Revived: Dodgers/Braves six-player deal reportedly agreed to Tuesday
Take a look around the league with Big League Stew’s daily wrap up. We’ll hit on all of the biggest moments from the day that you may have missed, while providing highlights, photos and interesting stats.
It’s been a long day for Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Juan Uribe. Trade rumors swirled early Tuesday that the Dodgers were close to dealing the 36-year-old to the Atlanta Braves in a six-player swap.
One of the main pieces in the deal was Braves infielder Alberto Callaspo, who had the right to veto any trade. The two teams agreed to the exchange, but Callaspo rejected the move.
The trade appeared to be dead for a couple of hours before talks picked up again. This time, it appears Callaspo will waive his trade clause and head to Los Angeles. Since Callaspo has to approve the move, it has to go through the commissioner’s office before it becomes official.
With the deal close to being completed, the four other names involved have leaked.
Uribe, who has emerged as a fan favorite in Los Angeles, had trouble keeping it together when asked about leaving.
While not technically official yet, the deal is expected to be completed soon. The move frees up playing time for Alex Guerrero or Hector Olivera at third. Olivera arrived at the team’s Arizona complex recently, but is expected to be ready in about a month.
For the Braves, Uribe should provide an upgrade in the infield. He’s also regarded as a great clubhouse guy after his stint in Los Angeles. They’ll also pick up Chris Withrow, who has an elite strikeout rate, but questionable control. Withrow is currently on the 60-day disabled list due to elbow issues. If the injury was the cause of his high walk rate, the Braves may have picked up an extremely useful late-inning option.
RUSSELL LEADS CUBS OVER NATIONALS
Chicago Cubs rookie Addison Russell may have played the hero Tuesday against the Washington Nationals, but the game was really a showcase for all the young studs on each team.
Russell would wind up making the biggest impact, however, notching the walk-off double that gave the Cubs the 3-2 victory.
With a man on first, Russell stepped to the plate against Matt Grace. On the second pitch of the at-bat, Russell sent an 83 mph changeup to center for the game-winning double.
Russell managed to get the last laugh in a game dominated by youngsters. Both Bryce Harper and Kris Bryant hit home runs earlier in the contest. Harper’s blast tied the game 1-1. Bryant’s shot would also tie the game, this time at 2-2, setting the stage for Russell’s eventual game-winning hit.
After some initial struggles, Russell is now hitting .252/.301/.426 over 123 plate appearances.
KYLE SEAGER DOES IT ALL
Seattle Mariners third baseman Kyle Seager put the team on his back Tuesday against the Tampa Bay Rays. Of the seven runs scored in Seattle’s 7-6 victory, Seager drove in six of them.
He wasted no time getting to work. In the first inning, Seager singled up the middle, driving in his first run of the contest. He would be held in check for his next two at-bats, but more than made up for those failures in the eighth inning.
With the bases loaded, Seager stepped in against Jake McGee. On the first pitch he saw, Seager ripped a 94 mph fastball out to right for the grand slam.
It was the first grand slam hit by Seattle in some time.
Seager wasn’t finished, though. After Fernando Rodney blew a save in the ninth, Seager struck again. In the top of the 10th, he hit a solo home run off Brad Boxberger, giving the Mariners the lead.
Joe Biemel would enter in the bottom half of the frame and pick up the save. With the win, the Mariners improved to 22-23 on the season.
FLORES FINISHES PHILLIES
New York Mets shortstop Wilmer Flores isn’t known for his glove, so his bat will have to carry him. That was the case during Tuesday’s 5-4 win over the Philadelphia Phillies.
With the team trailing by one run in the eighth inning, Flores managed to drive in the game tying run with a sacrifice fly. The game would eventually go into extras, giving Flores another opportunity to play the hero.
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Flores stepped to the plate in the bottom of the 10th with men on first and third. On the second pitch of the at-bat, Flores came though. He knocked an 83 mph slider from Elvis Araujo out to left for the game-winning single.
With the win, the Mets improved to 26-21 on the season. Flores is hitting .252/.287/.434 over 152 plate appearances.
Want to see more from Tuesday’s slate of games? Check out our scoreboard.
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Chris Cwik is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Chris_Cwik
