We are approaching the MLB trade deadline again, and this is time where teams make a final push to improve their roster. The contenders look to add another piece to improve their World Series chances. While the non-contenders restock their rosters with young, promising talent for the future. I will be listing the top candidates to be traded, and where I think they could potentially end up.
- Madison Bumgarner, SP, San Francisco Giants: Bumgarner has simply not been as effective in recent years, but has the pedigree of a big time ace come playoff time. Madison is a former World Series MVP who had an incredible run in 2014. He is still capable of getting batters to swing and miss, but is strictly a rental as he will be a free agent at seasons end. Bumgarner will still draw interest on his résumé alone, but is unlikely to bring a massive return.
Predicted Landing Spots: Boston Red Sox, Minnesota Twins, New York Yankees - Will Smith, RP, San Francisco Giants: Smith is going to be a hot commodity during the trade deadline. He has become one of the most dependable late inning relievers with experience as a closer and set up man. He is also going to be a free agent so his services could be for rental purposes only.
Predicted Landing Spots: Boston Red Sox, Atlanta Braves, Colorado Rockies - Marcus Stroman, SP, Toronto Blue Jays: Stroman is a bright young pitcher with elite level stuff. The biggest issue with Stroman has been his inconsistency on the mound. However, he is controllable beyond 2019 which could be enticing for multiple teams.
Predicted Landing Spots: Texas Rangers, Los Angeles Angels, Milwaukee Brewers - Ken Giles, RP, Toronto Blue Jays: Giles is having a tremendous season for Toronto, and has reestablished himself as one of the games top closers. Giles has experience pitching in the postseason, and the flame throwing right hander could help a contending teams bullpen. Unlike Will Smith, Giles is controllable beyond 2019 which is important to teams around the league.
Predicted Landing Spots: Atlanta Braves, Boston Red Sox, Texas Rangers - Zach Wheeler, SP, New York Mets: The Mets are likely out of contention, and would be best served to get some return for the impending free agent. Wheeler like Stroman, is young and has a wide arsenal of pitches to attack the opposing team. He is prone to giving up the long ball, but his cheap contract could motivate teams to make a move
Predicted Landing Spots: Milwaukee Brewers, Minnesota Twins, Oakland Athletics - Nicholas Castellanos: OF, Detroit Tigers: Castellanos has developed into a consistent hitter in the batters box. He is above average at getting on base, and possesses some pop to drive in runs. He could add to a number of lineups ahead of the postseason.
Predicted Landing Spots: Cleveland Indians, Arizona Diamondbacks, Oakland Athletics - Sam Dyson: RP, San Francisco Giants: Dyson was former standout for the Texas Rangers, and after struggling was traded to the San Francisco Giants. He has rebuilt his reputation, and has become one of the most consistent relievers in the game today. Teams are always looking for bullpen help, and Dyson could be just what the doctor ordered.
Predicted Landing Spots: Texas Rangers, Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs - Shane Greene: RP, Detroit Tigers: Greene has had an outstanding year for the lowly Tigers as their closer. The Tigers are rebuilding and will look to maximize the value of Greene via a trade. Greene doesn’t give up the long ball often, and tends to be a groundball pitcher. This will impress teams and motivate them to get a deal done.
Predicted Landing Spots: Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Dodgers, Minnesota Twins - Matthew Boyd: SP, Detroit Tigers: Boyd has developed into a consistent southpaw for Detroit over the last couple of years. The major problem for Boyd has been being able to stay on the mound as he has dealt with numerous injuries. The Tigers do not have to move Boyd since he is under team control until 2022. However, they could make a deal if a team is willing to overpay for his services
Predicted Landing Spots: San Diego Padres, Atlanta Braves, St. Louis Cardinals - Tony Watson: RP, San Francisco Giants: A left handed specialist who has experience as a closer. The Giants are going nowhere and would be wise to get some return for the impending free agent.
Predicted Landing Spot: Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Dodgers, Minnesota Twins - Jake Diekman: RP, Kansas City Royals: Diekman like Watson is a left handed specialist with high level stuff. Diekman struggles with command, and is prone to walking batters. However, his contract is super cheap and could help a contending team retire left handed batters.
Predicted Landing Spots: Texas Rangers, Boston Red Sox, Philadelphia Phillies - Clint Frazier: OF, New York Yankees: The Yankees love Frazier, but simply do not have a spot for him. Frazier has raw power, and is a solid athlete who can play across the outfield. He is also under team control which could motivate teams to make a move.
Predicted Landing Spots: Cleveland Indians, Oakland Athletics, New York Mets - Todd Frazier: 3B, New York Mets: The Toddfather is an adequate defender, but brings his real value in smashing home runs. He could add some pop to any lineup, and improve their overall depth.
Predicted Landing Spots: Houston Astros, Tampa Bay Rays, Texas Rangers - Pablo Sandoval: 3B, San Francisco Giants: The Panda has found new life since returning to San Francisco. His worst days during his Red Sox tenure are behind him, and his history of shining during the postseason could motivate teams to trade for him.
Predicted Landing Spots: Texas Rangers, Cleveland Indians, Tampa Bay Rays - Justin Smoak, 1B, Toronto Blue Jays: A former top rated prospect, Smoak has become a boom or bust type hitter. He is a typical power hitter who is going to hit home runs and strikeout a lot. He is an above average defender however, and could help a contending team add some pop to their lineup.
Predicted Landing Spots: Houston Astros, Washington Nationals, Milwaukee Brewers - Mike Leake: SP, Seattle Mariners: Leake could improve the bottom half of a contender rotation. He is a high strikeout pitcher who doesn’t have major issues with his command. Leake like most starting pitchers is inconsistent, and it is difficult to know what side of him you are going to get each start.
Predicted Landing Spots: St. Louis Cardinals, Milwaukee Brewers, Arizona Diamondbacks - Mychal Givens: RP, Orioles: Givens is under team control so technically the Orioles don’t have to move him. Givens tends to live or die by the sword, he has a high strikeout rate, but also gives up a ton of homeruns. Teams could be interested in taking a chance however since he has some years of team control.
Predicted Landing Spots: Chicago Cubs, Philadelphia Phillies, Atlanta Braves - Roenis Elias: LR, Seattle Mariners: Elias like Givens, is under team control and has a high strikeout rate. He has put together a solid 3.98 ERA to this point, and could help a team needing bullpen depth
Predicted Landing Spots: Texas Rangers, Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Dodgers - Whit Merrifield: IF, Kansas City Royals: Merrifield is versatile as he can play all over the infield. He is currently in the midst of a team friendly deal, and has become a stable hitter for the Royals. Some teams may kick the tires on Merrifield for his ability to play around the diamond alone
Predicted Landing Spots: Oakland Athletics, Los Angeles Angels, Houston Astros - Andrew Cashner: SP, Baltimore Orioles: Cashner has been a standout starter for an otherwise terrible Baltimore squad. Cashner is a fastball pitcher, but has a very low strikeout rate. This could scare some teams because he gives up more contact than most of the league. However, Cashner is on a good roll, and is worth the risk to fill out a contenders rotation.
Predicted Landing Spots: Milwaukee Brewers, Arizona Diamondbacks, Los Angeles Angels
List Credit: https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2019/07/top-60-trade-candidates-at-the-all-star-break.html
Photo Credit: https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2844784-madison-bumgarner-trade-rumors-braves-astros-twins-brewers-interested-in-sp
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