Every year the MLB trade deadline rolls around and fans across the country find out if their ownership group is ready to double down on the squad they in hopes of making a deep playoff run—or if they fancy themselves sellers and are ready to strip down the current roster for parts and sell it off for assets that’ll pay off in the future.
It is a highly contentious time in the baseball calendar… very rarely does it seem like the owners and the fans are on the same page. Let’s put the biases aside though and check out 5 buyers and 5 sellers for this year’s deadline.
Buyer – Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are still in the mix in an astoundingly competitive AL East that still has all five teams well over .500. If they make the right additions to deepen their rotation for the stretch run of the season—and possibly add another right-handed bat, then they will not only firm up their place in the wild Card race, but they might even make a run for the Division Crown.
Seller – Chicago Cubs
The Cubs season has gone into an early hibernation and though it may not be popular amongst fans, the front office would wise to sell high on a couple of their high-profile players—namely Cody Bellinger. Chicago did well with its distressed asset, but the team will be kicking itself if it gets caught holding the bag and has to resign him to a big deal next year and starts hitting .200 again.
Buyer – Tampa Bay Rays
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The Tampa Bay Rays would be wise to make a couple of moves right before the deadline to give their squad an advantage as they continue to jockey back and forth with the Baltimore Orioles in the AL East.
An additional arm in the rotation—to back up their big three of Zach Eflin, Tyler Glasnow, and Shane McClanahan will go a long way leading up to the postseason—and a difference-maker in the bullpen will be invaluable if the team wants to make a deep postseason run.
Seller – Detroit Tigers
Detroit has been pseudo-competitive this year in a disastrous AL Central, but let’s call a spade a spade—this team isn’t going anywhere. Not even in its own division at this point.
The Tigers need to cut their losses and see what they can get for their big arms, like Eduardo Rodriguez, who can opt-out at the end of the year.
Buyer – Baltimore Orioles
With the stunt they pulled last year, the Orioles’ front office downright owes it to the fans to try and get something done at the deadline.
One year removed from trading Trey Mancini and their All-Star closer, Jorge Lopez, Baltimore is back and better than ever. Now it is time for the front office to do their part and bring in some pitching that can position them for legitimate postseason contention.
Seller – Chicago White Sox
Chicago has been one of the most disappointing teams in baseball this year. It is time for them to make some moves to try and re-tool for the future.
The White Sox have a plethora of arms, guys like Lucas Giolito and Dylan Cease that teams in actual contention should happily pay a premium for as they gear up for the postseason.
Buyer – Texas Rangers
The Rangers, more so than any other AL contender, really need to add some arms at the deadline. They’ve already started the process by acquiring an admittedly ageing Aroldis Chapman, but both the rotation and the bullpen are still in serious need of reinforcements.
Seller – Oakland Athletics
At this point, there isn’t much left for the A’s to sell, but they may as well try to stockpile as many prospects for the future—assuming they will one day want to be a serious organization again—as they can.
They have a couple of right-handers in Trevor May and Paul Blackburn, and a solid bat in Brent Rooker that could be of interest on the trade market.
Buyer – Los Angeles Dodgers
When are the Dodgers not buying??? This year should be no different. They are in first place in the NL West and by adding a couple of arms to the rotation and the bullpen, they should find themselves right back in World Serious contention.
Seller – San Diego Padres
The Padres need to find some serendipity in this lost season and trade their big-named players on expiring deals to try and re-up for next year. Guys like Josh Hader, Blake Snell, and Seth Lugo, should all be extremely attractive to contenders.
