.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Angels: OF Kole Calhoun left in the third because of a sore right hamstring. Shane Robinson pinch ran for

Calhoun and took over in right field. Calhoun is expected to undergo an MRI Monday.

Blue Jays: SS Troy Tulowitzki (sprained right ankle) will see a specialist after an MRI Saturday revealed

ligament damage. ... OF Jose Bautista got his first day off this season. ... With 3B Josh Donaldson given

the day off, C Russell Martin started at third.

UP NEXT

Angels: RHP Ricky Nolasco (4-12, 5.09) starts the opener of a three-game home series against

Philadelphia. The Angels have lost each of Nolasco's past four outings. RHP Aaron Nola (8-6, 3.17) starts

for the Phillies.

July 31, 2017 Page 16 of 28

Blue Jays: RHP Marco Estrada (4-7, 5.43) starts the opener of a three-game series in Chicago against the

White Sox. Estrada is 0-5 with an 8.87 ERA in his past 10 starts. RHP James Shields (2-3, 5.86) will pitch

for Chicago.

FROM ESPN.COM

Power Rankings: Royals, Indians pick up the pace

ESPN.com

On the cusp of the trading deadline, things are definitely shaking up in the rankings, even with the

Astros and Dodgers splitting the first-place votes between them. While the AL East and NL West have

taken turns as baseball's strongest divisions, this week saw the AL Central's top tandem make big moves

to change up the top 10. The Indians vaulted up four slots to No. 4 on the strength of a nine-game win

streak, while the Royals refuse to give up on their last chance to win with most of the talent that won

the World Series in 2015, and moved up four spots, as well, to reach No. 10. The reigning champs also

made a move within the top 10, ascending two more spots, as their strong second-half run suggests

they're far from ready to surrender the brass ring.

But where several familiar contenders made their moves up, several teams made equally dramatic

declines. The biggest surprise might be that the Red Sox tumbled five slots to No. 9 -- perhaps the lesson

there is that it's bad luck to create drama with a Hall of Famer. But they weren't alone in their stumble,

as Pirates, Braves and Tigers all suffered four-slot drops, and the Twins endured a three-rung decline as

they fade from the AL Central race.

This week's voters are Bradford Doolittle, Eric Karabell, Tim Kurkjian, David Schoenfield and Mark Simon.

1. Los Angeles Dodgers

Record: 74-31

Week 16 ranking: No. 1

The Dodgers' championship drought goes back to 1988, not quite as epic as last year's Cubs title, as far

as overcoming a historical millstone, but enough to make you think the front office, in spending a

quarter of a billion dollars, is more than aware of the opportunity the Dodgers have to protect their

bid by trading for pitching with staff ace Clayton Kershaw on the shelf for a month. -- Christina Kahrl,

ESPN.com

July 31, 2017 Page 17 of 28

2. Houston Astros

Record: 68-36

Week 16 ranking: No. 2

With the AL West as good as won, the Astros have to be evaluating their team with an eye toward

October. With Lance McCullers Jr.already struggling (9.64 ERA and 2.30 WHIP in July) since he came back

from the DL, how much should they be worried about Dallas Keuchel's first start coming off the DL?

Keuchel's abbreviated three-inning outing featured a lot of losing batters on full counts and hard-hit

balls. Will it encourage them to shop for starting-pitching help? -- Christina Kahrl, ESPN.com

3. Washington Nationals

Record: 61-41

Week 16 ranking: No. 3

The Nationals' outfield depth took a hit with injuries to Jayson Werth and Michael Taylor. Without much

depth at the top of the farm system, they needed a player who could fill in without hurting them. Enter

26-year-old Brian Goodwin, a 2011 first-round pick. Gordon has performed at a level close enough to

Taylor's that certain shortcomings in his game are forgivable. In the meantime, 28 extra-base hits in 200

at-bats make him a valuable bench bat in October. -- Mark Simon, ESPN Stats & Information

4. Cleveland Indians

Record: 57-46

Week 16 ranking: No. 8

The Indians' season-best, nine-game win streak (snapped Sunday) rebuilt the AL Central lead they

squandered earlier in July. Now the question is whether they'll pull up again instead of breaking away.

