MLB: An early preview of some top trade deadline targets

We’re a little more than two months from this year’s MLB trade deadline (ending on August 2 at 6 p.m. Eastern time). Here is a top 10 big board ranking of players who might be potentially moved at this year’s trade deadline.

Which players will be the most in demand at this year’s MLB trade deadline? Let’s take a look.

10. Jorge Lopez, Closing Pitcher, Baltimore Orioles

I remember watching Lopez last season and being really impressed. He’s got a 97-99 MPH sinking fastball that practically moves like a Wiffle ball, paired with decent offspeed stuff. I was surprised that Lopez finished with a 6.07 ERA last year over more than 100 innings.

The Baltimore Orioles decided to move Lopez to the closer role this season, where he has seen an elite 1.29 ERA with five saves. Can he pitch in big-time high leverage playoff situations? I’m still not sure, and I think we need a bigger sample size to find out.

Does he have elite stuff that can be wildly effective in playoff games? Most definitely. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him as a name discussed at the deadline.

9. Tommy Pham, Outfielder, Cincinnati Reds

Remember when Pham tore it up for the Rays in the 2019 playoffs, hitting .333 against Gerrit Cole and Justin Verlander? I certainly do. The veteran outfielder is simply tailor-made to be traded at this year’s deadline. Pham signed a one-year deal with Cincinnati at the beginning of this year and has started swinging the bat well after a relatively rough start. Pham is a nice rental for any contender in search of outfield depth at this year’s deadline and will be likely part of the Reds fire sale at this year’s deadline.

8. Zach Greinke, Starting Pitcher, Kansas City Royals

To no one’s surprise, the Royals are at the bottom of the American League. They signed Grienke to a one-year deal this offseason, and it would be silly of them not to ship him at the deadline. Every team wants a successful veteran starter with playoff experience, and Grienke fits that profile perfectly. I know he’s 38 years old, and you may be right to say he’s not good enough to pitch in October anymore. Maybe that’s right, but why not take a chance on Grienke at a low price? I’m sure someone will pick him up. His success and experience he’s had in the postseason in past years is just too valuable to pass up.

7. David Robertson, Closing Pitcher, Chicago Cubs

Every playoff contender needs a veteran reliever that can be trusted in high-leverage situations. David Robertson certainly meets this criterion. The veteran Robertson revitalized his career last season in the Olympics, pitching well for a Team USA which had zero MLB players. This earned him an opportunity for the Rays, which he took full advantage of. Robertson pitched in high leverage situations in the playoffs for the Rays, mostly in the Red Sox series. Now, Robertson is closing for the Cubs, who will soon realize they are not contenders and should sell at this year’s deadline. For any team that’s in need of bullpen help, Robertson should be a very nice and attractive option.

6. José Quintana, Starting Pitcher, Pittsburgh Pirates

Personally, I thought Quintana was done after last year’s performance with the Angels. He was absolutely putrid, pitching a 6.75 ERA over 50-plus innings. When the Pirates signed him at the beginning of the season to be their ace, I thought it was pure comedy. However, Quintana has turned back the clock this season, pitching a 2.43 ERA over 40 innings. Quintana presents himself as a nice veteran piece for a contending team at a relatively low price.

I was skeptical of Quintana’s success at first. However, after Quintana shut out the Dodgers over six innings with five strikeouts, and then followed that with another scoreless outing against the Reds with five strikeouts, I think he’s officially back for this season.

What sells me the most about Quintana is his high strikeout tallies. Despite his low velocity, Quintana is still fooling hitters and tossing quality innings. We’ll definitely see him pitching in October for someone.

5. Nelson Cruz, Designated Hitter, Washington Nationals

The boomstick is nearing the end of the incredible career at age 41, and I think the Nats signed him with the intent of shipping him at the deadline. His stats are pretty underwhelming this season, as he’s slashed a 72 wRC+ with four homers. Regardless, he’s a power bat that any team could use for a playoff run.

Interestingly enough, last year the Rays acquired Cruz from the Twins for a package that included SP Joe Ryan. Perhaps that was a bit too much … certainly a rare Rays mistake. Cruz won’t require as high of a price this year. Though he’s not nearly as productive as in prior years, Cruz still adds power and veteran leadership to any playoff contender.

4. Luis Castillo, Starting Pitcher, Cincinnati Reds

There’s always that ace at the deadline who everyone is trying to acquire. Last year it was Scherzer (and Berrios), a few years ago it was Greinke. I think Castillo is that guy this year. The Reds have refused to trade him for years. Castillo is now 29, and the Reds find themselves as one of the worst teams in the MLB. Holding on to Castillo is pointless. Shipping Castillo should be a no-brainer, and I think teams do realize he is a number two or three starter for a playoff contender.

Over the last three seasons, he’s had a 137 average ERA+, quite an impressive stat. The Reds didn’t seem to put much effort in the trade return with the Mariners for their stars Jesse Winker and Eugenio Suárez. Hopefully, it will be different this time around with a potential Castillo trade on the horizon.

3. C.J. Cron, First Base, Colorado Rockies

Can we just take a quick moment and acknowledge how good Cron has been for the Rockies? Last year he hit 28 homers and had a 127 wRC+, and this year he leads the NL in homers and has a 147 wRC+. Sure, the Coors effect may be helping a bit here, but there’s no denying that Cron still has elite power and can add valuable production to a playoff contender.

It makes sense for the Rockies to trade Cron, despite his success in Colorado. Cron is 32 years old, and the Rockies are still a rebuilder. In all honesty, Cron might be the biggest steal at this deadline. He’s won’t have as high of a price as guys like Soto and Bogaerts and still has very similar or even better offensive production.

I believe teams like the Rays, Twins, or Giants may try to fleece the Rockies at the deadline for the slugging first basemen.

2. Xander Bogaerts, Shortstop, Boston Red Sox

As a Red Sox fan here, it pains me to put Bogaerts on this list. However, if Boston is under .500 at the deadline, a nice package on the table to trade Bogaerts could be worthwhile.

He truly may be the most underrated player in baseball. He’s the most consistent middle infield bat in baseball. He’s the only player to have a wRC+ of 130 or higher for the past five seasons. He never gets hurt. Such a true competitor. Bogaerts is an incredible championship and winning player that any team would love to have. However, like Juan Soto, it would take a huge haul to get Bogaerts.

Perhaps the bigger question is this: Will Red Sox ownership cave once again (like they did with Mookie Betts) and trade Bogaerts because they don’t want to pony up for a big contract. It would be a real shame if that happened … again.

1. Juan Soto, Outfielder, Washington Nationals

First, there was Ryan Zimmerman, then there was Bryce Harper, and now Soto. He’s possibly the greatest National to ever walk the Earth, and he’s only 23. It might take a whole farm system to acquire him, but there’s no denying his name won’t be discussed at this deadline.

It might seem unrealistic, but the same “he’s untouchable” claim was said about shortstop Trea Turner, yet the Nats shipped him off at last year’s deadline.

All I will say is this. It would absolutely be pathetic if Soto joins Bryce Harper, Anthony Rendon, and Trea Turner as a player who was either traded or left in free agency because the Nats didn’t want to pay them a big contract. If the Nats ship Soto, it must be for an irrefutable offer. The question is does that specific offer exist?