Major League Baseball

A buyer's guide to the MLB trade deadline

Published Jul. 22, 2015 11:35 a.m. ET

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By Jordan Schwartz

As we approach the Trade Deadline on July 31st, there haven't been many headlining transactions made thus far. Regardless, speculation has been prevalent that there is a big market for sellers and that bodes well for teams looking to rebuild. As I detailed in my Seller's Guide to the Trade Deadline, a few of those teams stand to benefit from the current sellers market and have made clear their willingness to engage teams in the playoff hunt. My list here will detail teams that are one move away from fortifying their playoff or World Series chances. I'm not attempting to predict trades; rather, I'm going to look at possible fits for four clear buyers that should help consolidate playoff and championship aspirations moving forward. 

Los Angeles Dodgers:

 Perhaps the team with the best trade chips to offer in minor league SSCorey Seager and SP Julio Urias, the Dodgers could stand to add a rotation piece to back up the 1-2 punch of Zack Greinke and Clayton Kershaw (and yes, I know I put Greinke first). As of right now LA is counting on a 3, 4, and 5 of Brett Anderson, Carlos Frias, and Mike Bolsinger to round out the rotation. While thus far they have performed up to snuff, it's tough to see the Dodgers heading into the postseason with the staff as currently constructed. 

They've been tied to both Johnny Cueto and Cole Hamels, though their top two prospects (Seager and Urias) seem to be off limits in any transaction, a wise move by the Andrew Friedman led front office. Another interesting story-line to follow, they are loaded at the 3B, 2B, SS, and corner outfield positions. It's fair to ask whether they'd be willing to package one of Jacob Turner, Alex Guerrero, Enrique Hernandez, Carl Crawford, Andre Ethier, or Hector Olivera (the 30 year old, $62.5 million Cuban waiting in the wings) to facilitate such a deal for an arm. 

David Price of the Tigers could make some sense as a potential solution as well. While he may be the most expensive rental on the market, he comes with postseason experience and is a game changer on the bump. The Tigers have been floating around the idea of selling, but it remains to be seen whether ownership will give GM Dave Dombrowski the green light.  

Aside from their two enticing minor leaguers, the LA system is brimming with talent in pitchers Grant Holmes, Jose De Leon, andChris Anderson along with position players Alex Verdugo andDarnell Sweeney. Expect at least a few of those names to be headed to another club if a deal is made for a major arm. With the financial advantage LA has, they could conceivably go a number of ways in addressing their starting rotation. 

The Dodgers' lineup is full of impact bats, whether they are performing (Adrian Gonzalez) or not (Yasiel Puig). It’s among the most formidable lineups in the National League and stands to receive a boost once Seager is inevitably promoted to the major leagues. Friedman is sitting pretty as of now and needs only to add a starting pitcher to strengthen an otherwise stellar ball club. 
 

Needs: SP, alleviate the surplus of IF, OF
Potential Targets: Cueto, Hamels, Price, Scott Kazmir, Aroldis Chapman, Dan Haren, Jeff Samardzija 

Washington Nationals:

 As if their off-season signing of Max Scherzer didn't make it clear enough, their mantra for the next few seasons is to win now at all costs. The Nats are certainly set on their starting rotation, and their impressive depth even extends to the minor league levels in top prospects Lucas Giolito, Joe Ross, A.J. Cole, and Reynaldo Lopez. The bullpen too has been impressive, ranking 7th in WAR, and closerDrew Storen has been nothing short of outstanding. 

Their needs at the deadline however, revolve around the bat. Anthony Rendon, Ryan Zimmerman, and Jayson Werth are all currently on rehab assignments, but can they really be confident in all three of those players moving forward? Adding some insurance to their outfield  (Michael Taylor is performing at nearly 25% worse than the league average hitter according to wRC+) may not be a bad idea, and they could certainly improve their shortstop situation with Ian Desmond's poor 2015 performance. 

While the market may not hold their exact needs at shortstop, they do have both 3B Yunel Escobar and 2B Danny Espinosa capable of filling in adequately at the position. With Desmond performing dead last in defensive WAR, moving either to shortstop may actually be an upgrade for the club down the stretch. GM Mike Rizzo has never disappointed in his bold efforts to add wins to the ball club. 

That flexibility allows them to be in the market for second and third base, in addition to an outfield bat. A particular name to watch is IF/OFBen Zobrist, a personal favorite of mine. He can play almost every position in the field defensively and reaches base at a nice .346 clip as well. He could provide defensive options and that certainly makes him the best fit for this ball club moving forward. Rizzo has reportedlyalready kicked the tires on Zobrist and a move for him wouldn't come as a shocker.