One positive sign is that Francisco Lindor, Carlos Santana and Bradley Zimmer are among the hitters who

powered the streak, snapping their slumps. If the Tribe sees more of that from them, they'll be hard to

catch. -- Christina Kahrl, ESPN.com

5. Arizona Diamondbacks

Record: 60-45

Week 16 ranking: No. 5

While the D-backs hope that co-ace Robbie Ray recovers fully and quickly from being hit in the head by a

line drive (forcing him onto the seven-day DL for a concussion), they also just lost Chris Owings to a

broken finger. They can take some solace in the quick thunder trade pickup J.D. Martinez has provided

July 31, 2017 Page 18 of 28

in his brief time with Arizona -- five of his first seven hits for the Snakes have been home runs. --

Christina Kahrl, ESPN.com

6. New York Yankees

Record: 56-47

Week 16 ranking: No. 6

All of a sudden, the Yankees have won nine of their past 12 games, including a six-win streak. Their only

longer winning streak this season was an eight-game streak back in April. Brett Gardner has two walk-off

hits in three days: He had the walk-off home run on Thursday, then another walk-off hit on Saturday.

He's the first Yankees player to have a walk-off hit in two games of the same series since Gardner

himself did so in 2013 against Tigers. -- Sarah Langs, ESPN Stats & Information

7. Chicago Cubs

Record: 56-48

Week 16 ranking: 9

The Cubs have found their groove since the All-Star break, thanks to a trio of starting pitchers returning

to form. Kyle Hendricks, Jon Lester and Jake Arrieta each received Cy Young votes last season but

combined for an underwhelming 4.25 ERA prior to the All-Star break. They're 5-0 with a 2.13 ERA since

as the Cubs look poised to break away from the competition in the NL Central. -- Paul Hembekides, ESPN

Stats & Information

8. Colorado Rockies

Record: 60-45

Week 16 ranking: No. 7

By notching his 33rd save as a Rockie on Sunday, closer Greg Holland closed to within eight of tying the

franchise's single-season record (41, set by Jose Jimenez in 2002). He's just two behind the men tied for

second (Huston Street, 2009, and Shawn Chacon, 2004). With two months left to play and given

manager Bud Black's careful handling, it won't just be the Rockies' rookie rotation setting records this

season. -- Christina Kahrl, ESPN.com

July 31, 2017 Page 19 of 28

9. Boston Red Sox

Record: 57-49

Week 16 ranking: No. 4

The Red Sox have hit a rough patch. They dropped out of first place in the AL East during the weekend

for the first time in over a month. Starter David Price is back on the DL, and the offense has been

slumping since the All-Star break. But Chris Sale is a still a stud, and the bullpen has been great, so this is

likely just a bump in the road in what should remain a tight division race. -- Michael Bonzagni, ESPN

Stats & Information

10. Kansas City Royals

Record: 55-48

The Royals have the best record in the AL since the calendar flipped to June. But the Indians got their act

together around that time, too, so Kansas City has yet to get back on top of the AL Central. Melky

Cabrera should provide an offensive boost to an outfield that has been among the least productive in

the majors, but by itself that won't be enough to catch the Indians. -- Michael Bonzagni, ESPN Stats &

Information

11. Milwaukee Brewers

Record: 55-52

Week 16 ranking: No. 10

The Brewers have faded, losing 11 of their past 14 games while getting swept in a four-game series in

Pittsburgh and suffering that blowout loss against the Nationals in which they allowed eight home

runs. Brent Suter has been one bright spot, coming from the bullpen to make five starts in July and

posting a 1.50 ERA with 25 strikeouts and five walks. -- John Fisher, ESPN Stats & Information

12. Tampa Bay Rays

Record: 54-52

Week 16 ranking: No. 11

Each of the losses the Rays suffered against the Yankees was crushing, not just for impact in the

standings and for what could have been with a few small breaks, but because of what's ahead. The Rays

next head to Houston for four games with the Astros. When they return home on Friday, a nine-game

homestand with the Brewers, Red Sox and Indians awaits. They might look back on being one out away

July 31, 2017 Page 20 of 28

from beating the Yankees last Thursday and failing to finish the job as the turning point of their season. -

- Mark Simon, ESPN Stats & Information

13. St. Louis Cardinals

Record: 52-53

Week 16 ranking: No. 13

Welcome to the road trip that could break the Cardinals' season. It starts with three games with the

