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How They Were Acquired: The Tampa Bay Rays’ ALDS Roster

The Rays’ path to building a 96-win playoff team is about as unconventional as you can imagine. They aren’t active in free agency, although both of their offseason signings worked out great. They don’t have a lot of homegrown players, but one is a former Cy Young Award winner and another was an All-Star as a rookie in 2019. They’ve filled out nearly 70% of their roster through trades that mostly didn’t include top prospects going elsewhere. While the constant turnover might not help in growing their fan base — they averaged fewer than 15,000 per home game this season — it’s been a recipe for success on the field.

Here’s how every member of the Rays’ 2019 ALDS roster was originally acquired. The team’s full RosterResource Depth Chart and Payroll pages are also available as a resource.

Homegrown (6)

Total WAR: 10.0

Signed in Free Agency (2)

  • Charlie Morton, RP: December 2018 (HOU) — Signed to two-year, $30 million contract ($15 million vesting option in 2021).
  • Avisaíl García, OF: January 2019 (CHW) — Signed to one-year, $3.5 million contract.

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How They Were Acquired: The Houston Astros’ ALDS Roster

The Astros, who set a franchise-record with 107 regular season wins in 2019, head into the playoffs with a well-balanced roster that includes plenty of star power, young talent, and battle-tested veterans, and almost no weaknesses. Only nine of the 25 players were part of the 2017 championship team, although most of the biggest contributors still remain. The most notable departure is Charlie Morton, who they’ll face off against in Game 3 on Monday.

Here’s how every member of the Astros’ 2019 ALDS roster was originally acquired. The team’s full RosterResource Depth Chart and Payroll pages are also available as a resource.

Homegrown (8)

Total WAR: 24.5

Signed in Free Agency (7)

  • Yuli Gurriel, 1B: July 2016 (Cuba) — Signed to five-year, $47.5 million contract.
  • Josh Reddick, OF: November 2016 (LAD) — Signed to four-year, $52 million contract.
  • Joe Smith, RP: December 2017 (CLE) — Signed to two-year, $15 million contract.
  • Héctor Rondón, RP: December 2017 (CHC) — Signed to two-year, $8.5 million contract.
  • Robinson Chirinos, C: December 2018 (TEX) — Signed to one-year, $5.75 million contract.
  • Michael Brantley, OF: December 2018 (CLE) — Signed two-year, $32 million contract.
  • Wade Miley, SP: February 2019 (MIL) — Signed to one-year, $4.5 million contract.

Total WAR: 12.9
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How They Were Acquired: The Washington Nationals’ NLDS Roster

The Nats have had a winning record in each of the last eight seasons and have reached the playoffs five times during that span, and yet it feels as though they’ve fallen short of expectations year after year. With the departure of Bryce Harper last offseason, a bullpen that’s mostly been bad, and a staff ace who has battled through a back injury for months, this could be the year they’re overlooked. Well, not by me or the three others at FanGraphs who picked them to win it all. But most people aren’t buying that they can take down a Dodgers team that might have more talent and depth than any team in baseball.

Here’s how every member of the Nationals’ 2019 NLDS roster was originally acquired. The team’s full RosterResource Depth Chart and Payroll pages are also available as a resource.

Homegrown (8)

Total WAR: 22.6

Signed in Free Agency (9)

  • Max Scherzer, SP: January 2015 (DET) — Signed to seven-year, $210 million contract.
  • Kurt Suzuki, C: November 2018 (ATL) — Signed to two-year, $10 million contract.
  • Patrick Corbin, SP: December 2018 (ARI) — Signed to six-year, $140 million contract.
  • Aníbal Sánchez, SP: December 2018 (ATL) — Signed to two-year, $19 million contract ($12 million club option for 2021).
  • Matt Adams, 1B: December 2018 (STL) — Signed to one-year, $4 million contract ($4 million mutual option for 2020).
  • Brian Dozier, 2B: January 2019 (LAD) — Signed to one-year, $9 million contract.
  • Gerardo Parra, OF: May 2019 (SF) — Signed to minimum salary contract for remainder of season.
  • Fernando Rodney, RP: June 2019 (OAK) — Signed to Minor League contract.
  • Asdrúbal Cabrera, INF: August 2019 (TEX) — Signed to minimum salary contract for remainder of season.

