THE RESET BUTTON
Players acquired in July trades, culminating with Tuesday’s deadline deals, by the American League’s top six teams (records through Monday):
RED SOX 75-33, .694)
P Nathan Eovaldi B Ian Kinsler With Dustin Pedroia likely done for the season, Kinsler shores up the infield defense. Eovaldi was stellar in his Boston debut Sunday, but Chris Sale’s shoulder inflammation gives pause.
YANKEES 67-37, .644)
P J.A. Happ P Lance Lynn RP Zach Britton Happ was a solid addition to the rotation, but New York needs Luis Severino to return to his first-half form. Britton stretches out an already deep and daunting bullpen.
MARINERS 63-43, 594)
P Zach Duke RP Sam Tuivailala RP Adam Warren OF Cameron Maybin Seattle, which began play Tuesday just three games behind the Astros in the AL West, presumably strengthened its bridge to closer Edwin Diaz but failed to add a rotation arm.
THLETICS 62-46, .574)
RP Jeurys Familia
x-Mets closer Familia gives the back of the bullpen, anchored by
Blake Treinen, a nice boost. With a rotation held together by baling wire, Oakland may have to take bullpenning to new extremes.
NDIANS 57-48, .543)
RP Brad Hand P Adam Cimber OF Leonys Martin Martin isn’t exactly Bryce Harper, whom Cleveland briefly had visions of acquiring before the Nationals backtracked on his availability. Don’t surprised if Hand supplants Cody Allen as closer.
ASTROS (67-41, .620)
RP Roberto Osuna RP Ryan Pressly C Martin Maldonado The Osuna-for-Ken Giles deal exchanged one headache for another. Osuna has 104 saves at age 23, but his suspension for domestic abuse brings a
risk to clubhouse chemistry.