MLB Trade Deadline: 3 National League Players Who Could be Traded in August

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With the Non-waiver MLB trade deadline in the past, teams will now turn their attention towards August deals. This years waiver period could see multiple big name players on the move.

This years “official” MLB trade deadline has come and gone, but August is where the real fun may ultimately lay.

Last year we saw Justin Verlander shipped to the Houston Astros on August 31, the last day for a deal.

As we all know, the ‘Stros went on to win the World Series, with Verlander earning ALCS MVP honors.

The point is, August, despite not gaining the hype of the July 31st trade deadline, can bring impactful deals, too.

This year, a handful of worthy trade candidates exist, and some of them are almost certain to switch teams before September.

Cincinnati Reds’ starter Matt Harvey was very close to being moved in July, but could August be the right time for a deal?

Of course, Bryce Harper was rumored to be dangled on the market. If the Nationals fade further and further in the National League East race, would ownership ship him out?

For those who aren’t clear, any player who passes waivers without being claimed is eligible to be dealt to any of the 30 MLB teams.

With this being said, lets breakdown three prime candidates for August trades.

Matt Harvey

Cincinnati Reds’ starter Matt Harvey survived the trade deadline, just barely. Multiple reports surfaced detailing the Milwaukee Brewers’ pursuit for the resurgent right-hander.

Jon Morosi of MLB Network reported on July 26th that the Brewers were in ongoing talks with the Reds regarding Harvey. Five days after the report, FanCred Sports’ Jon Heyman said that the Brewers were still a “main team” for his services.

Well, those talks fizzled out and Harvey is still a Red.

No teams made a deal for him prior to the deadline, so it’s very possible Harvey will indeed clear waivers.

He’s pitched to a 4.44 ERA in Cincinnati and has lasted 5+ innings in 11 of his last 12 starts. Harvey’s ace-day’s are gone, but he’d be great No. 5 starter on a contender.

Luckily for playoff hopefuls, Harvey’s extremely cheap contract and impending free agency make it easier than ever to deal for him. The Reds will surely command a return larger than what they acquired him for.

After missing out on Chris Archer, look for the Brewers to make a move for a starter (potentially Harvey) this August.

Andrew McCutchen

Like Harvey, McCutchen was seen as a likely trade candidate. The Giants ended up standing pat, but the former NL MVP could still be on the move this month.

A day before the deadline, Jon Morosi reported that the Yankees, Indians and Phillies were interested in the outfielder. A deal never materialized, but it’s clear why San Francisco could trade him.

The Giants aren’t out of it yet, as their 55-54 record has them five games out of first place. Because of this, ownership decided to keep McCutchen, Madison Bumgarner and others.

If the team falls further out of contention in August, it’s likely they could look to move McCutchen. He’s owed just under $15 million for all of 2018 and becomes a free agent after the season.

A contender looking for outfield help would view the 31-year-old as a top-option. If he clears waivers, he could end up being an impact addition for the stretch run.

He’s played to a 1.2 WAR, .353 OBP and .258 BA, so the return for him should be a solid one. The only thing standing in the way of a potential deal is San Francisco’s impending decision to sell or buy.

NEW YORK, NY – JULY 22: Pitcher Zack Wheeler /

Zach Wheeler

It might be hard to believe it, but the Mets might actually come to their senses and deal one of their starting pitchers.

There’s no indication that they’ll deal Wheeler this August, but there’s a lot of reasons as to why they might.

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Out of all Mets’ starters, Wheeler should be viewed as the one most likely to go. At the deadline, the Phillies, Braves, Brewers and Yankees were all in on him, according to Jon Heyman of FanCred Sports. This makes the most sense, given the sky-high price-tag’s for Jacob DeGrom and Noah Syndergaard.

Wheeler’s potential price tag probably scared off suitors at the July 31 deadline, but in August, contenders could swing a deal out of need.

The 28-year-old Wheeler is signed through 2020 and becomes arbitration eligible in 2019. In his last five starts, he’s crafted a 5-1 record, 3.13 ERA and allowed just two home runs.

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It’ll be hard to replicate what Justin Verlander did for the Astros last season after the waiver MLB trade deadline, but Wheeler could add a strong arm to an already strong contender come playoffs.

If his consistency continues into August and the Mets continue to disintegrate, trading him might be a no-brainer for a Mets team that’s lacked a direction.

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