Phils Acquire Ramos and Loup at Deadline

2018 Topps Heritage #228

2015 Topps #369

On Tuesday afternoon, in a flurry of activity leading up to the 4pm non-waiver trade deadline, the Phillies acquired All-Star catcher Wilson Ramos from the Rays and lefty reliever Aaron Loup from the Blue Jays.  The moves capped an impressive week of transactions for the club, as they added two veteran bats (Ramos and Asdrubal Cabrera) and a veteran bullpen arm without subtracting anyone from their Major League roster or dealing any top prospects.

Ramos is currently on the disabled list with a hamstring injury, and he could return by mid-August at the earliest or September 1st at the latest.  He represents an offensive and defensive upgrade at catcher over both Jorge Alfaro and Andrew Knapp.  A free agent following the season, the Phillies acquired Ramos for a player to be named later or cash.  An All-Star this year with the Rays and in 2016 with the Nationals, Ramos is hitting .297 so far this season with 14 home runs and 53 RBIs.  From a baseball card perspective, I’ll need to add his 2018 cards from Topps Series Two and Topps Heritage to my Phillies binder.

2018 Choice Lehigh
Valley IronPigs #28

I’m genuinely concerned with my dwindling knowledge of current baseball players given that Loup has appeared in 369 games for the Blue Jays since 2012 and yet I’ve never heard of him.  A true left-handed specialist, Loup amassed 318 2/3 inning pitched in those 369 career appearances.  So far this season, he has a 4.54 ERA over 50 games.  He’s also a free agent following this season, and the Phillies gave up Triple-A pitcher Jacob Waguespack for him.  Loup has a card in the 2015 Topps set as well as the 2018 Topps Blue Jays retail team set.

To open up spots on the 40-man roster for Ramos and Loup, the Phillies designated reliever Zac Curtis and infielder Trevor Plouffe for assignment.  Unless either of the two pass through waivers and re-join the IronPigs, they’ll join the ranks of recent ex-Phillies.

Arrived During the 2018 Season
Trevor Plouffe (4/23/18) - Signed as a minor league free agent, formerly with the Texas Rangers organization.
Asdrubal Cabrera (7/27/18) - Acquired from the New York Mets for Franklyn Kilome.
Wilson Ramos (7/31/18) - Acquired from the Tampa Bay Rays for a player to be named later or cash.
Aaron Loup (7/31/18) - Acquired from the Toronto Blue Jays for Jacob Waguespack.

Departed During the 2018 Season
Drew Hutchison (6/5/18) - Designated for assignment and elected free agency.
Hoby Milner (7/15/18) - Sold to the Tampa Bay Rays.
Zac Curtis (7/31/18) - Designated for assingnment.
Trevor Plouffe (7/31/18) - Designated for assignment.