MLB Trade Deadline Approaches: identified buyers, sellers, and teams in limbo before July 31
**MLB Trade Deadline Approaches: Buyers and Sellers Shaping Up**
As the MLB trade deadline of July 31st approaches, teams are positioning themselves as buyers or sellers in anticipation of the crucial cutoff. With playoff races heating up and rosters in need of bolstering, several teams are actively seeking deals to strengthen their lineups and rotations.
**Buyers on the Hunt**
Some of the league's top payroll teams, such as the New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers, and New York Mets, are aiming to add depth to their rosters after midseason slumps. Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman has confirmed an "all in" approach, suggesting the team is likely to make significant moves. The Boston Red Sox, despite a recent trade of Rafael Devers to the Giants, have shown signs of a push for playoff contention, currently holding the second wild-card spot in the American League.
**Sellers Looking to Rebuild**
On the other hand, several teams are in sell mode, looking to rebuild through trades. The Arizona Diamondbacks, having regressed since their 2023 World Series appearance and eliminated early last year, are expected to trade top talents such as Eugenio Suárez and Zac Gallen. The Chicago White Sox, while better than last year, remain the worst team in the AL and will likely look to move players like Luis Robert Jr. and Andrew Benintendi if the market exists. The Colorado Rockies, on pace for a historically poor season, are expected to sell but reportedly have limited assets of strong trade value.
Trades have already begun, with the Red Sox-Devers deal being a notable example, and many more are anticipated in the coming weeks. The trade deadline remains an important cutoff for moving players on 40-man rosters, shaping playoff rosters, and influencing fantasy baseball outlooks.
**Notable Teams and Needs**
*St. Louis Cardinals* - With a transition to a younger and less costly roster underway, the Cardinals are likely to offload some veteran contributors before the deadline, such as Ryan Helsley, Erick Fedde, Steven Matz, and possibly Phil Maton.
*Los Angeles Dodgers* - Perpetually in foot-on-gas mode, the Dodgers are considering adding another rotation presence or high-leverage relief arms.
*Tampa Bay Rays* - In need of low-cost roster improvements, particularly in the lineup, the Rays could be active in the trade market.
*New York Yankees* - Looking to improve their chances of repeating as AL East champs and earning a first-round bye, the Yankees are seeking an upgrade at third base.
*Detroit Tigers* - With designs on the best record in baseball, the Tigers could use another reliable high-leverage reliever or two.
*Texas Rangers* - Despite being one game below .500, the Rangers have a plus-47 run differential and are just 3 ½ games out of playoff position in the AL. They are likely to make some roster improvements.
*New York Mets* - In a tight NL East race and heavily committed to success, the Mets have pitching help at the top of their list.
*Cincinnati Reds* - In search of a potent corner outfield bat and a rotation stop-gap, the Reds could be active in the trade market.
*Atlanta Braves* - With a significant deficit in the playoff race, the Braves may gauge the market for their walk-year notables like Marcell Ozuna and Raisel Iglesias.
*Toronto Blue Jays* - In need of back-end rotation help and bullpen reinforcements, the Blue Jays could be looking to make moves before the deadline.
*Boston Red Sox* - Despite dealing Devers, the Red Sox are still in the market for rotation help to cover for injuries and Walker Buehler's ineffectiveness.
*Baltimore Orioles* - Nine games under .500, the Orioles have pending free agents like Cedric Mullins, Ryan O'Hearn, Tomoyuki Sugano, Zach Eflin, and Seranthony Domínguez, among others, who will probably be elsewhere by the time the calendar flips to August.
*San Diego Padres* - In need of an upgrade at the catcher position, the Padres may be looking to fortify for one more playoff run with their current core.
*Arizona Diamondbacks* - Under .500 and behind four teams in the chase for the final NL playoff berth, the Diamondbacks have pending free agents like Eugenio Suárez, Zac Gallen, Merrill Kelly, and Josh Naylor on the roster.
*Milwaukee Brewers* - Looking for an upgrade at shortstop and bullpen depth, the Brewers could be active in the trade market.
*Philadelphia Phillies* - In need of bullpen help, particularly in the late innings, the Phillies could be looking to make moves before the deadline.
*Washington Nationals* - Buried in the standings, the Nationals are expected to aggressively sell-off players not essential to the organization's long-term future, with closer Kyle Finnegan being their most alluring trade piece.
*Chicago White Sox* - The worst team in the AL by a comfortable margin, the White Sox will sell whatever's sellable leading up to July 31.
*Miami Marlins* - Very much in sell mode, the Marlins could see ace Sandy Alcantara being one of the biggest names moved before the deadline arrives.
*Houston Astros* - With a hefty five-game lead in the AL West, the Astros are looking for a left-handed bat and perhaps another starting pitcher.
*San Francisco Giants* - In desperate need of an adequate bat at first base and pitching depth, the Giants could be active in the trade market.
*Chicago Cubs* - Vying for a coveted first-round bye in the playoffs, the Cubs are looking to address injuries in their rotation.
*Colorado Rockies* - On pace for a worst-in-all-history 125 losses this season, the Rockies will sell, but it also suggests there's not much on the roster that would be of interest to other teams.
As the deadline approaches, fans can expect a flurry of activity as teams shape their rosters for the second half of the season and the push for playoff contention.
Here are the sentences that contain the words: ['season', 'bet', 'win', 'game', 'mlb', 'baseball', 'general', 'record', 'sports', 'baseball', 'mlb']:
- The trade deadline remains an important cutoff for moving players on 40-man rosters, shaping playoff rosters, and influencing fantasy baseball outlooks, marking a significant point in the MLB season.
- With playoff races heating up and rosters in need of bolstering, several teams are actively seeking deals to strengthen their lineups and rotations, aiming to win more games and potentially secure a MLB championship.
- Teams positioning themselves as buyers are generally those who believe they have a good chance of making the playoffs and winning the MLB World Series, making the decisions to spend money and acquire talent.
- On the other hand, teams in sell mode are typically those who are not expected to have a strong record in the MLB season, and instead aim to rebuild through trades by selling their top talents.
- The upcoming MLB trade deadline presents a key opportunity for both General Managers and fans to make bets on which teams will make significant moves, potentially impacting the general record and standings of teams in both the American and National Leagues.
