Storyline: It’s that time of year in MLB. Who are the buyers? Who are the sellers? We’ll find out soon. Here are three swaps that could reap benefits for all teams involved.
The MLB trade deadline is at 4 p.m. ET Monday, August 1. GMs are looking to acquire the right pieces to make deep runs in the playoffs or—in other cases—to qualify for postseason play.
Here are three plausible trades I think could happen in the next few days.
Trade #1: Royals-Cardinals
Royals trade RP/CL Wade Davis
Cardinals trade 1B/LF Brandon Moss and CF Randal Grichuk
The Cardinals’ Brandon Moss (photo, zimbio.com)
On the Cardinals’ side of the trade: Former Cardinals’ closer Trevor Rosenthal was one of the better relievers in baseball last season, recording a franchise record 48 saves with a very nice 2.10 ERA. But his play this season has been, in one word, abysmal. Usually loyal Cardinals’ fans are booing him, dubbing him as “Choking-thal” and “Blowing-thal.” Why are fans upset? A good example is Rosenthal’s performance against Seattle on June 24. He entered the game in the bottom of the ninth with a 3-1 lead. DH Adam Lind crack a walk-off, three-run homer. Cardinals’ manager Mike Matheny demoted Rosenthal the next day. Since then, Rosenthal has seen mop-up duty. And, according to Matheny, that’s about all he’ll be seeing for a while. While the Cardinals have had excellent innings out of Seung Kwan Oh the rest of the bullpen has been inconsistent. The Cardinals need a good closer so that Oh can return to being a setup man, which is his best role.
On the Royals’ side of the trade: The Royals are the worst batting team in the AL. A couple of good hitters could go a long way towards the team being able to make a run at Terry Francona’s Indians. The Royals also have a great closer in Wade Davis. Cardinals’ GM John Mozeliak may just have the right pieces to land the extremely talented 30-year-old, namely, Brandon Moss and Randal Grichuk. Moss is a good player, but the Cards don’t need him. With Matt “Big City” Adams and Matt Holliday both getting playing time at first base–and an outfield that’s simply teeming with younger, more athletic prospects–there’s just not enough room for Moss on Matheny’s lineup card. But if Moss gets traded to KC, I think he can be an excellent designated hitter for KC. Grichuk is a young prospect with potential. He can become one of the better power hitters in baseball–once he improves his plate discipline. While the Cards and KC will be giving up good talent, this “I-70 trade” should address Achilles’ heel issues for both teams.
Trade #2: Braves-Red Sox
Braves trade: SP Julio Teheran
Red Sox trade: OF Mookie Betts
Courtesy: Jim Davis/The Boston Globe via Getty Images
On the Red Sox’s side of the trade: Boston’s lineup is simply a nightmare for opposing pitchers. The likelihood of the BoSox not scoring 5+ runs a game is about the same as finding a politician who isn’t crooked. The Red Sox are making a push towards the postseason, but the piece they’re missing is another, solid starter. And that need is great: Boston is in the bottom half of the AL in pitching. The answer to their problems lies hundreds of miles south down in the Georgia humidity: Julio Teheran. Teheran is an all-star, caliber pitcher on a Braves team that’s so bad that Atlanta fans have been looking forward to Georgia football…for months. The prospect of losing Mookie Betts would hurt Boston, but the team has “Big Papi”, Xander Bogaerts, Jackie Bradley, Jr., and others to lean on for the rest of the year. Besides, the BoxSox farm system is loaded. But another good starter, like Teheran, is something the Red Sox could really use heading down the stretch.
On the Braves’ side of the trade: The Braves may be just playing for pride now, but acquiring Betts would give Atlanta hope for ‘17. At just 23 years old, Betts boasts athleticism in the outfield to compliment his excellent bat (over .300 most of the season). While it’s a stretch to say Betts will turn around the Braves by himself, he would definitely have a major impact.
Trade #3: Marlins-Mariners
Marlins trade: SS Adeiny Hechavarria, OF Ichiro
Mariners trade: SP Felix Hernandez
On the Marlin’s side of the trade: An excellent bullpen is the primary reason why Miami is in the thick of the NL Wild Card Race. While the Marlins boast one of the best bullpens in the NL, the starting rotation could use some strengthening. Seattle, on the other hand–a team with many good starters–needs a solid shortstop. The Marlins’ Hechavarria may not be the best batter in the world, but he’s one of the better defensive shortstops in the game. Miami should dangle Hechavarria in the quest to secure Mariners’ pitcher Felix Hernandez. With a nice 3.23 ERA and years of productivity behind him, Hernandez would boost the Marlins’ starting rotation.
Courtesy: miamiherald.com
On the Mariners’ side of the trade: A stipulation of the trade should be that the Marlins deal Ichiro back to the city where he started his great MLB career. Ichiro is one of the best contact hitters in the history of the sport. But with an outfielder-laden lineup Marlins’ manager Don Mattingly has not had the chance to give Ichiro the playing time he deserves. A return to Seattle would give the 42-year-old a chance to see more at-bats before he retires. Considering the huge impact that he’s had on the sport, Ichiro deserves it!
