With less than ten days from MLB’s trade deadline, each team is still finalizing their plans. What player should each NL East team target?
The MLB trade deadline is less than ten days away, and deals have already begun. Today, we’re looking at the deal each National League East team should target before August 1st. The first-place Braves hold an 11 1/2 game lead, but the rest of the division has major implications on the NL wild-card standings. The Phillies and Marlins both sit only a half-game back of the playoffs. The New York Mets sit seven games out of a playoff spot, while the Nationals are at the bottom of the division. All in all, the NL East will be a significant factor at this year’s MLB trade deadline, regardless of buyer/seller status. Let’s look at one deal each NL East team should target
MLB Trade Deadline Targets for Each NL East Team
Atlanta Braves: Dylan Carlson
The Braves have paced the National League for the length of the season. Set firmly in the buyer’s market, the Braves only major concern at this point is a thin bullpen hit by injuries. However, relievers like A.J. Minter, Jesse Chavez, and Dylan Lee are set to return in mid-August. The Braves would be better served upgrading in left field. Marcell Ozuna and Eddie Rosario have combined for 0.7 WAR. Dylan Carlson has struggled at the plate this season, putting up a below-average 92 WRC+. However, he’s under team control through 2026, and the Cardinals are looking for pitching prospects. Carlson has not entered his prime and might benefit from a change of scenery. The Braves will offer pitching or a Major-League-ready position player blocked by their strong lineup.
Dylan Carlson defensive highlights pic.twitter.com/BiwbsFVky1
— Random STL Cardinals (@RandomStlCards) July 20, 2023
Philadelphia Phillies: Tommy Pham
The Phillies are in a close wild-card race and are looking to upgrade on offense before the MLB Trade Deadline. As a result of Rhys Hoskins’ injury, Philadelphia is still searching for right-handed production. Tommy Pham provides a significant upgrade defensively in left field. He’s hit .272 this season for the Mets as an impending free agent. After dealing for Pham, Philadelphia can move Kyle Schwarber to the designated hitter spot. With a somewhat limited selection of top prospects, Philadelphia could dangle a package of mid-level prospects to entice New York into the deal.
Miami Marlins: Jeimer Candelario
The Marlins are one of the biggest surprises in baseball this season and are set to be buying at the MLB Trade Deadline. An ideal fit is the Nationals’ Jeimer Candelario. The Marlins have the league’s 18th-ranked offense. Adding the power threat Candelario brings would be a strong addition without an exorbitant price. Candelario has put up a 2.8 WAR this season and has been one of the best third basemen in the National League. As an impending free agent, he’s a strong candidate to be traded at the deadline. With such a strong farm system, particularly in pitching development, Miami could offer a mid-level pitching prospect to Washington to make the deal work.
New York Mets: Trade Two Players
Perhaps the biggest disappointment in baseball this year, the Mets are unlikely to reach the playoffs. The Mets are best served by selling, as a result of a bloated payroll for an aging roster. Impending free agents like Carlos Carrasco and David Robertson will be on the trading block, and Max Scherzer and Mark Canha have contract options yet to be exercised. All four are significant big-league contributors at varying levels, and combing two would fetch a strong return. Even if the Mets decline to trade one of their high-priced starters, the deal would improve the organization. In doing so, New York would continue to build a youth movement with an eye for the future. Younger major league players with multiple years of team control would also be a good return for the veteran departures.
Washington Nationals: Trade Kyle Finnegan
As expected, the Nationals are not in contention for the playoffs. One positive sign is the development of young pitchers like Kyle Finnegan. Beginning the season as Washington’s closer, Finnegan has rebounded in a late-inning role with a 3.24 ERA in 41.2 innings pitched. With Hunter Harvey’s recent trip to the injured list, Finnegan will likely fetch a better return in a thin market. In exchange, the deal could net the Nationals strong pitching and infield prospects.
With less than ten days from the MLB Trade Deadline, every team is looking to add to their roster or build toward the future. Each of the teams in the NL East figure to impact postseason races, as players across the league will be on the move. Throughout the rest of the week, we’ll talk about who each team should add at the MLB Trade Deadline.
Main photo credits:
Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Players mentioned:
Dylan Carlson, A.J. Minter, Jesse Chavez, Dylan Lee, Marcell Ozuna, Eddie Rosario, Rhys Hoskins, Tommy Pham, Kyle Schwarber, Jeimer Candelario, Carlos Carrasco, David Robertson, Max Scherzer, Mark Canha, Kyle Finnegan, Hunter Harvey
