Red Sox rumors suggest a possible addition of a seasoned player from their AL East rival, with the Marlins reportedly looking to trade up to four pitchers.
## Potential Trade Targets for the 2022 MLB Trade Deadline (Revised)
In the 2022 MLB season, the trade deadline buzz revolved around several key players and teams. Here's a rundown of the potential trade targets and sellers, with a focus on the Boston Red Sox and Miami Marlins, as well as Sandy Alcantara, Edward Cabrera, and Charlie Morton.
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## Teams to Watch as Sellers
### Miami Marlins The Miami Marlins found themselves in a familiar position in 2022, as a potential seller due to their competitive cycle and payroll ambitions. The Marlins' strong rotation, particularly Sandy Alcantara and Edward Cabrera, was a subject of trade speculation. However, Marlins management was typically cautious about moving their young, controllable starters unless an exceptional offer materialized. There were no indications that Pablo López, a key starter at the time, was seriously available, but a team with underperforming position players and a wealth of pitching could always listen.
### Boston Red Sox The Boston Red Sox were contenders in 2021 and were expected to remain so in 2022. However, as the 2022 deadline approached, injuries and inconsistency left them potentially vulnerable. If they had slipped to the brink of .500, it’s plausible that veterans on expiring contracts (such as Xander Bogaerts, Nathan Eovaldi, or J.D. Martinez) could have become trade targets for other teams. However, the Red Sox remained in the Wild Card mix and did not sell any major pieces.
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## Notable Player Speculation
| Player | Team | 2022 Status | Trade Possibility (2022 Context) | |---------------------|---------------|----------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------| | **Sandy Alcantara** | Marlins | Cy Young candidate, under team control | Slim—Marlins built around him, unlikely to move | | **Edward Cabrera** | Marlins | Promising young starter, pre-arbitration | Low—Highly valued by Miami for future | | **Pablo López** | Marlins | Quality mid-rotation arm, under control | Possible if Marlins pivoted to a full rebuild, but unlikely | | **Charlie Morton** | Braves | Veteran starter, expiring deal | Could have been shopped if Braves fell out of contention |
- **Sandy Alcantara**: In 2022, Alcantara was in the midst of a Cy Young season but struggled after undergoing Tommy John surgery. The Marlins were extremely unlikely to move him unless overwhelmed, and there is no evidence they seriously considered it. - **Edward Cabrera**: A young, high-upside arm, Cabrera was just beginning to establish himself in 2022. The Marlins were focused on building around their young pitching, making a trade unlikely unless a team offered a massive prospect haul. - **Pablo López**: López was often mentioned in trade rumors in previous years, but by mid-2022, he was a rotation staple and less likely to be moved unless Miami pivoted to a full rebuild. - **Charlie Morton**: With the Braves, Morton was a veteran on an expiring deal. If Atlanta had fallen out of contention, he could have been a prime rental target for contenders seeking rotation depth, but the Braves remained in the hunt and kept him.
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## Teams Likely to Buy and Sell in 2022 (General Context)
**Buyers:** Contenders like the New York Yankees, Houston Astros, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Mets, and Toronto Blue Jays were all expected to be aggressive in adding pitching and offense.
**Sellers:** Teams out of contention, such as the Cincinnati Reds, Washington Nationals, Oakland Athletics, and possibly the Chicago Cubs, were expected to move veterans and players on expiring contracts.
**Wild Cards:** Teams like the Miami Marlins and Boston Red Sox were in a gray area—Miami had pitching to deal but was reluctant to part with its core, while Boston could have pivoted to selling if their season unraveled, but ultimately did not.
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## Summary
- **Sandy Alcantara** and **Edward Cabrera** were highly unlikely trade targets in 2022, as the Marlins were building around their young pitching and Alcantara was a franchise cornerstone. - **Charlie Morton** could have been a rental candidate if the Braves fell out of contention, but they remained buyers. - The **Boston Red Sox** were unlikely to sell major pieces in 2022 unless their season collapsed, which it did not. - **Miami Marlins** were a speculative seller due to their pitching depth, but no major moves materialized involving their top starters. - The true sellers in 2022 were rebuilding clubs like the Reds, Nationals, and A’s, who moved veterans for prospects.
- The Miami Marlins, even in a seller's position, were primarily considered for trades involving their strong rotation, such as Sandy Alcantara and Edward Cabrera, although they were unlikely to move these key players unless an exceptional offer came their way.
- The Boston Red Sox, despite being potential sellers due to injuries and inconsistency, did not sell any major pieces in the 2022 MLB season, as they managed to remain in the Wild Card mix.
- In the 2022 MLB season, player speculation focused on navalizing Sandy Alcantara, Edward Cabrera, and Charlie Morton, even as the Miami Marlins and Boston Red Sox were in a gray area between buyers and sellers.
- Despite being a quality mid-rotation arm, Pablo López was less likely to be moved by the Miami Marlins in 2022, as they focused on building around their young pitching and were hesitant to part with their core.
