MLB Trade Deadline Rundown

We have reached the point in this MLB season that weeds out the pretenders and identifies the contenders. Some teams like the Phillies, Yankees and Dodgers have proven themselves to be the elite teams while others have shown enough potential that a savvy move or two could place them in the mix. Those are the teams we will be discussing today. From an extra bullpen arm to rotation help to the addition of a power bat, here is what the borderline teams need to do now if they are to be in contention come late September.

Milwaukee Brewers

The Brewers are like most teams on this list, with multiple positions worthy of an upgrade. However, given their commanding lead in a weak NL central, I do not foresee them making a major move. More likely, they could opt for a half season rental to fix their biggest need. While many predict the Brewers will bring in a lefty power bat or a corner infielder, it is their injury-riddled rotation that needs the most help. With four starters currently on the 60-day IL including two-time All-Star Brandon Woodruff, a half-year rental like Trevor Williams would be an affordable option until the rest of the group returns to the rotation. He is currently in the final year of his two-year $13 million contact with the Nationals, and has bounced back after a rocky 2023 campaign.

Cincinnati

The Reds are currently only one game from the third wildcard spot in an extraordinary weak National League. While not in a position to make a deep run in the playoffs, getting some postseason experience for their young core is a worthy of a move. However, any move they make should be one that looks beyond 2024 to support future success. With Alexis Diaz struggling and no clear alternative at the closer spot, the Reds are the right team to take a shot at Mason Miller to lock down the closer role for the next five years. Miller is on his rookie contract through 2029, so it would take a great deal of capital to close the deal, but the Reds can afford it given their deep farm system. A trade package centered around top prospects Rhett Lowder and Cam Collier could get the job done. This move would give the Reds a real shot to play postseason baseball for the next few seasons, and give the Athletics mediocre farm system an injection of top talent at the AA or AAA level.

San Diego Padres

San Diego has already made multiple major moves this season, including the off-season trade for Dylan Cease and the early season move to bring in Luis Arraez. While many counted the Padres out after the loss of Juan Soto, they remain in contention for a wildcard spot in the National League. General Manager AJ Preller has stated that he sees this team as a serious contender, foreshadowing another major move. Since the team needs to bolster the starting rotation and the bullpen, San Diego could take a shot at both Garrett Crochet and Michael Kopech. A single trade with the White Sox could be cheaper than trading with multiple teams. The Padres still have four prospects in the top 100 after unloading prospect capital in the previous trades. Ethan Salas is an elite prospect the Padres want to protect, but he and another top prospect like Leodalis De Vries (SS) or Dylan Lesko (RHP) would be needed to get this deal done.

San Francisco Giants

Logically, the Giants should be sellers at the deadline. However, an attempt to sneak into the playoffs with the second or third wildcard spot might be too tempting. After losing Rookie of the Year contender Jung Hoo Lee for the rest of the season, the Giants are in desperate need of help in the outfield. The obvious first choice would be Luis Robert Jr., but the market for the Chicago centerfielder might be too hot for San Francisco. While other buyers battle it out for Robert, the Giants could swoop in and acquire Taylor Ward from the Angels. Ward is currently slashing .240/.321/.429 with 12 HR on the season. While these numbers are not stunning, Ward would be a legitimate offensive upgrade over Mike Yaztrzemski.

Baltimore Orioles

The Orioles are my pick to win the American League and have been in the hypothetical mix for just about every major trade target. The reason for this is simple, an incredibly young core paired with the deepest farm system in baseball. The O’s 27 year-old stud pitcher Kyle Braddish is done for the season and will require Tommy John surgery which will drastically alter their deadline strategy. The Orioles must now turn their attention to addressing rotational depth. Baltimore could do this by acquiring the Marlins Jesus Luzardo who has the potential to blossom in a better situation. The Orioles could complete this deal without disrupting their core farm system. While Luzardo is not a top-tier starter, he is a lefty and is only 26 years old. He would provide rotational depth and could move to long relief when Braddish returns from injury.

Kansas City Royals

With a poor farm system, weak outfield and struggling bullpen, the Royals might be the toughest to fix via trades. Yet the Royals are only a few games out of first place in the AL Central, facing a month of games against below .500 teams. If forced to choose between a power bat in the outfield versus back-end relief help, the bullpen needs will win out. The Royals do not have the trade pieces for a Mason Miller or Tanner Scott but could take a shot at the Nationals’ Kyle Finnegan, who has been impressive in 2024. James McArthur leads the team in saves with 13, but is carrying a 5.02 ERA, which by closer standards is dismal. Moving McArthur to a setup role while replacing him at closer with Finnegan could shore up a bullpen that has threatened the Royals surprise success this season.

Cleveland Guardians

The Guardians are a legitimate threat to win the World Series this year, which would be their first since 1948. One of the more complete teams in the American League, Cleveland needs few upgrades beyond center field. A trade sending an MVP candidate to a team inside the division is uncommon but I expect it to happen when the Guardians go all in to add Luis Robert, Jr. The White Sox’ haul of prospects from a Crochet deal could be supplemented with top 50 prospects Chase Delauter and Kyle Manzardo through a Roberts trade. Guardians fans and White Sox fans would hate helping a Divisional rival this way, but this trade gives both teams what they need to achieve their very different 2024 goals.

Seattle Mariners

If you've been following the MLB this season you know that the Mariners have one of the best starting rotations in the MLB. Meanwhile, the Mariners are bottom ten in runs per game. This is not ideal for postseason aspirations, yet Seattle sits atop the AL West. This team will be shopping for offense at the deadline, and Mets All-Star Pete Alonso could be just the help they need. Alonso is set to become a free agent this off-season and will likely test free agency, making him an affordable option to quickly improve this team. Alonso is strikeout prone and struggles to hit for average but adding a batter capable of hitting 50 HR would be a massive help for Seattle's elite starting rotation.

Minnesota Twins

Third-place teams are not usually featured in trade deadline articles, but the Twins are in the highly competitive AL Central, currently holding down the final wildcard spot in the American League. Despite a disappointing start for a team predicted by many to win the division, Minnesota’s legitimate playoff aspirations could be boosted by the addition of Josh Bell. The Marlins plan to move the veteran first baseman at the deadline and are prepared to eat much of the $16 million he is owed this season. The Twins are not big trade deadline spenders so this move would be about right for them. Bell is 31 and has only played a full season once in five years. With that said, he has the potential to hit 25-30 home runs if healthy, can hit from both sides of the plate, and provides depth at a position of need for this team.

John Siebels is the owner of Springhill Sports Cards, he collects and sells sports cards on Ebay, you can find him on Instagram and his Ebay store here