July 30th is the MLB trade deadline, and five teams in particular appear certain to be sellers. The Chicago White Sox, Miami Marlins, Los Angeles Angels, Colorado Rockies, and Oakland Athletics are five teams in no shape to make the postseason and see October baseball. All five teams face double-digit deficits for wild card spots. These five teams will help fashion the race by unpacking big-name players to contending teams. But once these trades are made, which contending teams will be able to make the most of the trades and improve their postseason hopes?
Top Five Likely Sellers at the MLB Trade Deadline
Chicago White Sox
The White Sox look like one of the top sellers at the trade deadline. They have players on their roster who will make an impact and help another team pushing for the playoffs, such as Garrett Crochet and Luis Robert Jr. General manager Chris Getz is looking for a clean slate and to start fresh with his team. Getz is in his first season leading the front office. Crochet had a rocky start to his season, but he has improved his stats. This makes him that much more favorable to finding a new home. He’s been able to bounce back and sport a 5-2 record with a 1.53 ERA across approximately 64 innings pitched. Before this, he had a 1-4 record with a 6.37 ERA across six starts.
Miami Marlins
The Marlins are in a similar spot to the White Sox. They got a new president of baseball operations this season, Peter Bendix. The Marlins have a 28-52 record and are in last place in the National League East. It’s evident that the Marlins and Bendix are going down a similar path to Chicago at the deadline. They already dealt Luis Arráez to the San Diego Padres on May 4th for four prospects. Following this trade, the Marlins still have players available to trade who can positively impact other teams, such as Josh Bell and Tanner Scott. Bell is a bat that will provide an offensive boost, and Scott is a solid bullpen pitcher who will also be a free agent at the end of this season. Jazz Chisholm Jr. may also be on his way out.
When he surveyed league personnel on the most likely MLB trade candidates, @JimBowdenGM thought Chicago’s Luis Robert Jr. would top the position player list.
He was wrong. And it wasn’t close.https://t.co/gkrmwh5twd pic.twitter.com/Y18ffcXmrw
— The Athletic MLB (@TheAthleticMLB) June 26, 2024
Colorado Rockies
The Rockies have a 27-53 record and are in last place in the National League West. The Rockies are looking like the team out of the top five sellers with the least favorable players to sell. But they have a righty starter (Cal Quantrill), lefty reliever Jalen Beeks, and back-catcher Elias Díaz. Although Díaz is on the IL, he is still a hot commodity to be traded.
Oakland Athletics
The A’s have a 29-54 record and are in last place in the American League West. Their most appealing player is Mason Miller, who has been impressive this season, sporting a 2.08 ERA. He’s already been gaining traction as a Rookie of the Year candidate. It’s not for sure that the A’s will let him go, as he still has over five years remaining with the Athletics. But he is someone many teams would love to have as a closer. He is one of the most impressive hard-throwing closers in MLB. Another strong player that the A’s are considering letting go is Brent Rooker. He is a designated hitter and outfielder who has 14 home runs on the season.
LA Angels
The Angels have a 33-46 record and are in fourth place in the American League West. They have several players with contracts that are ending and could provide beneficial returns, such as closer Carlos Estévez, who has turned his season around like Crochet and has been a solid closer recently. Some other impending free agents with the Angels are lefty Matt Moore, righty Luis Garcia, and outfielder Kevin Pillar.
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