2023 MLB trade deadline primer: Sellers, buyers and teams to watch as August 1 approaches
MLB trade deadline sellers
Chicago White Sox
As stated above, they seemed to have been the first sellers to really get in on the action. Receiving Korey Lee, Ky Bush and Edgar Quero is a good start. Luis Robert Jr. might be the lone untouchable player in Chicago, so the Sox might not be done yet.
Chicago Cubs
The Cubs are in a weird spot. They were certain to be sellers at the All-Star Break, but now they have won eight in a row and nine of their last ten as of Sunday morning. They currently sit 3.5 games out of first and 3 games back in the wild card. The Reds and Brewers aren’t world beaters by any means but, while it might be more valuable for the Cubs to cash in on guys like Marcus Stroman and Cody Bellinger than to exit in the first round of the postseason, it seems like Chicago could well be in buying mode.
St. Louis Cardinals
Part of being a seller is having pieces others want to buy. The Cardinals have that. Their season is still baffling and it has landed them on the sell list. It makes more sense for the Cards to get Jordan Walker and Masyn Wynn big league reps than continue playing guys that are not helping them win.
They need to focus on bringing in young pitching as their rotation is just not good. Jordan Montgomery is likely on the move but it may perhaps also be time to part with Miles Mikolas and Jack Flaherty as well. Tyler O’Neil has spent time in the doghouse so a change of scenery, paving the way for Dylan Carlson, would be mutually beneficial.
Guys like Nolan Arenando, Paul DeJong, Tommy Edman and Jordan Hicks could be relocated for the right price.
New York Mets
Despite being just 7.0 games out of the Wild Card, the Mets seem to be mailing it in. After shipping out Max Scherzer and David Robertson, the largest payroll in MLB history may continue to shrink. Justin Verlander’s name has been linked to the Houston Astros for a reunion and guys like Tommy Pham, Jose Quintana and Mark Canha could also be on the move.
MLB trade deadline buyers
Atlanta Braves
The Braves have been the runaway best team in baseball this year despite some glaring holes and injuries. Atlanta has seen 15 different names penciled in for a start this year. Spencer Strider, Charlie Morton and Bryce Elder are the only Braves to start double digit contests. Max Fried, Kyle Wright and Mike Soroka have all only made five starts each, but Fried is due back next week.
Nick Anderson, Jesse Chavez and AJ Minter have all been injured for the Braves bullpen but all should be ready to go come October. So while they will get guys returning, bringing in some insurance would not hurt.
What does hurt is Eddie Rosario’s fielding ability in left and the designated hitter only hitting .235 with a 26% K rate. Perhaps getting a third catcher would allow Atlanta to use the DH spot on Travis d’Arnaud or going after Lane Thomas or Eloy Jiminez would provide the upgrade they need.
Braden Shewmake and Vaughn Grissom are trade chips Atlanta should be willing to move if it means cashing in on a second World Series title in three years.
Baltimore Orioles
The Orioles have nailed the draft and their rebuild. The American League leading O’s have the making of a team that is going to be around for quite some time. Adley Rutschman, Grayson Rodriguez and Gunnar Henderson are leading the youth movement while Felix Bautista continues to be awesome in the bullpen.
Baltimore needs to fortify their rotation for the postseason. Kyle Gibson is the lone vet in the rotation and the rest of the rotation is either young or over achieving based on previous data. Perhaps Jordan Montgomery, Blake Snell, Dylan Cease, Eduardo Rodriguez or Marcus Stroman are names the Orioles can pursue to lead their postseason run.
Minnesota Twins
The American League Central is like that South Park episode where the boys are trying be the worst team on purpose. Just look at the batting averages up and down their lineup. Four of their regular starters have played 80+ games and the highest average is Carlos Correa at .228. Minnesota is in first place for two reasons: Their division sucks and their pitching is really good. Joe Ryan, Pablo Lopez and Sonny Gray make for a really good postseason rotation. Jhoan Duran throws like 200 mph out of the bullpen and has only blown 4 saves in 21 chances.
Minnesota needs someone that can put the ball in play. Lane Thomas from the Nationals is a perfect fit here. Maybe the Twins would be interested in Eddie Rosario and Jared Shuster from Atlanta in exchange for Sonny Gray. Regardless, if the Twins can’t find some offensive production, the postseason will be quick, if they even get there.
Other teams to watch at MLB trade deadline
The entire AL East is in play for the postseason. Boston sold off Kiké Hernandez and Chris Flexen so maybe they are not interested in buying but the Yankees, Blue Jays and Rays will be players.
The Phillies and Marlins will make moves for their shot at the Wild Card since the NL East is all but wrapped up.
The Dodgers, Giants and Diamondbacks could all use another piece or two to give themselves a chance of knocking off the Braves when it matters.
Will Cincinnati be content with making the playoffs with their youth or will they get serious about overtaking the Brewers in the division?
Are the Mariners going to buy or sell in the AL West while the Astros and Angels push forward behind the Rangers?
The Detroit Tigers do not have a lot to offer but Eduardo Rodriguez and Michael Lorenzen will be sought after pieces for contenders looking to fortify their rotation.
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