The top two teams in the NL East made some moves before the final Trade Deadline of the baseball season, which is August 31st, as they both added big pop in their lineup. First, the Philadelphia Phillies acquired outfielder Jose Bautista in a trade with the New York Mets. The Phillies are sending back a player to be named later or cash considerations in the deal.
The 37-year-old was claimed off waivers by the Phillies on Monday, as the trade was completed a day later. Bautista made his team debut on Wednesday night against the Washington Nationals and reached base twice, recorded one hit, and scored once.
This is the veteran's third team this season, as he hit .204 with nine home runs and 37 RBIs with New York, including a clutch walk-off grand slam. This comes after he was released by the Atlanta Braves, as he is hitting a combined .196 with 11 home runs and 42 RBIs. He has started games in the outfield, first base, and third base this season, and also becomes the third player to play with three teams in the same division within the same season.
The six-time All-Star has 342 career home runs, as all of his All-Star appearances came as a member of the Toronto Blue Jays.
The other acquisition included the Braves on Wednesday, as they added first baseman Lucas Duda from the Kansas City Royals for cash considerations. The deal was announced after the Royals' 9-2 win over the Detroit Tigers on Wednesday afternoon, and right before the start of the Braves' home game with the Tampa Bay Rays that night.
Duda has hit 13 home runs and driven in 48 runs in his first season with the Royals, just one year after tying a career-high with 30 home runs as a member of the Tampa Bay Rays and New York Mets. He has had two different stints with the Mets, which includes the first seven seasons of his major league career, as he also hit 30 long balls in 2014.
The 37-year-old was claimed off waivers by the Phillies on Monday, as the trade was completed a day later. Bautista made his team debut on Wednesday night against the Washington Nationals and reached base twice, recorded one hit, and scored once.
This is the veteran's third team this season, as he hit .204 with nine home runs and 37 RBIs with New York, including a clutch walk-off grand slam. This comes after he was released by the Atlanta Braves, as he is hitting a combined .196 with 11 home runs and 42 RBIs. He has started games in the outfield, first base, and third base this season, and also becomes the third player to play with three teams in the same division within the same season.
The six-time All-Star has 342 career home runs, as all of his All-Star appearances came as a member of the Toronto Blue Jays.
The other acquisition included the Braves on Wednesday, as they added first baseman Lucas Duda from the Kansas City Royals for cash considerations. The deal was announced after the Royals' 9-2 win over the Detroit Tigers on Wednesday afternoon, and right before the start of the Braves' home game with the Tampa Bay Rays that night.
Duda has hit 13 home runs and driven in 48 runs in his first season with the Royals, just one year after tying a career-high with 30 home runs as a member of the Tampa Bay Rays and New York Mets. He has had two different stints with the Mets, which includes the first seven seasons of his major league career, as he also hit 30 long balls in 2014.
