Relief pitchers highlight MLB trades, but big names remain as deadline looms

As the Major League Baseball trade deadline draws near on Thursday, teams are willing to pay a high price for bullpen help, as evidenced by the Philadelphia Phillies’ acquisition of hard-throwing reliever Jhoan Dur and the simultaneous transfer of identical twin relievers Tyler and Taylor Rogers.

Perhaps the best player to swap sides in recent days is Durn, a 27-year-old. With 16 saves and a 2.01 ERA, he has struck out 53 batters in 49 1/3 innings pitched for the Minnesota Twins this season. Two top prospects, right-hander Mick Abel and catcher Eduardo Tait, were traded by the Phillies, an individual with direct knowledge of the transaction told The Associated Press.

A check of medical records was pending the sale.

Tyler Rogers is going to the New York Mets, who are vying with the Phillies for the top spot in the NL East. The right-handed submariner gives the Mets several late-inning alternatives by joining Edwin D. Az in the bullpen.

The Mets sent outfielder Drew Gilbert and right-handers Jos Butt and Blade Tidwell from the San Francisco Giants. During his 53 appearances this season, the resilient Rogers has a 1.80 ERA, four walks, and 38 strikeouts.

A potentially exciting day was set up by the fact that several of the largest prizes from the trade deadline were still up for grabs.

Before Thursday’s 6 p.m. EDT deadline, teams were vying for players who may change the course of the season, including Cleveland outfielder Steven Kwan, Pittsburgh right-hander Mitch Keller, and Arizona third baseman Eugenio Surez.

In additional maneuvers Austin Slater, a veteran outfielder, joined the New York Yankees on Wednesday, while Ke Bryan Hayes, a Gold Glove third baseman, joined the Cincinnati Reds.

Slater, 32, provides the Yankees with a reliable right-handed hitter for the season’s last two months. He has a.859 OPS against left-handed pitching and has hit.236 with five home runs and 11 RBIs in 51 White Sox games this season.

Aaron Boone, the manager of the Yankees, expressed his excitement about the move. Over the past few weeks, we’ve talked about getting greater roster flexibility and complementary players.

Gage Ziehl, a minor league pitching prospect, was traded to the White Sox.

Taylor Rogers, who throws lefty and overhand in contrast to his brother, was acquired by the Redsac from the Pirates in exchange for Hayes. Cincinnati also sent Pittsburgh money and shortstop prospect Sammy Stafura.

The Reds now have a top-tier third-field defender on a flexible contract thanks to the trade. Hayes, 28, who won a Gold Glove in 2023, has more than four years remaining on the contract extension he signed with Pittsburgh in 2022.

With a club option for $12 million in 2030, he will earn $7 million in 2026 and 2027, $8 million in 2028 and 2029, and more. He is striking.236 this season with 36 RBIs and two home homers.

Two days after an injury scare, Surez made his Diamondbacks comeback on Wednesday, going 1 for 4. Against the Detroit Tigers on Monday, the slugger, who has hit 36 home runs this season, was struck by a pitch on his right index finger.

After losing eight of their previous nine games and falling to 51-58, the D-backs have become sellers before the deadline. Other Arizona players that could be dealt include right-handed pitchers Merrill Kelly and Zac Gallen.

In additional Wednesday moves:

In exchange for left-hander Jake Eder and minor league first baseman Sam Brown, the Los Angeles Angels acquired relievers Andrew Chafin and Luis Garc a from the Washington Nationals.

In exchange for minor league pitcher Austin Smith, the Atlanta Braves acquired veteran reliever Tyler Kinley from the Colorado Rockies.

In order to strengthen their bullpen as they contend for a postseason berth, the Seattle Mariners agreed to acquire left-handed reliever Caleb Ferguson from the Pittsburgh Pirates. Jeter Martinez, a right-handed pitching prospect, was acquired by the Pirates.