Total WAR: 17.8

Acquired Via Trade (8)

Total WAR: 10.6


How They Were Acquired: The Los Angeles Dodgers’ NLDS Roster

As should probably have been expected from a team with a ton of young talent and more help on the way that has made back-to-back World Series appearances, the Dodgers’ front office didn’t have to do much during the offseason. And they didn’t. Maybe that decision will be second-guessed if they get knocked out of the playoffs early, but they did win 106 games during the regular season and had all but wrapped up the division title by early June. Regardless of what happens, this team’s run of seven consecutive seasons with at least 91 wins and a playoff appearance isn’t likely to end here.

Here’s how every member of the Dodgers’ 2019 NLDS roster was originally acquired. The team’s full RosterResource Depth Chart and Payroll pages are also available as a resource.

Homegrown (13)

Total WAR: 31.6 Read the rest of this entry »


How They Were Acquired: The Atlanta Braves’ NLDS Roster

The Braves’ playoff roster includes seven players who joined the team during the 2019 season and two others who were acquired near the end of Spring Training. That’s pretty significant turnover in a fairly short amount of time for a team that won the NL East in 2018 and had pretty much wrapped up their offseason by the end of November after signing a former AL MVP to play third base and bringing back a catcher who was a seven-time All-Star during his first stint in Atlanta.

When the team struggled out of the gate, it became clear that the roster might not be good enough to reach the postseason once again. While the four homegrown players on the playoff roster did a lot of the leg work, combining for 18.2 WAR, second-year general manager Alex Anthopoulos made a lot of good moves that helped turn things around and has the team once again playing October baseball after a 97-win season.

Here’s how every member of the Braves’ 2019 NLDS roster was originally acquired. The team’s full RosterResource Depth Chart and Payroll pages are also available as a resource.

Homegrown (4)

Total WAR: 18.2

Signed in Free Agency (9)

  • Nick Markakis, OF: December 2014 (BAL) — Signed to four-year, $44 million contract; re-signed to one-year contract extension (2020 club option) in January.
  • Tyler Flowers, C: December 2015 (CHW) — Signed to two-year, $5.3 million contract (included $4 million club option in 2018).
  • Brian McCann, C: November 2018 (HOU) — Signed to one-year, $2 million contract.
  • Josh Donaldson, 3B: November 2018 (CLE) — Signed to one-year, $23 million contract.
  • Rafael Ortega, OF: January 2019 (MIA) — Signed to Minor League contract.
  • Josh Tomlin, RP: March 2019 (MIL) — Signed to Minor League contract ($1.25 million salary).
  • Dallas Keuchel, SP: June 2019 (HOU) — Signed to one-year, $21.21 million contract (prorated rate is $13 million).
  • Adeiny Hechavarría, INF: August 2019 (NYM) — Signed to minimum salary contract for remainder of season.
  • Francisco Cervelli, C/1B: August 2019 (PIT) — Signed to minimum salary contract for remainder of season.

Total WAR: 10.6

Acquired Via Trade (11)

Total WAR: 10.3

Acquired Off Waivers (1)

Total WAR: 0.1


How They Were Acquired: The St. Louis Cardinals’ NLDS Roster

Not only is the Cardinals’ division series roster filled with homegrown talent, the number three and four hitters in their lineup were acquired in successive offseasons for a total of seven prospects who all began their professional careers with the organization. The ability to develop talent in their farm system is a big reason why St. Louis has had 12 consecutive winning seasons, although they’re making their first playoff appearance since 2015.

Here’s how every member of the Cardinals’ 2019 NLDS roster was originally acquired. The team’s full RosterResource Depth Chart and Payroll pages are also available as a resource.

Homegrown (12)

Total WAR: 23.0

Signed in Free Agency (4)

  • Dexter Fowler, OF: December 2016 (CHC) — Signed to five-year, $82.5 million contract.
  • Miles Mikolas, SP: December 2017 (Japan) — Signed to two-year, $15.5 million contract; signed four-year contract extension (2020-23) in February.
  • Andrew Miller, RP: December 2018 (CLE) — Signed to two-year, $25 million contract ($12 million club option for 2021).
  • Matt Wieters, C: February 2019 (WSN) — Signed to Minor League contract ($1.5 million salary).