Brewers and ends with two against the Royals as part of their home-and-home matchup. The middle

might be the bigger concern -- three games with the Reds, against whom the Cardinals are 3-7. Scooter

Gennett might have the four-homer game to his credit, but Scott Schebler is the Cardinals crusher. His

slash line is .520/.613/1.160 with four home runs in 25 at-bats against them. -- Mark Simon, ESPN Stats

& Information

14. Seattle Mariners

Record: 53-53

Week 16 ranking: No. 15

As the Mariners try to hang around .500 and stay in the race for a wild-card slot, they might not make a

major trade on top of the multiple smaller deals general manager Jerry Dipoto has pulled off. But they

might have found at least one big upgrade in-house -- Kyle Seager has been one of baseball's hottest

hitters since the All-Star break, raking for a 1.078 OPS as he rebounds from a poor start to his season. --

Christina Kahrl, ESPN.com

15. Texas Rangers

Record: 50-54

Week 16 ranking: No. 17

Now that Adrian Beltre has his 3,000th hit to add another bullet point to an already slam-dunk case for

the Hall of Fame, Rangers fans can white-knuckle their way through Monday anticipating what they

might get for ace Yu Darvish in a deadline deal, or if their team will cling to its quasi-contender status

despite losing series to the Marlins and Orioles last week. -- Christina Kahrl, ESPN.com

July 31, 2017 Page 21 of 28

16. Pittsburgh Pirates

Record: 51-54

Week 16 ranking: No. 12

For all their flaws, the Pirates were two games out of first place on July 21. But then Gregory

Polanco went on the disabled list and the team faltered, with consecutive series losses to the Rockies,

Giants and Padres. The offense wilted, scoring three runs or fewer six times in seven games. The team is

caught in a bind: The Pirates aren't bad enough to end the season with a top-five draft pick, and they're

not good enough to say, "We're one or two players away from being a division leader." Monday could

be an interesting day for their front office. -- Mark Simon, ESPN Stats & Information

17. Baltimore Orioles

Record: 50-54

Week 16 ranking: No. 21

Kevin Gausman threw 8 ⅔ scoreless innings on Saturday, needing Zach Britton for just one out in the

ninth. Gausman appears to be back on track from his mid-July struggles (when he allowed 13 earned

runs in two starts over seven total innings pitched). He has gone at least six innings and allowed one

earned run or none in each of his past three starts. -- Sarah Langs, ESPN Stats & Information

18. Los Angeles Angels

Record: 51-55

Week 16 ranking: No. 21

Conventional wisdom would suggest the Angels should be sellers from here on out -- they're already 5.5

games out of second wild card -- but their upcoming schedule could change their odds. They open up a

nine-game homestand on Tuesday against the Phillies, Athletics and Orioles, teams that are a combined

46 games under .500. -- Paul Hembekides, ESPN Stats & Information

19. Minnesota Twins

Record: 50-53

Week 16 ranking: No. 16

Regardless of whether they play meaningful baseball in October or not, 2017 should be remembered in

Twins lore as the season of Sano. A Home Run Derby finalist and just 24 years old, Miguel Sano has

shown his power this season. He has 24 home runs in 96 games this year; he hit 25 home runs in 116

games all of last season. What's more, his 67 career homers in his first 291 career games are tied

July 31, 2017 Page 22 of 28

with Albert Pujols for most by any Dominican-born player in his first 291 career games. -- Sarah Langs,

ESPN Stats & Information

20. New York Mets

Record: 48-55

Week 16 ranking: No. 22

On one hand, Sandy Alderson did well to get an established closer in AJ Ramos, who will come at a lower

cost than most options on this offseason's free-agent market. Ramos will be in his walk year next season

and thus determined to put himself in position to cash in, too. But the word "walk" has two meanings

here. Ramos will bring back memories of Armando Benitezwith his walk-the-tightrope (and the ballpark)

approach to closing. -- Mark Simon, ESPN Stats & Information

21. Miami Marlins

Record: 49-54

Week 16 ranking: No. 24

The Marlins have been heating up, winning seven of their past 10 games. Adam Conley has been good in

three starts since coming back from the minors, and rookie Chris O'Grady has allowed three runs or

fewer in all four of his starts since coming up this month. It remains to be seen what will happen in the

bullpen after the team traded its closer to a division rival, especially with 10 of their next 13 games

coming against the Nationals and Rockies. -- John Fisher, ESPN Stats & Information

