This week marks a brief pause in the baseball season, with the draft, All-Star Game, and Hall of Fame induction ceremony providing a break before the trade deadline frenzy. Teams are now being sorted into trade tiers based on whether they are likely to buy, sell, or remain undecided.
In the first tier of aggressive buyers, the New York Yankees are in need of lineup support beyond Aaron Judge and Juan Soto. The Seattle Mariners, with a surplus of starting pitching, could trade for an everyday bat. The San Diego Padres are looking to bolster their pitching staff to stay competitive in the wild-card race. The Los Angeles Dodgers are facing numerous injuries and could use reinforcements in the outfield and pitching rotation.
Moving on to typical buyers, the Atlanta Braves are likely to add to their outfield, while the Baltimore Orioles may look to acquire long-term pitching assets. The Philadelphia Phillies, led by “Dealer Dave” Dombrowski, may make strategic additions to their roster. The Cleveland Guardians are focused on improving their rotation to solidify their playoff chances.
In the third tier of teams trending towards buying, the St. Louis Cardinals are in need of pitching reinforcements. The Boston Red Sox are looking to shore up their starting rotation and middle infield. The Pittsburgh Pirates, despite their record, are exploring both buying and selling options to remain competitive.
On the other end of the spectrum, the Washington Nationals and Detroit Tigers are preparing to sell assets to build for the future. The Toronto Blue Jays, despite high expectations, may need to consider selling some key players. The Miami Marlins are poised for a potential fire sale after a disappointing season.
Overall, the trade deadline promises to bring excitement and intrigue as teams position themselves for the second half of the season. Stay tuned for more updates and potential blockbuster deals as the deadline approaches.