One bold prediction for each team ahead of the MLB trade deadline
As the Major League Baseball trade deadline approaches on August 3, several teams are considering strategic moves to enhance their rosters. The deadline presents an opportunity for both contenders and rebuilding teams to make significant changes.
American League teams weigh options
The Boston Red Sox, following a strong winning streak, are looking to add a power hitter to strengthen their lineup. Given their pitching depth, they might consider trading a prospect like Kyson Witherspoon or Anthony Eyanson for a notable bat. The Texas Rangers could seek to upgrade their bullpen, with Weaver of the Mets being a potential target. The Rays, who previously acquired Aaron Civale at a trade deadline, are expected to be more active this year, potentially seeking a bat, a pitcher, and a catcher. They might even consider bringing back Joe Ryan from the Twins.
The Seattle Mariners, known for their active front office, are anticipated to make a move despite a crowded field of teams near the .500 mark. They have a strong pitching staff but could look to acquire players like Spencer Steer or Caleb Ferguson from the Reds. The Chicago White Sox, aiming for a postseason bye and a potential World Series run in a competitive American League, need two reliable starting pitchers to bolster their rotation, which includes Sean Burke and Davis Martin. The Yankees are addressing their catching situation, which general manager Brian Cashman has identified as an issue. They might target Hunter Goodman from the Colorado Rockies or Ryan Jeffers from the Minnesota Twins, although Goodman’s age and arbitration eligibility could make a trade challenging for the Rockies. The Twins themselves might trade experienced players like Matt Wallner, Ryan Jeffers, or Trevor Larnach for major-league pitching, and also dip into their farm system for bullpen and rotation help.
National League contenders plan for Dodgers challenge
In the National League, several teams are strategizing to challenge the Los Angeles Dodgers, who hold a significant lead in the NL West. The Philadelphia Phillies are looking for starting pitching and bullpen help. They aim to add a pitcher like Robbie Ray or Kevin Gausman to their rotation, which already features Zack Wheeler, Cristopher Sanchez, and Jesus Luzardo. The injury to Brad Keller has created a need in their bullpen, and they may also seek a right-handed bat to improve their offence against left-handed pitching.
The Chicago Cubs are also in search of a top-end starter and bullpen support due to injuries. While players like Matthew Boyd and Shota Imanaga have performed well, the team needs more depth for a postseason run. They could target a controllable pitcher like Reid Detmers from the Los Angeles Angels, using their infield depth as trade assets. The Atlanta Braves are focused on acquiring a playoff-calibre rotation arm to complement Chris Sale, potentially showing interest in Tarik Skubal if he becomes available. They also aim to improve hitting depth and bullpen support, especially after Robert Suarez’s injury. The Milwaukee Brewers might leverage their highly-ranked farm system, which includes prospect Jesus Made, to acquire a standout pitcher to pair with Jacob Misiorowski, and a left-handed reliever, to enhance their chances against the Dodgers.
Other potential moves include the Diamondbacks trading for Luis García Jr. from the Nationals to address their first base offensive needs. The Marlins’ Hicks, who leads the team in home runs and RBIs, could be a trade candidate given their catching depth. The Athletics, facing a challenging season, might part with Jonah Heim, as many of their veterans are either injured or ineffective. The Blue Jays are expected to sell significant pieces from their MLB roster but also aim to acquire a starting pitcher with multiple years of control, such as José Soriano, Reid Detmers, or Nick Lodolo, to compete in 2027.
The Nationals might consider trading CJ Abrams, despite his production and clubhouse importance, to extend their World Series window beyond 2028, especially if a contract extension does not materialize. Bryce Eldridge is projected to finish the season as the Giants’ leader in OPS.
Source: nytimes.com
