Potential Trade Deadline Moves

Now that the All*Star Break has come and gone, the focus shifts to the second half of the season.  Specifically, it shifts to the end of this month and the trade deadline.  Every team that considers themselves a contender has multiple needs that they want to address, but the number of teams that are definite sellers is so small that their players will be in high demand, likely with multiple potential trade partners.

It really feels like whoever strikes first will get the pick of the litter.  The Orioles will probably be looking to move everybody not named Rutschman, Henderson or Holliday.  Likewise, if you play for the Diamondbacks and your last name isn't Carroll or Marte, there's a pretty good chance you might be headed elsewhere.  Then you have teams like Atlanta.  Would the Braves actually be sellers?  Would Texas?  How about Washington?  Cincinnati?

Of course, judging whether you're in it or not is an inexact science, too.  Look at the Tigers last year.  They were sellers at the deadline, only to go on a ridiculous run right after that and not only make the playoffs, they won a playoff series!  And now look at them this year!  Detroit will be a definite buyer in 2025.  In fact, there's one move that I think would be such a home run it would be stupid for them not to make it!

Yennier Cano, Orioles to Tigers: Everybody's gonna be looking for bullpen help.  Not everybody can get it.  The Tigers have a great 1-2 at the back of the bullpen in Tommy Kahnle and Will Vest, but you know they'll be in the market for another reliever.  And Yennier Cano is an elite setup man.  He's someone who can yield a big return for the Orioles, too.

Eugenio Suarez, Diamondbacks to Yankees: The Yankees have been in the market for a third baseman for about two years.  Last year, they got Jazz Chisholm at the deadline and put him there.  This year, I think they actually will get an actual third baseman.  And they've been linked to Suarez for a while.  I'd be surprised if this doesn't happen.

Merrill Kelly, Diamondbacks to Yankees: Can Brian Cashman swing a package deal that puts both Suarez and Kelly in pinstripes?  The Yankees are desperately in need of a starter.  Merrill Kelly fits the profile of exactly what they're looking for.  And, he's a free agent at the end of the season, so the likelihood of him being moved seems high.  He's the perfect rental, too, which means plenty of teams will be after him.

Charlie Morton, Orioles to Cubs: Another starter who seems destined to move is Charlie Morton.  He signed a one-year deal with Baltimore this season and it hasn't gone well, but he's a veteran who's a proven postseason performer (winning rings with Houston and Atlanta).  The Cubs are a team that'll be in the market for a starting pitcher and is all-in for a playoff run this season.  They'll also be in on Kelly.  If they don't get him, I can easily see a pivot to Morton.

Sandy Alcantara, Marlins to Mets: Sandy Alcantara has been rumored to be on the move at the trade deadline pretty regularly over the past few years.  This year, I think it might actually happen.  He's having a down year, so a change of scenery would do him well.  And the Mets are obviously familiar with him being in the same division.  As a bonus, he wouldn't be a rental.  Alcantara's contract extends thru next year.

Luis Robert Jr., White Sox to Astros: Despite numerous injuries, Houston is leading the AL West by a wide margin.  So, the Astros will be definite buyers.  And the outfield is an area they seem likely to address.  Luis Robert Jr. hasn't been great, but has anybody on the White Sox over the last two years?  He's one of their few tradable pieces somebody would want, though, and a free agent after this season.  I can see Houston plugging him into center field and considering whatever offense he gives them a bonus.

Kenley Jansen, Angels to Phillies: As great as the Phillies' rotation has been, they'll definitely be looking for bullpen upgrades.  They'll need it, too.  Especially if they want to hold off the Mets.  Philadelphia has 17! blown saves this season!  Sounds like they could use an elite closer.  Which Jansen still is, even at 37.  And you know the Angels ain't makin' the playoffs, so it would make sense to see what they can get for him.

Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Pirates to Blue Jays: IKF will be a hot commodity who's sought after by multiple teams.  He doesn't have the difference-making bat.  But, as a utility man you can put pretty much anywhere, he'd be invaluable to several different teams.  Last year, he was traded from Toronto to Pittsburgh at the deadline.  Wouldn't it be something, if this year they reverse it and he goes from Pittsburgh back to Toronto?

Tommy Pham, Pirates to Padres: Would it even be the trade deadline if Tommy Pham wasn't involved?  This guy gets traded at the deadline (usually to a contender) every year!  This time, I've got him going back to San Diego, where he actually spent two entire seasons in 2020-21.  The Padres have been looking for a left fielder all season.  Pham certainly fits the bill and could work into a platoon situation with Gavin Sheets.

Luis Severino, Athletics to Padres: San Diego also wouldn't mind some help in the starting rotation.  Severino hates it in Sacramento and badly wants out of there.  It's a swap that would make a lot of sense.  So would Severino going back to the Mets.  So would Severino going back to the Yankees.  The question is really where he'll get traded.  Not if he'll get traded.

Are these necessarily predictions for what will happen at the trade deadline?  No.  Some very realistically could.  Or these players could end up going somewhere else entirely.  And I doubt they'll be the only ones on the move, either.  I have a feeling we'll see a lot of movement leading up to the and at the trade deadline.