Baseball: Not all trades have paid off
The Blue Jays certainly worked magic at the trade deadline, but the Mets’ acquisition of Yoenis Cespedes is arguably the best single move made by any team this year. They don’t all work out that way.
THREE UP
Yoenis Cespedes (Mets): The power-hitting outfielder has played 41 games for the Mets and his slash line — .309/.356/.691 with 17 homers —represents an incredible upgrade after 18 homers in 102 games for Detroit. He’s also No. 2 on the team in defensive rating, next to Curtis Granderson.
Ben Zobrist (Royals): The super utility man has hit .315 in 42 games with Kansas City, instantly becoming a dynamic part of a first-place team after starting slowly in Oakland. He has made starts at second, third, right field and left field until Alex Gordon’s return from injury.
J.A. Happ (Pirates): The former Jay has been the playoff-bound Pirates’ most consistent pitcher over the past three weeks — 0.60 ERA with 26 strikeouts, just five walks over his last five starts. His streak of five games with no more than one run allowed matched team record.
THREE DOWN
Johnny Cueto (Royals): Kansas City faithful can’t be comfortable with the former Reds ace as “the guy” to open the playoffs. After a solid start, he’s lost five straight with a 9.57 ERA. Opponents have hit .390 off him over that stretch, including eight homers.
Mat Latos (Dodgers): The exMarlins starter returned from a neck injury but has struggled big time. He’s winless in five starts, failing to last more than five innings in four of them and allowing four or more runs three times. Added for rotation depth, he has spent time in the bullpen.
Jim Johnson (Dodgers): The former 50-save man with the Orioles recently notched his 10th save of the year, but is also 0-3 with a 10.20 ERA as a Dodger after recording a tidy 2.25 mark with the Braves. One killer inning — eight runs against the Pirates on Aug. 9 — wrecked his stats.