{"id":14178,"date":"2018-07-30T16:53:25","date_gmt":"2018-07-30T20:53:25","guid":{"rendered":"lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/\/?p=14178"},"modified":"2018-07-30T16:53:25","modified_gmt":"2018-07-30T20:53:25","slug":"potential-deadline-acquisitions-at-the-2018-mlb-trade-deadline","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2018\/07\/30\/potential-deadline-acquisitions-at-the-2018-mlb-trade-deadline\/","title":{"rendered":"Potential Deadline Acquisitions At the 2018 MLB Trade Deadline"},"content":{"rendered":"

The MLB trade deadline is approaching fast, occurring July 31st<\/sup> at 4PM eastern. It can be hard to keep track of who has moved and who is still available. It can be difficult to find a list of who is available, and more so who is likely to be moved. A common theme you\u2019ll notice throughout the article is the emergence of the same teams having players available. This usually happens every year, as certain teams start selling, and the majority of their players get mentioned in rumors. There will be players who are traded that aren\u2019t on this list as well, as it would turn into a novel if we were to list them all.<\/p>\n

Not all of these players are going to be traded, but all of them have been mentioned in rumors. Some of them are much higher profile, and aren\u2019t likely to be traded. This doesn\u2019t mean they won\u2019t be, which is why they are being included.\u00a0Although we won\u2019t be providing explanations for all of the players listed, this should help you keep an eye out for certain players who may be moved within the next 24 hours and counting. That being said, here are some potential deadline acquisitions at the 2018 trade deadline to watch for.<\/p>\n

Potential Deadline Acquisitions At the 2018 MLB Trade Deadline<\/h2>\n

Catcher<\/h3>\n

Wilson Ramos<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 Tampa Bay Rays \u2013 30 years old<\/p>\n

J.T. Realmuto<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 Miami Marlins \u2013 27 years old<\/p>\n

A.J. Ellis<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 San Diego Padres \u2013 37 years old<\/p>\n

Realmuto is the least likely to be traded, although Derek Jeter<\/a> and the Marlins shouldn\u2019t ever be counted out. The Rays have never been shy about trading in the past, and could look to get a nice return on Ramos. Ellis would be a great fill-in for the remainder of the year, and any prospect in return would be worth it for the Padres.<\/p>\n

First Base<\/h3>\n

Justin Smoak<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 Toronto Blue Jays \u2013 31<\/p>\n

Justin Bour<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 Miami Marlins \u2013 30<\/p>\n

Jose Abreu<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 Chicago White Sox \u2013 31<\/p>\n

Jose Abreu<\/a> could easily be moved by the White Sox if they continue to embrace the rebuild. Abreu is also unlikely to be an impact player by the time the team builds enough talent to compete. If the team truly is looking towards the future, they could find a few decent level prospects in return.<\/p>\n

Second Base<\/h3>\n

Scooter Gennett<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 Cincinnati Reds \u2013 28<\/p>\n

Whit Merrifield<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 Kansas City Royals \u2013 29<\/p>\n

Jonathan Schoop<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 Baltimore Orioles \u2013 26<\/p>\n

Merrifield has turned into a fantastic asset, showing ability to play multiple positions. Although Royals GM Dayton Moore stated he wouldn\u2019t be traded, a good enough offer could easily sway him. The Reds are actively looking to offload Gennett, who is currently top ten in the national league in home runs and RBI. A team looking for a solid second baseman for the next five years could scoop up Gennett if they provide a reasonable offer. Jonathan Schoop<\/a> is less likely to move than Gennett, but is still on the block. The Orioles are a long way from competing in the AL East, so keep an eye on Schoop to be in a new locale.<\/p>\n

Third Base<\/h3>\n

Todd Frazier<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 New York Mets \u2013 32<\/p>\n

Adrian Beltre<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 Texas Rangers \u2013 39<\/p>\n

Beltre is nearing the end of his career, but could be a worthy asset for any playoff team. The power and the eye are slowly fading, but with a .292 average, he is showing he can still hit. The arm isn\u2019t what it once was either, but he still has one of the stronger arms of any 3rd<\/sup> baseman.<\/p>\n

Shortstop<\/h3>\n

Elvis Andrus<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 Texas Rangers \u2013 29<\/p>\n

Jordy Mercer<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 Pittsburgh Pirates \u2013 31<\/p>\n

