2023 MLB trade deadline primer: Sellers, buyers and teams to watch as August 1 approaches

Jul 3, 2023; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Nationals right fielder Lane Thomas (28) leads off third base against the Cincinnati Reds during the first inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 3, 2023; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Nationals right fielder Lane Thomas (28) leads off third base against the Cincinnati Reds during the first inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
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Chicago White Sox outfielder Eloy Jimenez
Chicago White Sox outfielder Eloy Jimenez. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports

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.