MLB: Five Teams That Should Be Sellers
With the MLB season approaching the halfway mark, which teams need to accept their fate and be sellers 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?
The trade deadline can often make or break a team’s playoff chances. Just ask last year’s New York Mets, who’s deadline acquisition of Detroit Tigers left fielder Yoenis Cespedes fueled their run all the way into the World Series. The same could be said for the Washington Nationals, who squandered their October chances by trading for Jonathan Papelbon and throwing their bullpen into disarray.
So which teams need to be sellers? Some of these clubs may be in denial about the talent level of their current roster, but as the deadline draws closer and closer, their GMs will have no choice but to entertain a few offers. These are the top five teams who must be sellers come August.
Next: Trouble in the Bronx
New York Yankees
Entering play on June 22, the Yankees are 34-36 and six games back of the Orioles in the AL East. They’ve scored as many runs on the year as the lowly Brewers and sport a pitching staff that has struggled to find consistency all season. This is a team who is severely outmatched in their division, still holding onto the slim hope that the roster will be able to turn things around.
The problem is, the Yankees are old. A-Rod is a shell of his former self, Mark Teixeira is sitting on the Disabled List, and Chase Headley’s best years appear to be behind him. General Manager Brian Cashman has a high payroll to deal with, and although while they are the Yankees, any team could benefit from shedding a few million dollars.
The most intriguing trade chips on the team are none other than the three-headed monster at the back of their bullpen. Both flamethrower Aroldis Chapman and veteran closer Andrew Miller have been connected to numerous trade rumors throughout the season, and holding onto to them for much longer is getting harder and harder for Cashman to justify. Chapman is a free agent after the season, leaving little incentive for the team to keep him. Miller is still locked up through 2018 at $9 million annually.
According to Ken Rosenthal, several teams have contacted New York about their bullpen arms, including the Giants, Cubs, Nats, Rangers, and Dodgers. If and when the Yankees decide to shop one or both of their relievers, there will be plenty of suitors. It’s just up to the team to pull the trigger.
Next: The Pirates are Scuffling
Pittsburgh Pirates
Perhaps the toughest team to include on this list, the Pirates are struggling. Losers of eleven of their last thirteen, Pittsburgh is in serious jeopardy of missing the playoffs for the first time since 2012. Their starting rotation has been a massive disappointment, and the Gerrit Cole injury only makes matters worse.
While they still own the best offensive outfield in the MLB, the Pirates’ offense has been average. They’ve hit the fifth fewest homers in the National League, Andrew McCutchen is batting .238, and Francisco Cervelli was in the midst of a disappointing year before landing on the DL. Electing to sell at the trade deadline may be the wisest move for this team, especially in one of the toughest divisions in the league.
Closer Mark Melancon is on the final year of his contract, and could prove to be a Plan B for teams who miss out on Chapman and Miller. David Freese has been having a strong season at the hot corner and could be a valuable addition for a club looking to upgrade their offense. If the Pirates decide to make first baseman/catcher John Jaso or set-up man Tony Watson available, teams will come calling.
Regardless, if the Pirates are still out of it by late-July, Melancon should be on the move. He led the majors in saves only a season ago, and boasts valuable playoff experience. Several teams who will be looking to shore up their bullpens will have no choice but to give Pittsburgh GM Neal Huntington a call.
Next: Bad News for the South Side
Chicago White Sox
A month ago, who would’ve guessed that the White Sox would be on this list? 29 games and 19 losses later, here they are, and things aren’t looking good for the Southsiders. After starting the season 23-10, Chicago is 12-26 since. They’ve fallen to fourth place in the AL Central, leaving several question marks as to where this team stands in the American League pennant race.
Chris Sale and Jose Quintana have been Cy Young candidates at the top of the rotation, but not much has been going on behind them. The Sox traded for James Shields three weeks ago, but the 34-year old has since posted a 21.81 ERA in three starts. While designating Jimmy Rollins for assignment in favor of top prospect Tim Anderson was the right move for the scuffling ballclub, this team is going to need a lot more if they’re going to contend.
With the Indians on a roll and the defending World Champion Royals not too far behind them, there isn’t much room for the White Sox to work with. Instead, the team should look to upgrade their young farm system. Offseason acquisition Todd Frazier is tied for the AL lead with 20 home runs, and with a very team-friendly contract, would have immense value on the trade market. Melky Cabrera is having a career year in left field, who despite being owed upwards of $20 million over the next two season could garner interest. After such a promising start, it’s difficult for any team to give up easily. However, don’t let the strong play in May fool you, this is not a playoff-ready team.
Next: Little Hope in the Desert
Arizona Diamondbacks
Entering the 2016 season, the Diamondbacks looked poised to be the first team to usurp the Dodgers in the NL West in four years. After stealing away Zack Greinke on a six-year, $206.5 million contract over the offseason and making a blockbuster trade with Atlanta for Shelby Miller, many were calling Arizona the winners of the offseason. Then breakout star A.J. Pollock broke his elbow during Spring Training. Greinke and Miller both struggled mightily, and suddenly the Dbacks find themselves five games under .500 and 11.5 games back in the division.
It is becoming increasingly apparent that this is not the playoff-caliber team that so many expected them to be, even with Paul Goldschmidt putting up MVP-caliber numbers. The offense still has a major hole at shortstop, and Patrick Corbin’s return from Tommy John surgery has not been graceful. The Dodgers and Giants have both risen to the top of the National League, and neither team is showing any signs of slowing down.
Meanwhile, bullpen arms Brad Ziegler and Tyler Clippard have been bounced around as trade candidates. Ziegler hits free agency after the season, and would be a cheap rental for teams not willing to go all in on other top arms on the market. With ownership likely to expect a bounce-back year in 2017 once Pollock returns, don’t anticipate too many long-term pieces to be on the move. However, the Diamondbacks have already shot themselves in the leg with all their injuries, and will likely be sellers by the deadline.
Next: It's Time to Rebuild in Anaheim
Los Angeles Angels
The Angels are not a very good baseball team, and everyone seems to know it other than the Halos themselves. When trade speculation, as frivolous as it may be, about Mike Trout is being discussed on a national level, it is typically a sign of a team in trouble. Los Angeles has the fifth highest payroll in the majors, yet has lost more games than the $72 million Marlins. Their farm system is far and away the worst in the league, and they have nine players with contracts expiring at the end of the season.
In other words, it’s time to rebuild. While guys like Trout and Albert Pujols aren’t going anywhere, the Angels have plenty of names that can and should be put on the trade block. Yunel Escobar is batting .313/.370/.413 since the start of the 2015 season, and has experience all over the infield. He may not be the best glove capable of holding down third base, but his high walk rate and batting average is enticing for any team looking to bolster their lineup.
Next: Top relievers on trade block
Huston Street could join Ziegler in the lower-tier closer category, not garnering a large return but a solid option at the back-end of the ‘pen. If Tim Lincecum’s first start back is any indication, the Angels could have a front-line starter at their disposal as well. It’s not easy for a team with the best player in baseball to throw in the towel, but the Angels’ front office has made it difficult to imagine them doing anything other than selling at the trade deadline.