The MLB trade deadline is just one week away: Tuesday, August 2 at 6:00 PM ET.
Lots of fun and player movement awaits. While there may not be as many trades as last year, we could have one or two of the biggest trades in baseball history if the Nationals trade Juan Soto or the Angels get an attractive enough offer for Shohei Ohtani. It looks like the Nationals will trade Soto, who has generated some serious interest. The Angels, meanwhile, are reluctant to trade Ohtani and have publicly said they don’t want to but are listening to offers from inquiring teams. As difficult as it may be to trade any of these special superstars, the Nationals and Angels need talent at the major league and minor league levels, and the returns from deals of this magnitude may be the best way to jump-start their organizations.
I communicated with all 30 teams to gauge where they stand. Here’s the latest I’m hearing on who’s buying, who’s selling, and which players are being discussed and targeted in conversations between teams, along with my thoughts.
First, this cheat sheet takes a high-level look at what to expect from each team. Next, I provide a position-by-position summary of the major leaguers most likely to be traded; these are the names i keep a close eye on.
Which team will win the Juan Soto Lottery? (Jonathan Newton/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
Sellers
(Listed alphabetically)
Arizona Diamondbacks (43-53, .448) — The Diamondbacks will be sellers, but aren’t expected to make any big deals. They can offer teams experienced assistants like Mark Melancon and Ian Kennedy. Their most valuable trade asset is left-hander Joe Mantiply, but they’re not shopping him, and it’s going to take a lot for a contending team to move him away. Power-hitting first baseman Christian Walker could be traded, but that could depend on which teams lose Josh Bell.
Chicago Cubs (39-57, .406) — Willson Contreras headlines the Cubs’ next trade wave. The All-Star catcher will be a free agent after this season and could be the best bat moved at the deadline other than Soto. The Cubs could also trade infielder/outfielder Ian Happ (who is under team control through 2023), their closer David Robertson and other relievers such as Mychal Givens and Chris Martin.
Cincinnati Reds (37-58, .389) — The Reds have Luis Castillo, the most talented starter on the market, and the offers have been pouring in. Cincinnati will get a strong return for Castillo because of how few top-rotation starters are available (and the extra year of control boosts his value). The Reds may move third baseman Brandon Drury, who has been one of their most productive players at the position this season. They would be willing to trade veterans like left-hander Mike Minor and outfielder Mike Moustakas if they can find a taker, even if it requires taking a significant pay cut. The Reds have seven upcoming free agents, all of whom could be dealt. They are just trying to get better in the long run.
Colorado Rockies (44-53, .454) — The Rockies haven’t decided which way they’ll go at the deadline, but all signs point to them being sellers. Jose Iglesias is available and they would like to trade him to make room for one of their top prospects, Ezequiel Tovar, who is ready for the majors. Rockies closer Daniel Bard will be their most sought-after reliever, but they are willing to move other bullpen weapons, such as Alex Colome or Carlos Estevez, in a righty trade. Starting pitcher Chad Kuhl is having a solid year, but will be a free agent this winter, so he could be on the move as well. At the very least, I expect Iglesias and Bard to be wearing different uniforms by August 3rd.
Detroit Tigers (39-58, .402) — The Tigers’ most valuable trade asset is closer Gregory Soto, who they don’t want to move, but if they get the right long-term player back, they will. Teams have also inquired about right-handers Michael Fulmer and Joe Jimenez and left-hander Andrew Chaffin. Additionally, outfielder Robbie Grossman, third baseman Jamer Candelario and second baseman Jonathan Shoop are solid bats that could be dealt. The Tigers will target young prospects in all of their trade talks.
Kansas City Royals (39-57, .406) — The Royals are expected to make several trades, most notably outfielder Andrew Benintendi and second baseman Whit Merrifield. There is a strong possibility that both of their best players, Scott Barlow and Josh Staumont, will also be moved. The royals are looking for solid returns on their recovery, and they should get them.
Los Angeles Angels (40-56, .417) — The Angels are sellers and looking to add depth in all areas for their major league and minor league teams. They will listen to all trade offers, including Ohtani, who will be a free agent after the 2023 season. They have made it clear they have no intention of trading Ohtani, but that doesn’t mean they won’t if they get a huge proposal. The Angels will likely move right-hander Noah Syndergaard, who will be a free agent after this season.
