The Major League Baseball trade deadline is on the way, and many teams’ favorite trade bait is prospects. The sellers are looking to the future and trying to stockpile prospects, and the buyers are looking to bolster the major league rosters. This last offseason, multiple top prospects were traded. Even last season, three Top 100 prospects were traded at the deadline, and there are plenty of prospects that could join that group at this year’s deadline as top-end trade bait.
Buying Braves
Tate Southisene – Middle-INF (Atlanta Braves)
The Atlanta Braves are atop the National League East, and in need of a capable starter. Joe Ryan and Sonny Gray are names that have been floated in potential Braves rumors. The Braves have plenty of trade bait with three Top 100 Prospects. Cam Caminitti is their top prospect, but is not likely to be moved due to an aging staff and being their most coveted prospect. Additionally, Eric Hartman’s insane breakout season would make him nearly untouchable. This leaves Tate Southisene as the only Top 100 prospect left and their best trade bait come the deadline.
Southisene was the Braves’ first-round pick in last year’s draft and is having a strong start in pro ball. He is batting nearly .280 with 35 extra-base hits and 44 stolen bases. The physical tools are there for him to stick at shortstop long term. Southisene is not the biggest player, by any means, but has the bat speed and hitting mentality to create an impact. He is aggressive at the plate, sometimes too much, and has generated more power than previously thought. He is Atlanta’s best available trade bait come August 3.
Bronx Blockbuster
Elmer Rodriguez – RHP (New York Yankees)
The New York Yankees could be buying in multiple places. They are looking for another back-end reliever and a right-handed hitter. A catcher would be desirable for the Bronx Bombers, due to a lack of production at the position. However, the prime target would be Hunter Goodman and could cost a king’s ransom. Luckily, the Yankees have three Top 100 prospects that aren’t far from the bigs to use as trade bait.
Elmer Rodriguez has made a few spot starts for the Yankees and has been very serviceable. If the Yankees were to float their other Top 100 prospect pitcher as trade bait, Carlos LeGrange may need some more time, and he’s currently on the injured list.
However, Rodriguez has only seen improvements in his time in the minors. He has a plus fastball with three solid to plus pitches. If teams believe there’s more to his development, not only will he be trade bait, he could be a top-of-the-line starter.
LA’s Stockpile of Trade Bait
James Tibbs III – 1B/OF (Los Angeles Dodgers)
For the better part of the last decade, the Los Angeles Dodgers have been buyers at the trade deadline and in on every big name imaginable. This year is no different. The Dodgers are looking to improve and should be very active at the deadline, hoping to improve in multiple areas via trade. LA has plenty of trade bait to float around with nine prospects on the Top 100 list, including six outfielders.
James Tibbs III has already been traded twice in his career and could be dealt again at the deadline. The first baseman and outfielder is currently blocked at the Major League level and is the lowest of the Dodgers’ six ranked outfielders. He shows good discipline at the plate, walking almost as much as he strikes out. Both his hit tool and power grades have seen improvements since joining the Dodgers’ system. The Dodgers could take advantage of these improvements and use him as a centerpiece in trade talks as trade bait.
Prospects as Trade Bait Historically
On average, roughly three Top 100 prospects are traded each deadline. Last season was much of the same, minus the fact that one of the highest-ranked prospects ever traded at the deadline occurred in Leo De Vries. There’s not likely to be a trade including trade bait as strong a prospect of his caliber this time around. However, there could be a year like 2022, in which eight Top 100 prospects were traded with plenty of teams still in the Wild Card race.
Main Photo Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
