Carp Trade Peter Lambert, Garrett Whitlock to Nashville
by Alora Shaw -- Trade Rumors/Token Female Hire
The Carp front office strikes again! I have to admit this was a little larger of a deal than I anticipated them making on deadline day. The final package is Peter Lambert, Garrett Whitlock, and a 2029 3rd to the Nashville Nincumpoops for George Klassen, Kodai Senga, and a 2029 1st. There is a lot to unpack here.
First what the Carp gave up: Lambert and Whitlock are both quality pieces. Lambert has been a nice surprise this year (3.06 ERA with peripherals that match) and has looked especially good lately, holding opponents to 2 runs or fewer in 11 of his last 12 starts. I know the Carp brass liked him, but sometimes the best use of scouting wins is to cash in when value is at the highest. I think they did that.
Whitlock, meanwhile, is basically exactly who he was expected to be --a high-leverage setup man in front of Aroldis Chapman who basically gives up nothing (21 holds, 2 saves, 1.88 ERA; 0.86 WHIP). He absolutely fits the Carp mold, but they have so many quality relievers that they can ship some out when it brings back strong returns. As for the 2029 3rd, the Carp won't miss it.
The crown jewel of the return is the 2029 1st round rookie draft pick. It now gives the Carp a second 1st round pick in 2029 (along with their 3 in 2027, and 3 in 2028). They have the firepower to make big trades for MLB pieces later, or to draft the bluest of blue chippers. If they draft marginally well with those picks, they'll own the river.
Klassen and Senga are more wildcard-ish, but both come with compelling upsides. Klassen is a young arm in the Angels system (Angels #10 prospect) and has looked excellent recently at Triple-A (after getting crushed in his MLB debut earlier this year). The stuff is electric (100 MPH fastball, slider and curve that miss bats), but the control is suspect. He just got called back to the majors after being named Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Month for July. He's only 24, so if he clicks, he could be here a while. Even if he ends up in the bullpen, electric bullpen arms always interest the Carp, so they likely wouldn't see that as a terrible possibility.
Senga has been a wreck this year (ERA of 8.29; 1.7 WHIP), but the strikeouts are still there (55K in 46 IP) and the Mets have just moved him into the bullpen to (hopefully) pitch in high leverage. He either finds a home there and the Carp have another flex SP/RP getting saves and holds, or he flames out and he hits the waiver wire. As ever, there are no bad one-year deals.
While I don't think the Carp make that deal for just the 2029 1st, if the other pieces of the deal flame out, I think the 2029 1st keeps a certain floor intact that makes this deal less risky as it seems on paper --two successful, reliable assets for two flyers.
Just a little under eight hours until the deadline. Would be surprised to see another Carp starting pitcher move unless there was a starter coming back.