Pittsburgh is still caught in the decision of becoming buyers or sellers. The likelihood is they will start trading their guys to restock the team. If that happens, look for Mercer to move. Normally pretty solid with his glove work, it has slipped a bit this season. If a team is willing to take Andrus\u2019 salary of nearly $75 million over the next five years, he can easily be had. The question becomes, will he continue to produce and be worth the price.<\/p>\n

Outfield<\/h3>\n

Cameron Maybin<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 Miami Marlins – 31<\/p>\n

Carlos Gomez<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 Tampa Bay Rays – 32<\/p>\n

Mark Trumbo<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 Baltimore Orioles \u2013 32<\/p>\n

Scott Schebler<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 Cincinnati Reds \u2013 27<\/p>\n

Adam Jones<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 Baltimore Orioles \u2013 32<\/p>\n

Starling Marte<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 Pittsburgh Pirates \u2013 29<\/p>\n

Corey Dickerson<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 Pittsburgh Pirates \u2013 29<\/p>\n

Adam Jones<\/a> could easily be moved for the same reason as Jose Abreu. He isn\u2019t likely to be impactful the next time the team is good. The Orioles could net a decent return, as Jones is still a good player. One of the two Pirates outfielders are likely to move. Marte was suspended in 2017, whereas Dickerson was DFA after an all-star season with the Rays. Both players are having a good season, and could earn some nice prospects from any interested parties.<\/p>\n

Starting Pitcher<\/h3>\n

Jacob deGrom<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 New York Mets – 30<\/p>\n

Tyson Ross<\/a><\/strong> – San Diego Padres – 31<\/p>\n

Matt Harvey<\/a><\/strong> – Cincinnati Reds – 29<\/p>\n

Zack Wheeler<\/a><\/strong> – New York Mets – 28<\/p>\n

Lance Lynn<\/a><\/strong> – Minnesota Twins – 31<\/p>\n

Jake Odorizzi<\/a><\/strong> – Minnesota Twins – 28<\/p>\n

Michael Fulmer<\/a><\/strong> – Detroit Tigers – 25<\/p>\n

Noah Syndergaard<\/a><\/strong> – New York Mets – 25<\/p>\n

Chris Archer<\/a><\/strong> – Tampa Bay Rays \u2013 29<\/p>\n

DeGrom has been one of the best pitchers in baseball recently, and could get the Mets some solid prospects as a result. Harvey and Wheeler both sound likely to be traded. Lynn and Odorizzi could be obtained from the Twins as rentals, both being on one year deals. The trio of Fulmer, Syndergaard, and Archer aren\u2019t likely to be moved. If they are, they could get some incredible return for their teams, and would likely be the right move going forward.<\/p>\n

Relief Pitcher<\/h3>\n

Jeurys Familia<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 New York Mets – 28<\/p>\n

Raisel Iglesias<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 Cincinnati Reds – 28<\/p>\n

Felipe Vazquez<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 Pittsburgh Pirates – 27<\/p>\n

Tyler Clippard<\/a><\/strong> – Toronto Blue Jays – 30<\/p>\n

John Axford<\/a><\/strong> – Toronto Blue Jays – 35<\/p>\n

Jake Petricka<\/a><\/strong> – Toronto Blue Jays – 30<\/p>\n

Roberto Osuna<\/a><\/strong> – Toronto Blue Jays – 23<\/p>\n

Craig Stammen<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 San Diego Padres – 34<\/p>\n

Jared Hughes<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 Cincinnati Reds – 33<\/p>\n

David Hernandez<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 Cincinnati Reds \u2013 33<\/p>\n

There are a multitude of relievers to be had across the league. This list keeps the number at the ten we think are likely to move. The Blue Jays are trying to offload anyone in their bullpen, and have already traded Seunghwan Oh<\/a><\/strong>. If a team is willing to part with a good enough prospect, impact arms are available for the bullpen this year.<\/p>\n

The Last Word<\/h3>\n

Whether a team decides to buy or sell, almost every MLB team is going to make a deadline move. Some of the teams that continuously pop up in this list are building towards the future. Others that continue to pop-up in the rumors are making a race for October. As the deadline nears, these team\u2019s paths continue to become clearer. As a fan, after reading this list, hopefully your idea of the deadline becomes clearer as well.<\/p>\n

Main Photo:<\/p>\n

Embed from Getty Images<\/a>