The biggest blockbuster of the MLB season, the trade deadline, arrives on July 30. While a big part of the season has already come and gone, the deadline solidifies which teams are serious about making a playoff run.
While some teams, like the Los Angeles Dodgers, Baltimore Orioles, and Philadelphia Phillies are certain to trade for the best players on the market, some teams in the middle of Wild Card races might choose to make the boldest moves. Here are some of my predictions for what could happen leading up to the 2024 trade deadline.
Tarik Skubal to the Orioles
Tarik Skubal has been the best pitcher in the American League this season and is certainly the biggest name on the trade market. While the Detroit Tigers have not made it official that they will trade Skubal, their under .500 record suggests that they will try.
However, most teams do not have enough to make the deal enticing for the Tigers. The Orioles have one of the strongest farm systems in all of baseball and could make a deal to strengthen the future for Detroit. While trading number one prospect Jackson Holliday might seem like a longshot at the moment, Skubal would give the Orioles reassurance in their pitching rotation, and he would be worth the steep asking price.
Tampa Bay Rays trade their young stars
For quite a few seasons now, the Rays have been known for building a strong team while simultaneously keeping a low payroll. This season, the Rays have found themselves fourth place in a strong AL East with players who have been less than perfect. For a team that has traded their star players in the past and succeeded after the fact, the Rays might find it an easy decision to trade Randy Arozarena and Isaac Paredes.
While Arozarena has not had the best year, teams across the league are eager to see if they can unleash his potential again. One team that might choose to take on the outfielder is the Dodgers. Both teams recently completed a trade that sent Tyler Glasnow from the Rays to the Dodgers, so it would be a perfect fit for Arozarena. The Dodgers need some outfield help with Mookie Betts on the IL and Jason Heyward having a down year.
On the other hand, Isaac Paredes has drawn a lot of attention after being named to the All-Star roster this season. Paredes is mostly scouted by teams who need infield help since he can play third and first base. After visiting Yankee Stadium right after the All-Star break, rumors swirled surrounding Paredes and the New York Yankees. With both corner infield positions being a need for the Yankees, Paredes would be a perfect fit for the team, especially since he is already familiar with all AL East teams and stadiums.
Garrett Crochet will stay with the Chicago White Sox
While Garrett Crochet has been one of the most entertaining pitchers to watch in MLB this season, there is a strong chance that the White Sox will wait until the offseason to trade him. Crochet has gathered more buzz than any other pitcher in the league when it comes to his trade status, and almost any team that is a contender is currently figuring out a trade package.
However, Crochet still has two years of control left after this season, and the White Sox are a team that is going to be struggling for years to come. While trading him this season might help start the rebuild a little earlier, there might be a chance for the team to gather a larger return in the offseason.
While some teams like the Toronto Blue Jays and Cincinnati Reds aren’t likely to buy at the deadline, they might be interested in bolstering their team for a chance to compete in 2025. Since the White Sox don't have much to lose, they can wait until the offseason when teams will be even more desperate to help their team next season.
New York Yankees will turn to smaller names
The trade deadline is usually an interesting time for the Yankees. In years past, general manager Brian Cashman decided not to address the issues within their lineup and instead trusted in the talent they already have to make it to the World Series. In a weaker trade market this season, there is less of a chance that the team will have to give up their bigger-name prospects to address holes in the team.
The infield is one of the areas the Yankees need to address, and it happens to be one of the smallest markets this deadline. While many reported that the team would be interested in trading for Jazz Chisholm Jr., there have since been reports that they are not sure Chisholm Jr.’s personality would fit in the clubhouse well. If the team does not decide to take that route, Luis Rengifo of the Angels and Paredes would be the best fit.
The Yankees also have to address their pitching. The bullpen and the starting rotation have declined since the team began their slump in June and could use some help. The Yankees have been interested in reuniting with Chad Green and Jameson Taillon, who both left after the 2022 season. While both names would not tremendously help the pitching staff, they would take some heat off other pitchers, which may help the team win games again.
Edited By: Emma Habel
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