The August, 1st MLB trade deadline is rapidly approaching—and the rumor mill is only getting hotter by the day.
There will be a lot of buyers this year, trying to bolster their roster for a playoff or even World Series push and, as always, quite a few sellers trying to retool for the future after recognizing their season is essentially dead. Let’s look at 8 big names that could be wearing new jerseys once the dust settles.
Shohei Ohtani
The Angels’ two-way superstar is far and away the biggest name being mentioned at the deadline, which, let’s be honest, would be the case even if Babe Ruth himself was available. Ohtani’s skillset is that special.
Los Angeles still may decide to hold on to him in the hopes of re-signing the generational talent when his deal expires this offseason, but that is a huge risk—because he could easily leave in search of a winning organization and leave the Angels with nothing to show for it.
Blake Snell
Blake Snell has been one of the best pitchers in baseball this year, having not surrendered more than two runs in a game since mid-May. In fact, he only seems to be heating up more too—as he’s pitched to an 0.66 ERA over his last seven games.
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Unfortunately for San Diego, the team itself is really struggling, despite its massive payroll—and at 10.5 games back in the division their playoff hopes are bleak. They might be wise to try and sell high on Snell’s expiring deal in the hopes that they can recoup some prospects after ravaging it the past couple of years to build this under-performing team.
Marcus Stroman
Once again, the Cubs are rumored to be sellers at the deadline and once again, it is Marcus Stroman rumored to be on the move—to what would be his fifth team since 2019.
To his credit, Stroman has been very consistent despite all the changes, with his ERA hovering right around 3.15 during that time. He could be exactly what a real contender is looking for to solidify their rotation heading into the playoffs.
Cody Bellinger
Cody Bellinger could very well be another Cub on his way out of Chicago. The 28-year-old was signed this offseason as a reclamation project after coming apart at the seams during his last couple of years in Los Angeles.
His power numbers are way down from his peak, but there are plenty of teams that would be happy to welcome a .300-plus hitting bat into their lineup heading into the postseason.
Josh Hader
Though the Padres had high hopes for this season, they may find themselves dealing more than one key piece—including, their shutdown reliever, Josh Hader. The five-time All-Star reliever has been lights out all year long, pitching to an ERA just a smidge about 1.00—and he could be an extremely valuable arm to add to the bullpen for a playoff team.
Max Scherzer
2023 hasn’t been the Mets—or their star pitcher, Max Scherzer’s year. The team was believed to be a World Series favorite heading into the season, but those hopes seem to have almost vanished entirely.
Scherzer has an 8 and 3 record, but a relatively high (to his standards) ERA at 3.99. To find the last time he finished a season with an ERA that high—you have to go all the way back to 2011, when he was with Detroit.
He has a pretty big price tag and player option for 2024, but I wouldn’t be shocked to see a team roll the dice on Scherzer and hope that either the Law of Averages or the idea of postseason baseball is the catalyst for a vintage late-season run from the veteran starter.
Lane Thomas
The Nationals’ outfielder has been one of the most consistent hitters in their lineup all season long, with his average floating around .290. His power numbers are also up from last year—as he is only two off his 2022 total, with 15.
He is one of the best hitters believed to be available and could be a quality addition for an October-bound team looking for some depth.
Lucas Giolito
The White Sox are another team that has been a sheer disappointment in 2023, but their misfortune could be exactly what a real contender needed, as Chicago may look to deal former All-Star starting pitcher, Lucas Giolito.
He’s not a bonafide ace by any stretch of the imagination, but a team like the Texas Rangers, who are in desperate need of reinforcements might be enticed at a low-cost acquisition like this.
