Like to pitch in a new uniform?

2 weeks ago, we reviewed some pitchers who were traded to the teams in the National League before the trade deadline to see if they have pitched well after joining a new team. Now, let’s turn our focus to the AL.

 

It’s been more than a month after the 2024 MLB trade deadline. Several pitchers were acquired by teams in the AL and let’s see if they have done a good job after being traded.

 

Firstly, let’s start with the AL Central. The Guardians didn’t clinch a postseason berth in 2023. This season, they are now first in the AL Central. Before the trade deadline, the team acquired Alex Cobb from the Giants. Cobb didn’t pitch any innings for the Giants in 2024 because of recovering from a surgery. After moving to Cleveland, Cobb made 3 starts and tossed 16.1 innings with a 2.76 ERA and a 1.04 WHIP. At the same time, the Royals are now second in the AL Central and they are trying to be back to the postseason for the first time since 2015. The Royals acquired Lucas Erceg from the A’s and got Michael Lorenzen from the Rangers. Before the trade, Erceg made 38 relief appearances for the A’s, posting a 3.68 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP over 36.2 innings. Michael Lorenzen tossed 101.2 innings for the Rangers and owned a 3.81 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP. After the trade, Lorenzen looks fit with the Royals rotation, posting a 1.85 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP over 24.1 innings. Nevertheless, Lorenzen is now on the IL. Erceg has picked up 8 saves in the Royals uniform and now has a 3.63 ERA and a 0.87 WHIP. Meanwhile, the Twins acquired Trevor Richards from the Blue Jays. He tossed 52.1 innings for the Blue Jays in 2024, posting a 4.64 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP. After joining the Twins, he now owns a 4.15 ERA and a 1.46 WHIP over 13 innings. Nonetheless, the Twins designated Trevor Richards for assignment.

 

In addition, let’s take a look at the AL East. The Boston Red Sox acquired several pitchers before the trade deadline. They got Luis Garcia from the Angels and the Reds sent Lucas Sims to the Red Sox. However, they are both on the IL now and they each have an ERA over 8. Moreover, the Red Sox got James Paxton from the Dodgers. Paxton made 18 starts for the Dodgers, posting a 4.43 ERA and a 1.46 WHIP over 89.1 innings. After moving to Boston, Paxton made 3 starts with a 4.09 ERA and a 1.36 WHIP. But unfortunately, Paxton is on the IL as well.

 

In the meantime, we have to take a look at the Yankees. The Yankees acquired Mark Leiter Jr. from the Cubs and got Enyel De Los Santos from the Padres. Leiter Jr. owned a 4.21 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP over 36.1 innings in the Cubs uniform. But his ERA is now over 5 with the Yankees. Enyel De Los Santos threw 40.1 innings for the Padres, posting a 4.46 ERA and a 1.29 WHIP. Nonetheless, his ERA was over 14 in pinstripes and was DFAed by the Yankees.

 

And the Baltimore Orioles acquired several pitchers before the trade deadline. They got Seranthony Dominguez and Gregory Soto from the Phillies. While pitching for the Phillies, they each owned an ERA over 4. After joining the Orioles, Dominguez owns a 2.60 ERA and a 0.92 WHIP over 17.1 innings. But Soto’s ERA is now over 6. Furthermore, the team acquired Trevor Rogers and Zach Eflin to enhance the rotation. Rogers made 21 starts for the Marlins in 2024, posting a 4.53 ERA and a 1.53 WHIP in 105.1 innings. After joining the Orioles, Rogers now has an ERA over 7 after making 4 starts. He was optioned to the minors in late August. Before the trade, Eflin was a key starter for the Rays. He made 19 starts and owned a 4.09 ERA and a 1.16 WHIP over 110 innings. Eflin already made 6 starts for the Orioles, posting a 2.37 ERA and a 1.05 WHIP over 38 innings.

 

Finally, let’s look at the AL West. The Astros are now leading the AL West. They got Yusei Kikuchi from the Blue Jays. Kikuchi made 22 starts for the Blue Jays, posting a 4.75 ERA and a 1.34 WHIP over 115.2 innings. After putting on the Astros uniform, he made 7 starts, posting a 3.07 ERA and a 0.98 WHIP in 41 innings. And the Rangers, which won the 2023 World Series title, acquired Andrew Chafin from the Tigers. Chafin made 41 relief appearances for the Tigers. He had a 3.16 ERA and a 1.38 WHIP over 37 innings. After joining the Rangers, he now has a 4.15 ERA and a 1.69 WHIP in 13 innings.

 

The 2024 regular season will come to an end soon. Looking at those trades that were made by the teams in the AL, it seems that the Royals got what they wanted to enhance the bullpen and rotation, but let's wait until Lorenzen comes back from the IL. Yusei Kikuchi looks a good fit for the Astros. Nevertheless, the Red Sox and the Yankees fans might not like those trades.