Now that we've passed the All*Star Break and the second half of the season has started, attention will be shifting to MLB's trade deadline soon enough. There's extra intrigue surrounding the trade deadline this year. Because now there's only one. All trades must be completed by July 31. They no longer have the August 31 deadline for players who clear waivers, which is how the Astros got Justin Verlander (and won the World Series as a result) two years ago.
This was a long time coming, and it's going to result in a lot more action on the days leading up to July 31. It also means teams will have to decide a lot sooner whether they're going to be buyers or sellers. No waiting until mid-August to figure out whether or not you're good enough to make a run. Which will be interesting with the teams on the fringes of the wild card races.
While some teams have two more weeks to make that decision, others have known for a while whether they'll be buying or selling (or both). Players like Madison Bumgarner and Marcus Stroman have had their names tossed around for weeks. They'll almost certainly be traded, and they know it. The real question surrounds who's going to strike first and who they're gonna get.
So I'll start there. These trades aren't necessarily going to happen. But they would make sense for both teams, especially the buyer. And who knows? Maybe they'll be the difference between playing in the World Series and not playing in the World Series.
Madison Bumgarner to the Brewers. Milwaukee has needed starting pitching since the middle of LAST season. And they've got the prospects to give the Giants for Bumgarner. Bumgarner has a full no-trade, so it really would be up to him, but I bet he'd relish another postseason run before hitting free agency in the winter. Don't forget, this is a guy who single-handedly won the World Series five years ago. I'm not saying the Brewers beat the Dodgers (or the Cubs) if they get Bumgarner. But they definitely won't if they don't.
Hunter Renfroe to the Indians. One thing San Diego has is a lot of young talent. One thing Cleveland needs is outfielders. With Renfroe seeming to be the odd-man out on a Padres team that's only going to get younger (they need a spot for their top prospect), sending him to the Indians would be a win-win. The Indians are the type of team that could be both a buyer AND a seller, so I can see them sending a pretty good haul the Padres' way in return.
Zack Wheeler to the Red Sox. The Mets have all but said that Wheeler's getting traded. The Yankees are interested, but it seems highly unlikely they would send him across town. Sending him the Red Sox, though? That's a different question. Boston still thinks they're capable of getting back in it, and they want to add another starter, even though they need bullpen help more.
Will Smith to the Twins. It seems even more likely that San Francisco's All*Star closer will get traded than it does that Bumgarner will. And if the Twins are going to have any chance of hanging with the Yankees and Astros in October, they need bullpen help (which is a common theme, despite the fact that most teams carry eight relievers). Smith would slide right in as their closer.
Felipe Vazquez to the Dodgers. There isn't much that the Dodgers need. They're running away with the NL West and looking ahead to October...where they need to address their bullpen in front of Kenley Jansen. Evidently right now they're unwilling to meet the Pirates' demands for Vazquez, but that could easily change between now and July 31. I think it will. It's World Series title or bust in LA, and they'll do whatever they need to do to improve their team.
Marcus Stroman to the Yankees. We all know the Yankees are going to add a starting pitcher. Maybe two. And, as much as I don't like Marcus Stroman (he started that whole pitchers-wearing-single-digit numbers thing that drives me nuts) and as much as I'd prefer they'd get someone else (for a number of reasons), this is the trade that seems most likely. He's from New York and basically begging to be traded to the Yankees (not unlike an NBA player), where he'll have to wear a real number.
Ken Giles to the Yankees. Don't be surprised if Stroman and Giles are packaged together in the same deal. Which is another reason why I think they'll end up on the Yankees. The Yankees did the same thing last year, despite already having a ridiculous bullpen, they went out and added Zack Britton. And, especially if they can get him and Stroman together, I can see them bringing in Giles to once again make the crazy-good bullpen even stronger.
Matthew Boyd to the Braves. Atlanta's starting pitching has been inconsistent all season. They just added Dallas Keuchel, but they need more. Which is why I wouldn't be surprised if the Braves strike first and try to land one of the bigger names. But, assuming the bigger names land elsewhere, Tigers lefty Matthew Boyd will be the best starting pitcher available for the Braves.
Dee Gordon to the Cubs. How perfect a marriage would this be? Seattle's looking to move anybody with a pulse, and Gordon has a ton of trade value. The Cubs don't really have a second baseman, and they don't really have a leadoff hitter. Gordon is both. The NL Central race is going down to the wire, so everybody's gonna make a move. If the Cubs were to add Gordon, though, that could be the difference.
Robbie Ray to the Astros. Ray has been linked to the Yankees (and is reportedly their preference), but Houston is looking to upgrade its rotation, too. Slotting in Ray behind Verlander, Cole and Miley (another former Diamondback) would perhaps give them back the edge over the Yankees in a potential ALCS matchup.
No comments:
Post a Comment