As the Baseball season heads for the All-Star break, it’s the trade deadline that is going to start making all of the headlines. August 1st is the trade deadline for Major League Baseball, and it could be interesting on which teams might be sellers at the deadline.
I honestly thought that the St. Louis Cardinals would turn things around and get themselves back in the National League Central race, but it’s starting to look like that’s not going to be the case. St. Louis is currently in last place in the N.L. Central with a record of 35-50. The Cardinals are trailing the 1st place Cincinnati Reds by 11 1/2 games.
Is it possible that the Cardinals could be sellers at the trade deadline. Teams are always looking for pitching and the Cardinals have Jordan Montgomery, Jack Flaherty, Chris Stratton and Jordan Hicks in the last year of their contracts. Montgomery and Flaherty could probably bring the Cardinals a decent return if they decide to move them. Adam Wainwright is also in the last year of his contract, but it would be a shock if the Cardinals traded him unless he asks to go to a contender.
The Cardinals don’t have any position players in the last year of their contracts, but it’s possible that St. Louis might look to move someone like Paul DeJong who has two club option years left on his contract after this season. DeJong has had his ups and downs, but he’ll make $12.5 million dollars in 2024 and then $15 million dollars in 2025 if a team was to pick up his option years. That’s not a huge salary on today’s market.
After Saturday we’re going to have to see what the Los Angeles Angels do at the trade deadline. Mike Trout broke the hamate bone in his left hand and was placed on the IL. Its unclear wither Trout will need surgery, so it’s difficult to set a timeline for his return. Six to eight weeks seems to be the general consensus, but once the decision is made on if he’ll have surgery or not, they’ll know more.
The Angels are 45-43 this season and in 3rd place in the American League West. The Angels are 7 games behind the 1st place Texas Rangers in the A.L. West, but they’re just 4 games out of a wild card spot.
Obviously, the injury to Trout kind of puts them in limbo and to add to it Shohei Ohtani left his start last night due to a blister. It may cost Ohtani a start or two, but it hasn’t been announced if it will keep him from being the DH.
As the trade deadline approaches depending on how the Angels play might depend on if they hold on to a player like Ohtani or if they’ll try to trade him before he reaches free agency this coming offseason. It appears as though Ohtani will go out into the free agent market, so you have to wonder what a team would be willing to give the Angels for what might just be a rental of Ohtani.
The other team we’re going to be waiting to see if they’ll be sellers will be the New York Mets. It’s going to be interesting to see what the Mets decide to do if anything.
The Mets have probably been the most disappointing team this season. New York is 39-46 this season and in 4th place in the National League East. The Mets are 18 games behind the 1st place Atlanta Braves and just 5 games ahead of the last place Washington Nationals.
Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander each have one year remaining on their contracts after this season. Verlander does have an option for the 2025 season. Is it possible that we could see the Mets trade one or both of these future Hall of Fame pitchers?
David Robertson and Carlos Carrasco are in the last year of their contracts, so it’s possible that teams could be interested in adding them. Teams always seem to want to add pitching at the trade deadline and Robertson could be a valuable bullpen piece for a contender to add.
Tommy Pham is only under contract for the remainder of this season and is on a very affordable deal. He’s been one of the few bright spots for the Mets this season, but that could also mean that other team would have interest in him. Pham is hitting .287 with 9 home runs and 34 RBIs. He can also play multiple outfield spots, so he could be a solid 4th outfielder for a contender.
Alright, what do you think? Who do you think will be selling and who do you think will be buying at the trade deadline? I’d also like you to chime in on the three teams I mentioned and let me know what you think they’ll do.
As always don’t forget to look for me on Twitter, I’m @Burketime.
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The Mets will probably be sellers but what will they get in return. I’m tired of teams who aren’t in contention trading decent players for prospects. What about getting back a decent major leaguer in return?
I’m not quite sure if St. Louis will be sellers or not because they’re in the weak NL Central and a decent hot streak could quickly turn things around for them. Of course I’ve been saying that all season.
I do have the sinking feeling that the Cubs will be sellers sooner rather than later.
And what about San Diego? Are they going to pack it in as well? And with all their injuries, will the Yankees still attempt to sneak into the playoffs are just give up the ghost and start selling?
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