22. Atlanta Braves

Record: 48-55

Week 16 ranking: No. 18

The Braves are struggling. The starters haven't been good, and nobody outside of Brandon Phillips has

hit well in the second half. The schedule doesn't do them any favors in the near future -- they host the

Dodgers this week, and then next week they have a seven-game road trip through St. Louis and

Colorado. And their struggles against the Phillies continue; they've won only two of their 10 meetings

this year. -- John Fisher, ESPN Stats & Information

July 31, 2017 Page 23 of 28

23. Toronto Blue Jays

Record: 49-56

Week 16 ranking: No. 23

Marcus Stroman lost his cool this week, but his season has been strong. After a 4.37 ERA in 32 starts in

2016, he has a 3.08 mark through 21 starts this season. That number isn't far from his 3.31 career ERA

entering 2016, which he'd accumulated in 157 ⅔ innings over the course of 2014 and 2015. -- Sarah

Langs, ESPN Stats & Information

24. Detroit Tigers

Record: 47-56

Week 16 ranking: No. 20

Justin Wilson and Alex Avila are drawing a lot of interest at the deadline. They'll net a good prospect or

two, but the real issue for the Tigers in 2018 and beyond are their huge contracts for aging veterans.

Some of those will be really difficult to get off the books, but Vernon Wells was seen as untradeable in

2011, and he was dealt, so there's a chance GM Al Avila could work some magic. -- Michael Bonzagni,

ESPN Stats & Information

25. Oakland Athletics

Record: 46-59

Week 16 ranking: No. 25

Should he be dealt, the summary of Sonny Gray's career with the Athletics: a 3.42 ERA, 44-36 record, 75

quality starts in 112 turns (and 65-for-90 outside of his injury-ruined 2016 season), and he's generating a

career-best 20.9 percent clip for swinging strikes in 2017. Should a deal go down, fans of whichever

team acquires the diminutive right-hander for the stretch run are in for a treat. -- Christina Kahrl,

ESPN.com

26. San Diego Padres

Record: 47-58

Week 16 ranking: No. 28

The Padres had a great July, led by some big hitting from Cory Spangenberg and Manuel Margot. But

slugger Wil Myers has had a disappointing season relative to what was expected from him, and the

Padres are stuck in one of MLB's best divisions. San Diego has the youngest lineup in baseball, so at least

July 31, 2017 Page 24 of 28

the kids are getting a chance to play as part of general manager A.J. Preller's rebuilding effort. -- Michael

Bonzagni, ESPN Stats & Information

27. Cincinnati Reds

Record: 42-63

Week 16 ranking: No. 27

The Reds placed Zack Cozart on the DL with a strained left quad, interrupting the best season from a

Reds shortstop since the Barry Larkinera. Fellow All-Star Joey Votto has continued to rake and on

Saturday passed Justin Morneau for third-most home runs hit by a Canadian-born player (248). He now

trails only Larry Walker (383) and Matt Stairs (265). -- Paul Hembekides, ESPN Stats & Information

28. Chicago White Sox

Record: 40-62

Week 16 ranking: No. 26

The White Sox have traded a number of players with present value to build for the future, which has

provided their fans a peek into what's to come. Most notably, 22-year-old Yoan Moncada has flashed

plus tools since being promoted on July 19 despite coming around slowly offensively. -- Paul

Hembekides, ESPN Stats & Information

29. San Francisco Giants

Record: 40-66

Week 16 ranking: No. 29

Giants fans likely measure a season's success in comparison to the Dodgers. The Dodgers haven't won a

World Series since 1988, while the Giants won in 2010, 2012 and 2014. But this season, the Giants are

almost as far behind the Dodgers as they've ever been. The Giants are 34 ½ games behind the Dodgers

in the NL West. This is the first time since the end of the 1953 season that the Dodgers have held a 34 ½-

game lead or larger over the Giants. -- Sarah Langs, ESPN Stats & Information

July 31, 2017 Page 25 of 28

30. Philadelphia Phillies

Record: 38-64

Week 16 ranking: No. 30

The Phillies have rebounded in the second half, going 9-6 since the All-Star Break. Aaron Nola continues

to shine, striking out at least seven batters and allowing two or fewer runs in seven straight starts, and

his 1.49 ERA in that stretch is the fifth-best in baseball. The Phillies might be able to keep this run going

a little bit -- only three of their next 24 games are against winning teams. -- John Fisher, ESPN Stats &

Information

FROM USA TODAYS SPORTS

Mike Trout Monday: What would it take to trade for Mike Trout?

