Trade Deadline Deals to Make

Now that the All*Star Game is in the past, it's time to get back to thinking about the regular season.  Specifically, it's time for contenders to think about what they need before the trade deadline, which is rapidly approaching on August 2.  That means they have less than two weeks to figure out who they want and who they're willing to move in order to get him.

One of the most interesting aspects of the trade deadline this year, of course, is the extra playoff berth in each league.  An extra playoff spot means more teams in the mix, which it great for competition.  But it also means more potential buyers and fewer sellers.  Even if you don't consider yourself a legitimate contender, it's hard to justify being a seller when you're only a handful of games out of a playoff berth.

There are a few obvious sellers, though.  And they've got the valuable pieces that the sellers will definitely want at the deadline.  It's really more a matter of who's gonna strike first.

The obvious names are difference-making All*Stars Juan Soto, Josh Bell and Andrew Benintendi.  They won't be the only players to move, though.  Not even close.  Here are 10 I think will be wearing a different jersey once the deadline passes, and which jersey they'll end up in:

Juan Soto: Mets-Yesterday, I did a whole post listing all of Soto's potential suitors.  Yet I still have no idea where he's ultimately gonna end up.  I have a sinking suspicion that it'll be the Mets, though.  They obviously know him and will be willing to give the Nationals whatever prospects they want...even if it means sending them to a division rival.  I'd say the fact that they're in the same division is the one thing that could make this not get done, but I don't think that's as much of an issue for teams now as it was in the past.  Especially the team looking to unload its star.  They really don't care where he goes.

Josh Bell: Twins-With the Nationals likely set to unload everything that isn't bolted down, expect Bell to be on the move, too.  Minnesota needs to add a bat.  Having somebody who can play first base/DH is something the Twins could use, especially with Miguel Sano out.  Even when Sano comes back, Luis Arraez can move to second and they'd still be able to have both first basemen in the lineup.

Andrew Benintendi: Padres-Benintendi couldn't travel with the Royals to their recent series in Toronto because he's not vaccinated.  That ended the Yankees' pursuit of him, and will likely knock several other potential AL suitors out, too.  Which limits him to National League teams.  He'd make a lot of sense in San Diego.

Bryan Reynolds: Astros-Reynolds was a hot name last year at the deadline, and this year I think he actually will move.  He's only a 27, a switch-hitter and a pure center fielder, all of which makes him an obvious fit for several teams.  The fact that he's signed thru 2023 adds to his value, too.  I can see Houston moving on Reynolds just so the Yankees don't get him.

Luis Castillo: Red Sox-Boston's supposedly getting all of its starting pitchers back at some point in August, but can they count on that?  Meanwhile, in Luis Castillo, you know what you're getting.  He's a proven commodity who's managed to be successful for several years on Cincinnati teams that haven't been very good.  The fact that he just had a really good start at Yankee Stadium doesn't hurt his case, either.

Frankie Montas: Mets-Oakland's biggest (only?) asset is its starting pitching.  Which means we're likely to see multiple A's starters traded at the deadline.  And don't be surprised to see one of them go to the Mets, the one team that has proven the adage "You can never have too much starting pitching."  Adding Montas would give them a buffer if there are any more injuries in their rotation.

Sean Manaea: Braves-Last year, Atlanta won the World Series because of its trade deadline acquisitions.  This year, they don't need to do nearly as much, but adding a starting pitcher wouldn't hurt.  Enter the Trading A's and their best arm.  While Manaea may not help them catch the Mets, he'll be nice to have in a playoff series.

Willson Contreras: Astros-I'm not 100 percent convinced the Cubs will trade Contreras.  If they do, though, I can see them sending him to Houston, which gets absolutely no offensive production from Martin Maldonado.  Although, the Astros' pitchers really like working with Maldonado, so Houston may be willing to deal with his bat to keep his glove instead of going for the obvious offensive upgrade in Contreras.

Hunter Strickland: Dodgers-While not the splashy trade deadline acquisition the Dodgers are known for, Strickland would help with their most glaring need.  The Dodgers have so many injured relievers it's ridiculous!  And it's not just random relievers, either.  It's guys they count on!  So, Strickland, somebody who's won a World Series before, would plug in those gaps, and he's somebody they could use in a lot of different roles, giving them flexibility as some of their high-leverage arms come back.

Steve Cishek: Yankees-Brian Cashman loves his relief pitching, so, beyond solving the Joey Gallo problem, that's where I see him making his moves at the deadline.  The Yankee bullpen has been great so far, but there have definitely been blips.  Besides, why not take something that's already a strength and make it stronger with a quality veteran?