MLB Player News

Rodriguez was traded from the Yankees to the Giants on Thursday along with Parks Harber and Trystan Vrieling in exchange for Camilo Doval, Jack Curry of YES Network reports.

Rodriguez is essentially a big-league ready catching option, albeit one with limited power and a slight frame. The 5-foot-10 Rodriguez is slashing .317/.409/.430 with five home runs, 16 steals, a 12.7 percent walk rate and a 15.2 percent strikeout rate in 78 games at Triple-A. His speed and hit tool could make him useful in deeper leagues, especially if he finds his way into a large role, although that doesn't seem likely barring a Patrick Bailey injury. Rodriguez is also capable of playing third base and has started 19 games there this year at Triple-A.

The White Sox acquired Mead and right-handers Duncan Davitt and Ben Peoples from the Rays on Thursday in exchange for right-hander Adrian Houser, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

The Rays optioned Mead to Triple-A Durham shortly before the All-Star break, but he should quickly earn a look in the big leagues while he moves over to a last-place White Sox squad that's lacking in infielder talent. The 24-year-old is capable of playing first base, third base and second base and slashed .226/.318/.339 with three home runs and four steals over 132 plate appearances for Tampa Bay prior to his demotion.

Doval was traded from the Giants to the Yankees on Thursday in exchange for Jesus Rodriguez, Parks Harber and Trystan Vrieling, Jack Curry of YES Network reports.

Doval had been the Giants' closer for the past couple months, but he hadn't recorded a save since July 11. Now that he joins a loaded Yankees bullpen, Doval will likely have to settle for opportunities in the seventh and eighth innings.

The Rays acquired Houser from the White Sox on Thursday in exchange for infielder Curtis Mead, right-hander Duncan Davitt and right-hander Ben Peoples, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.

A scrap-heap pickup for the White Sox in mid-May, Houser was extremely effective during his 11-start run with the White Sox, turning in a 2.10 ERA and 1.22 WHIP across 68.2 innings. He'll now head to Tampa to round out the rotation, though he might be at risk of moving to the bullpen once Shane McClanahan (triceps) is cleared to return from the injured list.

The Blue Jays acquired France and Louis Varland from the Twins on Thursday in exchange for Alan Roden and Kendry Rojas, Mitch Bannon of The Athletic reports.

France has been more of a part-time lineup presence for the Twins lately, but the organization still found a way to offload him at the deadline. The 31-year-old has a .251/.320/.357 slash line in 101 games this season and isn't likely to have a significant role with the first-place Blue Jays.

Maton was traded from the Cardinals to the Rangers on Thursday in exchange for Skylar Hales, Mason Molina and international bonus pool money, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

The Cardinals dealt all their high-leverage relievers, so Maton's brief time atop the closer depth chart in St. Louis comes to an end. Robert Garcia is the incumbent in Texas, and he has had a lot of recent success, so Maton should return to a setup role.

The Blue Jays acquired Varland and Ty France from the Twins on Thursday in exchange for Alan Roden and Kendry Rojas, Mitch Bannon of The Athletic reports.

Varland has worked as a full-time reliever this season for the first time in his professional career, and he's transitioned to the role flawlessly with a 2.02 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 47:13 K:BB across 49 innings. The right-hander should be in the high-leverage mix for Toronto but isn't likely to be a consistent candidate for saves.

The Rays acquired Jax from the Twins on Thursday in exchange for Taj Bradley, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Jax briefly appeared poised to step in as Minnesota's closer after Jhoan Duran was dealt on Wednesday, but the Twins instead fully committed to being deadline sellers. Jax had been operating has a setup man and is likely to fill the same role in Tampa Bay, though closer Pete Fairbanks' 5.79 ERA in his past nine outings could provide a path to saves.

Bradley was traded from the Rays to the Twins on Thursday in exchange for Griffin Jax, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

The Twins traded all their high-leverage relievers and targeted controllable starting pitching in the form of Bradley, who had been working in the Rays' Triple-A rotation. Bradley, 24, had a 4.61 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 95:44 K:BB in 111.1 innings with the big club this season before being demoted just after the All-Star break.

Pereira was traded from the Yankees to the Rays on Thursday in exchange for Jose Caballero, Jack Curry of YES Network reports.

Given that there seemed to be no path for Pereira to get another shot in New York, this is a good development for his dynasty value. He is still just 24 and is slashing .254/.357/.507 with 19 home runs, nine steals and a 28.7 percent strikeout rate in 70 games at Triple-A.