Matt Manning Traded to Phillies Following DFA by Tigers; Yankees Revamp Bullpen with Camilo Doval and More
Detroit Tigers Make Surprising Move with Former First-Round Pick Matt Manning
On a day filled with last-minute trades ahead of the MLB deadline, the Detroit Tigers made headlines by parting ways with a once-promising pitching prospect. In a move that caught many off guard, the Tigers designated right-handed pitcher Matt Manning for assignment early Thursday, July 31. Within less than half a day, Detroit finalized a trade that sent Manning to the Philadelphia Phillies.
In exchange, the Tigers acquired 18-year-old outfielder Josueth Quinonez, a young international prospect currently playing in the Dominican Summer League. Quinonez, who hails from Venezuela, signed with Philadelphia as an international free agent in January 2024. The teenager has shown signs of promise in his early development, producing a .287 batting average with two home runs across 32 games. He has also walked 12 times and struck out nine, reflecting solid plate discipline at his young age.
Manning, once heralded as one of the top prospects in all of baseball, was originally drafted ninth overall by the Tigers in 2016. A highly touted arm from California, Manning was projected to be a cornerstone in the Tigers’ long-term rotation plans. His professional journey has been marked by potential flashes and unfortunate inconsistency due to performance setbacks and injuries.
Although Manning made his MLB debut with great anticipation, his career with Detroit has been marred by stops and starts. He has displayed promise with a fastball-heavy arsenal and some solid outings, but Detroit ultimately opted to remove him from their 40-man roster. This decision signaled a significant pivot for the franchise, particularly considering the high expectations they once placed on him.
By trading Manning to Philadelphia, the Tigers close the chapter on one of their more publicized draft investments. The Phillies, meanwhile, are taking a calculated gamble, betting on Manning’s upside and hoping a change of scenery unlocks his full potential. The Tigers’ return, Quinonez, is a long-term investment — someone they believe could blossom into a contributor down the road.
This is not the first time a high-pedigree arm has been dealt by Detroit in recent years, as the organization continues to recalibrate its developmental strategy under the current front office.
Yankees Add Significant Relief Help by Acquiring Giants’ Camilo Doval
In another significant trade right before the MLB deadline expired, the New York Yankees aggressively addressed one of their biggest needs: bullpen help. General Manager Brian Cashman made a major acquisition by securing hard-throwing right-handed reliever Camilo Doval from the San Francisco Giants.
The Yankees paid a notable price to land Doval, parting with four players: No. 19 organizational prospect Trystan Vrieling, No. 25 prospect Jesus Rodriguez, as well as Parks Harbor and Carlos De La Rosa. While the cost may appear steep, the Yankees clearly felt it was worth the investment for a reliever who has bounced back strong in 2025.
Doval’s season has been solid — over 47 appearances, he has maintained a 3.09 ERA and struck out 50 batters across 46.2 innings. His return to form has included closing 15 games for the Giants this year, after a down 2024 campaign in which he lost his closer role and posted a 4.88 ERA. Despite last year’s struggles, Doval remains just two years removed from his All-Star season in 2023, when he compiled 39 saves and a 2.93 ERA.
What makes the trade even more appealing for the Yankees is Doval’s contract status. He remains under team control and won’t be eligible for free agency until 2028, giving the Yankees multiple seasons of use out of the flamethrower. The move continues the Yankees’ aggressive bullpen overhaul, which has been a focal point for the front office.
New York’s Full Bullpen Overhaul: Bednar, Bird, and Doval Arrive
Doval’s acquisition wasn’t an isolated move. In fact, it capped a busy trade deadline for Cashman and the Yankees’ front office. Earlier in the week, New York had already completed deals to bring in David Bednar, the former closer for the Pittsburgh Pirates, and Jake Bird, a right-hander previously with the Colorado Rockies.
All three relievers — Doval, Bednar, and Bird — will be under team control beyond the current season. The Yankees’ revamped bullpen now boasts an elite combination of high-velocity arms, swing-and-miss potential, and multiple late-inning options, providing manager Aaron Boone with depth and flexibility for October.
Bednar, known for his consistency and competitiveness, was one of the most coveted relief pitchers on the market. His arrival gives the Yankees another back-end option with experience closing games. Bird, while less heralded, has quietly developed into a dependable reliever who can handle a variety of situations, from middle relief to high-leverage moments.
The new-look bullpen, headlined by Doval’s power arm, is a clear message from the Yankees to the rest of the American League: they are fully committed to a deep postseason run.
A Bigger Picture for Both Franchises
The trades made by the Tigers and Yankees, though very different in their circumstances, underscore a key theme during this year’s trade deadline — front offices are not afraid to make bold decisions to align with long-term visions.
For Detroit, trading Matt Manning — a former top pick and top-100 prospect — is symbolic. It represents a break from past decisions and a signal that they’re turning the page to a new development strategy. Rather than hold onto underperforming assets with name recognition, the Tigers are seeking youth and upside, even if that means gambling on players still in the early stages of international ball.
Meanwhile, the Yankees are operating in win-now mode, embracing their window of contention and pouring resources into the bullpen — an area that had shown signs of vulnerability in recent weeks. In acquiring not just one, but three relievers with strong track records and control beyond 2025, they’ve fortified a critical part of the roster for the postseason.
The addition of Doval in particular gives New York a powerful late-inning weapon — someone who can go head-to-head with top opposing hitters in tight playoff games. His velocity, strikeout numbers, and late movement are all elite traits that should thrive under the bright lights of Yankee Stadium.
What the Future Holds
For Matt Manning, his new opportunity in Philadelphia may be exactly what he needs. The Phillies, well known for their ability to maximize pitching potential, have developed several arms into productive big-league contributors. Manning now joins a staff that includes established starters and rising talent, giving him a chance to learn in a new environment with a new set of expectations.
The Tigers, on the other hand, will look to nurture Quinonez and continue tracking his development closely. Though years away from contributing at the MLB level, his skill set offers promise — contact skills, plate discipline, and athleticism.
The Yankees’ bullpen now becomes one of the most potent in the American League. If Doval continues his strong 2025 form, alongside Bednar and Bird, the Yankees will have addressed one of the few weak spots on their roster heading into the home stretch of the regular season.
For New York fans, these deals will be judged on postseason success. For Tigers fans, the hope is that shedding former top-tier prospects in exchange for youthful upside pays off in the years to come.
Final Notes and Reflections
The moves made on July 31 might seem routine in the grand scheme of MLB trades, but they carry deeper implications for both franchises. Whether it’s Detroit moving on from a once-celebrated draft pick or New York investing heavily in bullpen arms to chase a title, the deadline reminded fans of the ever-changing nature of roster construction and team direction.
These transactions mark the end of one era and the beginning of another. Matt Manning’s time in Detroit is over, and he’ll now seek to write a new chapter with the Phillies. Meanwhile, Camilo Doval heads to New York with redemption on his mind and postseason ambitions in sight.
Both players, in their own ways, are looking for second acts — one trying to fulfill his potential, the other looking to reclaim a former level of dominance on a championship-caliber team. Whether these trades are viewed as masterstrokes or miscalculations will depend on what unfolds in the coming months and years.
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