Miami Marlins (45-51, .469) — The Marlins continue to look for a long-term answer in center field and will look to acquire more hit-and-play position players. They can use starting pitcher Pablo Lopez and a farm system loaded with top pitching prospects as trade bait.
Oakland A’s (36-63, .364) — The A’s can complete the fire sale they started in the offseason at the trade deadline and still have right fielder Frankie Montas, outfielder Ramon Laureano and catcher Sean Murphy to deal with are fighting They also received a lot of interest in their relievers, including righties Lou Trivino and Zach Jackson and lefty AJ Puk. The A’s don’t have to move anyone, so they will only make trades if it helps them in the long run.
Pittsburgh Pirates (40-57, .412) — The rebuilding Pirates have virtually no untouchables. They will listen to any trade offer with the goal of building a perennial contender as early as 2023 or 2024. The Marlins and Yankees have not stopped calling for center fielder Brian Reynolds, but so far neither has offered enough to entice the Pirates . All-Star shortstop David Bednar is one of the most sought-after relievers on the market because of his performance since 2021 (2.54 ERA in 100 relief appearances) and his four additional years of control. The Pirates should do well if they decide to move him.
Washington Nationals (33-65, .337) — The Nationals are clearly in sell mode again at this year’s deadline, but that goes beyond trying to trade Soto, as Bell and designated hitter Nelson Cruz are also expected to be moved. The Nationals would love to find a team to take Patrick Corbin’s bad contract off their hands. They also have an array of relievers they can move, including Kyle Finnegan, Carl Edwards Jr. and Steve Kiszek. Washington will be busy between now and the deadline.
Buyers
(Listed by percentage of profit)
Brian Cashman’s Yankees have a comfortable lead in the AL East, but how will they look to improve in the postseason? (Kim Clement/USA Today)
New York Yankees (66-31, .680) — The Yankees are looking to improve their outfield. They have talked to the Nationals about Soto, the Pirates about Reynolds and the Royals about Benintendi and Merrifield. They are also in the pitching market, scouring available starters and relievers, including Castillo from the Reds and Bednar from the Pirates. Go big or go home is how it feels right now in the Bronx.
Los Angeles Dodgers (64-31, .674) — The Dodgers are always looking for impact moves and this deadline is no different. They want to be opportunistic, so like the Yankees, count on them for the best players available, from Soto to Castillo to Bednar and Barlow. The Dodgers are all over the place and have the farm system and financial resources to do what they always do (see: Mookie Betts, Trea Turner and Max Scherzer).
Houston Astros (64-33, .660) — The Astros are buyers, of course, with interest in several players and positions. They have been linked to Bell’s Nationals, Castillo’s Reds and Contreras’ Cubs. The Astros have a strong and deep farm system and a general manager, James Click, who sniffs another opportunity to win a World Series.
New York Mets (59-37, .615) — The Mets already acquired DH Daniel Vogelbach in a trade with Pittsburgh and will continue to try to improve their run differential by adding another bat, pitching, or both. New York is one of the teams that has talked to the Angels about Ohtani. Mets GM Billy Eppler signed Ohtani in 2017 when he was running baseball operations for the Angels. The Mets farm system is loaded at the top, which bodes well for big trades at the deadline.
Atlanta Braves (58-40, .592) — With Adam Duvall’s season-ending wrist injury, left field has become a significant need for the Braves. Benintendi tops their target list because he is a strong defensive player with a high on-base percentage and is a left-handed hitter, which would help balance their lineup better. If they have a chance to land a top-of-the-rotation starter like Castillo, they’ll take advantage of the opportunity. They are excited about reliever Kirby Yates (41 saves in 2019), who is nearing his return from Tommy John surgery, and will monitor his rehab between now and Aug. 2 before deciding whether to trade for another reliever. The Braves will be open to other upgrades, but they are pretty much done in most areas.
Toronto Blue Jays (53-43, .552) — The Blue Jays are looking to add a starting pitcher and a left-hander. They also have the lottery of Soto and Castillo and, like the Yankees and Dodgers, have the farm system and financial resources to make the deal happen.
San Diego Padres (54-44, .551) — The Padres have been linked to Soto and could…
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