By Ted Berg / For The Win

Look: Mike Trout’s not getting traded. This post is purely speculative, because it so happens that this

Mike Trout Monday coincides with the MLB non-waiver trade deadline.

It’s impossible to find a precedent for a player like Mike Trout being traded, largely because it’s

impossible to find a precedent for a player like Mike Trout. But a few of the best MLB players in recent

memory have been traded early in their primes, and though the trade market and the way teams value

players have changed a lot since those deals, they offer some context:

After the 2007 season, the Marlins — in the midst of one of their semi-regular fire sales — dealt Miguel

Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis to Detroit for a package of young players. Willis was coming off a rough

season, but was hardly a throw-in at the time. Cabrera was a 24-year-old four-time All-Star with two

cost-controlled seasons remaining before he was slated to hit free agency (he’d wind up signing an

extension with the Tigers that spring).

With Cabrera’s contract inflating via arbitration, the Marlins might have been compelled to deal him for

reasons beyond just the players they got in return. But the Florida club received five young players,

including two of arguably the top 10 prospects in the game at the time — Cameron Maybin and Andrew

Miller. But while Maybin’s a solid Major Leaguer now and Miller’s an All-Star, neither paid much

dividends for the Marlins. Burke Badenhop, another prospect included in the deal, spent a few solid

seasons in the Florida bullpen.

But Cabrera, though a future Hall of Famer and already one of the game’s best hitters at the time of the

deal, was hardly as dominant or as valuable a player as Trout is now. Trout’s owed over $102 million

over the three years remaining on his deal, so the contract situations are very different, but since he’s

both better and under contract for longer than Cabrera was in 2007, and since — again — the Marlins

would have gotten more from Cabrera alone over those two seasons than they did from all the guys

July 31, 2017 Page 26 of 28

they got back in the deal, it seems likely Trout would cost something well more than a package built

around two of the game’s best overall prospects.

The Rangers traded a 28-year-old Alex Rodriguez to the Yankees before the 2004 season, but Rodriguez

at the time had a full seven years remaining on the massive contract he had signed with Texas a few

years earlier (though he’d infamously opt-out in late October, 2007). The Rangers were coming off a 71-

91 season and committed to rebuilding, so the deal was certainly motivated in part by getting rid of the

financial commitment to Rodriguez. They got back Alfonso Soriano, who was only six months younger

than A-Rod but cost-controlled through arbitration for the next three seasons, and a player to be named

later that turned out to be infielder Joaquin Arias.

Soriano had a great career in his own right, but was never the generational type of player Rodriguez

was. He was already a two-time All-Star at the time of the trade, and would go on to earn two more

nods in Texas and another after the Rangers traded him to Washington in December, 2005 for three

players who would never do all that much for them. Still, Soriano’s All-Star seasons couldn’t come close

to those produced by mid-career A-Rod, and the difference between Rodriguez and Soriano was

probably greater than the difference between the 89-73 Rangers in 2004 and a postseason team. Again,

the money complicates things, but the Rangers should not have dealt A-Rod for Alfonso Soriano.

And A-Rod was at that time already a few years older than Trout and — and this is nuts — not quite as

good as Trout has been to date in his career.

The third comp for a Trout trade — and, SPOILER ALERT, it’s also a pretty lousy comp — requires going

back more than three decades. At the winter meetings in 1984, the Oakland A’s traded 25-year-old four-

time All-Star Rickey Henderson to the Yankees for five players. Henderson was set for free agency

following the 1985 season, so the deal was contingent upon the Yankees being able to negotiate a

contract extension with the record-breaking base-stealer. They did, so Tim Birtsas, Jay Howell, Stan

Javier, Jose Rijo, and the delightfully named Eric Plunk became members of the A’s organization.

This one’s fun because, though none of those players went on to star for Oakland, you can squint and

figure a way in which it worked out for the Athletics. Howell pitched well out of the A’s bullpen for a few

years before getting dealt with prospects in a three-way deal that brought back pitcher Bob Welch.

