OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 07: J.B. Wendelken #57 of the Oakland Athletics pitches against the Texas Rangers at RingCentral Coliseum on August 07, 2021 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
It’s always a bit of a shock to the system when you’re scrolling the transaction wire and you realize a familiar name, seemingly in the midst of their prime, was the corresponding move for a top prospect’s rise.
Then again, there has never been a larger number of effective bullpen arms at any time than what we’ve seen in 2021, so it makes sense some fungible former stars could be on the open market.