MLB Trade Deadline Possibilities: What to Expect from American League & National League

Three things a man thinks he can do better than anyone: grill meat, drive a car and run a baseball team.

So when you hear Mike from Marietta or Sammy from Schaumburg griping about the moves their Braves or Cubs made or didn’t make as the calendar advances later into July, you know it’s trade deadline time.

It’s hard to remember when a trade deadline has contained so many contenders, legitimate or otherwise. The National League’s wild card taffy pull continues with seven teams within six games of the New York Mets for the final spot. The American League isn’t quite as nuts but should still have plenty of suspense deep into September.

There’s only five sure-file sellers—maybe six if/when Toronto admits this isn’t its year—and that will mean full-scale chaos. That could also lead to little action as sellers try to squeeze every prospect imaginable from a contender for the one guy who could make a difference.

So who needs to make a move, and who can probably stand pat? Let’s take a peek.

AMERICAN LEAGUE TRADE TARGETS

The Yankees will make moves because general manager Brian Cashman will get crushed by the media if he doesn’t. Also, you can’t waste prime years in Juan Soto and Aaron Judge’s careers by hitting the snooze button on July 31.

Seattle could use a bat in the worst way. Its 10-game lead is down to 3 ½ games, and Houston is closing fast in the rear-view mirror. The Mariners have to get some swing and miss out of that lineup if they’re going to see October.

Kansas City will be an interesting watch. It’s in contention for the first time in a while, but how much will it expand payroll? And where does it most add—a lineup that could use another bat or a bullpen that would benefit from another reliable late-inning arm?

Cleveland enters the final 67 games with the league’s best record but also has a crying need for starting pitching. A dynamite bullpen has done a lot, but they would benefit from having a couple more guys who can get into the sixth or seventh inning.

Baseball’s worst team could have a say in who makes postseason magic happen. The Chicago White Sox are 44 games under .500 but have one of the best starters this year in Garrett Crochet. Add him to someone’s rotation, and, for the right package of prospects, your team just might fly a flag.

And as a great philosopher once intoned, flags fly forever.

NATIONAL LEAGUE TRADE POSSIBILITIES

By sweeping the Los Angeles Dodgers last week, Philadelphia stamped itself as the team to beat. It has the best pitching and some of the best hitting. On paper, it has the fewest holes, but it also won’t hesitate to pull the trigger to make itself deeper.

Los Angeles will play in October, but who pitches for it is becoming a deeper concern. It almost has an entire pitching staff on the injured list and isn’t going anywhere as currently constituted. But it has the money and prospects to fix any problem it wants.

Atlanta’s going to find an outfielder or two from somewhere. If Alex Anthopoulos duplicates his 2021 magic, which he’s already trying to do with the return of Eddie Rosario, don’t bet against the Braves with their starting pitching.

After those three, flip a coin as to who can make the needed moves. Most of the wild-card contenders could use more arms. You’ll see the likes of the New York Mets, San Diego, and the Chicago Cubs perhaps overpaying for pitching.

Pittsburgh has maneuvered its way within 1 ½ games as the break concludes, but reports suggest owner Bob Nutting isn’t going to open the checkbook. General manager Ben Cherington needs more offensive firepower to go along with great young starting pitching.

Also, Washington could easily go into seller mode and dangle veterans like Jesse Winker, along with reliable bullpen arms, to add to its already stacked farm system.