Birtsas and Rijo — who’d go on to flourish in Cincinnati — were sent to the Reds for Dave Parker. And

Plunk, a fine reliever in his own right, became part of the deal to bring Henderson back to Oakland in the

final year of his extension with the Yankees in 1989. Rickey returned to an A’s club that had Parker at

DH, Welch in the rotation, and Javier in the outfield, and the team went on to win the earthquake-

interrupted World Series.

The Angels seem extraordinarily unlikely to trade Trout, especially in the next few hours. Though the

club now sits four games below .500 after a heartbreaking loss to the Blue Jays on Sunday, it’s still on

the fringes of the AL wild-card hunt despite losing Trout for more than a month with injury. Plus, the

type of package that would be necessary to wrest Trout from Los Angeles seems prohibitively expensive

for most clubs.

July 31, 2017 Page 27 of 28

Sure, some contenders have young stars plenty good enough to headline a deal for Trout, but the

Dodgers aren’t about to trade Corey Seager and the Cubs aren’t about to trade Kris Bryant and the

Astros aren’t about to trade Carlos Correa.

A club like the Yankees, with a wealth of promising players in the high minors or at the start of their big-

league careers, could probably swing a deal for Trout without sacrificing many of this season’s major

contributors, but dealing away, say, Gleyber Torres, Clint Frazier, Chance Adams and Estevan Florial

would mean gutting the farm system for a guy who could walk in free agency after three seasons.

There’s some chance that all those highly touted players do not combine for as much career value as

Trout will produce in the next three seasons, but Yanks GM Brian Cashman has gone to great lengths to

build a club apt for sustainable success beyond 2020. The White Sox, after an impressive flurry of deals

to take on prospects dating back to last year, might be able to build a package around Yoan Moncada,

Eloy Jimenez and Michael Kopech to land Trout, put it’d mean plopping Trout into a recently gutted

lineup without the help of the young players the South Side club scored by gutting their lineup.

Essentially, most teams with the young talent necessary to land a player like Trout are those in the midst

of or just coming out of a youth movement, and landing Trout would mean changing the focus to solely

this and the next three seasons. Trout’s so monumentally good that it probably wouldn’t be a terrible

idea for a bunch of teams to pursue, but so much would have to change hands in any potential Trout

deal that it seems too big a risk for both Angels GM Billy Eppler and any potential trading partner to take

on.

FROM MLB TRADE RUMORS

Angels Marketing Bud Norris, David Hernandez

By Steve Adams

The Angels are marketing right-handed relievers Bud Norris and David Hernandez, reports ESPN’s Buster

Olney (Twitter link). Industry expectation is that both will be traded before today’s 4pm ET non-waiver

deadline, Olney adds.

Both Norris and Hernandez have had strong rebound seasons in 2017, though Norris’ numbers have

taken a hit in the past week due to a pair of grand slams allowed. That said, he’s worked 41 2/3 innings

with a career-high 11.2 K/9 rate against 4.5 BB/9 and a 49 percent ground-ball rate (also a career-best).

The resulting 3.89 ERA is a near-mirror image of Norris’ 3.87 FIP and is also largely reported by a 3.59

xFIP and 3.55 SIERA. Norris is a free agent at season’s end, and he’s making $1.75MM this year, with

about $602K of that sum still owed to him.

Hernandez, meanwhile, has somewhat quietly turned in an excellent 2.23 ERA with 9.2 K/9, 2.0 BB/9

and a 47.3 percent ground-ball rate through 36 1/3 innings of work. Like Norris, he has enough big

league service time to qualify as a free agent following the season, making him a pure rental piece as

July 31, 2017 Page 28 of 28

well. Terms of his minor league deal with the Angels weren’t reported at the time he signed, but I’ve

been told he’s earning an $850K base salary — so there’d be about $293K of that sum remaining.

It’s not clear whether the Halos are shopping any of their other short-term assets, though

righty Yusmeiro Petit is having a fine year in the bullpen, while third baseman Yunel Escobar has

produced at about a league-average pace at the plate. Outfielder Cameron Maybin may well have been

a trade commodity, but his knee injury will keep him out into August. It’s still possible that he could clear

trade waivers next month or be moved to a team that places a claim, however.