MLB Trade Deadline Preview: American League East
Heading into yesterday’s action, only 6.5 games separated the American League East. That could lead to a very interesting MLB trade deadline this year.
The MLB Trade Deadline is an exciting time of year. Fans of contending teams hope for that one player that could put their team over the top, leading to a World Series victory in just a few months. For those fans whose teams are struggling, the trade deadline has the promise of better days, with top prospects being acquired in the hope that they will be a part of the next successful run.
In the American League East, where four teams were .500 or better heading into yesterday’s action, a trade could make a dramatic difference. The Yankees, Red Sox, and Orioles all entertained postseason dreams heading into the season, and the surprising Rays have continued to stay around .500 despite their injury issues. Even the Blue Jays, which have been a disappointment thus far, have displayed signs of life lately, clawing back to within striking distance.
But what are the biggest holes on each team? Let us take a look through the American League East and see those areas where they could look to upgrade for the stretch run. Every one of these teams have gaping holes that could prove fatal to their playoff goals.
Here are the main areas that each of these teams could look to address at the MLB trade deadline.
Toronto Blue Jays: Bullpen
The Blue Jays are a tough team to figure out as we look forward to the MLB trade deadline. Yes, they are under .500, but since a disastrous 2-11 start to the season, they have been one of the better teams in the game. Will that be enough to vault back into contention?
If so, the Blue Jays still have work to do. Getting Troy Tulowitzki and Josh Donaldson back helps the lineup, but the pitching staff is still a work in progress. In particular, the Blue Jays need help in the middle relief area of their bullpen.
Jason Grilli has is still striking out over a batter per inning, but has a 8.15 ERA and a 1.755 WHiP. J.P. Howell, the second lefty in the bullpen, has been even worse, posting a 8.31 ERA and a 2.192 WHiP, while walking seven batters in his 8.1 innings.
Fortunately, a middle relief pitcher, or even a second lefty, may not cost much. The Blue Jays do not have much in regards to top end talent, short of Vlad Jr. with their acquisitions over the years. Of course, if the Blue Jays do go into another tailspin, they could revamp that farm system in a hurry, with potential trades of Donaldson, Marco Estrada, and Francisco Liriano.
The next month will go a long way to determining what the Tornto Blue Jays do at the deadline. If they are still in contention, getting some needed help for the bullpen could be a priority.
Tampa Bay Rays: Backup catcher
The Tampa Bay Rays are another difficult team to prognosticate for the MLB trade deadline, albeit for a different reason.
They definitely have holes, but most of those will be patched up when players come back from injury. Wilson Ramos and Brad Boxberger are expected to return in late June, and Matt Duffy is finally starting baseball activities. If everyone can be healthy, the Rays do not have many holes.
That is, aside from the catcher position. While Ramos will solidify that spot in the lineup when he is able to get behind the plate, there still needs to be concern about who will be backing him up. Thus far, the combination of Derek Norris and Jesus Sucre has been mediocre at best, posting a combined .607 OPS, 27th in the American League. Norris, in particular, has struggled, posting a .194/.256/.326 batting line.
As Ramos will not be catching consecutive games for some time, and will be getting days off from behind the plate throughout the year, finding a competent upgrade for Norris may be the biggest key for the Rays going forward. Getting someone who can still handle a bat and not embarrass themselves in the lineup could be the difference to reaching the postseason.
The Tampa Bay Rays have struggled throughout their history to find a catcher. They just need someone that can handle the position a couple of times a week once Wilson Ramos comes back.
Baltimore Orioles: Starting pitcher
The Baltimore Orioles are one of the more consistent teams out there. Year to year, we know they will hit a lot of home runs, not steal many bases, and struggle to find competent starting pitching.
That is the same again this year, although those pitching woes have been worse than usual. Chris Tillman and Kevin Gausman have had dramatic regressions this season, and Ubaldo Jimenez is still getting the ball every fifth day.
If the Orioles are going to reach the postseason, not only do Tillman and Gausman need to show improvement, but taking the ball from Jimenez would be a tremendous upgrade in the addition by subtraction route. Even if the Orioles look at a back of the rotation arm, as opposed to an ace, anything that could remove Jimenez from the rotation would be an upgrade at this point.
The biggest problem in regards to the Orioles landing that type of pitcher could come from their lack of minor league talent. Several trades over the past few years have decimated the farm system, leaving it with a dearth of top end talent. And their top prospect, Chance Cisco, is a key part of the future.
The Orioles need help with their pitching staff. They just may not have the ammunition needed to make that needed upgrade.
Boston Red Sox: Third base
Third base has been a revolving door for the Boston Red Sox this year. However, none of the players that have appeared at the hot corner have been useful.
Thus far, six different players have manned third for the Red Sox. They have combined for a .598 OPS, the worst in the majors. These struggles do not appear to be abating any time soon, as Brock Holt is still sidelined indefinitely due to vertigo and Pablo Sandoval has continued to be a train wreck.
Fortunately, there may be options available. While top prospect Rafael Devers is still a couple of years away from being a viable option, the Red Sox could find that player they need in the trade market. Players like Mike Moustakas and Yangervis Solarte, for example, could be made available as their teams fall further out of contention.
In fact, a player like Moustakas could be the perfect option. A free agent after the season, he combines solid power and excellent defense, a solid upgrade over the flotsam that has manned the position thus far. And Dave Dombrowski has shown a willingness to move top prospects in order to get that desired championship.
Third base has been a black hole for the Boston Red Sox thus far in 2017. It would not be a surprise it that was addressed at the MLB trade deadline.
New York Yankees: First base
The New York Yankees thought they would be set at first base with the return of Greg Bird. As an insurance policy, they added power hitter Chris Carter. Needless to say, neither have worked out thus far.
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In fact, Yankees first basemen have a case for being the worst in the game. They rank dead last with a .571 OPS, 67 points behind the Angels. For all the power that Carter was supposed to bring, they are tied for last in homers at first.
Carter has struggled all season. While it was known that he would be a low batting average/high strikeout player, his .180/.279/.333 batting line with just four home runs has been a train wreck, even by his standards. Bird has been even worse when he has played, with a .100/.250/.200 batting line and four extra base hits in 72 plate appearances. It has gotten to the point where there have been rumblings about Aaron Hicks seeing time at first.
Instead, this should be a relatively easy fix. With players like Eric Hosmer set to be a free agent, the Yankees could look for that needed upgrade at the deadline. Their farm system is fairly underrated, with several high quality arms, which could help entice a rebuilding team to part with that needed piece.
Next: Aaron Judge has to regress, right?
The New York Yankees look like they are back as a true World Series threat. Filling that last hole in the lineup could make the difference.