MLB: Five Teams That Should Be Buyers
With the MLB season approaching the halfway mark, which teams need to go all in and be buyers at the trade deadline?
As the month of June begins to draw to a close, teams across Major League Baseball are evaluating their rosters in preparation for the August 1 non-waiver trade deadline. Good teams are searching the market looking to fill a weak spot in their lineup or add some depth in their starting rotation. Less fortunate clubs are tasked with weighing offers on their best players, desperately trying to create a better future.
Some teams, however, are caught in the middle. Hanging around the .500 mark, these ballclubs could be on the verge of a second half playoff run… or they could just collapse altogether. The fans and players never want to throw in the towel, but sometimes there isn’t really an option. GMs for these teams are forced to make a difficult choice: buy or sell?
This morning, I took a look at the five teams that need to accept their fate and be sellers at the deadline. Now, let’s break down which clubs should throw in their chips and go for the pennant. Who are the candidates? Some of these teams have a shot at their divisions, while others will have to settle for the Wild Card. Regardless, they have talented rosters that are only missing one or two pieces to make a deep run into October. These are the top five teams who should be buyers come August.
Next: Mariners Need Some Depth
Seattle Mariners
Losers of five in a row, the Mariners are in the midst of a midseason slump. Key starters Felix Hernandez and Wade Miley are on the DL, Adam Lind has been a hole in the lineup over at first base, and they are now sitting at 36-36. Why then, would this team be buyers?
Last offseason, Seattle GM Jerry Dipoto built this team to contend. He re-signed Hisashi Iwakuma, brought in veteran bats Nori Aoki and Chris Iannetta, and acquired Steve Cishek to handle the ninth inning. The starting lineup looked to be in good shape, but the depth just wasn’t there. Once injuries began to strike, Seattle started to fall apart.
In addition to Lind, Aoki has had a subpar season. Miley struggled mightily prior to the shoulder injury that put him on the shelf. While the Mariners don’t have the blue chip prospects to bring in the likes of Carlos Beltran or Sonny Gray, there are several moves Seattle can make that could fortify their playoff chances.
FanRag Sports’ Jon Heyman reported that Bud Norris could be a possible fit for the Mariners, among other teams. Francisco Liriano’s stock is down after his shaky performance so far this year, but the 32-year-old starter posted a 3.26 ERA over the previous three seasons and has valuable postseason experience. On the offensive side, the trade market is stacked full of potential impact bats. John Jaso has had an impressive season in Pittsburgh and is signed through 2017. If they decide to go for a rental, Mark Reynolds is reaching base a .357 a clip for Colorado.
Next: St. Louis Primed for Deep Playoff Run
St. Louis Cardinals
For a team like the Cardinals, something seems off about discussing their Wild Card chances as if October baseball in St. Louis isn’t a guarantee. However, with the Cubs 9.5 games up on the Cards in the NL Central and four teams within two games for both Wild Card spots, nothing is set in stone.
The Cardinals have been one of the streakiest teams in all of baseball lately, winning seven of eight before hitting a five-game losing streak last weekend. How did they rebound from the skid? By sweeping the Cubs of course. The offense has scored the most runs in the National League, but the pitching staff sports a pedestrian 3.95 ERA. With Adam Wainwright struggling in his return from the Achilles tear and Michael Wacha still searching for his success from a season ago, St. Louis could be one or two starters away from running away with the Wild Card.
While a majority of the top talent in the Cards’ farm system has reached the majors, St. Louis still has several pieces that could be moved for a front-line starter. In fact, this team could potentially make a run at Gray or Julio Teheran. In fact, they should. Both pitchers are locked up through at least 2019 and have proven just how dominant they can be in the big leagues. Acquiring either of these arms would not just improve their playoff chances for 2016, it would give them a rock in their rotation for years to come.
Next: Astros Saving Their Season
Houston Astros
Surprise! After getting off to a rough 17-28 start, the Astros are over .500 for the first time since beating the Yankees in their first game of the season. Picked by many to win the AL West over the offseason, Houston is finally rounding into form. Riding behind one of the best bullpens in the sport, the Astros may just be getting started.
While Astros GM Jeff Luhnow has said that he sees “no obvious hole” on the roster, the club will remain active in trade discussions. The biggest reason for their slow start has been their starting pitching. Even after Houston started winning, the rotation has not lived up to its billing. Reigning Cy Young winner Dallas Keuchel’s 5.32 ERA is the highest mark on the staff, but Collin McHugh (4.70) and Mike Fiers (4.42) are not far behind.
The Astros have a strong farm system, with enough young talent to make waves in the trade market. While the market for starters is thin, the aforementioned Gray and Teheran could very well be within their reach. If they opt not to go for an ace, several names such as Jake Odorizzi, Drew Pomeranz and Jeremy Hellickson could be tossed around.
Even if Houston really has turned things around, their rotation will not be able to withstand a playoff series. Pitted against the best lineups in baseball, the Astros will be fighting a very uphill battle. This team is badly in need of another arm, and the longer they wait, the higher the price will go.
Next: Bullpen Help North of the Border
Toronto Blue Jays
At 40-34, the Blue Jays have the best record among the teams on this list. Their offense leaves the yard as much as any in the league, their rotation is more than serviceable, and they have one of the best defensive units in the game. Why then, is Toronto sitting in third place in the AL East?
Their bullpen, and it isn’t as simple as finding a new closer. Incumbent ninth-inning man Roberto Osuna has a 1.95 ERA and 14 saves in 16 chances so far this season, leaving no question as to who the best reliever on the team is. Behind him, however, things have not been so pleasant. Particularly, Drew Storen and Gavin Floyd have been roughed up and the Blue Jays are in need of an upgrade.
Right now, the reliever front of the trade market is wide open. From Aroldis Chapman to Sean Doolittle to Fernando Rodney, Toronto has options. While the team may not want to disrupt the chemistry in the bullpen by demoting Osuna despite his success, any of these guys could be viable set-up men for the reigning AL East champions.
The Blue Jays have perhaps the fewest needs among the clubs on this list, but don’t overlook the necessity of a reliable bullpen. Especially in October, when every run counts. This is a team with the talent to make a serious run at the pennant. It would be a shame to see them lose everything in the eighth inning of an elimination game.
Next: Tigers Need Some Pitching
Detroit Tigers
Only two years removed from their fourth consecutive AL Central title, the Tigers are in an odd state of limbo. The team has clutched onto the key pieces that brought them into the playoffs all those years, hoping to squeeze every ounce of talent out of them before they can head anywhere else. However, last year they finished in the basement of the division, and are in danger of missing the playoffs once again.
Detroit currently sits two games over .500, 4.5 games behind the red-hot Indians. Their offense is a force to be reckoned with, albeit with strikeouts, but their pitching staff is far from perfect. Justin Verlander, Jordan Zimmermann and Michael Fulmer form a fearsome trio at the top of their rotation, but the back-end has been less than spectacular. Anibal Sanchez is one of those key stars from years prior, but his 5.97 ERA suggests a steep decline. The Tigers could benefit from exploring the Hellickson or Odorizzi markets.
As for the bullpen, the Tigers have the third worst reliever ERA in MLB. The relief corps has been noticeably bad for several years now, and was the biggest reason they were swept in the 2014 ALDS. Top bullpen arms like Rodney, Chapman and Andrew Miller should be their biggest priorities.
Next: 5 Teams That Should Be Sellers
If the Tigers are going to make a return to the postseason, they are going to have to make some noise on the trade market. Brad Ausmus is on the hot seat for a reason, and it’s clear management expects this team to win. They just need to give them the pieces to do it.