Dodgers prospect’s trade-deadline joke backfires when he's traded

One of running jokes of the modern trade deadline is the #HugWatch — when over-eager fans watch for players to hug each other on the field, signaling, in their conclusion-jumping minds, that one of them has been traded.

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On Sunday, Los Angeles Dodgers pitching prospect Grant Holmes was seen hugging his teammates on the Single-A Rancho Cucamonga Quakes. The L.A. Times’ Bill Shaikin was quick to report, however, that Holmes was just “messing around.” He hadn’t actually been traded.

Well, the MLB trade-deadline ain’t no joke. And on Monday, Holmes was traded — as one of the three pitching prospects the Dodgers parted with in exchange for Josh Reddick and Rich Hill of the Oakland Athletics.

Final deal: Rich Hill and Josh Reddick to Dodgers with Grant Holmes, Frankie Montas and Jharel Cotton to A's. Physicals good. Deal is done.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) August 1, 2016

As Yahoo Sports’ Jeff Passan reported, the A’s got Holmes, plus Frankie Montas and Jharel Cotton. That’s three of the Dodgers’ top 13 prospects, according to MLB.com.

Instead of hugs, Holmes was caught in a moment of surprise on the team bus. Here’s a picture snapped and tweeted by teammate Alex Burgos minutes after the news broke on Twitter.

Just found out he got traded good luck @GHolmes_14 #MLBTradeDeadline pic.twitter.com/OyjCH8LFJU

— alex burgos (@burgman24) August 1, 2016

Exactly five minutes later, Holmes sent out a tweet of his own.

Just want to thank the @Dodgers for making my dream come true! An amazing organization.. Time to move on to the @Athletics! #LetsDoIt

— Grant Holmes (@GHolmes_14) August 1, 2016

All of this is so 2016.

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