Justin Upton is additionally a person of interest here. Yes, the Padre would create a bind, but it may be better come mid-August to deal with a log-jam then a lack of production if their returning position players don't perform. Imagine an order featuring both Bryce Harperand Upton come October. While very unlikely, it is still an intriguing proposition. Either way the Nats should look to fortify not only their lead in the NL East, but their World Series aspirations as well. Nothing short of parting with Giolito would be surprising.

Needs: Infield defense, versatility, protection for Harper
Potential Targets: Zobrist, Upton, Jean Segura, Yoenis Cespedes

Houston Astros:

 But they weren't supposed to be here! They're one year ahead of themselves! They have too many young players! We've heard it all in regards to the burgeoning Astros, but at every turn they've been able to prove they belong in the playoff conversation. Still they aren't without their flaws, the starting rotation being chief among them.

It's well documented that Hamels has no interest in being traded to the Houston Astros, which is a shame because he is the best fit for their championship window on the trade market. In Hamel's defense, he made his no trade list last October at a time when the Astros had finished in the AL West cellar yet again. If they were willing to pick up Hamel's fourth year option that may change matters, but it remains to be seen whether Houston would make such an arrangement. 

Due to Hamels' unwillingness to join the club (as of yet), GM Jeff Luhnow has been scanning the trade market for starting pitching and first base help. They are in a similar position to the Dodgers in that all rotation help is on the table at this point. Aside from Dallas Keuchel's Cy Young efforts, there doesn't appear to be much left in the rotation. Entering the playoffs with Keuchel, Lance McCullers, and Collin McHugh, as your 1-2-3 punch is far from imposing, especially with McCullers in his rookie season. 

Luhnow has also expressed interest in Cueto, though I'm not sure the Astros would be willing to mortgage the future they've worked so hard to cultivate for a rental. Still if the price is reasonable he may pull the trigger on a Cueto, a Price, or a Samardzija. The Athletics' Scott Kazmir may also make sense, though pairing Keuchel with a number one or two type starter would certainly be more palatable in sustaining throughout the stretch run into the playoffs. 

Along with a starter it's also been reported that adding offense, specifically at first base, is on the to do list. Adding Brewers Adam Lind could be a solution, as he'd give them a nice platoon at first base with Chris Carter. Other options could include Rockies OF Charlie Blackmon or fellow Brewer OF Carlos Gomez, if either were to be made available. One thing is certain, Luhnow will stop at nothing to sift through all potential options and he certainly has a healthy farm system from which to deal from.   

Needs: SP, infield defense, another bat
Potential Targets: Hamels, Cueto, Price, Kazmir, Samardzija, Lind, Blackmon, Gomez, Upton

Toronto Blue Jays:

 Sitting at 47-47 and 3rd in the weak AL East, the Blue Jays could stand to add a top tier arm to their rotation as well. SP Drew Hutchison has fronted this rotation and his 5.19 ERA (though his 3.75 FIP suggests he's performed much better) indicates just how desperate Toronto is to make a move. With so much front line talent available, and theirwillingness to rent apparent, they match up perfectly with several selling ball clubs. 

Unfortunately for Toronto, they too have been spurned by Hamels. Similarly to the Astros, this may change depending on whether they agree to pick up Hamels' player option. This has left them looking at other options including Cueto, and I'd expect them to pull the trigger on a bigger name as opposed to a lesser one. With Price now potentially available he too would fit here.

The bullpen could see another arm added too. SP Aaron Sanchez is returning from a stint on the disabled list and there have been rumblings he may be added to the bullpen to bolster their relief options. An Aroldis Chapman, Cueto package would seemingly make sense, though I'm not sure that Toronto has the talent to peak the Reds' interest. Craig Kimbrel could also be a feasible addition for Toronto and they've checked in on him as well.

Their offense has been historically good, especially in an era where runs are hard to come by. They've outpaced the league in runs and lead the second place Yankees in that category by 80, nearly a full run per game. Adding one elite piece to their rotation may be enough to overtake the Yankees four game lead in the AL East. If not, it certainly bodes well for their wild card chances. 

Needs: Bullpen, top SP
Potential Targets: Cueto, Chapman, Price, Hamels, Kazmir, Tyler Clippard, Samardzija

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