Trade Deadline Approaches for Contending Teams
As the August 3 trade deadline nears, Major League Baseball teams in contention for the World Series are looking to strengthen their rosters. Opportunities for acquisitions are becoming fewer as the deadline approaches.
Several teams are actively pursuing new talent, with some of the biggest names in the sport being discussed in potential deals. While identifying selling teams can be challenging, buyers are more apparent.
Key Players and Potential Moves
The New York Yankees are reportedly showing aggressive interest in acquiring San Diego Padres closer Mason Miller. Despite the Yankees’ bullpen having a low ERA, they are looking to reinforce this area. The Padres, who acquired Miller last July, are expected to seek a substantial return for the pitcher, who has a 0.86 ERA with 78 strikeouts in 41.2 innings pitched. However, George Lombard Jr., a top prospect for the Yankees, is considered untouchable in trade discussions.
The Philadelphia Phillies are reportedly still monitoring the market for pitcher Tarik Skubal, a two-time Cy Young winner. Skubal has been performing well since returning from elbow surgery in mid-June, recently throwing seven scoreless innings with nine strikeouts against the Los Angeles Angels. While the Phillies are interested, securing Skubal might require specific circumstances to align due to potential bidding competition. There is a growing sentiment among executives that Skubal might remain with the Detroit Tigers if the team continues its strong performance, having gone 26-16 since the start of June.
If the Tigers decide to trade Skubal, the Los Angeles Dodgers are seen by rival evaluators as a strong potential trade partner. The Tigers are in need of outfield prospects, and the Dodgers possess several highly-rated prospects such as Josue De Paula, Zyhir Hope, and Eduardo Quintero. The Dodgers could also offer pitchers like Justin Wrobleski or Emmet Sheehan as a replacement for Skubal.
Other potential trade scenarios include the Seattle Mariners targeting Casey Schmitt and Erik Miller from the San Francisco Giants to address their need for a right-handed bat and a high-leverage reliever. The Mariners currently have six major-league starters for five spots, making a trade involving a pitcher like George Kirby a possibility. Kirby, 28, is arbitration-eligible and controllable for 2 1/2 more years.
The Boston Red Sox are being considered as a potential destination for Hunter Goodman of the Colorado Rockies. Goodman is controllable through 2029 and arbitration-eligible next year. In return, the Rockies could receive prospects like Connelly Early, Kyson Witherspoon, Marcelo Mayer, and Carlos Narváez. Early, 24, is currently on the injured list with elbow inflammation but is expected to return this season, having posted a 3.44 ERA in 17 starts this year. Witherspoon, 21, is a 2025 first-round pick pitching in High A.
The Padres could also look to acquire pitcher Freddy Peralta from the New York Mets. Peralta has had a challenging season, with a 4.66 ERA and a 1.438 WHIP before the All-Star break. He is a free agent at the end of the season. The Mets, in turn, could receive left-handed pitching prospect Kash Mayfield, who was the Padres’ first-round pick in 2024 and recently participated in the Futures Game.
The Chicago Cubs might consider adding pitcher Michael Wacha, 35, from the Kansas City Royals. Wacha, an AL All-Star this year, is controllable through 2027 with a team option for 2028. He has maintained sub-4.00 ERAs for the past five years. The Royals could receive prospects Matt Shaw and Kevin Alcántara in return. Shaw, 24, can play second base, third base, and corner outfield, while Alcántara, 23, is having a strong season in Triple A.
Finally, the Texas Rangers are looking for another hitter and could target Luis Arraez from the Giants. Arraez won batting titles with three different teams from 2022 to 2024. The Giants could receive left-handed pitching prospect Dalton Pence and third-base prospect Yolfran Castillo. Pence, 23, has reached Double A, while Castillo, 19, has played at two different A-ball levels this year.
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Source: bleacherreport.com