Total WAR: 3.3

Acquired Via Trade (7)

Total WAR: 9.5

Acquired Off Waivers (1)

Total WAR: 0.1

Acquired Via Rule 5 Draft Triple-A Phase (1)

Total WAR: 1.3


Roster Roundup: August 20-26

Below you’ll find a roundup of notable moves from the past few days, as well as future expected moves and a Minor League Report, which includes a list of recent major league debuts, and top prospect promotions. For this column, any lineup regulars, starting pitchers, or late-inning relievers are considered “notable,” meaning that middle relievers, long relievers, and bench players are excluded. You can always find a full list of updated transactions here.

Lineup Regulars

Arizona Diamondbacks
8/24/19: OF David Peralta (AC joint inflammation) placed on 10-Day IL, retroactive to August 24.

For the third time this season, Peralta has been placed on the injured list with a shoulder issue. He’s still managed to slash .275/.343/.461 with 12 homers and 29 doubles in 432 plate appearances, but he has only nine hits in his last 46 at-bats. With the Diamondbacks’ playoff hopes all but gone, they could just decide to shut him down for the year and take a long look at rookie Josh Rojas in the outfield.

Roster Resource

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Roster Roundup: August 13-19

Below you’ll find a roundup of notable moves from the past few days, as well as future expected moves and a Minor League Report, which includes a list of recent major league debuts, and top prospect promotions. For this column, any lineup regulars, starting pitchers, or late-inning relievers are considered “notable,” meaning that middle relievers, long relievers, and bench players are excluded. You can always find a full list of updated transactions here.

Lineup Regulars

Atlanta Braves
8/17/19: OF Ender Inciarte (strained hamstring) placed on 10-Day IL, retroactive to August 17.
8/16/19: SS Adeiny Hechavarria signed to MLB contract.

The return of Inciarte, who missed two months earlier in the season with a back injury, had helped to spark the Braves’ offense as of late (.328/.438/.582 over his last 80 plate appearances) as well as re-establish that he could be a key contributor down the stretch. For now, they’ll have to rely on Adam Duvall, Matt Joyce, Rafael Ortega, and Charlie Culberson in the corner outfield spots and hope that Inciarte is back at full speed by the start of the post-season.

Dansby Swanson’s slow recovery from a foot injury, combined with the struggles of Johan Camargo, prompted the Braves to sign Hechavarria almost immediately after he was released by the Mets. The 30-year-old has four hits in nine at-bats, including a pair of doubles, in three starts since joining the team.

Roster Resource

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Roster Roundup: August 6-12

Below you’ll find a roundup of notable moves from the past few days, as well as future expected moves and a Minor League Report, which includes a list of recent major league debuts, and top prospect promotions. For this column, any lineup regulars, starting pitchers, or late-inning relievers are considered “notable,” meaning that middle relievers, long relievers, and bench players are excluded. You can always find a full list of updated transactions here.

Lineup Regulars

Cincinnati Reds
8/12/19: INF Freddy Galvis claimed off waivers from Blue Jays.

The acquisition of Galvis, which might or might not be related to Jose Iglesias being out of the lineup for three consecutive games over the weekend due to biceps soreness, gives them another reliable option at shortstop and, at the least, a timeshare with Jose Peraza and Josh VanMeter at second base. The 29-year-old has a $5.5MM club option in 2020, making it very possible that he enters next season as the starting shortstop.

Roster Resource

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Roster Roundup: July 30-August 5

Below you’ll find a roundup of notable moves from the past few days, as well as future expected moves and a Minor League Report, which includes a list of recent major league debuts, and top prospect promotions. For this column, any lineup regulars, starting pitchers, or late-inning relievers are considered “notable,” meaning that middle relievers, long relievers, and bench players are excluded. You can always find a full list of updated transactions here.

Lineup Regulars

Chicago Cubs
8/4/19: C Willson Contreras (strained hamstring) placed on 10-Day IL, retroactive to August 3.

Contreras will likely be out until early September. Victor Caratini, who has an .803 OPS in 140 plate appearances, will be the starting catcher with Taylor Davis serving as his backup. Nick Hundley and Jonathan Lucroy are free agents who the Cubs could consider signing.

Roster Resource

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