Donaldson, McCutchen, Madson dealt at final trade deadline
Toronto makes 2 moves: Donaldson to Cleveland, Granderson to Milwaukee
Andrew McCutchen is shaving his beard for a possible World Series run.
Ryan Madson is switching bullpens, trying to help another team win a title.
And Josh Donaldson is hoping he’s healthy enough to contribute.
The Milwaukee Brewers? They were a busy bunch, swinging trades to get starter Gio Gonzalez, outfielder Curtis Granderson and reliever Xavier Cedeno.
Several contending teams swung into action Friday, making trades to bolster potential playoff rosters. A player must be on a club’s roster by Aug. 31 to be eligible for the post-season.
“I think what happens in September is that the whole calculus of this thing changes,” Milwaukee manager Craig Counsell said.
Counsell spoke after the Brewers acquired Cedeno, and before they beat Washington 4-1 at Nationals Park. After the win, Milwaukee said it had gotten Gonzalez from the Nats and Granderson from Toronto.
All three of the Milwaukee trades were for minor leaguers.
So, too, were the swaps that sent Donaldson from Toronto to Cleveland, Madson from Washington to the Dodgers and McCutchen from San Francisco to the Yankees.
The Indians’ trade for Donaldson might’ve been the most intriguing of the day. Cleveland is running away with the AL Central, but it’s not certain how Donaldson, a third baseman who was the 2015 AL MVP, might be used.
Donaldson hasn’t played in the majors since May 28 because of a strained calf and only began a minor league rehab assignment this week. When he’s healthy, he’s fiery and fearsome.
“I’m going to miss him,” said Blue Jays manager John Gibbons. “We had our battles. He is a high-strung player, but he did a lot for us.”
Gonzalez simply shifted clubhouses and changed from a Nationals uniform into a Brewers sweatshirt and hat.
“I grew up here. I had my family here, my wife and my kids. It’s just sad, but I’m happy,” Gonzalez said. “I’m really happy. I’m getting a second chance to redeem myself and I think this is a perfect opportunity with a team like the Brewers. I see there’s hopefully a brighter future for me.”
The 32-year-old lefty is 7-11 with a 4.57 ERA in 27 starts this season.
The 37-year-old Granderson is batting .245 with 11 home runs and 35 RBIs in 104 games this season. He has reached the playoffs with four teams in his career — Detroit, the New York Yankees, the New York Mets and the Los Angeles Dodgers.
“You’re surprised because you never know what’s going to happen. You hear all kinds of rumblings and things. There’s no reason to get worked up over anything until something happens,” said Granderson, who played his final game for Toronto on Friday night. He had a pinch-hit single and scored in a 6-5 win at Miami.
Clubs can start calling up reinforcements from the minors today. But it’s who they added before September that could really count in October.
McCutchen, one of several players to pass through waivers after the July 31 deadline, went to the New York Yankees for a pair of minor leaguers.
The 31-year-old McCutchen was expected to be in the lineup today at Yankee Stadium to face Detroit. Before he plays, though, he must adhere to the Yankees’ strict rule on facial hair, and that meant shaving the beard he’s sported for almost his whole career.