The Trade Deadline is Tuesday and contending teams are scurrying to make deals to improve their chances of a postseason run. Teams have until 6pm on Tuesday to agree to trade terms and there are a lot of rumors surrounding big-time talent getting traded this season. There are six teams from each League that make the postseason, so that opens up more opportunities for teams to go all in. This article will highlight a few trades that could happen and teams that could be potentially buying or selling at this season’s deadline.

Juan Soto Sweepstakes

With the rumors that Juan Soto could be on his way out, will it actually happen? I think most baseball fans are tuned in to see. The Nationals technically have him locked in until 2025, so why are they traded one of the best hitters in baseball who happens to be 23 years old? It makes no sense to me unless he plans on holding out. He will likely earn the largest contract in baseball history when the time comes. The Nationals appear to be passing up on that obligation, but where will he land. The rumors are that the Padres, Yankees, Dodgers, Cardinals, and Mariners are in the mix. I would go ahead and eliminate the Mariners due to the fact they gave up a lot to land Luis Castillo from the Reds. The Yankees are always one of those teams that seem to be in the mix for everyone, but they don’t need him and they have Jasson Dominguez in Double-A that is a similar player to Soto.

The Padres seem to be the most likely destination for Soto. They have some good MLB-ready young players that they could deal and he would fit right into their lineup. The Dodgers are always a possibility, but if they add Soto, it would just be sickening. They have the most talented team by far in baseball and adding potentially the best hitter in the MLB to the lineup would just be unfair. The Cardinals would be sickening as well, but only because I’m a Reds fan. I think the Padres seem to be the best bet. However, I think a surprise team could be in the mix. My dark horse pick is the Giants. They have a really good farm system and they definitely have the financial resources to make the monster deal happen. There are rumors of them being sellers at the deadline, but I think they could surprise some people. There is still a lot of baseball left and they’re only 5.5 games out of the Wild Card.

Willson Contreras

Granted, Contreras isn’t as big of a name as Soto, but he definitely is a difference maker in the lineup. The Cubs 30-year old Catcher would be another piece dealt from the 2016 World Series team and watching him go will be a tough thing for Cubs fans. The only team that most rumors are coming from are the Mets. I also heard that the Astros, Rays and Padres are linked to the rumors as well. My guess is that he goes to Houston. I think they have a good chance of signing him to a deal as well. Martin Maldonado isn’t really cutting it and Korey Lee may not be quite ready to stay in the MLB yet. I’d probably rule out the Padres if they go all in on Soto, and it sounds like they are. They could use a catcher, but it’s not a desperate thing. And as for the Rays, it’s a possibility, but I think the Astros or Mets are the safest bets.

Could the Angels Deal Ohtani?

It was surprising to hear that Two-Way Superstar Shohei Ohtani could be dealt at the deadline. While the Angels are not competitive, it seems odd that they could be giving up the biggest reason why they are relevant right now. I know, they have Trout too, but Trout cannot stay on the field. If Trout were playing 150 games a year they more than likely would be closer to the Wild Card Race, but I’m not here to debate that. The fact of the matter is, the Angels are not competitive and they haven’t been for quite some time and that’s really sad considering the talent that they have had over the last few years. Ohtani being dealt would only set them back even more, so I think it would be dumb to get rid of him. With that being said, what do you give up for a player like him? He’s Cy Young contending pitcher with Silver Slugger DH hitting abilities. It would seem as if you would have to trade the whole farm to get him. So, I don’t think he be dealt, but it will be interesting if he actually is traded. I think the Angels will trade away some players, but not Ohtani.

Are Giants Buyers or Sellers?

There are rumors that Joc Pederson and Carlos Rodon could be on the block and it is an interesting thing because the Giants are within reach of a Wild Card spot. I already alluded to this fact, but it is worth going into more detail They’re currently trailing the Padres 5.5 games for the last WC spot and are in great position to make a run. With that being said, they’re not a particularly young team. Their starting infield is 34 years old on average. They have a team to make a run and could decide to trade some of their future to make a nice acquisition or they could decide to get a jump start on that soft rebuild. Rodon would obviously have a bigger market of suitors, but Pederson has played well enough to get some buyers interested as well. I personally think it will be one of them dealt or neither of them dealt. They’re too close to contention to give up.

Oakland A’s

Oakland seems to be in the mix every season at deadline team. This year, they are clearly sellers and they have some difference making talent on the team to give up. Sean Murphy is one of those players. The A’s Catcher has some potential suitors and you can basically say it is the same market as Willson Contreras. The Astros, Rays, Mets and Padres are looking for a catcher and Sean Murphy has a solid bat which helps his market potential. I think he’ll be heading to the Mets, personally. I think he would be a better fit for the team than any of those others.

The other big name that is likely to be dealt is Frankie Montas. The Starting Pitcher has had a great year and will be FA eligible in 2024. With the season he’s having, his Arbitration salary will likely increase quite a bit, so the A’s are likely to part ways with Montas. The Yankees are the most vocal about wanting to add another starting pitcher and Montas would be a perfect fit. The Luis Castillo deal has teams thinking they can get similar returns and I would assume the price for Montas is pretty steep. The Cardinals and Blue Jays are also in on the Montas sweepstakes.

Are the Reds Done?

The Reds made waves on Friday night dealing their ace, Luis Castillo to the Mariners for 3 of their top 5 prospects. It has set somewhat of a precedent for other returns and it is not likely that they’re going to stop dealing. Tyler Mahle is on the block and I would say the market for him is pretty good. He started the season horribly, but has since turned it around and should be a great acquisition for potential trade suitors. The Phillies and Twins are some interesting names that are interested in Mahle. The Twins are currently leading the Central and the Phillies have fought their way back into he postseason discussion. Obviously other potential suitors are the ones that I’ve mentioned before like the Yankees, Blue Jays, and Cardinals.

Brandon Drury is another name that may be on the way out of Cincinnati, however, there were rumors that he may be signing an extension surprisingly enough. Personally, I say trade him. His market has never been higher, the Reds are nowhere close to competing this season. get a couple guys that are a year or two away. The Mariners, Dodgers and Braves are in the discussion to acquire him at the moment. I think the likeliest destination will be Atlanta. I think he fits that team wonderfully and they need an extra outfield bat and Drury can provide that and then some. Drury can play practically anywhere on the field and that’s just what the Braves need to potentially make another run.

Yacs

MLB Trade Deadline Deals That Could Happen